PARIS: "Yellow vest" protesters are more likely to believe conspiracy theories than other French people, according to a survey published on Monday (Feb 11). 'Yellow vest' protests began in November in rural areas and spread across the country, with riots in Paris. (Photo: AFP/Gerard Julien) Nearly a quarter believe a gun attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in December was ordered by the French government to deflect attention from the anti-government protests, an Ifop poll for Conspiracy Watch and the centre-left Jean Jaures Foundation found. And a further fifth continue to have doubts about the official account of the attack in which five people died, it said. "Yellow vest" activists are also much more likely to give credence to shadowy "Zionist plots" and a popular conspiracy theory that mass immigration is being organised by the elites, it found. In general, one in 10 French people thought the Strasbourg attack was part of a government plot to "distract attention … [Read more...] about French “yellow vests” more prone to conspiracy theories: Survey
911 conspiracies theories
Obama, Clinton among targets of suspected bombs ahead of US election
The FBI said it was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. At least eight suspicious parcels were intercepted before reaching any intended recipients, including Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder, former CIA Director John Brennan and prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros. Two packages were sent to California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the FBI said. Investigators were trying to track down another suspicious parcel they believe was addressed to Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, a federal official told Reuters late on Wednesday. None of the eight packages detonated, and nobody was hurt. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. But news of the bomb threats heightened tension in a nation deeply polarized ahead of elections on Nov. 6 that will decide whether Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress from Republicans and deny President Donald Trump the majority his party now holds in both. Some leading Democrats were quick to accuse … [Read more...] about Obama, Clinton among targets of suspected bombs ahead of US election
Obama, Clinton among targets of suspected bombs ahead of U.S. election
Obama, Clinton among targets of suspected bombs ahead of U.S. electionThe Saigon Times Daily (L-R) U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Democratic Party donor George Soros and former U.S. President Barack Obama are pictured in a combination photograph made from Reuters file photos – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among the targets of suspected package bombs delivered to several high-profile Democrats and CNN in what New York officials on Wednesday called an act of terrorism. At least eight suspicious parcels were intercepted before reaching any intended recipients, including Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder, former CIA Director John Brennan and prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros. Two packages were sent to California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the FBI said. Investigators were … [Read more...] about Obama, Clinton among targets of suspected bombs ahead of U.S. election
Fate of German spy chief a new stress test for Merkel govt
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government was to decide on Tuesday whether to fire the domestic spy chief as an explosive row over immigration and the far-right once more rocks her fragile coalition. The controversy has sparked the second major stress test for a weakened Merkel’s fourth-term government forged half a year ago between her centre-right CDU, its conservative Bavarian sister party CSU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). The three party chiefs last week huddled to discuss the fate of Hans-Georg Maassen, head of the BfV intelligence service - but postponed the tricky issue until a new crisis meeting scheduled for 1400 GMT Tuesday. Maassen, 55, became the focus of controversy earlier this month after raising doubts about the veracity of reports about far-right hooligans and neo-Nazis randomly attacking immigrants in the eastern city of Chemnitz in late August. The attacks, which sparked revulsion in Germany and abroad, were … [Read more...] about Fate of German spy chief a new stress test for Merkel govt
MH370 search to end next week: Malaysian minister
The search for flight MH370 will end next week, Malaysia's transport minister said Wednesday, more than four years after the plane disappeared and triggered one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. The Malaysia Airlines jet vanished in March 2014 with 239 people - mostly from China - on board, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. No sign of the jet was found in a 120,000 square kilometer (46,000 square mile) sea search zone and the Australian-led hunt, the largest in aviation history, was suspended in January last year. After pressure from family members, the former Malaysian government struck a deal with U.S. exploration firm Ocean Infinity to restart the search in January on the condition it would only be paid if the Boeing 777 or its black boxes were found. The firm stood to make up to $70 million if successful but did not find any sign of the jet despite scouring the seabed with some of the world's most hi-tech search equipment. Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke, … [Read more...] about MH370 search to end next week: Malaysian minister