More rats, mice, wasps. Can we see the statistics? No, they’re a secret.
Category: Latest News
Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.
We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.
A note about links
Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.
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Bush Edits Jefferson Quotation in Speech
The chains [under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves].
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HRW on Ethiopian Plan to Control NGOs
Ethiopia should ditch plans to impose strict controls and harsh criminal penalties on NGOs.
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Kenan Malik on the Trap of Identity
To view humans as having to bear specific cultures is to deny a capacity for transformation.
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Students Disciplined for Refusing to Pray
Two students refused to kneel and ‘pray to Allah’ during a religious education lesson at state school.
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China’s Missing Girls and Restless Boys
China has the largest gender imbalance in the world, with almost 20% more newborn boys than girls.
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Two Kinds of Patriotism
Patriotism of affirmation appeals to conservatives, patriotism of dissent is cherished by liberals.
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Special Laws for Catholic ‘World Youth Day’
Anyone deemed to be causing annoyance could be arrested and fined up to $5,500.
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People Turn Shirty for World Youth Day
11. Thou shalt not annoy.
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Lord Chief Justice Says Sharia OK
‘It was not very radical to advocate embracing sharia law in the context of family disputes.’
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Denmark Happiest, Zimbabwe Least Happy
Survey finds personal freedom even more important to happiness than prosperity.
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Peter Green on Herodotus
A broadminded, witty cosmopolitan, for whom the varieties of human custom were a source of fascination.
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How to Confuse the Issue
Define ‘Islamophobia’ as hatred of Muslims then rail at anyone who is critical of Islam.
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More Confusion
The religion is one thing, the people are another.
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Muslim Woman Councillor Bullied by Men
Imam notes ‘Because this is Britain, you cannot tell anyone what to do. I can tell my wife, but cannot tell other women.’
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Canadian HRC Dismisses Maclean’s Complaint
‘Not of an extreme nature.’ BC Human Rights Commission has not yet ruled.
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Mugabe Aide Tells Critics to ‘Go Hang’
MDC said Friday’s one-man election had killed off any prospect of a negotiated settlement.
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AU Disappointed With Obama Plan
Rather than try to fix Bush ‘faith-based’ initiative, Obama would do better to shut it down.
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Tayside Police Apologize for Puppy on Postcard
‘We did not seek advice from the diversity adviser. That was an oversight. We apologise for any offence.’
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Offensive Puppy Postcard Claim Dismissed
Mahmud Sarwar, trustee of Scottish Islamic and Cultural Centre, said chill, postcard is fine.