Butterflies and Wheels » Latest News

Republican-led House passes bill restricting abortion

Ophelia Benson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:36:27 +0000

The bill would ban abortions 20 weeks after fertilization, when – Republicans claim - a fetus begins to feel pain.… Read the rest

Turkish police use water cannons to clear park

Ophelia Benson — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:11:59 +0000

At least 29 people were injured in clashes as police sealed off Taksim Square and took Gezi Park.… Read the rest

Leo Igwe on Nigeria’s anti-gay marriage bill

Ophelia Benson — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:09:50 +0000

The provisions in this bill are not in accordance with Nigeria’s human rights obligations and commitments locally and internationally.… Read the rest

Ophelia Benson — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 15:07:45 +0000

Some Alabama pastors say Boy Scout troops will not be allowed to meet in their churches after the Boy Scouts of America voted to allow openly gay members.… Read the rest

A nightmare story from the Burzynski clinic

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:32:03 +0000

The case of Amelia S. tipped skeptics off to a pattern in the stories that patients at the clinic were telling, that their worsening symptoms were signs of improvement.… Read the rest

“Beatriz” has been given a C-section

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:29:50 +0000

She is now in stable condition in intensive care.… Read the rest

Panorama on the Burzynski clinic

Ophelia Benson — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:03:01 +0000

Why has Burzynski been allowed to sell an unproven and experimental treatment for 30 years?… Read the rest

Minnesota Senate passes same-sex marriage bill

Ophelia Benson — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:43:49 +0000

Democratic Governor Mark Dayton has said he will sign the bill on Tuesday. The law would take effect August 1.… Read the rest

Vaccination rates are plummeting in Sydney

Ophelia Benson — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:11:19 +0000

Measles swept through south-western Sydney last year, with 172 young children falling ill. It was the worst outbreak in a decade.… Read the rest

Saudi Arabia launches first anti-domestic violence ad

Ophelia Benson — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:48:24 +0000

Thank the king for tiny tiny tiny favors.… Read the rest

Dr. Avijit Roy on the dire situation for free expression in Bangladesh

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:27:04 +0000

If the bloggers are kept against their will, Bangladesh will be well on its way to being a fundamentalist autocracy.… Read the rest

Hackney Citizen on Leo Igwe’s talk “The ‘taboo’ of atheism in black communities”

Ophelia Benson — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:42:35 +0000

Meeting this funny and generous man, you could nearly forget the incredibly serious nature of his work.… Read the rest

Girls who have sex should not be punished with unintended pregnancies

Ophelia Benson — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:31:19 +0000

Last week Obama pledged his continuing support for women’s reproductive rights. Five days later his administration betrayed both reproductive rights and science.… Read the rest

Justice Department appeals judge’s ruling on morning after pill

Ophelia Benson — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:27:43 +0000

The ruling directed the FDA to make the morning-after birth control pill available to females of all ages without a prescription.… Read the rest

Afghanistan: woman shot dead by her father over “honor”

Ophelia Benson — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:03:09 +0000

The killing came after three religious leaders issued a fatwa that Halima should be killed publicly, after her father sought their advice about his daughter’s elopement.… Read the rest

Martin Robbins on the cost of writing on the internet

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:09:16 +0000

Abuse is something that all writers just seem to be expected to accept as “the price”, as if simply having a platform makes you a legitimate target.… Read the rest

Measles outbreaks in England and Wales

Ophelia Benson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:34:28 +0000

The current spread of measles is in stark contrast to a decade ago, when there were only a handful of cases. Nice job, Wakefield.… Read the rest

UK “conman” convicted of selling fake bomb detectors

Ophelia Benson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:49:56 +0000

Homeopaths next?… Read the rest

Worldwide Protests for Free Expression in Bangladesh

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:53:34 +0000

An international coalition led by CFI, the IHEU, and American Atheists, will protest the persecution of atheist bloggers in Bangladesh with demonstrations on April 25.… Read the rest

Kansas: Brownback signs sweeping antiabortion bill into law

Ophelia Benson — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:34:20 +0000

The law violates the accepted definition of fetal viability as defined by Roe v. Wade.… Read the rest