News – A Gap to be Bridged?

Middle East

The EU has given permission for some of its low level diplomats permission to meet with representatives of Hamas’ political wing. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri says that the mayors in question had discussed international assistance and the current de facto ceasefire with Israel with EU diplomats in recent meetings. Sounds good to me, though I wonder if these discussions have been fruitful at all. One thing I do know is that if Israel and the US(and Hamas, with regard to Israel) maintain hardliner stances, there will have to be a confrontation if Hamas continues to spread influence through Palestine’s government. All posturing aside, that’s a certainty. The only question is.. what will be done?

Australian hostage Douglas Wood is freed by US and Iraqi forces.

Asia

The siege of six gunman inside of the Siem Reap International School ended today with a volley of gunfire that left one Canadian child and two gunmen dead.

Europe

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder rejects suggestions that the EU constitution is out of gas because of the Dutch and French voting it down.

Spain claims to have broken up a terrorist network in their country that was recruiting and aiding suicide bombers for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq. There have been raids across the country and 16 alleged radical Islamists were arrested, 11 of them accused of having links to Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi.

North America

The House of Representatives has voted to add limits to the Patriot Act that make it harder for federal agents to secretly gather information on people’s library reading habits and bookstore purchases. The bill that contains the amendment is the $57.5 billion bill to fund activities next year for the Justice Department and other federal agencies, which may now be in danger of presidential veto because of it.

At a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Republican senators say the rights of foreign terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay prison should be legally defined and bush Administration officials say that detainees can be held “in perpetuity.” I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d prefer to not have anyone being held until we feel like letting them go. Not only is that questionable morally(in my opinion), it is a bad precedent to set, when a US citizen could easily fall into such a situation(as seen with Hamdi).

An autopsy on Terri Schiavo shows she had irreversible brain damage. “massively and irreversibly brain-damaged”, as the article says pathologists announced. “She would not have been able to form any cognitive thought,” said Dr. Stephen Nelson, a forensic pathologist who assisted in the autopsy, “There was a massive loss of brain tissue.” Pinellas County Medical Examiner Jon Thogmartin adds that, “Her brain was profoundly atrophied … This damage was irreversible.” I hope that puts much of this issue to rest, save for what caused her collapse as no indication is noted of why it happened, save that there is no evidence supporting accusations of abuse.

To combat childhood obesity, Redlands, California’s school district is looking into exertainment, exercise plus entertainment, in their gym classes. This by allowing kids to play with Konami Digital Entertainment’s Dance Dance Revolution and Sony’s EyeToy: Play for their daily workout. Not a bad idea, truth be told, considering the very active elements that are involved in them. Though I might consider a non-commercial substitute eventually, so as to avoid entanglements with those two companies.

General

Though that Apple will use Intel made chips is a certainty, there are still a lot of questions as to exactly what might manifest in the future. One such possibility that’s interesting are dual boot OSX/Windows machines. All that’s certain thus far is that Apple has no plans to support the use of Windows on their upcoming machines, nor sell windows. If I ever do get a machine that has both operating systems, the Windows side would likely be used for naught but games and any other functions that need Windows, with minimal access to the internet.

Michael Bay and his critics. Is he ‘the devil’?

Explainer looks at the acuracy of track and fiend records.

Today’s Papers has insurgen issues in Iraq, word that some career Justice Dept. lawyers involved in the tobacco trial objected to the decision by top DOJ officials to seriously scale back the penalties demanded from cigarette companies, five big unions that represent about 40 percent of the AFL-CIO’s membership announcing the creation of their own federation and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Open Mic Night 2

Mark Fiore: Packin Heat

Israeli couple strip down in secluded location, light some candles, turn on the Barry White, are promptly attacked by a swarm of bees

You too can have a Smith & Wesson Homeland Security(tm) knife and barbecue set

Oprah has mitochondrial test to prove she is a Zulu. Also takes a midichlorian test to show that she’s the chosen one

Enterprising 15-year-old steals school bus, takes it home after 10-mile chase

Man — found sitting on a bench naked — tells cops “I was hot.” Not as hot as the marijuana in his backpack

Displaying Wisconsin’s political activism, lone man casts only vote on referendum

<A HREF="http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=17245″>Guy tries to rob beauty school — gets beat down by 30 women with curling irons

Police respond to emergency call by smashing in front door after getting no response from inside the home. Call had been made by the family cat

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this crazy bald guy

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop: Masturbation euphemisms

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Instashop Randy Johnston’s ass