To Protect and To Serve Or Militant Force? [Infographic]

The police officers of America are bound by their duty to protect and serve the public. They are an essential part of keeping the peace. However, questions arise when it comes to unannounced SWAT raids. Officers are completely outfitted in military-style gear, in essence becoming an armed force. With their body armor, submachine guns, night vision gear, sniper rifles, armored transportation, and grenades meant to stun, they are a true force to be reckoned with. When SWAT teams take suspects unawares, they can truly bowl over everything in their paths. Often, civilians become victims during skirmishes between authorities and criminals. Of greater concern are the many instances when raids take place without sufficient evidence and the suspects prove to be innocent. It's a troubling trend in law enforcement and makes one question what path justice will continue to follow.

"No Knocks" Raids Have Increased at an Alarming Rate
In 1970, a "no knock" law was put in place to wage war on drugs. By 1974, it was repealed. Law or no law, at least 80,000 surprise raids are held by law enforcement on an annual basis. That's shocking jump from only 3,000 in the 1980's. The police argue that they have had to step up their efforts because the amount of weaponry and force used by the criminal element has escalated. However, take a closer look at statistics, and over half of all individuals apprehended in raids had no weapons whatsover. 12% were captured with guns of some sort, while 10% carried knives. In contrast, SWAT teams of today are equipped for major combat. One can only wonder how often the authorities actually cause more of a problem when they arrive at the door, hammering their way in with undue force.

While law enforcement officers claim the ends justify the means, unannounced, "no knock" raids are a violation of basic rights and an invasion of privacy. If the current trend continues, the question remains: What line will the police cross next if their power is unchecked. How many innocent victims will be injured as a result? It's time to think about the consequences of militarized police.

380 Arrested In Moscow Race Riot

380 arrested in Moscow race riot (via AFP)

Moscow police arrested more than 380 people Sunday during a race riot in which nationalists outraged by a murder blamed on a migrant smashed shop windows and assaulted security guards. The crowd chanted "Russia for Russians!" and other neo-Nazi slogans…

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Book Tour: 'The Howling Heart' By April Bostic [Giveaway Included]

Today's Book Tour is for "The Howling Heart" by April Bostic. It's a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods... All the good stuff, really. 

Enjoy!
Loup Dargent

PS: Don't forget to enter the Giveaway! 

Malala Yousafzai Calls On World To Make Education Top Priority

Malala calls on world to make education top priority (via AFP)

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl activist who has become a world champion of girls' rights, called Friday for the World Bank to make education its top priority. Seated on a stage with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim in a one-on-one presentation…

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Nine Long-Lost 'Doctor Who' Episodes Found... In Nigeria

Doctor Who - Patrick Troughton as The Doctor

Nine missing episodes of the cult BBC science-fiction drama "Doctor Who" have been found in a television station storeroom in Nigeria, nearly half a century after they were last seen, the broadcaster said Friday.

Among the recovered 1960s footages are most of the classic story "The Web of Fear," a black and white adventure in which the Time Lord, then played by Patrick Troughton, battles a robot yeti in London's underground train system.

The tapes were found gathering dust in a television station in the turbulent Nigerian city of Jos, a flashpoint of Islamist violence.

The trove, described by the BBC as the "largest haul of missing episodes recovered in the last 3 decades," also includes the 6-part story, "The Enemy of the World."

"It's thrilling," said Mark Gatiss, author of recent "Doctor Who" episodes.

"Every single avenue seemed to have been exhausted, every now and then something turns up -- but to have two virtually complete stories out of the blue is absolutely incredible."

The BBC destroyed many of the drama's original tapes in the 1960s and 1970s but some were copied for sale to foreign broadcasters.

⏩ Despite the find, 97 episodes remain lost

The episodes were uncovered by Phillip Morris, director of Television International Enterprises Archive.

"The tapes had been left gathering dust in a storeroom at a television relay station in Nigeria," he told the BBC, adding that they were "just sitting on the shelf."

"I remember wiping the dust off the masking tape on the canisters and my heart missed a beat as I saw the words, 'Doctor Who.' When I read the story code, I realized I'd found something pretty special," Morris said.

The tapes originally went from Britain to Hong Kong and then on to a series of television stations in Nigeria as part of the distribution systems that operated at the time.

Morris said he had been "lucky" to find the tapes intact given the high temperatures in Nigeria.

"Fortunately in this case they had been kept in the optimum condition," said Morris.

Morris added that it was "probably the largest haul of missing episodes recovered in the last 25, 30 years."

The new programmes will be available on iTunes from today and will be released on DVD later.

Fiona Eastwood, director of consumer products, BBC Worldwide, said: "We are thrilled with the recent discovery of The Web Of Fear and The Enemy Of The World and we're very happy to be launching re-mastered versions of these treasured episodes to fans as we celebrate the 50th year of Doctor Who."

The adventures of Doctor Who -- a time travelling, humanoid alien who traverses the universe in Tardis spacecraft -- have maintained a loyal following since they were first aired in 1963.

⏩ Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, best known as the abusive spin doctor in the political satire "The Thick of It", was named in August as the 12th actor to play the role.

SOURCE: Agence France-Presse

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• Doctor Who: 10 best Dalek stories
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• Because, Awesome: 'Doctor Who' 12-Minute Anime

4 Most Iconic Shoes in Cinema History

Generally, shoes are no more than a part of a costume or a prop in cinemas. However, sometimes certain shoes become an iconic image for the movie and gain massive popularity with fans. Here are 4 of the most iconic shoes in cinema history.

Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai Wins EU's Sakharov Rights Prize

Pakistan's Malala wins EU's Sakharov rights prize (via AFP)

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage activist nominated for Friday's Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize by the European Parliament on Thursday. To thunderous applause announcing the prize, the parliament's…

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The Three TV Shows Most Likely To Spawn This Year's Popular Halloween Costumes

TV has always provided plenty of fodder for costume ideas for Halloween, and given most pop culture experts say we are now living in a golden age of TV with more choices than ever before when it comes to great drama, it is highly likely that a lot of party goers this year will be going to the likes of Showtime, HBO and AMC for inspiration. While some shows have always been pretty obvious sources of Halloween costume ideas (such as The Walking Dead – after all, anyone can throw together a zombie costume out of stuff they have at home so it is a great short notice solution), three shows that have dominated the TV and entertainment headlines this year are sure to feature more than most:

Mongolia's 'Eco-Nazis' Target Foreign Miners

Mongolia's 'eco-Nazis' target foreign miners (via AFP)

A silver swastika hanging around his neck, Boldbaatar Gombodorj points out his targets on a map of Mongolia like a World War II commander: little flags representing foreign mining firms that he and fellow "eco-Nazis" accuse of destroying their country…

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Tommy Robinson, Leader Of Far-Right EDL, Quits Over 'Extremism'

Apparently, Tommy Robinson has eventually seen the light... 
I felt like tweeting him "We told you so!" regarding the extremists in the EDL, but, hey, better late than never and all that jazz! 

Welcome to the Real World, Tommy! 
Loup Dargent

PS: By the way, will you and Kev unblock me on Twitter now that we're officially not "enemies" anymore?

Leader of far-right EDL quits over 'extremism' (via AFP)

The leader of Britain's far-right, anti-Islamic English Defence League quit on Tuesday, saying he felt he could no longer keep "extremist elements" in the group at bay. In a surprise move, EDL leader Tommy Robinson announced his resignation -- along…

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4 Fabulous TV Apartments That Make For A Perfect Home

Many people prefer living in an apartment instead of a house. Obviously, the reasons for doing so in a big city are pretty obvious. However, in general, living in apartments has some serious advantages over owning a house. It is not surprising then that many fictional TV characters have their own apartments to call home. Here are 4 of the most fabulous apartments featured in TV shows.

Pakistani Taliban Vow To Attack Malala Yousafzai Again!

Pakistani Taliban vow to attack Malala again (via AFP)

The Pakistani Taliban on Monday said schoolgirl campaigner Malala Yousafzai had "no courage" and vowed to attack her again if they got the chance. Gunmen sent by the Taliban tried to kill Malala on her school bus on October 9 last year. She amazingly…

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