Current Affairs

Ph.D.s, politics and the art of making it in Washington

Do policymakers listen? Should you get a Ph.D.? And where are all the women?

FP gathered current and former deans from top public policy schools discuss the role of academia in the study and the making of foreign policy

Does the Academy Matter?

foreignpolicy.com

3rd person arrested in Aspen socialite's killing: http://abcn.ws/OiKcXC

Third Person Arrested in Aspen Socialite Killing

A third person is behind bars, charged with murder in the killing of Aspen, Colo., socialite Nancy Pfister.

Sunday 16 March 2014

Think Crimea's referendum looks dirty? You should have seen the Anschluss plebiscite. A history of referendums as tools of great power politics.

Think Crimea’s Referendum Looks Dirty? You Should Have Seen the Anschluss Plebiscite.

blog.foreignpolicy.com

Born out of the ideals of the French Revolution, strengthened by Wilsonian notions of self-determination, the secession referendum, at its best, is.

Have Hope

12:41 a.m. to 6:51 a.m. - New timeline provides insight into the escalation of steps taken before an emergency was declared for Flight MH370: http://bitly.com/1iU2dVy

What Happened Before Flight MH370 Disappeared

A timeline of the disappearance of Flight MH370.

keeping passport safe

How to keep your passport safe before and after you travel: http://abcn.ws/1honYMa

How to Keep Your Passport Safe

If you've had to go get a new passport lately, you have learned (like me) it's no longer the easiest thing to prove that you're you.

Warning (USA)

What do other countries warn their people traveling to the U.S. about? http://abcn.ws/NjCHOW

Odd Travel Warnings from Other Countries About the USA

What do other countries warn their people traveling to the U.S. about? Short answer: Crime, but also Mother Nature.

CF california

A California man who found his mugshot on a 'most wanted' criminal website turned himself in to authorities, say police: http://abcn.ws/1itA35B

Google Searcher Finds He's 'Most Wanted,' Turns Self In

A California man who found his mugshot on a 'most wanted' criminal website turned himself in to authorities, say police.

Friday 14 March 2014

Sand boating

You might be familiar with snowboarding, but have you ever seen someone "sandboarding"? Take a look at the world as seen through a photographer's eye in our Visions of Earth gallery.

Visions of Earth 2014 - Photo Gallery

ngm.nationalgeographic.com

View Visions of Earth photographs from the 2014 issues of National Geographic Magazine.

Nigeria Prince

Move over, Nigerian Prince. There's a new email scammer in your inbox: he's a Syrian official who really needs your help.

In Online Scams, New Nigerian Prince is a Syrian Government Official - By Hanna Kozlowska

blog.foreignpolicy.com

Check your email. There is a Syrian banker that really needs your help. "Greeting, My apologies writing you a surprise letter, My name is Mr...

Katrina

Katrina, who recently got a 14-cent raise, talks about her struggle to make ends meet as a single mom of three.

Living ‘Paycheck to Paycheck’: One woman’s struggle

Maria Shriver and Katrina Gilbert discuss Shriver’s new documentary, “Paycheck to Paycheck,” which follows Gilbert working as a nursing assistant while supporting three children.

Zapiro

Zapiro's cartoon in printe edition of Mail & Guardian (14 Mar 2014) on ANC 2014 list of candidates -and those that are no longer there -
http://bit.ly/140313mg

140313mg - ANC Integrity List

zapiro.com

Zapiro cartoon on ANC Integrity List. Jacob Zuma on Tuesday strengthened his hand in the African National Congress (ANC) as those close to him secured spots as candidates for the National Assembly in the May 7 elections.

colin powell

The 76-year-old former secretary of state got into the ‪#‎ThrowbackThursday‬ spirit on Facebook, posting a black-and-white photo of his younger self standing in front of a bedroom mirror, holding a vintage camera.

'Eat your heart out Ellen!' Colin Powell wins Throwback Thursday with vintage selfie

How cool is Colin Powell? He was taking selfies long before today’s hipsters were even born.

Kids on Crutches

Getting kids on crutches to fall over inside a giant ice cube sounds like cruelty, but it could lead to better cold-weather gear for everyone. Log in for the full story at http://ow.ly/ut4Hr

IT MAY seem that wintry life in the north is all sleigh bells, rosy cheeks and frosted moustaches, but in reality coping with cold climes can be a...

Amazon accused on cheating

Amazon faces accusations of cheating on its free shipping: http://abcn.ws/1glylSW

Amazon Accused of Cheating on Free Shipping

Amazon claims that a $79 annual membership for Amazon Prime provides free two-day shipping on "millions" of items, but for some products, the company is accused of encouraging sellers to inflate shipping prices, according to two...

Rock Star

“She’s definitely our little rock star,” says 3-year-old Aryanna's father Kevin Lynch. “She’s just a hero all around. I don’t want to think what would have happened if she wasn’t there.”

3-year-old cracks cellphone password, saves pregnant mom

It’s been a milestone week for the Lynch family of Weymouth, Mass.: Their 3-year-old daughter was honored for getting urgent medical care for her pregnant mother, and within hours, the family welcomed a healthy baby girl.

In honor of Vogue

In honor of Vogue's (wonderful) idea, Natalie asked the anchors a few rapid-fire questions this morning. Just not 73 of them!

Sarah Jessica Parker opens her home to Vogue and answers 73 questions

While getting the answer to one question — What does it look like inside Sarah Jessica Parker's New York brownstone? — you'll be treated to the answers...

CF Sports

Amakhosi exit blot on VV's cv
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2014/03/14/amakhosi-exit-blot-on-vv-s-cv

Amakhosi exit blot on VV's cv

VLADIMIR Vermezovic was on the charm offensive yesterday, turning it up ahead of his first Soweto derby against rivals Kaizer

Mphuti killed

Mphuti killed Refilwe Moloi after he caught her having sex with another man, Dingaan Mokoena, in a bush near Meintjievlei farm.
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/14/man-jailed-for-murdering-his-fiancee

Man jailed for murdering his fiancee

Mphuti killed Refilwe Moloi after he caught her having sex with another man, Dingaan Mokoena, in a bush near Meintjievlei

CF football

Robin van Persie is happy at Man United and would be "delighted to stay even longer".

Read more of his quotes here: http://bit.ly/1fWQDLz

Sad

Documents: Man charged in Fla. movie theater shooting, that began with argument over texting, was also texting: http://t.co/dLT1dzNzwb

Records: Man in Theater Shooting Also Was Texting

A former police officer accused of killing a man in a movie theater during a dispute over texting was also texting...

lizard head

Woman finds lizard head, arm in kale salad: http://abcn.ws/1dUjduI

Woman Finds Lizard Head, Arm in Kale Salad

Robin Sandusky found a lizard's head and arm in her kale salad on Tuesday...

CF scientists

A tabletop device containing ultra-cold atoms may be more sensitive than gravitational wave detectors spread over kilometres http://ow.ly/uyMOH

Desktop quantum cloud to hunt elusive space-time waves - physics-math -...

A tabletop device containing ultra-cold atoms may be more sensitive than detectors spread over kilometres, allowing..

Thursday 13 March 2014

today show.....

Today Show

If you're ready to say "enough already" the next time you hear Matthew McConaughey's "alright, alright, alright" catchphrase, well ... hold the phone.

Watch Matthew McConaughey discuss origin of 'alright, alright, alright

The easygoing actor, once known for playing bongo drums while naked, has come a long way from "Dazed and Confused." He's earned raves for roles...

Tuesday 11 March 2014

CF ANC

Manuel and Motlanthe, who are still popular in the ANC, have apparently declined nomination to the lists.

Goodbyes for Manuel and Motlanthe, but not for Gordhan

Parliament will bid farewell to Planning Minister Trevor Manuel and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe today, hours after the ANC hands over its parliamentary candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission.

Oscar P

Prof Gert Saayman, who performed the post mortem on Reeva Steenkamp, said that her bladder would have been empty had she gone to the toilet between 30 minutes to an hour before her death. http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/11/oscar-trial-probes-gastric-emptying-1

Oscar trial probes 'gastric emptying'

The science of gastric emptying was discussed during Oscar Pistorius's murder trial in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon has a message for anyone born after 1985: You have no idea how hard life was in the '80s, and it's time for you to show some respect for that decade's culture and technology

Kevin Bacon schools millennials on Russian nukes, parachute pants

In a new video for Mashable, the "Footloose" star aims a PSA-style plea at millennials on behalf of '80s awareness.

Jury Awards

Jury awards $500,000 to man convicted in Chicago-area mass murder: http://abcn.ws/1kbqpo6

Convicted Murderer of 7 Wins $500K Lawsuit

The man convicted of perpetrating one of the most gruesome and notorious mass killings in Chicago-area history has been awarded nearly a half million dollars...

Juan Pablo

While Juan Pablo gave his final rose to his favorite contestant, he did not propose to her. Later, he would not say whether he was even in love with her. http://abcn.ws/1i5z63a

'The Bachelor' Finale Full Recap: Juan Pablo's Decision

Juan Pablo Galavis has had a dramatic season as the star of "The Bachelor," and Monday marked the end of his time on the ABC dating series

brutal

Chinese woman cuts off ex-boyfriend's penis, kills him. http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/world/2014/03/11/chinese-woman-cuts-off-ex-boyfriend-s-penis-kills-him

Chinese woman cuts off ex-boyfriend's penis, kills him

A Chinese woman chopped off her former boyfriend's penis with scissors and then killed him with a hammer after he

Suspect............

One of the two men who boarded Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 with a stolen passport was identified as a 19-year-old Iranian with no known terrorist connections, authorities said at a press conference today. http://abcn.ws/1enpMTB

MH370 Passenger With Stolen Passport ID’d as Iranian Man, 19

Authorities said the man, named Pouria Nour Mohammad Mehrdad, was likely trying to enter Germany to seek asylum.

CF today.com

'[Peter Lanza] said he finally thought his story was an important part of the puzzle and that he had a moral obligation to tell it,'' Solomon told Savannah. "That it might help the families, or it might help prevent another Newtown."

Adam Lanza's father 'wishes he could go back in time' to prevent shooting

The father of Newtown, Conn. school shooter Adam Lanza told a writer for the New Yorker that he and his ex-wife, Nancy, never suspected their son...

Monday 10 March 2014

Flight mystery

The missing Malaysia Airlines flight has revealed a loophole in passport checks: http://abcn.ws/1cMyoTe

Malaysian Flight Mystery Reveals Loophole in Passport Checks

While investigators hunt for clues as to what brought down Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, the revelation two passengers possibly used stolen European passports not only raises the specter of terrorism but also points to a huge...

Anc Promises budget for the economy

'We are a ruling party. The things we mention in our manifesto are realistic, concrete and budgeted for.'

ANC: We’ve budgeted for economic promises. How about the opposition?

ANC leaders have taken a sideswipe at the jobs and economic promises of opposition parties, saying the governing party has actually costed its...

Scientists

New Scientist

On aiming the damaged Kepler telescope: 'It's a bit like stabilising a kayak upstream in a river' http://ow.ly/upRzV

'I'd give new Kepler mission a 150 per cent chance' - opinion - 10 March...

NASA astrophysicist Steve Howell is confident that a new method of aiming the crippled Kepler space telescope will convince the space agency to...

Buddhist

It's not every day that hate-mongering Buddhist monks meet to exchange birthday presents. Together, these two anchor a dangerously radical brand of Buddhism.

This Is the Modern Axis of Buddhist Hate - By Jake Scobey-Thal

blog.foreignpolicy.com

Together, these two robed radicals anchor a powerful, violent, and new political force in Asia.

Oscars vomits in court

Pistorius vomits in court as girlfriend's autopsy discussed http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/03/inside-the-oscar-pistorius-trial

Inside the Oscar Pistorius trial

A wrap of all the court proceedings on one page

More evidence on Oscars pistorious case

$SIPHIWE SIBEKO\Newscom\RTR$

The Oscar Pistorius Trial
Pistorius Sickened By Autopsy Testimony
Court proceedings were adjourned on Monday as murder-accused Oscar Pretorius lost his composure in the dock while evidence from an autopsy on Reeva Steenkamp was being heard.

More Oscar Trial...
Pistorius' Family Gathers To Pray For Him
Day Five Of Oscar's Trial: In Pictures

Big UP Small Boy Saves Mom

A 2-year-old boy's FaceTime expertise helped his mom after a dog nearly bit her finger off: http://abcn.ws/PgENB7

Toddler's FaceTime Saves Mom After Dog Bite

The boy FaceTimed his mother's friend after mom was bit by a dog.

Slap's a Policeman inThe face

The policeman warned him to stop his behaviour, but a short while later, he slapped the policeman in the face.

Man held for slapping cop in courtroom as 2 officers appear on assault charges

A man was arrested for slapping a policeman in the face in the Cape Town Magistrates’

Isibaya SA

Isibaya reigns supreme at the 2014 Royalty Soapie Awards - PHOTOS
Newcomer, Isibaya walked away with 10 awards but were unable to clinch the coveted award for Most Popular Soapie voted by the public, which went to Binnerland.
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/03/10/isibaya-reigns-supreme-at-the-2014-royalty-soapie-awards---photos

Proceedings on Oscars case

The judge ordered that the live feed of proceedings be cut because of the graphic testimony of the pathologist.

Pistorius judge cuts live broadcast, prohibits tweets on pathologist’s testimony

The judge in Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial ordered that the live feed of proceedings be cut because of the graphic testimony of the pathologist...

CF Scientists

An anonymous group of crypto-hackers? A lone mathematician? The US National Security Agency? No – Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious pseudonym behind the digital currency Bitcoin, has been revealed as Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto, a 64-year-old Japanese man living in Los Angeles, California. http://ow.ly/uma66

Why the search for Bitcoin's founder matters - opinion - 07 March 2014 -...

Attempts to unmask digital currency guru Satoshi Nakamoto could prove a pivotal moment in the rise of a new economy, says Jacob Aron

Missing Malaysia Airline

Airline'Though our hearts are hurting, we know so many families around the world are affected just as much as us by this terrible tragedy,” said Tom Wood, brother of a passenger on the missing Malaysia Airlines jet.

‘He was my hero’: Brother of missing airplane passenger

“This kind of thing doesn’t happen,” said Tom Wood, a brother of Philip Wood, a passenger on the missing Malaysia Airlines jet.

Oil Slick found

Oil slick samples found about 100 nautical miles from Malaysia's east coast turned out to have no connection to the missing plane after analysis by Malaysian authorities. http://abcn.ws/1fhEkbm

Search Continues for Missing Malaysia Airlines Jet