Academic cheats get more creative

We’ve all been exposed to the old-fashioned methods of cheating at exams, I’m sure. “Crib notes” written inside the cuffs of shirt-sleeves, or the underside of the peaks of ball caps; bits of paper concealed in clothing; looking over the shoulder of the student in front of or next to you; they’re all well-known. In… Continue reading Academic cheats get more creative

After 9/11, surprising results from overseas arrests

MSNBC reports that many fundamentalist Muslim insurgents detained in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia have turned out to have prior criminal records in the USA. The records suggest that potential enemies abroad know a great deal about the United States because many of them have lived here, officials said. The matches also reflect… Continue reading After 9/11, surprising results from overseas arrests

An acrobatic crime

I’m intrigued by a report in the International Herald Tribune. Six Romanians have been arrested on allegations they stole mobile phones and laptops in a daring heist from a tractor-trailer as it roared down the German autobahn at 60 miles (100 kilometers) an hour, Dortmund police said Tuesday. “It was an extremely dangerous stunt —… Continue reading An acrobatic crime

Ever heard of the ‘Grail Movement’?

EDITED TO AMEND THIS ARTICLE AS FOLLOWS: The original reports cited in this article drew attention to a crime reported in June 2008 in the Daily Mail.  It cited alleged links between the criminals involved and the so-called ‘Grail Movement‘.  Subsequent information led to the Daily Mail amending its October 2008 report of the conviction… Continue reading Ever heard of the ‘Grail Movement’?

The most expensive fire you’ll ever see

Australian police have assisted Cambodian authorities in burning a cache of seized sassafras tree oil, containing a precursor chemical used to make the illegal drug ecstasy. The quantity of oil was large enough to make over seven billion dollars worth of the drug. According to a news report: It’s put a huge dent in the… Continue reading The most expensive fire you’ll ever see