After Russia announced increased import tariffs on cars last month to support the faltering domestic automobile industry, Russians demonstrated in the streets of Vladivostok.  Despite being trounced by riot police, protests spread to other cities.
Now Russian car enthusiasts are organising and making broader political demands.  Some are calling for a general strike on 31 January [...]

Muslims in Swindon, England, want to be exempt from parking tickets while attending Friday prayers.
Members of the mosques in Manchester Road and Broad Street want Swindon Council to turn a blind eye to worshippers who park in residents’ spaces.
In the past, there was an unwritten rule that wardens largely ignored illegally parked cars during their [...]

A good night’s sleep protects against parasites — Science Daily, 15 Jan.
Don’t do your makeup by candlelight — CBC News, 16 Jan.

Beer is more expensive in New Brunswick than in Quebec—so much more that lots of N.B. drinkers buy their brew in Quebec.  Not coincidentally, Quebec allows beer to be sold in corner grocery stores at retailer-set prices, while New Brunswick maintains a government monopoly on alcohol sales.
The N.B. government loses an estimated $12 million per [...]

Jody Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, so she seemed a good choice to investigate Darfur for the UN Human Rights Council.
Apparently Ms Williams has more integrity than the morally bankrupt UNHRC bargained for. She resisted efforts to water down her [...]

The foreign relations committee of US Senate is investigating allegations that Malaysian officials are extorting money from foreign refugees. Those unable to pay are sold to human traffickers.
“US Senate foreign relations committee staff are reviewing reports of extortion and human trafficking from Burmese and other migrants in Malaysia, allegedly at the hands of Malaysia [...]

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has received reports from Burma (Myanmar) that local authorities in Rangoon (Yangon), the country’s former capital, are ordering churches to stop holding worship services and threatening to jail disobedient pastors. As many as 80 percent of the city’s churches could be affected.
The campaign appears to be particularly targeted at churches meeting [...]