canflam

So Nurat Jahan Rafi went on a roof because she was told that a friend of hers on it was getting beaten up? Yikes. That would be fishy to me if someone told me to do that because a pal of mine was getting beaten up on a roof. I don't know what the punishment is going to be for these people that did this to her. I wouldn't be against life in prison for them. I don't think torture or what they did to Nurat Jhan Rafi is the answer for their crime, but if some do that's their choice.

Some news on David & Loius Turpin. They did get sentences to life in prison this week. Here's a link to that story: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/u...in-family.html

There You'll Be

Oh my god-both of those stories are horrifying, but I'm more disturbed by the woman being burned.

Like you said, Sunny, she had the courage to report it. It's sickening this happened to her. It literally makes me shake to read.

As for Notre Dame, I truly thought it was only in a book. I guess I must not know of a lot of buildings, monuments, and history of them. I'm still not sure what all it entails.

sunnykerr

Notre-Dame was built in the 12th century. Don't beat yourself up for not knowing it is/was a real building. It happens. It'll pose challenges when it comes to rebuilding, though. For instance, there are no longer trees big/tall enough in France to rebuilt the roof as it was, from single planks. They'll obviously figure something out. But it gives you an idea of how much the world has changed to think of the fact that there are no trees like that in France any more.

It sucks for the people who were travellin to Paris to celebrate Easter mass in there, though. It's one of the big Catholic churches after all.

But, as always, Easter brings violence: Sri Lanka attacks: More than 200 killed as churches and hotels targeted Several Muslim organizations have already condemned the attack, but I doubt that will get much attention. And no wonder. The focus should be on the tragedy. I'm just saying it so that we're all aware.

Death toll rises to 23 in Brazill building collapse It tells you something about the desperation of people that two dozen of them would inhabit a building that had been officially condemned.

US arrests 'member of border militia' in New Mexico I hope this is the first of many arrests, but I kinda doubt it.

kiamay

Oh wow, yes, it really does!

And I heard about the attacks after I got home from the Easter service... sometimes I feel like I don't appreciate the religious freedom enough that we have here.
A few weeks ago I met someone who had fled from Iraq in my church. He told me that he hid the fact that he had become a Christian from everyone - even his family - because he was afraid.
Reminds me of the stories of the first Christians who had to communicate in code, drawing things in the sand, to find out if someone else believed as they did...
It's sad we still have the same problem 2000 years later.

Of course not only Christians are persecuted for their beliefs... the story of drawing fish in the sand at a market place just came to my mind...

I share your hopes and doubts about the border militia arrest... "United Constitutional Patriots"... the name alone gives you an idea what kind of people join them.
It's a shame because I don't think patritism is inherently bad.
It's just that the wrong kind of people feel attracted to do as they please under that disguise.

sunnykerr

I don't mind patriotism per se, but I do think it often short-circuits a person's ability to exercise common sense or critical thinking.

I mean, look at those ad hoc border patrols. It is in the name of patriotism, but it's a really cockamamie version of patriotism as far as I'm concerned. Refugees and immigrants aren't a threat. The violence perpetrated in the name of "stopping" anyone from coming in, though? How is that not instantly flagged as a massive threat? More than nine time out of ten, terrorists are homegrown.

And look at what's happening in Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan military given sweeping powers after bombings Obviously, after what they've been through, you can't blame them for reacting swiftly. But I'm not sure reacting swiftly to terror attacks always leads to the better good, you know? Look at all the civil-rights violations and hate crimes that happened in the United States (and Canada) after the September 11 attacks.

There's also some promising news for this thread: Artificial intelligence used to diagnose PTSD by analyzing veterans' voices It's a good start, but if there are no ressources to aid these veterans once they've been diagnosed, it's not much of a step forward, is it?

kiamay

I know! Also the military actions that followed quickly had really bad long-term consequences.

I actually think that's particularily nasty. Having people fight for your country and then not taking care of them when they have health issues from the things you made them do.
A country owes its soldiers big time. If someone served their country they deserve to be treated accordingly.

sunnykerr

The thing is, there has never been any sort of veterans services. Ever. No government in the history of the world has ever taken care of its veterans. It's still not okay, obviously. It's just something to keep in mind.

So that's why I have issues with patriotism. Nothing wrong with loving your country, but sometimes it makes little sense to me and, also, sometimes there are weird periods where it seems like patriotism is a really, really bad idea.

For instance, some new information has come out about the border-patrol militias: US 'border militia training to assassinate Obama' - FBI And these are "patriots," you know? They're planning to murder the president in the name of patriotism.

sunnykerr

IS conflict: Coalition strikes on Raqqa 'killed 1,600 civilians' This is the U.S.-led coallition that also includes France and the UK. And the numbers come from Amnesty International, which is not an anti-American organization. So the point here is that Western governments are creating the next generation of terrorists in the way they choose to fight terrorism.

New cyclone set to make landfall in northern Mozambique This is six weeks after the last one so, hopefully, the area is already so devastated that there can't be that much of a hike in the death toll? That sounds like a really cruel hope, doesn't it?

Measles cases hit 25-year high in US amid anti-vaxx movement God, I hate people. Measles had been all-but-eradicated. Seriously. It's a very dangerous illness. But, thanks to science, it had been a while since we'd witnessed the devastation it can bring. So, sure, let's buy into some junk science that has been debunked a million times and stop vaccinating our kids against a totally preventible potentially lethal disease.

canflam

Thanks for posting all this news. Here's some more: War Vet Drove Into Pedestrians Thinking Some Were Muslim |

Can only pray each of the victims survive this brutal attack.

sunnykerr

But that's not terrorism, right?

Flooding feared in Mozambique after Cyclone Kenneth; 5 dead Seems my bleak hopes that there had been so much devastation already that the new cyclone's damage would be somewhat limited have been granted. So far. With 3500 homes lost and nearly a million people at risk, and rains continuing to lash the region, we'll see if it stays that way.

Conservatives take aim at Roe v Wade with 'extreme' six-week restriction bills I'm so relieved to not be a U.S. citizen. I can't even imagine what it would be like to live somewhere where my rights, as a woman, were put to a vote like that. Where religious ideological nonsense was the main guideline to determine my access to health services or how much control of my own freaking body I could have.

Pope donates $500,000 for migrants stranded in Mexico It's so lovely to see a leader act in the right way on this issue. And that's in U.S. currency as well, so you know it'll go even further.

canflam

I don't know who has said that wasn't terrorism. Thanks for this news. Here's a link to the story of the crane which collapsed in Seattle over the weekend: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/...day/1959839055

Also, director John Singleton is being taken off life support today after suffering a stroke. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-si...ring-a-stroke/

ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly put up a video of himself for the first time in 5 years, so those that thought he was dead, well he apparently isn't at this time.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/29/middl...ntl/index.html

sunnykerr

John Singleton and Luke Perry, man. It's been a rough couple of months for male celebrities, huh?

Whenever a terrorist releases a video after years of radio silence, I always wonder if they just couldn't have planned it ahead. Like, how do you know when a video was even shot? They could just prepare ahead, knowing they'll either be killed or be in hiding, you know?

Amazon investigates after anti-vaxxer leaflet found hidden in children's book Never mind the fact that they whole anti-vaxxer thing is insane to begind with... the idea that they're targetting children now? Is there no low these people won't stoop to?

U.S. builds migrant tent city in Texas as Trump likens treatment to 'Disneyland' And, of course, they're splitting families. Like they do at Disneyland. This is what happens when you elect someone that out of touch with reality to the highest office in the land.

Jewish community will 'stand tall' after Calif. synagogue shooting Another white shooter, another instance where people are calling it "an attack" instead of terrorism. And I don't even disagree. It's much closer to a hate crime than an act of terrorism. But, let's face it, if the shooter is brown, it's terrorism, isn't it? Anyway, the lady who died was awfully brave for standing up to protect the rabbi that way.

Death toll jumps to 38 after Mozambique's latest cyclone And, naturally, it's becoming harder and harder to get aid to the people who need it the most. So that's a number that's gonan keep on climbing.

Indonesia floods kill at least 31, thousands displaced It's scary to think this is just the start of the extreme-climate season.

Police: 8 shot, 1 fatally, in latest Baltimore shooting But then you don't need the forces of nature for people to die for no good reason.

canflam

Thanks for posting about all those stories.

Venezuela uprising turns violent after military armored vehicle plows into crowd of opposition supporters

Emboldened supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido brutally clashed with Venezuelan security forces as dramatic footage from Caracas showed a military armored vehicle plowing into the crowd.

In a video broadcast live on telecasts across the world, the armored vehicle can be seen driving over the center of a road, hitting a crowd of demonstrators purportedly throwing rocks at security forces. No injuries were immediately reported.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL., denounced the actions by Venezuelan security forces, saying that “military and security leaders must realize they are and will be held responsible for this,” he said on Twitter.

The dramatic events come after Guaido, alongside detained activist Leopoldo Lopez, called for a military uprising Tuesday morning in his boldest action to oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

“The armed forces have taken the right decision,” Guaido said earlier Tuesday. “With the support of the Venezuelan people and the backing of our constitution, they are on the right side of history.”

He added: “The moment is now.”

The 35-year-old leader of the opposition-led National Assembly and a small contingent of heavily armed soldiers appeared in an early morning video promoting the “final phase” of his putsch to oust Maduro.

The United States, which has supported Guaido’s claim as interim president of Venezuela, offered its support of the opposition and its supporters.

“To Juan Guaido, the National Assembly and all the freedom-loving people of Venezuela who are taking to the streets today in #operacionlibertad—Estamos con ustedes! We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom & democracy are restored. Vayan con dios!” Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that President Trump had been briefed on the ongoing situation in Venezuela and they were monitoring.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the U.S. fully supports the “Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy.”

“Democracy cannot be defeated,” he added.

Troops loyal to Maduro sporadically fired tear gas from inside the adjacent Carlota air base. A crowd that quickly swelled to a few thousand scurried for cover, with a smaller group of masked youths reassembling outside the air base's gates where they lobbed rocks and other heavy objects.

"It's now or never," said one of the young rebellious soldiers, his face covered in the blue bandanna worn by the few dozen soldiers who stood alongside Guaidó and Lopez.

Maduro tried to project an image of strength, saying he had spoken to several regional military commanders who reaffirmed their loyalty to his socialist revolution.

"Nerves of steel!," he said in a message posted on Twitter.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on rejected what he called an attempt by a "subversive movement" to generate "panic and terror." He later said that the "acts of violence" by some members of the armed forces had been "partly defeated" and that the military's top ranks remained "loyal to the constitution."

He was flanked by other security forces as he described Tuesday's rebellion as small and insignificant. He said that the armed forces reject "this new aggression" by the U.S.-backed opposition.

"A mediocre coup d'etat attempt has failed," he said.

Anti-Maduro protests are planned for Wednesday, including what Guaido has said will be “the largest march in Venezuela’s history,” part of what he calls the “definitive phase” of his effort to take office in order to call fresh elections.

Meanwhile, socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello said most of Caracas was calm and called on government supporters to amass at the presidential palace to defend Maduro.

"We're going to Miraflores palace to defend the revolution, to defend Nicolas and to defend the legacy of Hugo Chavez," Cabello said in a phone call to state TV.

About a dozen government supporters, some of them brandishing firearms, gathered at the presidential palace, answering the call by Cabello to defend Maduro.

"It's time to defend the revolution with arms," Valentin Santana, head of a militant group, said in a video posted on social media as he brandished an automatic rifle.

Meanwhile, Guaidó said the troops who had taken to the streets were protecting Venezuela's constitution. He said that in the coming hours he would release a list of top commanders supporting the uprising.

"The armed forces have taken the right decision," said Guaidó. "With the support of the Venezuelan people and the backing of our constitution, they are on the right side of history."

As the events unfolded in Caracas, governments from around the world expressed a mix of support for Guaido, while reiterating calls to voice violent confrontation.

National Security Advisor John Bolton said that the Venezuelan military has a choice to make: embrace democracy or "face more man-made suffering and isolation."

"Venezuelans have made clear that the current path toward democracy is irreversible," he said on Twitter.

However, the spokeswoman's for Spain's acting government said it did not support any military coup in Venezuela, even though it still considered Guaido the country's legitimate leader.

"We hope with all of our strength that there is no bloodshed. We support a peaceful democratic process in Venezuela. We support the immediate holding of an election for a new president," Isabel Celaá said on Tuesday during a weekly routine press briefing.

President Vladimir Putin is said to be paying "significant" attention to the reports about "a coup attempt in that country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

Elsewhere, Bolivian President Evo Morales issued a call via Twitter Tuesday urging Latin American governments "to condemn the coup d'etat in Venezuela and keep the violence from claiming innocent lives." He blamed the U.S. for "provoking violence and death in Venezuela."

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also sent a tweet backing Maduro and calling on the U.S. to "halt aggressions against the peace."

Guaido, the leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, triggering a power struggle with Maduro. He has the support from about 50 countries, including the United States and several European nations, who have disavowed Maduro’s presidency.

Meanwhile, Maduro, who is backed by Russia and China, calls Guaido a U.S.-backed puppet who seeks to oust him in a coup. He has appeared to retain control of state institutions and the loyalty of senior military officers.

The Venezuelan government has arrested Guaido's top aide, stripped the opposition leader of his parliamentary immunity and opened multiple probes against him. He has also barred him from leaving the country - a ban that Guaido openly violated earlier this year when he traveled to several Latin American countries seeking foreign support.

Home to the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela was for decades an economic leader in the western hemisphere and, despite a massive gap between rich and poor, was a major destination for neighboring Colombians and other Latin Americans fleeing their less prosperous and more troubled homelands.

But in 1999 with the rise to power of late leader Hugo Chávez – whose social and economic reforms initially endeared him to the poor but also set up an unsustainable system of state spending – Venezuela’s economy began to creep toward a crisis.


Harsh times in Venezuela. Curious to see what happens in that country after Maduro is gone, which looks like will happen sooner than later. I'm not familiar with everything that's happened in Venezuela since Hugo Chavez died, so wonder if things have gotten worse in past 6 years than where there before then.

sunnykerr

Since Hugo Chavez left a lot of debt and Maduro's done nothing but line his own pockets, I would say things have indeed gotten worse. There's a reason they call the rampant famine the "Maduro Diet".

But the unrest in Argentina's been going on for months, if not years now. So I'm more interested in seeing whether this actually comes to anything.

There You'll Be

I'd give anything for this round of violence in Argentina to lead to something changing there. Is that wrong for me to hope that?

I'll have to respond to the rest of the news later. I hadn't really been around news, and now I'm unhappy with the world, after reading these articles.

You know me-it doesn't take much news to get to me.