Free Republic

'A record number of people have applied to join the French police force over the past year. Many new recruits say the recent attacks in Paris inspired them to sign up. It also seems that the shootings have made the country rethink its attitude towards the police.'

'A MAN WHO, was arrested last week after sending a tweet about confronting a Muslim woman in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Brussels, says he plans on making an official complaint against the London Metropolitan Police, and on making a damages claim against them. 46-year-old Matthew Doyle sent a tweet in the aftermath of the terror attacks suggesting that he had confronted a Muslim woman about her reaction in the wake of the attacks. In the aftermath of the tweet Doyle was castigated on Twitter. He removed the tweet, then claimed he had been joking, then switched tack...

'Police have dropped a race-hate charge against a man who allegedly tweeted about confronting a Muslim woman over the Brussels terror attacks. Matthew Doyle, 46, of south Croydon, was charged on Friday morning under Section 19 of the Public Order Act. Following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Met said he was "no longer charged" and will not be appearing in court. It said police may not make charging decisions over section 19 of the Act. A Met Police spokesman said it was for the CPS, and not the police, to make the decision to charge, and it...

•The 'peace-loving' victim was popular in his neighbourhood of Glasgow •Hours before his death, he posted message advertising inter-faith meeting •Police confirmed all those currently involved in investigation were Muslim 'A man has been arrested after a popular Muslim shopkeeper was stabbed to death by another Muslim in a religiously motivated attack just hours after he had posted a message wishing 'a very happy Easter to my beloved Christian nation'. Asad Shah, 40, was set upon with a knife and had his head stamped on in a shocking attack outside his Glasgow newsagents shop just after 9pm last night. A...

'A high-profile UK Royal Marine unit has been re-equipped with the Colt Canada C8 carbine to enhance its ability to protect the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent submarine base and nuclear weapon convoys. The move makes the unit the first British non-special forces unit to completely drop the bullpup L85A2 (SA80) rifle used by the rest of the regular forces. Various UK special forces units already use the C8, which is designated the L119 in British service. Details of the re-equipment effort were revealed by the commander of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, Colonel Graeme Fraser, in a briefing...

'Eric Brown did not just witness history at first hand. He made it himself — at sea, in the sky and in one of the ghastliest places on Earth. This charming, fearless and extremely clever Scotsman will be chiefly remembered as one of the greatest aviators of all time, a man so revered in flying circles that he was even a hero to the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. For no one has ever — nor will ever — fly as many different aircraft as Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown CBE DSC AFC of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air...

'The Royal Navy's most decorated pilot, Capt Eric "Winkle" Brown, has died at the age of 97. Capt Brown also held the world record for flying the greatest number of different types of aircraft - 487. During World War Two, Capt Brown, who was born in Leith in 1919, flew fighter aircraft and witnessed the liberation of Bergen Belsen concentration camp. The pilot, who had been appointed MBE, OBE and CBE, died at East Surrey Hospital after a short illness. A statement released by his family said: "It is with deep regret that the passing of Captain Eric Melrose Brown...

'Britain will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. The prime minister made his historic announcement in Downing Street after briefing the cabinet. He said he would be campaigning to remain in a reformed EU - and described the vote as one of the biggest decisions "in our lifetimes". Ministers immediately divided up into the leave and remain camps as the campaigns got under way in earnest.'

CHICAGO - World-class rugby is coming back to Chicago. Next Fall, four of the best teams the sport has to offer will square off in what's being billed as "The Rugby Weekend." The USA Eagles and the Maori All Blacks kick things off on Friday, November 4th at Toyota Park. Then on Saturday, the New Zealand All Blacks and the Irish National Team renew their historic rivalry at Soldier Field. In 2014, more than 61,000 fans came out to see the World Cup Champion All Blacks take on Team USA. This time around, organizers expect an even larger crowd as...

'AN ORGANIST has paid a moving tribute to David Bowie by playing one of the singer’s greatest hits on the organ at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Gordon Wilson posted a two-and-a-half minute clip on his Facebook page of the musician performing a beautiful rendition of Life on Mars at the Glasgow museum. Facebook users praised the touching tribute to Bowie, who passed away this morning after his 18-month battle with cancer.'

'Evangelical Christian preacher Pastor James McConnell has been found not guilty of making "grossly offensive" remarks about Islam. The 78-year-old, from Shore Road in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, denied two charges relating to a sermon he gave in a Belfast church in 2014. A judge said while he considered the remarks offensive, he did not consider them "grossly" offensive under the law. Supporters of the pastor applauded when the verdict was given. Speaking outside court, Mr McConnell said his only regret was the response from the Muslim community that he was "out to hurt them". Speaking outside court, Mr McConnell said...

'DUBLIN — Donald Trump really hates terrorists. He’s so tough on terror that he’s proposing “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S.”—remarks that have been met with worldwide condemnation. In Britain alone, Prime Minister David Cameron described the comments as “divisive, unhelpful, and quite simply wrong,” while Boris Johnson, mayor of London, drolly added: “The only reason I wouldn’t go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump.” At home, even the Tea Party is turning on him. Well, guess what? Trump. Doesn’t. Care. That’s how tough on terrorism Trump is....

'Nicholas Smith, the actor who played store manager Mr Rumbold in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, has died aged 81. He had been the last surviving member of the original cast. "It is with great sadness we can confirm that our client passed away yesterday," his agents at Michelle Braidman Associates said. "He was a lovely man and a terrific actor. He will be much missed by all who knew him."'

'Tributes have been paid to novelist William McIlvanney, who has died aged 79. The author of the acclaimed 1977 Glasgow detective novel Laidlaw had been ill for a short time. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Shedding a tear at news of Willie McIlvanney's death. His writing meant so much to me when I was growing up. RIP." McIlvanney is survived by his partner Siobhan, daughter Siobhan and son Liam. Rebus author Ian Rankin described his death as "dreadful news". He said: "A truly inspired and inspiring author and an absolute gent." Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh said: "Absolutely gutted to...

'Ever suspected that your £600, top-of-the-range smartphone is not as good for basic communications as the mobile you used a decade ago? Now there is official confirmation you are probably right. A study commissioned by the industry regulator Ofcom has found that for all the technology packed into flagship devices by Apple, Samsung and others, a handset costing a fraction of the price typically provides better signal performance for voice calls and texts. The research, conducted in controlled lab conditions on a selection of popular smartphones and non-smart phones currently on the market, found that on a 2G network the...

'THESE could be the best Christmas lights you will ever see. There were gasps of amazement when Edinburgh switched on the extraordinary Virgin Money Street of Lights, last night. The cathedral of light stretches along the Royal Mile, from the City Chambers to the Tron Kirk and is synchronized to music from four local choirs. There are 24 arches laden with over 60,000 lights, secured to 1,260 metres of aluminium truss, in the dazzling display that is expected to attract record crowds to the capital. The light display is only on twice a day until Christmas Eve, as part of...

'Great Britain have won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936 after Andy Murray beat Belgium's David Goffin to clinch the decisive point in Ghent. Murray won 6-3 7-5 6-3 to give the visitors an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie. Britain have now won the team title 10 times, while Murray adds the Davis Cup to his other major titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympic Games. Captain Leon Smith guided Britain from the third tier to glory in five years.'

'Up to 10,000 troops could be deployed in the UK in the event of a Paris-style attack, David Cameron has said, as he announced £12bn extra defence spending. The PM said ministers wanted to replace the Trident nuclear deterrent, but the estimated cost had risen and completion been put back until "the early 2030s". The number of civilians employed by the MoD is to be reduced by almost 30% by the end of the Parliament, he added. Dai Hudd, the Prospect union general secretary, called this "devastating". Setting out the government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), Mr Cameron announced...

'This Muslim man's impassioned rant against ISIS has spread across the internet following Friday's attacks in Paris. His foul-mouth tirade against his fellow Muslims who are choosing to shoot people to get their point across has gone viral. The unidentified man, believed to live in the UK, asks: "If you don't like this country, why the f*** did you come?"'

'Ludovic Boumbas, 40, from Lille, northern France, was celebrating a friend's birthday at the La Belle Équipe restaurant when crazed terrorists fired at revellers on the terraces. Mr Boumbas, an IT engineer of Congolese origin who moved to Paris a few years ago, threw himself in front of a hail of bullets to save a friend. Terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs killed 19 people on rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement in eastern Paris. All of the staff at La Belle Équipe were women.'