The Far Right
Why deradicalization programs are needed for the far right: The Arab Weekly – May 26
New Zealand faced its darkest day following attacks on two mosques that killed 50 people in Christchurch. The assaults led many to question why politicians haven’t been focusing on the steady rise of far-right groups … Erin M. Kearns, from The University of Alabama, reported in a study titled “When Data Don’t Matter: Exploring Public Perceptions of Terrorism” that, from 2006-15, far-right extremists, such as white supremacists and anti-government militias, were responsible for approximately 50% of all terrorist attacks in the United States.
Alabama Abortion Ban
ACLU files lawsuit to challenge Alabama abortion ban: WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 27
After the Alabama legislature passed its abortion law, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) took to Twitter to air a warning: “See you in court.” … “The concern is that, or at least the thought is, the court might not even hear the case,” Alan Linken, a professor of political science at The University of Alabama, said. “The lowest court – the first court that hears it – is probably going to overturn the law as being unduly restrictive, a violation of right to privacy.”
New Dean
New dean comes to UA from Michigan State: Tuscaloosa News – May 28
A Michigan State University administrator has been named the next dean of The University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences. UA announced the appointment of Joseph P. Messina on May 22.
Satellite Mega-Constellations
SpaceX Internet satellites pose new headache for astronomers: Gadgets 30 – May 29
It looked like a scene from a sci-fi blockbuster: an astronomer in the Netherlands captured footage of a train of brightly-lit SpaceX satellites ascending through the night sky this weekend, stunning space enthusiasts across the globe … “People were making extrapolations that if many of the satellites in these new mega-constellations had that kind of steady brightness, then in 20 years or less, for a good part the night anywhere in the world, the human eye would see more satellites than stars,” Bill Keel, an astronomer at The University of Alabama, told AFP.
Malay Mail – May 29
Emirates 24/7 – May 29
Space Daily – May 29
GDN Online – May 29
Phys.org – May 29
Yahoo! – May 29
RTL Today – May 29
NDTV – May 29
The Japan Times – May 29
The Daily Mail – May 29
Times of Oman – May 29
Times Now News (Malaysia) – May 29
ATT.net – May 29
Inquirer.net – May 29
Express (England) – May 29
News 18 – May 30
ZME Science – May 29
The Star Online – May 30
Japan Today – May 30
News 24 – May 30
The Hindu – May 30
ECN Mag – May 29
PACs
Pro-choice groups lost in Alabama despite outspending the pro-life side by 100-to-1: Morning Star – May 29
In a vote that helped set the stage for the state’s new law, abortion-rights PACs were on the losing side despite a money advantage … It makes sense that a big money advantage wasn’t enough for the PACs supporting abortion rights to get a win in this conservative state, according to Bill Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at The University of Alabama.
Saturday in the Park
Moundville to host ‘Saturday in the Park’ with study of Native Americans: Tuscaloosa News – May 29
The Saturday in the Park program series at The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park returns Saturday, giving local residents a chance to explore the lives of West Alabama’s Native Americans.
SummerTide Theater
SummerTide Theater presents “Forever Plaid”: Fox 10 (Mobile) – May 30
SummerTide theater is gearing up for another summer in Gulf Shores with their production of Forever Plaid. UA Musical Theater Majors Alex Freeman and Will Harden joined us on Studio10 for an interview and sneak preview performance.
Alabama Bicentennial
UA artists help create Alabama Bicentennial celebration: Alabama200.org – May 31 (PDF file; scroll down)
UA art and art history students, faculty, staff and alumni have been intensely involved in our state’s 200th anniversary celebrations over the last two years. Here are some of the creative ways our UA art community is participating in commemorating Alabama’s history and setting a path for its future…