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Archaeologists find mythological ‘gate to hell’ in Turkey
Archaeologists have discovered a “gate to hell” at a dig site in Turkey. The ruin is known as Pluto’s Gate, and was fabled as the doors to the underworld in both Greek and Roman traditions. The gate is known as the Plutonium in Latin.
The cave where the ruins were located emit dangerous and poisonous gasses, much like the gate was told to do in Greek mythology.
“We could see the cave’s lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes,” Francesco D’Andria, professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento, told Discovery News.
The gates were part of a much larger dig site around the ancient city of Hierapolis. (Google Maps)
The Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war what they mean for the conflict in Gaza
A lot has happened since the 2008/09 Gaza conflict. While the rebellion in Syria means the Jewish state can expect little substantial interference from one of its long-time adversaries, the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010 means Israel can also expect little public support from Turkey. Here’s a look at the geopolitical situation in the region today.
It’s never too late for Gary Clement’s week in review
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Photos: When lawmakers disagree, fists fly, and sometimes smoke bombs, too
In Canada we are often scandalized by behavior of our politicians: they lie, backtrack on promises, and fight dirty against their opponents with snarky remarks, insults and attack ads.
To prove the point, we offer you a peek into some of the more “heated” debates which left political opponents bruised and battered in a very literal sense. (Photos: Reuters; AFP Getty Images)
Middle East on the brink of war: analysis
As Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad clings to power with the quiet backing of regional powers Iran and Russia, the Middle East may be sliding slowly into war.
Squeezed between the rebellions of a bloody Arab Spring and growing fears of a possible military response to Iran’s growing nuclear threat, the region is becoming increasingly unstable.
“I would be very surprised if it turned into a Russian-American war, but this could be a Mid-East war: Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, Syria, Israel all having at each other,” said Jack Granatstein, military historian and senior research fellow at the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute.
Canada engaging Syrian opposition movement
The Canadian government has been quietly engaging Syria’s opposition and pro-democracy movement, including facilitating several meetings with Foreign Minister John Baird and opening the doors of Canada’s embassy in Turkey to the Syrian National Council.
“We have right now a very good relationship with the Canadian government,” Syrian National Council member Osama Kadi said Thursday. “We have met with the minister of foreign affairs many times and he has showed a very positive attitude toward the Syrian National Council.”
Canada vs. U.S.A.: Thanksgiving’s cross-border bellies
It would have been nice if Sir Martin Frobisher, the British explorer who inaugurated our pious tradition of thanks after harvest in 1578, had thought to leave a menu plan.
Because when your household and extended family are “Canadimerican,” Thanksgiving becomes condimental, rather than sentimental. It’s a battle for the ages: Canadian grated Brussels sprouts with bacon vs. American cornbread with goopy cranberry sauce. Mushroom stuffing vs. bread crumbs. Sensible roasted garlic potatoes vs. mushy sweet potatoes encrusted with caramelized brown sugar and pecans, a casserole more sweet than savoury. (Illustration by Steve Murray)
A town under siege
The Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour was almost empty Thursday, said witnesses, and refugees were fleeing across the Turkish border as government troops prepared a crackdown.
UN silent in protecting Syrians from government
Peter Goodspeed: While diplomats dither over the correct way to admonish the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the Internet has been filled with pictures of corpses, mutilated teenage torture victims and panicked crowds seeking shelter from snipers. But the United Nations Security Council, which authorized military action against Libya in March to defend its citizens from their government, has remained silent.
