Europe

The world’s first Bitcoin escort agency

"Would-be clients of upscale escorts in Birmingham, UK now have way to pay for escort services that's just as discreet as cash and more secure: Bitcoin has officially entered the realm of sex work. The world's oldest profession met the world's youngest currency as escort agency Passion VIP announced it now accepts payment for its adult companionship services in bitcoin. Located in the second most populous British city (after London), Passion VIP is hoping the introduction of bitcoin payments will open up a new market by giving clients an alternative payment method." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe world’s first Bitcoin escort agency

Scientists plan to launch thousands of GM ‘Frankenflies’ into fields

"Thousands of GM insects developed by British scientists are set to be the first released into fields in Europe as an alternative to chemical pesticides. The plan is to release a large number of genetically modified olive flies that would be used to kill off wild pests that damage the crop. The technology is the brainchild of experts at British company Oxitec, who insist the GM insects are better for the environment that spraying crops with chemical pesticides. The Oxitec chief executive, Hadyn Parry, accused critics of the technology who warn of danger to health and the environment of scaremongering." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists plan to launch thousands of GM ‘Frankenflies’ into fields

Thousands march in Edinburgh to support Scottish independence

"Thousands of people marched through the Scottish capital Edinburgh on Saturday calling for independence, a year ahead of Scotland’s historic referendum on whether to break away from the United Kingdom. The pro-independence campaign 'Yes Scotland' estimated that 20,000 supporters joined the march, turning the city centre into a sea of blue and white as they waved thousands of Scottish flags. Some of the men were clad in traditional Scottish kilts as they marched up Calton Hill, overlooking the city, to the sound of bagpipes. The ‘no’ campaign — backed by British Prime Minister David Cameron’s government — claims Scotland is stronger as part of the larger United Kingdom." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThousands march in Edinburgh to support Scottish independence

French mother jailed for sending son to school in ‘I am a bomb’ shirt

"A French mother who sent her three-year-old son to school in a T-shirt reading 'I am a bomb' and 'Jihad, born on September 11' was given a suspended prison term Friday for defending crime. Bouchra Bagour said she had simply wanted to mark the birthday of her son — who is named Jihad and was born on September 11 — and had not intended any connection with the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001. On Friday, an appeal court in the southern city of Nimes fined Bagour 2,000 euros ($2,700) and giving her a suspended one-month jail term. Her brother Zeyad, who gave his nephew the T-shirt, was fined 4,000 euros and given a two-month suspended prison sentence." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrench mother jailed for sending son to school in ‘I am a bomb’ shirt

Least Surprising News Flash Ever: Study Finds Bureaucrats Are Lazy

"Gee, knock me over with a feather. Lazy people are more likely to work for the government. And they even admit it! However, it seems that there are some causation/correlation issues. It may be that you don’t work for the government because you’re lazy. Instead, working for the government may make you lazy. As a taxpayer, I confess this causes me some mixed feelings. I’m irked that bureaucrats are getting lavishly compensated at my expense. And I don’t like the idea of them goofing off while playing Solitaire or updating their Facebook pages. But then I remind myself that this may be the least-destructive way for them to occupy their time." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLeast Surprising News Flash Ever: Study Finds Bureaucrats Are Lazy

France’s interior minister says Syria militants pose national security threat

"France’s interior minister revealed Thursday that hundreds of homegrown Islamist militants were signing up to fight in Syria and warned they could pose a security threat when they come back. More than 300 French nationals or residents are either currently fighting in Syria’s civil war, planning to go and fight or have recently returned from there, the minister, Manuel Valls, told France Inter radio. Most of them were young men, often with a delinquent past, who had become radicalised, he said. 'This is a phenomenon which worries me because they represent a potential danger when they return to our soil,' Valls said. 'We have to be extremely attentive.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance’s interior minister says Syria militants pose national security threat

A Rare Sign of Fiscal Sanity in France

"France’s state auditor urged the government Tuesday to redouble efforts to limit spending rather than increases taxes… He said 'the spiraling welfare debt was particularly abnormal and particularly dangerous.' During his first year in power, President François Hollande relied on large tax increases to plug holes in public finances, including social programs such as pensions, unemployment benefits and health care. But economic stagnation in 2012, coupled with a mild recession at the start of 2013, has waylaid the plan, while both companies and households are crying foul over what some have called 'a tax overdose.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Rare Sign of Fiscal Sanity in France

No more beauty contests for kids in France

"The French senate has approved a proposal to ban beauty contests for girls under 16 to prevent what a parliamentary report called the 'hyper-sexualisation' of children. The measure follows a parliamentary report 'Against Hyper-Sexualisation: A New Fight For Equality' which called for a ban on child-size adult clothing, such as padded bras and high-heeled shoes. 'Let us not make our girls believe from a very young age that their worth is only judged by their appearance,' said the author of the report, former sports minister Chantal Jouanno. According to the proposal, organisers of such beauty pageants could face up to two years in prison and a 30,000-euro ($40,000) fine." Continue reading →

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France’s new ‘cat cafe’ is predictably full of rescued kitties

"France’s first 'cat cafe' opens on Saturday in Paris with an in house troupe of nine rescue cats ready and waiting to be made a fuss of by cat-loving customers. Already popular in Tokyo where there are dozens, cat cafes allow customers who cannot have a pet at home to enjoy a cup of something hot with a purring cat perched on their knees. Margaux Gandelon, the woman behind the new Cafe des Chats in Paris’s trendy Marais district, says the cats were carefully selected for their social skills and stresses that hygiene and their welfare are her top priorities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance’s new ‘cat cafe’ is predictably full of rescued kitties

Dutch King tells citizens ‘to take responsibility’ as austerity implemented

"The king, who travelled through the streets of The Hague to address MPs and senators in an ornate horse-drawn golden carriage, said the transformation would be particularly noticeable in social security and long-term healthcare policies. The trade-dependent Dutch economy is in the fourth quarter of a recession and is struggling even as other European countries return to growth. The austerity measures will reduce Dutch households’ purchasing power by 0.25 percent in 2014. The budget announcement came with the government in free-fall in opinion polls. A poll said that the ruling Liberal-Labour coalition would lose around half its seats in parliament were elections held now." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDutch King tells citizens ‘to take responsibility’ as austerity implemented