News – Shared Costs

Middle East

One thing some don’t consider(I have from time to time) is the cost to Israel for the policies of it’s government in occupying Palestine. Many of its financial troubles stem from the conflict with Palestine and will only be solved when it is ended.

Arash Sigarchi, an Iranian blogger, has been jailed for 14 years on charges of spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries.

Europe

Bush says he’s listened to Europe. So will it have an impact on him or not?

North America

YUKOS’ U.S. bankruptcy case has been dismissed, the judge saying it’s better suited to a forum in which the Russian government can participate.

A missile fired from U.S. Navy ship off Kauai, Hawaii took down a mock warhead in the fifth successful test(among six total) of the U.S. anti-missile shield’s sea-based leg. One wonders how crippled the dummy missile was, the article doesn’t go into that detail.

A more resistant and virulent mutant strain of AIDS in New York has experts on the virus worried. This is the sort of thing that I’ve worried about for a while, the rise of diseases that overpower our current level of medical sophistication. We need to get to work.. seriously.

Lawmakers are pushing for more control over data brokers like ChoicePoint Inc. after criminals gained access to tens of thousands of names and personal details in the company’s database. If these groups are going to be consolidating this sort of info, they need to be held to a certain level of responsibility, considering the damage it can do and the difficulty in keeping them from getting your information. One woman is suing them and I wish her luck in that.

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter is pressured by fellow Republicans to reduce a proposed $140 billion privately financed fund to pay asbestos claims. He shows no desire, however, to rework that portion of the asbestos draft bill, which was negotiated months ago.

Alabama admits that some people need sexual aids for a fulfilling sexual experience, but continue to defend their law that prohibit the marketing and sale of sex toys.

General

A global treaty aimed at dissuading kids from smoking and helping adults kick the habit goes into effect this Sunday. It only caries legal weight with those countries that ratify it. It’s been signed by 167 countries and ratified by 57. The US has signed, but not yet ratified it.

The Anglican Church remains on the road to schism over issues involving gay bishops.

The UN predicts we’ll have 9.1 billion humans crowding on the planet Earth by 2050. So many humans, so inefficient on a global scale.

Bacteria frozen for 32,000 years are brought back to life when defrosted in the lab.

How do you train a great ape to talk?

Today’s Papers has Kansas’ attorney general seeking the medical information of 90 women and girls who have had late-term abortions at two clinics, an opined observation that police forces of most towns in the Falluja area appear to be “completely compromised by the insurgents”, continuing medical issues for the Pope and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Pharmaceutical company apologizes to doctors after creating family problems by sending them anonymous cards on Valentine’s Day

Lindsay Lohan’s father says his antics have helped, not hurt, his daughter get more job offers than ever. Of course these jobs all involve alcohol and nudity

Court rules man can sue for emotional damage, but not for theft, after ex-girlfriend uses his frozen sperm to get pregnant

Beer ad, featuring double-barrelled shotgun pointed at viewer, banned in Britain; cited as offensive and irresponsible. Beer company to resume using previous ads featuring double-barrelled boobie bazookas and ass-cannons

There are a lot of things a guy will do to become the best race-car driver in the world… including stripping down to his underpants

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this plain donut

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this paste disposal

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy having a ball

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy and his poodle