FOREIGN NEWS

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'FOREIGN NEWS' from January 7, 1979, features a prominent report on a secret French government study of UFOs, alongside various other UFO and paranormal-related news from around the world.

French UFO Report: Someone's Watching Us

A secret French government study of eleven UFO close encounters in France has concluded that the observed objects were material phenomena that could not be explained as natural events or human devices. This marks the first known instance where government-sponsored research has reached such a conclusion. The leaked summary of the 500-page report states that the investigations reveal the existence of aerial devices 'whose modes of sustenance and propulsion are beyond our knowledge.' The research quality was described as 'extremely high,' making the U.S. Air Force's Condon Report seem 'very poor' by comparison. The 11 cases spanned 1966-1978 and were selected due to the high credibility of witnesses and the close proximity of sightings (less than 250 meters). Two cases included descriptions of humanoid creatures. In 10 of the 11 cases, scientists concluded that witnesses had seen a material phenomenon that could not be explained. The French government study group was created in 1977 and alerted to new cases by teletype. The scientific board approving the conclusions includes members from prestigious institutions like the National Meteorology Administration and Paris University's Social Psychology Centre. The report highlights France as the only country known to have a government-sponsored UFO research unit.

UFO Glow, or Swirling Snowblow?

This article by Peter Young reports on a sighting in Toronto, Canada, on January 8, 1979. Kathleen and Jim Balfour reported seeing a bright white light hovering at 500 feet over Earl Bales Park. The light alternately glowed and dimmed, then changed to bright orange and climbed. They described it as looking like an 'ice-cream cone on its side,' with smaller ones emerging from its sides. At about 2,000 feet, two other smaller cylinders appeared. A military spokesman claimed the sighting was a snowblower being used to prepare a ski hill, but the witnesses rejected this explanation, emphasizing the distinctness of the bright orange light from a snowblower.

Mystery of 'Killer' UFOs

Reported by John McCormick, this piece from the West Cumberland Times (January 20, 1979) details UFO experts investigating claims that mystery deaths of animals at a zoo in Newquay, Cornwall, were caused by flying saucers. The deaths, including a decapitated bird, may be linked to recent UFO sightings. Detectives are also probing the deaths. Officials from Contact U.K. state the dead animals showed positive radiation readings. Three ducks, a goose, a swan, and two baby wallabies died. Derek Mansell, research officer for the UFO team, called the radiation findings a 'major breakthrough' in British UFO investigations, noting that this is the first time radiation readings have been associated with animal deaths following UFO sightings in the UK. A full report will go to the Ministry of Defence.

U.F.O. over Lillyhall

This Daily Express report from January 3, 1979, details a sighting over the Lillyhall estate in Workington, UK. A man on his way to work saw a strange object in the sky around 8:30 a.m. He described it as a 'big silver dish' that was stationary, then moved, then stationary again before vanishing. Other colleagues had seen something similar, and they felt it couldn't have been a meteorite due to its behavior. On New Year's Eve, numerous calls were made to the police about strange sightings in the same area.

Experts Back Boys' UFO Sighting

This Evening Post article from January 27, 1979, reports on claims by four Despatch schoolboys who saw three strange silver men in the Groendal Wilderness Reserve, South Africa. Experts at the planetarium of the University of the Witwatersrand believe the sighting was a 'genuine UFO incident.' The boys described the men as gliding and not moving like humans. Later investigations revealed evidence such as strange footprints and reports of lights. The boys' story was corroborated by psychological tests and hypnosis, which revealed details like a drop in temperature and a deathly silence during the event.

UFO Stayed Long Enough for Photo

This Toronto Sun article from February 4, 1979, features a photograph taken by Cliff Crocker of a bright light over Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 9, 1978. Crocker believes it was a UFO, citing the object's acceleration and unusual psychic feeling he experienced prior to seeing it. The article also includes comments from readers about the growing credibility of UFO investigations and the vastness of space.

UFO Sighted at Weymouth

This Western Gazette report from February 9, 1979, describes a sighting in Weymouth Bay, UK. Graham Hutton saw a bright, glowing object described as a 'huge yo-yo with a gap down the centre,' which moved off towards Swanage. Police had no other reports, and the Navy stated they had no helicopters in the sky at the time.

UFO Experts Probe Spaceship Report

This East Essex Gazette article from January 12, 1979, by Len Roberts, investigates a report by Peter Duncan of Weeley, UK, who claims to have seen a spaceship. Duncan, initially skeptical, described a craft with a dome-shaped top, a ramp, and slit-shaped portholes, making a buzzing drone sound. He stated the craft lifted off when he shone his torch on it. Derek Mansell of the UFO Research Centre suggested a link between animal mutilation and UFO sightings, noting animals found with radiation poisoning in areas where UFOs were spotted. An investigator from the Essex UFO Study Group also plans to contact Duncan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, government investigations into these phenomena, and the potential links between UFOs and unexplained events like animal mutilations. The articles present various witness accounts, expert opinions, and official reports, suggesting a growing interest and a more serious approach to UFO phenomena, particularly highlighted by the French government's study. The overall stance appears to be one of reporting on these events with a degree of seriousness, presenting evidence and expert analysis, while acknowledging skepticism and the need for further investigation.