In recent days world markets have rallied as the scale of ECB funding to Europe’s banks becomes clear.  A torrent of euros has gushed into bank vaults all over the Old World: something like $700 billion dollars.  The money comes at an attractively low interest rate: one percent.  (There are days Via Meadia wishes we […]

Just in time for Christmas, new research by Italian government scientists revives the lagging faith of those who believe that the mysterious Shroud of Turin is a miraculous image of Christ rather than a medieval forgery: Italian government scientists have claimed to have discovered evidence that a supernatural event formed the image on the Turin […]

In an attempt to burnish its green credentials, the British Energy firm BP has been telling us for years its initials stand for “Beyond Petroleum.” As part of this campaign, the company has been aggressively touting the achievements of its relatively small alternative energy division. Yet a recent announcement may prompt a change to a […]

Earlier this week the Economist noted that Syria was “growing steadily less peaceful”. Today, the slow collapse has become a grim slide.Last night, Ha’aretz ran this headline: “Assad losing control as 10,000 soldiers desert Syrian military”. Other would-be deserters were not so lucky: On Monday, reports circulated that scores of soldiers were machine-gunned by their […]

It’s a good thing Jesus was born when he was: A combination of fire, blight, and hungry cattle have decimated the frankincense crop in Ethiopia, quite possibly for years to come. Here’s the story: The number of boswellia trees, which produce frankincense, could drop by half in the next 15 years and all but disappear […]

Western reporters have had a few days to mull over the video of wailing North Koreans publicly displaying their grief.  Days and sleepless nights of prolonged analysis have led the Times to a shocking conclusion: this outpouring of grief for a murderous dictator may not have been entirely sincere: A day after North Korea announced […]

The online education movement continues to make strides — earlier this week it was electronic textbooks, today the Times announces that M.I.T. is expanding its online education program: While students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pay thousands of dollars for courses, the university will announce a new program on Monday allowing anyone anywhere to […]

Though much attention is still focused on succession and stability questions in North Korea, more trouble is brewing in Asia’s other problematic nuclear power: Pakistan’s ruling elite is in turmoil. Rumblings of military coup follow reports that the civilian government petitioned the US for help against the generals.“President Asif Ali Zardari has returned to the country to […]

The Battle of Madison may be over, but its ripple effects are still being felt across the country in states like Ohio and Maine. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was able to get his bills through the State House despite the spectacle of Democratic senators hiding in a pub across state lines, but in the process […]

At Via Meadia we’ve been saying for some time that the world underestimates the chances that the Obama administration will go to war with Iran over its nuclear program.After Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s interview with CBS, it’s time for the world to reassess.  The administration, Secretary Panetta makes clear will not allow Iran to get […]