Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.

We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.

A note about links

Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.


Egypt: oh noes, a blasphemous film *

Nov 1st, 2012 | Filed by

There’s this scene with a belly dancer, see, and the music is a song that mentions Fatima. Blasphemy!… Read the rest



Honda releases a car “for women only” *

Oct 31st, 2012 | Filed by

It’s pink.… Read the rest



Samira Shackle talks to Mukhtar Mai *

Oct 31st, 2012 | Filed by

“As long as I live, I will keep fighting for the rights of women. Rape and cruelty happens everywhere, but here there is no justice for women when they fight.”… Read the rest



Poland: bible-tearer may have acquittal overturned *

Oct 30th, 2012 | Filed by

Tearing up a bible at a rock concert is “the crime of offending religious sensibilities.”… Read the rest



Broadcast journalist’s open letter to Dear Mr Misogynist *

Oct 30th, 2012 | Filed by

”There’s a reason why you don’t hear women on commercial talkback radio,” he said. ”No one wants to hear the whiny sound of a female voice. Us blokes get enough nagging at home!”… Read the rest



Kunwar Khuldune Shahid on blaming the ideology, part 2 *

Oct 30th, 2012 | Filed by

Women were ordered to be killed for conspiring against the religion by their ideological predecessors, so is it entirely the Taliban’s fault for following precedent?… Read the rest



Turkish police fire tear gas at secularist march *

Oct 30th, 2012 | Filed by

Thousands of secularists protested at a banned rally in Ankara against what they see as an increasingly authoritarian and Islamist government.… Read the rest



Here comes the hurricane theodicy *

Oct 30th, 2012 | Filed by

Israel. Teh gaze. Abortion. Hard Left Fascism. Teh gaze. Don’t forget teh gaze.… Read the rest



Carl Zimmer in praise of the big old mess of science *

Oct 29th, 2012 | Filed by

When you find yourself captivated by someone talking to you about science in a way that makes you feel everything’s wonderfully simple, go look for the big old mess.… Read the rest



India: a rape, Dalits, silence, intimidation *

Oct 28th, 2012 | Filed by

Higher-caste men gang-raped a Dalit girl, took pictures and passed them around. Her father saw them and killed himself.… Read the rest



A fragmented approach to eliminating violence against women *

Oct 28th, 2012 | Filed by

As politicians squabble about sexism in modern Australia, action on violence against women must be more visible and better-coordinated.… Read the rest



Church bombed in Kaduna, Nigeria *

Oct 28th, 2012 | Filed by

At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in the suicide bombing in northern Nigeria.… Read the rest



The Savile investigation expands *

Oct 28th, 2012 | Filed by

Gary Glitter has been arrested on suspicion of sex offences by police investigating Jimmy Savile abuse claims.… Read the rest



Pessimism on Greece and Golden Dawn *

Oct 27th, 2012 | Filed by

What has depressed much of Greek society – from the liberal centre right to the liberal left – is the rapid rise of Golden Dawn.… Read the rest



Malala’s father is optimistic about her future *

Oct 27th, 2012 | Filed by

Doctors at Queen Elizabeth hospital said she was still weak but stood every chance of making a good recovery.… Read the rest



Malala is making great progress *

Oct 26th, 2012 | Filed by

Dr Dave Rosser gives a press conference, and so does her father Ziauddin Yousufzai. “Can she sit her exams?” “Yes, probably.”… Read the rest



Malala is speaking; no signs of brain damage *

Oct 26th, 2012 | Filed by

Her parents are now in Birmingham to be with her.… Read the rest



Mass. Supreme Court will hear “under God” pledge case *

Oct 26th, 2012 | Filed by

The plaintiffs claim daily classroom affirmation that the nation is “under God” violates state constitutional prohibitions against religious discrimination.… Read the rest



Shehrbano Taseer on Malala Yousafzai *

Oct 25th, 2012 | Filed by

A repressive mindset has been allowed to flourish in Pakistan because of the madrassa system set up by power-hungry clerics.… Read the rest



Popehat won’t be taking Mo the Rutabaga to the UK *

Oct 24th, 2012 | Filed by

Don’t let your home become a place where the petty and the wicked use “blasphemy” and “offense” as an excuse to silence dissent.  Fight back.… Read the rest