Paganism
Iceland's pagans enjoy dramatic rise bbc
National Statistics Bureau figures show that followers of the Asatru Association still lag far behind the established Lutheran Church, which accounts for 237,938 or almost 70% of the population and has remained stable for decades. But the total of Icelanders who revere Odin, Thor and the Goddess Freyja has leapt 50% since 2014 to 3,583, with more than twice as many male as female faithful...
Abortion
Ohio Gov. Kasich Signs 20-Week Abortion Limit, Rejects 'Heartbeat Bill' npr.org
The so-called heartbeat bill, which Kasich rejected, was considered more vulnerable to legal challenge. Provisions of the measure would have essentially limited the period during which women could get an abortion to about six weeks, when many women don't even realize they're pregnant, reports the Associated Press.
Israel
Accept Palestine or face ‘sea of hatred,’ Jordanian king warns Israel timesofisrael
Mentioning only the Christian and Muslim connection to Jerusalem holy sites, Abdullah accused Israel of attempting to alter the identity of the city.
Creatures
Scientists say they’ve just discovered a new species of whale quartz
The first hints of a new species came from Japan in 1940s, when whalers reported catching an unknown beaked whale. Then, in 2004, a dead whale washed up on an Alaskan shore that looked vaguely familiar. The next hint came in 2013, when Japanese scientists used modern DNA analysis to test old samples and found evidence that indeed this mysterious mammal may be new to us. Then, finally, in 2014, another washed up dead on a shore in Alaska.
Fraud
The Unbelievable Tale of Jesus’s Wife theatlantic v
The American Association of Museums’ Guide to Provenance Research warns that an investigation of an object’s origins “is not unlike detective work”: “One may spend hours, days, or weeks following a trail that leads nowhere.” When I started to dig, however, I uncovered more than I’d ever expected—a warren of secrets and lies that spanned from the industrial districts of Berlin to the swingers scene of southwest Florida, and from the halls of Harvard and the Vatican to the headquarters of the East German Stasi.
This is a fascinating long-form article by a reporter who set out to find the origins of a (supposed) 1,300 yr-old papyrus about Jesus' wife, and the ensuing series of lies, historical invention, and deceit of the man behind it. It's a long read, but worth it - particularly for those who've heard the Biblically unsupported "Jesus had a wife" argument. Warning: some aspects of the primary figure's personal life uncovered during the investigation are sexually graphic in nature (the article doesn't dwell TOO MUCH on them).
Pagenism
Pagan prisoners to be allowed robes, incense and tarot cards behind bars ibtimes.co.uk
The guidance is included in a 104-page document, called Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners, that sets out provisions for worshippers of all faiths, including Zoroastrianism and Baha'i.
Society
New Kansas law lets campus religious groups restrict members ctpost
Kansas' conservative Republican governor signed legislation Tuesday allowing faith-based groups at college campuses to restrict membership to like-minded people, likely putting the state on a collision course with civil liberties groups.
North Carolina to Limit Bathroom Use by Birth Gender nytimes
North Carolina legislators, in a whirlwind special session on Wednesday, passed a wide-ranging bill banning transgender people from bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match the gender on their birth certificates.
Disney Will Stop Filming in Georgia if Gov. Signs Religious Liberty Bill fortune
Walt Disney..., along with subsidiary Marvel Studios, announced plans on Wednesday to boycott filming future movie projects in the state of Georgia should Governor Nathan Deal sign the bill.
Historyish
English Heritage turning Tintagel into 'fairytale theme park' theguardian
A group of 200 Cornish historians has criticised plans by English Heritage to turn Tintagel Castle into what it has called a “fairytale theme park” based on the legend of King Arthur rather than highlighting its true past.
Space
Astronomers report most 'outrageously' luminous galaxies ever observed sciencedaily
Astronomers report that they have observed the most luminous galaxies ever seen in the Universe, objects so bright that established descriptors such as 'ultra-' and 'hyper-luminous' used to describe previously brightest known galaxies don't even come close. The lead author says, 'We've taken to calling them 'outrageously luminous' among ourselves, because there is no scientific term to apply.'
End of the World
Hunker in their bunker foxnews
Dave and Sue Prentiss, of the bucolic town of Limestone, are looking to sell their near-20 acre property, which comes complete with an underground missile silo -- the kind that are favored by the prepping community to be retrofitted into livable bunkers in case the end of the world is upon us.
Israel
Silver Trumpets Pierce the Heavens in Prayer Rally Opposite Temple Mount jewishpress
Thousands of people filled the Western Wall Plaza on Tuesday afternoon, facing the Temple Mount, to beseech God for compassion and deliverance from the evil machinations of those who are seeking to destroy Israel. The mass prayer gathering was a lead-up to Ta’anit Ester (Fast of Esther), which was first decreed by Ester 2500 years ago when the Jews living in the Persian Empire were in danger of extinction at the hands of the evil Haman.
Obama to Push for Israel-Palestine 2-State Solution After Leaving Office sputniknews
US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he plans to continue to push for establishing a peaceful two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after leaving the White House.
Tech
Engineers develop networked self-analyzing electric motors phys.org
A team of engineers from Saarland University are developing intelligent motor systems that function without the need for additional sensors. By essentially transforming the motor itself into a sensor, the team led by Professor Matthias Nienhaus are creating smart motors that can tell whether they are still running smoothly, can communicate and interact with other motors and can be efficiently controlled.
This one’s a little geeky, but still interesting :)
New method can deposit nanomaterials onto flexible surfaces and 3-D objects phys.org
Now, researchers have developed a new method that uses plasma to print nanomaterials onto a 3-D object or flexible surface, such as paper or cloth. The technique could make it easier and cheaper to build devices like wearable chemical and biological sensors, flexible memory devices and batteries, and integrated circuits.
Automation
Fastbrick Robotics Animation of Brick House Construction industrytap
(Video - 1:10)
Apostasy
Crown of syringes replaces traditional crown of thorns in CofE Easter Passion film christiantoday
A "crown of syringes" has replaced the traditional crown of thorns in a film released by the Church of England to mark Easter. The film is a modern-day Passion Play and stars people who have fought drug addiction, crime and homelessness with the help of faith.
This one was an odd one from the Church of England.
Other...
In Theory: Why are theoreticians filled with wanderlust? cern
