And also...alien embassies in Portugal, Spanish cop as Adrien Brody and Iran's TV star goes from shame to glory

By Euronews

Published on 24/07/2015 - 14:59

Every Friday journalists from euronews’ various language teams choose a selection of stories from Europe and beyond which did not reach the

Every Friday journalists from euronews’ various language teams choose a selection of stories from Europe and beyond which did not reach the international headlines.

Raelians ask Portuguese Government to open an extraterrestial Embassy

The Raelian Movement (a group which believes that life on Earth was created by beings from another planet) has called on the Portuguese government to open up an extraterrestrial embassy. The diplomatic mission would act to help any landing UFOs. The organisation asked for the construction of the building costing more than 36m euros and taking up 4km2, enough room for alien spacecrafts to land.

Lesbian Merkel tweet to present a LGTB magazine

German magazine Straight has caused a stir on Twitter by releasing a video depicting a woman embracing another woman who is a dead ringer for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The German Government has yet to comment on the video.

A child bullied on Iranian social networks becomes a TV star

Five years ago, a video of child from a village in northern Iran did the rounds of social networks. Eleven-year-old Bijan was totally clueless when asked a simple question by the geography teacher. All was caught on camera and spread across social networks. Bijan became known as ‘Stressed-out Bijan’ across Iran. Following the internet bullying, everyone making fun of him in the village, he left school and became a construction worker. His life upended, he continued on this path until a TV crew of a hit show decided to change his destiny. He was given a supporting role in the fourth season which was broadcast during the month of Ramadan. Once again he made a media splash, but this time for a very different reason.

Turkish cleric issues Islamic license to kill ISIL militants

A popular Muslim televangelist in Turkey has issued a fatwa to kill Islamic State militants. Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü has called the group ‘dogs of hell’. He is currently under security detail after he himself was threatened by ISIL earlier this year.

More info in English on Hurriyet

"IŞİD'in katli vaciptir." Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca Efendi pic.twitter.com/cAOSpAD9zT
— ŞEYH BEY (@Seyh_Efendi) julio 23, 2015

Greece: Samos island video of immigrants arriving in a beach at midday

Dozens of immigrants are arriving almost every day in the Greek island of Samos, which is near to the Turkish coast.

The previous days tourists and locals were on the beach swimming and relaxing in the sun at noon, when they saw a boat coming from Turkey with dozens of immigrants.

The local newspaper Samiaki Gnomi posted two videos from tourists filming the immigrants’ arrival.

Videos

Legendary war correspondent slams Spanish media over kidnapped journalists in Syria

Gervasio Sánchez, an old-school veteran of many wars and a legend amongst journalists in Spain, critised various media organisations after they published breaking news about the kidnap of three Spanish journalists in Syria. He took conservative newspaper ABC to task for breaking the agreed silence. He says that newsrooms knew that there was no trace of Antonio Pampliega, José Manuel López and Ángel Sastre for more than 10 days before the news broke.

Sánchez compares the case with the that of Javier Espinosa and Ricardo García Vilanova in 2013. Back then he acted as spokesperson of the Espinosa and García families. The discretion of the media helped, according to him, in making a happy ending.

This case has revived the debate about the limits of information when in conflict with the security of the professional on the ground.

Traditional Hungarian food takes Manhattan

New Yorkers looking for an authentic taste of Hungary are heading to the Langos Truck. But the health-conscious should beware Langos is a deep-friend flat bread delicacy which is eaten warm with sour cream and grated cheese.

You might mistake langos for a small, underfurnished pizza and bypass it. This would be a loss http://t.co/u41UkHnbzt pic.twitter.com/thvPk7gXlW
— The New York Times (@nytimes) julio 24, 2015

Spain: fake cop, with Adrien Brody’s ID photo

Local police in Valencia have arrested a man who pretended to be Guardia Civil. But what was more interesting is that for his fake ID he chose to be Hollywood actor Adrien Brody. What was less amusing was the fact he was carrying a gun and handcuffs. He told the police he had found it all “on the beach”. The man, 45, was arrested to be judged.

It’s unclear whether the suspect really looked like US actor Brody.

Detenido por hacerse pasar por guardia civil utilizando un carné con la foto de Adrien Brody – http://t.co/YMm6zBlfp5 pic.twitter.com/jLx0ic7uYH
— Europa Press (@EPCValenciana) julio 23, 2015

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