Covid-19 sent the world mad
Pandemics do not just sicken and kill. They have political and economic effects, too. After the Black Death wiped out a third of the people in Europe, fake news proliferated: rumours that the plague was caused by Jews poisoning the wells led to pogroms. Wages soared (because there were too few labourers) and rents collapsed (because so many homes were empty). Rulers tried brute force to block change, banning farmworkers from leaving their lord's land to go and work for another who paid better. But this provoked uprisings, such as the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381, an impulse that ultimately led to the end of serfdom in most of Europe.
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Economist
7 hours ago
- Economist
Covid-19 sent the world mad
|6 min read Pandemics do not just sicken and kill. They have political and economic effects, too. After the Black Death wiped out a third of the people in Europe, fake news proliferated: rumours that the plague was caused by Jews poisoning the wells led to pogroms. Wages soared (because there were too few labourers) and rents collapsed (because so many homes were empty). Rulers tried brute force to block change, banning farmworkers from leaving their lord's land to go and work for another who paid better. But this provoked uprisings, such as the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381, an impulse that ultimately led to the end of serfdom in most of Europe.
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Teen who planned mosque mass murder jailed at Glasgow court
The 17-year-old boy had been 'radicalised' by what he had viewed on social media channels - including TikTok - going on to idolise killers such as neo-Nazi murderer Anders Brevik who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011. The youngster spoke online about how white people were at "war" and that he would "die for my land." READ MORE: Nicholas Rossi found guilty in US rape trial after Scotland extradition The boy had planned an attack at the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, which included duping the Imam into believing that he wanted to join. He effectively carried out a recce of the building, having been trusted enough to be left alone at times, allowing him to make sketches and videos of the layout. The teenager also went as far as to join in with prayers in a bid to convince others of his bid to convert to being a Muslim. But, fortunately, his sick plans were halted when police discovered the boy armed and potentially dangerous outside the centre. This included an airgun, which he claimed would keep worshippers inside once he had set the building on fire. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced today at the High Court in Glasgow. The teenager had pleaded guilty last month to acting with the intention of committing acts of terrorism. He also admitted to a further charge under the Terrorism Act. They spanned from November 2024 and January 2025. Sentencing, Lord Arthurson: "What you had in mind can properly be categorised as a quite diabolical atrocity involving extreme violence and multiple deaths. "You even requested that your attack be live-streamed. Your conduct was only stopped by your arrest when you were, quite literally, at the door of the centre." The judge cut the term from 17 years due to factors such as the early guilty and the boy's age. The teenager will also be monitored for eight years on his eventual release. READ MORE: Man accused of murdering partner has no lawyer, court hears The court heard how the boy, who suffers from autism, had been influenced by what he read online from the age of 13. He believed that white people were in a "war" against other races, such as Jews, and he "developed sympathies" with the Nazi party. The boy created his own "manifesto" on his mobile phone in which he said he would "die for my land." He listed a number of "inspirations" which included Brevik, Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O'Duffy. The boy also created a list of dislikes, which included Keir Starmer, the Prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John. The boy initially had plans to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde. He recorded himself walking through the school, in which he stated he planned to "liquidate" one of the offices. The boy also claimed that he would plant bombs under the tables of the school canteen. He said: "That'll be funny, watch some reactions, that'll be hilarious." READ MORE: Man due in court after emergency services rush to Shawlands property The boy planned to attack the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in December 2024. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "This involved the use of aerosols and lighters to set fire to the premises." The boy spoke to the centre's Imam online and was later provided with reading materials. Mr Farrell added: "The boy went as far as to take part in prayer with the congregation of the Islamic Centre. "He was trusted to be left alone in the centre, and he took several videos wandering the corridors of the building. "In one video, he enters a room and his own hand enters the shot, shaped like a gun." The boy then began searching for images of the centre online as well as weapons and combat clothing. He went on to speak to an acquaintance on the chat application Telegram. The boy said: "It's good to infiltrate the target, be it a mosque or synagogue, as they think I'm one of them because I infiltrated the place." He claimed that he could have burned down the centre when left alone, but there would have been "zero kills." Mr Farrell said: "He told the user he would use a deodorant can and a lighter to start a fire and he had a BB gun that people would believe was a real firearm. "He also said he would use it to prevent them from leaving the building." The boy also asked the acquaintance to live-stream the burning down of the mosque, which would be shared with his manifesto. He meantime tried to get a rifle licence but was unable to as his local club was closed at the time. The boy prepared a "final" manifesto in which he stated he would attack "tomorrow" when "the mosque will be at its fullest." On the morning of the planned attack, the boy left his home with a rucksack, which concerned his mother. He messaged friends, stating: "Today, I choose what my life was and will be." The boy appeared at the Islamic Centre but was unable to enter as the door was locked. READ MORE: Mum gives evidence in Tony Fearns murder trial in Glasgow High Court Earlier that morning, the police had received intelligence regarding the boy and waited for him at the Islamic Centre. He was found by officers to be dressed in black clothing, and he carried a camouflage military rucksack. When asked what was in the bag, the boy replied: "Guns, I'll tell you what's in the bag so you don't get hurt. I don't want to hurt you." A German-manufactured air pistol - capable of firing BBs - was recovered as well as a magazine which was suitable for the gun. He was also snared with ball bearings, gas cartridges, four cans of aerosol spray and his mobile phone. The boy was further found to have notepads which contained sketches and right-wing symbols such as swastikas. A search of his home recovered a copy of Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, knives, airsoft weapons and ingredients for explosive substances. A book, named 'The Anarchist Cookbook' was also found, which was an instruction manual on how to produce weapons and explosives. It emerged today that the teenager "continues to describe himself as a Nazi". READ MORE: Man who 'preyed on vulnerable people' found guilty of series of crimes The court heard that the teen was "socially isolated" and had formed his entrenched views from what he had seen and heard online. Tony Lenehan KC, defending, today said this eventually led to him "trying to make himself significant". The advocate added, "The transition for anyone into adulthood is complicated and confusing enough with the benefit of positive role models. "He did not have a stable home life - this no doubt contributed to his sense of isolation and allowed these internet voices to play a more important part in his development than they should."
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
Hitler-inspired teen who planned mass murder at Inverclyde mosque jailed
Sentencing, Lord Arthurson: "What you had in mind can properly be categorised as a quite diabolical atrocity involving extreme violence and multiple deaths." A right-wing teenager who wanted to carry out and livestream a mass murder at a mosque has been locked up for 10 years. The 17-year-old boy had been 'radicalised' by what he had viewed on social media channels - including TikTok - going on to idolise killers such as neo-Nazi murderer Anders Brevik who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011. The youngster spoke online about how white people were at "war" and that he would "die for my land." The boy had planned an attack at the Inverclyde Muslim Centre which included duping the Imam into believing that he wanted to join. He effectively carried out a recce of the building having been trusted enough to be left alone at times allowing him to make sketches and videos of the layout. The teenager also went as far as to join in with prayers in a bid to convince others of his bid to convert to being a Muslim. But, fortunately, his sick plans were halted when police discovered the boy armed and potentially dangerous outside the centre. This included an airgun which he claimed would keep worshippers inside once he had set the building on fire. The boy - who cannot be named due to his age - was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. The teenager had pled guilty last month to acting with the intention of committing acts of terrorism. He also admitted to a further charge under the Terrorism Act. They spanned between November 2024 and January 2025. Sentencing, Lord Arthurson: "What you had in mind can properly be categorised as a quite diabolical atrocity involving extreme violence and multiple deaths. "You even requested that your attack be live-streamed. your conduct was only stopped by your arrest when you were, quite literally, at the door of the centre." The judge cut the term from 17 years due to factors such as the early guilty and the boy's age. The teenager will also be monitored for eight years on his eventual release. ` The court heard how the boy - who suffers from autism - had been influenced by what he read online from the age of 13. He believed that white people were in a "war" against other races such as Jews and he "developed sympathies" with the Nazi party. The boy created his own "manifesto" on his mobile phone in which he said he would "die for my land." He listed a number of "inspirations" which included Brevik, Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O'Duffy. The boy also created a list of dislikes which included Keir Starmer, the prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John. The boy initially had plans to carry out a terrorist attac k at his school in Inverclyde. He recorded himself walking through the school in which he stated he planned to "liquidate" one of the offices. The boy also claimed that he would plant bombs under the tables of the school canteen. He said: "That'll be funny, watch some reactions, that'll be hilarious." The boy planned to attack the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in December 2024. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "This involved the use of aerosols and lighters to set fire to the premises." The boy spoke to the centre's Imam online and was later provided with reading materials. Mr Farrell added: "The boy went as far as to take part in prayer with the congregation of the Islamic Centre. He was trusted to be left alone in the centre and he took several videos wandering the corridors of the building. "In one video, he enters a room and his own hand enters the shot, shaped like a gun." The boy then began searching images of the centre online as well as weapons and combat clothing. He went on to speak to an acquaintance on chatting application Telegram. The boy said: "It's good to infiltrate the target be it a mosque or synagogue as they think I'm one of them because I infiltrated the place." He claimed that he could have burned down the centre when left alone but there would have been "zero kills." Mr Farrell said: "He told the user he would use a deodorant can and a lighter to start a fire and he had a BB gun that people would believe was a real firearm. He also said he would use it to prevent them leaving the building." The boy also asked the acquaintance to live stream the burning down of the mosque which would be shared with his manifesto. He meantime tried to get a rifle licence but was unable to as his local club was closed at the time. The boy prepared a "final" manifesto in which he stated he would attack "tomorrow" when "the mosque will be at its fullest." On the morning of the planned attack, the boy left his home with a rucksack which concerned his mother. He messaged friends, stating: "Today, I choose what my life was and will be." The boy appeared at the Islamic Centre but was unable to enter as the door was locked. Earlier that morning, the police had received intelligence regarding the boy and waited on him at the Islamic Centre. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He was found by officers to be dressed in black clothing and he carried a camouflage military rucksack. When asked what was in the bag, the boy replied: "Guns, I'll tell you what's in the bag so you don't get hurt. I don't want to hurt you." A German manufactured air pistol - capable of firing BBs - was recovered as well as a magazine which was suitable for the gun. He was also snared with ball bearings, gas cartridges, four cans of aerosol spray and his mobile phone. The boy was further found to have notepads which contained sketches and right wing symbols such as swastikas A search of his home recovered a copy of Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, knives, airsoft weapons and ingredients for explosive substances. A book, named 'The Anarchist Cookbook' was also found which was an instruction manual on how to produce weapons and explosives. It emerged today that the teenager "continues to describe himself as a Nazi". The court heard that the teen was "socially isolated" and had formed his entrenched views from what he had see n and heard online. Tony Lenehan KC, defending, today said this eventually led to him "trying to make himself significant". The advocate added: "The transition for anyone into adulthood is complicated and confusing enough with the benefit of positive role models. "He did not have a stable home life - this no doubt contributed to his sense of isolation and allowed these internet voices to play a more important part in his development than they should."
