News – Kurds Getting Out of Hand

General

Today’s Papers comments on Bush and dissidents, Kurdish militia abducting arabs and Turkmen from Kirkuk to be shipped off to Kurdish run prisons without charge.. sometimes with the knowledge of US forces, continued talk of how Bolton is needed to reform the UN without details on the subject and more in the one page news.

A mixed review on Batman Begins and another that is largely positive.

A study links red meat to bowel cancer. Eww.. Fortunately I have a moderate exposure to red meat. Two servings a day, equal to a bacon sandwich and a fillet steak, increase the chance by 35% compared to those who eat just one a week.

Kofi Annan may be facing further allegations of personal scandal with regard to the oil-for-food program. I say lets hear the details.

Bloggers weigh in on Michael Jackson, debt relief and Microsoft’s cooperation with China’s censorship of it’s regional portal.

Middle East

Egypt is in the lead on background actions seeking to undermine Hamas’ successes in elections in Gaza and the West Bank. Personally, I think it will be amusing if Hamas manages to win significant positions in Palestine’s government, forcing the US and all others to deal with them politically. As well, I hope that will motivate their shift from half militant and half political to full bore political. I maintain that others should be investigating means to encourage this transition, to rid the world of a terrorist organization without firing a shot. It’s possible, if not probable.

Europe

Amnesty International says that western countries are flouting their own rules and contributing to human rights abuses by selling arms to Nepal.

North America

Bush criticizes Democrats for having an ‘agenda of roadblock’ and demands they step up with ideas(which some have from time to time) or step aside.

The White House complains about the cost of the Senate’s energy bill and Bush criticizes democrats for trying to boost renewable energy use and mandate cuts in oil imports. Funny, weren’t we seeking to reduce out dependence on foreign oil?

Another vote on Bolton is coming up in the Senate.

John Snow says the EU might loose US invest money if anti-business sentiment continues unchecked. “American business people are going to put capital where they feel they are welcome, where capital is honored and where they can get good returns,” Snow told Britain’s Financial Times newspaper. “It is not so much the language that is used, it is the policies that get embraced. And if policies get embraced that make capital feel unwelcome, capital won’t come.”

California has a freak out moment when an earthquake off the coast prompts brief tsunami fears.

An 18 year old from Michigan who is accused of plotting to kill a fellow student was found guilty yesterday of threatening to commit an act of terrorism, possessing a firearm while committing a felony and using a computer to make a terrorist threat. THe first and last charge are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Irony of ironies, David Cowan, who assisted in writing a book on the 1958 church-school fire on Chicago is arrested for arson, charged with setting a fire at another school.

Scientists could be close to measuring consciousness. What might such things do for issues like abortion?

Rupert Murdoch and his plan to give away 20 million digital video recorders to revolutionize the movie rental business.

More opinion on MJ.

Amusements

“We kindly ask that you not do floating somersaults while giving your testimony, sir”

To prove Scientology isn’t a cult, Tom Cruise has hired a ‘minder’ for Katie Holmes

Homeowner sees ice cream truck driver toss something onto her lawn, discovers it was empty can of Steel Reserve malt liquor. Thus began ice cream man’s really bad day

Bear raids campsite, eats food, drinks three cans of beer. “He would’ve drank all of them if it would’ve been Budweiser,” says camper

Michael Jackson’s website equates “not guilty” verdict with the release of Nelson Mandela and fall of Berlin Wall

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Flags. (June 14 is Flag Day)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these windows

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this chick standing in some cool-looking ruins