News – A New Disaster for the Middle East

Middle East

Years of misuse has diminished the once mighty lower Jordan river, leaving the area around it on the brink of ecological disaster. As Jordan and Israel meet on how to deal with the situation, the only area of agreement between them was that the most obvious solution – restoring the original water supply – is not even up for discussion.

Sharon’s in trouble again, with this possible criminal investigation revolving around government funds being secretly used to set up illegal West Bank settlements.

Another bomb in Iraq, as well as the discovery of 41 headless or shot bodies(Guardian says 35).

Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena’s account of what happened when her car came under fire by US forces.

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, perhaps buoyed by the rally in support of Syria, appears set to consult MPs on keeping Omar Karami(pro-Syrian) as PM. Bush wants Syria out by May, when Lebanon is set to have parliamentary elections. I wonder what, if anything, he might do if they weren’t out by then. Hopefully, we won’t have to find out.

Europe

Chechen rebels vow to fight on after the death of a prominent leader Aslan Maskhadov, killed in a Russian assault.

North America

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a supporter of Bush’s Social Security privatization plans, suggests putting it on hold to coax Democrats into a deal to deal with the programs financial problems. He joins Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, who said the accounts controversy is detracting from the debate over what to do about long term solvency.

The ACLU reveals some details about government attempts to cloak in secrecy the lawsuit that led to the invalidation, last September, of the National Security Letters provision of the USA Patriot Act.

Capri Technology, a small California firm that builds specialized systems and software for nuclear plants and Framatone, a French company that develops and builds plants from the ground up, have given negative responses to a new proposal for regs from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that would attach cyber security standards to plant safety systems.

How socialized medicine has worked in America.

Explainer details how the damages in copyright cases are calculated.

Garrett M. Graff, who writes Fishbowl D.C., is the first blogger to get official(real) access to a White House news briefing.

General

Thus far human muscle is stronger than mechanical knock offs, but that’s likely a temporary thing.

If we can use pig cells to make transplant organs for mice, how long until such a technique is used in humans? Not long, I hope, as the need of organs is great.

The top ten corporate hate sites, made by those who just can’t stand a certain corporation.

Today’s Papers has potential DeLay dirt, musing Hezbollah’s goal in starting up pro-Syrian protests in Lebanon, Dan Ratherisms and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Knife-wielding man bursts into dormitory, screams out demand for money. Apparently didn’t see the sign outside that said ‘Police Dormitory’

Columbian police make collective asses of themselves by impounding Pacho the Donkey after motorcycle crashes into it. Some people said to be braying for an early release

How to use body language to get people the hell out of your office

Twenty police officers respond to woman being kidnapped, only to discover it’s part of elaborate sex game

Shop-class teacher surprised to learn students were really constructing metal drug bongs after all

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this National Peoples’ Congress of China scene

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Tea

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these “warriors” in a more fitting setting</A