The Speaker Editors

Paris Attacked At Bataclan And Other Locations

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Coordinated attacks struck Paris Friday night, leaving over 150 dead from gunshots and explosions. After a hostage situation began at the Bataclan Theatre, French police and military laid siege, killing at least three terrorists. Others died by bombs strapped to their bodies.

French President Francois Hollande ordered a national state of emergency, including the closure of the countries borders (not yet fully implemented at time of this report). Paris offices, schools, museums, libraries, sports halls, swimming pools and markets will be closed, but airports, flights and trains will continue service.

Before the attacks began, it was just another Friday night in the European city.

Shooting erupted in at least four locations. Within minutes, dozens were confirmed dead, and a group of terrorists took hostages at the Bataclan Theatre. Police and military raided this group, neutralizing them. Several terrorists were killed at this location after killing 100 others. Eye-witnesses reported one attacker shouted “Allah Akbar” before opening fire, while another spoke of French military action in Syria before escaping through a fire exit. The attackers were not disguised in ski masks, reportedly.

Paris was left in confusion and turmoil as the first curfew was enacted since the German occupation last century.

1,500 additional French soldiers were mobilized in the city.

The death count currently sits at over 150, making it the largest attack in France since WWII. France was already on heightened security after the attack on Charlie Hebdo in January which killed 12 and injured 11.  Since that time, France has reported neutralizing at least five Islamist terrorist attacks, and it is widely reported that French citizens were expecting this attack.

Hollande traveled to the Bataclan within hours of the attacks, and an announcement was made that he would remain in France rather than attend the upcoming G20 meeting in Turkey.

“We wanted to be here, among all those who saw these atrocious things, to say that we will lead the fight and it will be merciless,” the French president told the nation from the location of the night’s deadliest scene.

Prepaid VISA cards require registration for online puchases

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I’ve mostly used prepaid Mastercards in the past. Today I tried to use a prepaid VISA card, and my transaction was declined. I talked to the recipient of the attempted transaction (a company) and they said to try the card, because it was declined.

I called VISA’s number on the back of their card. Foreign (Indian) reception service, and got through to the phone menu on the third call (first two said ‘Busy, call again later’). She was helpful and polite, though, and her English was understandable.

However, to use the prepaid VISA, she informed me, I had to register, either with her on the phone or online. What is required? Phone number, email and address. I said I’d just get a Mastercard, thanked her, and hung up.

POINT: VISA’s prepaids require you to register your phone number, email and address with them before you use them online. (I’m not sure if you also need to register to use them in a store. If anyone knows, comment it, please). Mastercards have not required this (in my experience).

Ombudsman Answers Breivik’s Charges Of “Inhumane” Prison Treatment

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Norway’s parliamentary ombudsman has visited the prison in which political mass killer Anders Breivik has been locked up since 2012, and reported Wednesday that the conditions of the prison could represent inhumane treatment as alleged by Breivik in his lawsuit against the Norwegian State.

Breivik has brought suit against his country for what he says are violations of his human rights as guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights — specifically the articles dealing with torture, infringements of private and family life, correspondence, and the right to marry.

Ombudsman Aage Thor Falkanger presented his report of the prison:

“The regimen in the very high security unit imposes very strict conditions on inmates’ freedom of movement and their possibility to have contact with other people.

“This, and the fact that in reality there is an extremely limited number of inmates in the very high security unit, means that this regimen represents an elevated risk of inhumane treatment,” Falkanger reported.

The ombudsman made several recommendations to reduce the risks of inhumane treatment, including more interaction with guards and inmates and a review of handcuff use.

In 2012, Breivik was convicted in the 2011 killings of 77 people — mostly family members of a political party with which Breivik was aggrieved due to their immigration policies. Breivik prepared for his attack far in advance and wrote a 1,518 manifesto detailing his history and beliefs, as well as his motivation.

New UK Cryobiology Research Network Launched

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A new network has been established by UK scientists to advance and promote research into cryobiology – the effects of extremely low temperature on living organisms and cells.

The UK Cryonics and Cryopreservation Research Network is being coordinated by Dr Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Integrative Biology, who studies the molecular basis of ageing.

Cryopreservation is the process of placing cells, organs or even whole organisms at low temperatures so that they remain in a state of suspended animation and function is preserved.

Crucial area of research

At present, cryopreservation technology is only successful for cell lines and very small tissues. More research is required before whole organs can successfully be cryopreserved while retaining their biological integrity.

Dr de Magalhaes said: “Cryobiology is a crucial area of research for modern biotechnology due to the importance of biobanking; from developing reliable stem cell storage systems, organ banking for transplants as well as storage for engineered tissues.”

The network is made up of a group of UK researchers from Liverpool, Cambridge and Oxford who, together with international advisors, aim to advance research in cryopreservation and its applications, including the idea of cryopreserving whole humans, commonly known as cryonics.

Controversial topic

Cryonics has been a topic of much debate over the years, with many scientists doubting whether current cryogenically frozen individuals can ever be brought to life.

Dr de Magalhaes said: “Although cryonics is not feasible at present, technological breakthroughs in cryobiology may, in the future, decrease the amount of damage to levels that permit reversible cryopreservation.

“One of the goals of our research network is to discuss the ethical, medical, social and economic implications of these potential breakthroughs that would radically change our perceptions of life and death.”

By Julie Owens