Mar 03
Mysterious Signals from a Particular Part of Deep Space, Patriot Act Not Really Used for Counterterrorism, Best of the Best Parliament Brawls, and More Picks
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Turkey Continues Its Tilt Toward Autocracy (Dan)
Watch what you say about Turkish president Tayyip Ergodan. ‘Insulting’ him could get you thrown in jail for years.
Mysterious Radio Signals Come from One Source in Deep Space (Klaus)
A series of radio signals all seem to be originating from the same place in outer space. However, scientists note that there could be multiple explanations for the phenomenon.
Expanded “Sneak-and-Peek” Power Used to Fight Drug Crimes, Not Terrorism (Klaus)
One of the more controversial provisions of the Patriot Act, an expansion of law enforcement’s “sneak-and-peek” authority, is hardly ever used in counterterrorism investigations. As predicted by critics of the law, it is primarily used in narcotics cases.
Republican Foreign Policy Veterans Rebuke Trump World View (Trevin)
A letter released yesterday by 60 “Republican foreign policy veterans” pledges to oppose Trump, and says his ideas will weaken national security.
Red Cross Distributes Almond Trees to Gaza (Trevin)
Palestinian farmers whose lands have been destroyed by war have begun to receive thousands of almond trees from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Fist Fighting, Hair-Pulling, Spitting, Chair-Throwing — in Parliaments (Milicent)
So many donnybrooks explode in Parliaments all over the world, there is actually a website devoted to curating videos of these events. If you liked watching Trump and Cruz fighting, you will love this site where guys in their best suits really get down and dirty. (Some wear long traditional robes, depending on the country.) Go there and take your pick! Your screen will fill up with a writhing mass of arms and legs from floor to ceiling, just like in a cartoon. Sometimes throwing tear gas isn’t enough to stop it!
