The Daily Mail has run with an explosive story after public protestations from British officials over the use of false British passports (and reportedly stolen identities) for the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai (here). The question now is whether Parliament has the courage to order an investigation in whether the British government not only acquiesced to the operation but then actively misled the public by pretending to be outraged.
Category: Society
Occasionally, the Olympic performances will result not in preservation of a moment of perfection but a wipeout. On this occasion, it was not a downhill skier but an NBC reporter who asked Gold Medalist Sven Kramer who he was, what country he was from, and what he just won. He responded with “Are you stupid?”
Interpol has posted wanted pictures of the eleven suspects in the assassination of Hamas member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the Dubai hotel on January 19, 2010. In what could be a serious problem for Israel, both Britain and France are demanding answers on the use of fake passports and stolen identities in the plot while Dubai continues its criminal investigation. This is occurring at the same time that Israel is resisting an international investigation into possible war crimes in its campaign in Gaza, here.
Juventus‘ goalie, Gigi Buffon, is facing punishment for saying “Dio” or “God” after a critical play went poorly. You cannot use the Lord’s name in vain in Italy where officials have used replay tapes to determine if he said “Dio” or, as he now claims, “Zio” or “uncle.”
Continue reading “Dios Mío: Leading Soccer Player To Be Punished for Blasphemy”
Malaysia has continued its application of Sharia law with the caning of three Muslim women for having illicit sex. This follows the earlier sentence of a woman to caning for drinking a beer in public under Islamic law, here.
Continue reading “Malaysia Canes Three Women For Illicit Sex Under Sharia Sentences”
While Obama has been criticized for saying that Tibet is part of China (here), he showed a refreshing degree of independence from China by meeting with the Dalai Lama. In the past, China has been able to pressure leaders (including past presidents) to avoid such meetings). Recently, South Africa even barred the Dalai Lama from an international peace conference, here.
Continue reading “Hello Dalai: Obama Meets With Tibetian Leader Over Chinese Objections”
Crystal Gale Mangum, 33, has been charged with attempted murder and arson. Mangum was the stripper who falsely accused members of the Duke lacrosse team.
Continue reading “Duke Lacrosse Team Accuser Crystal Gale Mangum Charged With Attempted Murder”
South Carolina Rep. Mike Pitts (R.) wants to ban the buck. He has introduced legislation to require the use of gold and silver coins as the legal tender of the state as opposed to federal currency. For those passing through the state, you may want to wait before you exchange your dollars for bags of gold and silver coins.
A new poll shows just how dissatisfied voters are with both parties: only a third of voters want their incumbents returned to Congress. The question is whether voters are ready to change the system — rather than just change the members.
Continue reading “Only One-Third of Americans Polled Want Incumbents Returned to Congress”
Atlanta police appear to be fans of Alfred Lord Tennyson: “Ours is not to reason why Ours is but to do and die”. When four women planning a funeral were ordered by an Atlanta police officer to move, one asked “why?” Minnie Carey, then 61, was arrested, cuffed, and thrown into jail.
Continue reading “While Some Ask Why, The Atlanta Police Ask Why Not: Police Arrest Woman For Asking “Why?””
The Observer has published an article detailing a confidential Vatican document from the 1960s that instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or face discipline — including expulsion from the church. The document in Latin bears the seal of Pope John XXIII. It reads like a Vatican-version of Omertà.
Continue reading “Omertà: Vatican Ordered Secrecy in Abuse Cases”
London police are investigating an unnamed Saudi prince in the murder of one of his servants. A 32-year-old Saudi national was found dead from strangulation and severe head injuries at the posh five-star Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, Central London.
Continue reading “London Police Investigate Saudi Prince in Murder of Servant”
I just saw this video on Reddit of a guy who sees an Olympic torch and sees not a symbol of international cooperation and competition but a lighter for his cigarette. Next time he should do what other people do and use an AK-47, here.
Continue reading “Video: Man Arrested For Lighting Cigarette on Olympic Torch”
Television presenter Ray Gosling has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the BBC ran a segment where the 70-year-old confessed to smothering his lover who was suffering from AIDS. He starts the segment by saying that he wanted to reveal his secret: “I killed someone.”
With Dick Cheney boasting on national television of his support for waterboarding and torture (here), the Obama White House is continuing its policy of ignoring the credible claims of war crimes to avoid the politically difficult decision to prosecute Bush, Cheney and others for the U.S. torture program. This was evident this week when White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused to answer a basic question on the torture of a recently captured Taliban leader– offering only to discuss the matter off the record.
Continue reading “Gibbs Refuses to Answer Torture Question in Public”