1. A family from Syria sought asylum in Norway, and now they are seeking asylum in Poland - to escape the Norwegian child protection agency.
2. In Wales, changing to presumed consent for organ donation made no difference to actual organ donations.
3. "A report released by Canada’s spy agency has warned that New Zealand, one of its closest allies, has been influenced at every level of society by the Chinese government, and that the situation has reached a “critical” stage." More here. (What did I tell you?)
4. The US "has called for a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia, working in partnership with the United States". Sorry, no that's not news, that was President Obama in 2009 ("SEE ALSO: Obama lauds Putin at Russia talks"). That was then - before 'kompromat' and 'bots' - and this is now: the US will impose sanctions on Russia over the Skripal poisoning.
5. "Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top executioners, but crucifixions - in which the condemned is usually beheaded and then the body put on display - are rare", yet a "man from Myanmar was beheaded and his body put on display on a cross in Mecca on Wednesday". More here (don't worry - no nasty pictures). I wondered whether that was cultural appropriation of a Hellenic/Roman custom, but if so it is a very old one: the Qur'an apparently mentions crucifixion in 6 places, including as an appropriate punishment for some crimes, while Wikipedia informs me that "Most classical [Islamic] jurists limit the period of crucifixion to three days".
6. And now for some photos: first, lovely iPhone photos; and, finally, some relentless, compelling, depressing photos of abandoned Russia.
5. "Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top executioners, but crucifixions - in which the condemned is usually beheaded and then the body put on display - are rare", yet a "man from Myanmar was beheaded and his body put on display on a cross in Mecca on Wednesday". More here (don't worry - no nasty pictures). I wondered whether that was cultural appropriation of a Hellenic/Roman custom, but if so it is a very old one: the Qur'an apparently mentions crucifixion in 6 places, including as an appropriate punishment for some crimes, while Wikipedia informs me that "Most classical [Islamic] jurists limit the period of crucifixion to three days".
6. And now for some photos: first, lovely iPhone photos; and, finally, some relentless, compelling, depressing photos of abandoned Russia.
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