News – Disappointment at Every Turn

Middle East

The violence in Gaza continues. The hospitals stuck in the middle of it. As much as I blame the Palestinian factions for this, so too do I blame the US and Israel for the many times they had to make some headway in peace, but never stood to do so. They’re as much at fault for letting it come to this as those who are currently killing each other.

But it’s no more or less than I’ve come to expect from the complacent leaders of our world. The best the US has to offer now? Backing Fatah with weapons. Just lovely.

The UN isn’t too happy with the US either.

More of Iraq’s architectural and religious history gets fractured. Soon there will be little left, thanks to the continued lax progress made by Iraq’s government and the leadership of the US forces.

Looks like Shimon Peres is in line to become Israel’s new prez. Likely a gratifying thing, but to win by default.. it loses some of that triumphant quality, doesn’t it?

Africa

Looks like talks have stalled in South Africa and a general strike is in effect. So far, thousands of workers have joined in and the express goal is “total shutdown”.

Sudan agrees to a revised plan for a join AU/UN peacekeeping force. According to the plan, the AU will be running daily operations and the UN will have control of the estimated 17k to 19k peacekeepers.

Third time wasn’t a charm for reconciliation talks in Somalia. A pity, we could use a good deal more reconciliation in the world right now.

Asia/Pacific

Chinese company, Lekit Stationery, admits to using child labor to make merchandise related to the 2008 Olympics. They initially denied such allegations. If you care about not buying child labor items, take care with what Olympic merchandise you snag.

China censors some parts of the third Pirates movie.

Europe

The UK plans to offer drug treatments to sex offenders to try and curb their desire to commit criminal acts. Worth a try.

North Caucasus, dubbed Russia’s front in the war on terror. Yet another place where extremists and government authorities can duke it out to the detriment of the common folk. Am I the only one getting tired of the whole thing?

M15 releases documents to the National Archives that identifies several WW2 double agents.

Americas

Bush and friends are only now deciding to get tough on energy companies trading with Iran. What took them so long?

You know things are bad when Bush has to appeal to his own party’s senators to get something done.

A survey shows that war vets are more likely to commit suicide than other people. However, this survey covers vets from many past wars. I’d like to see the results of one for Iraq alone and see what comes up there.

General

Microsoft releases a new patch that will close up 15 vulnerabilities in its software.

Youtube tests some new software to assuage copyright concerns. I still think Viacom needs to back off.

Apple gets aggressive, announcing a version of their Safari browser for Windows. I guess the browser war isn’t quite done yet. Here’s a review of it.

The Blogs look at the failed no-confidence vote on Gonzalez(can this legislature get anything done?), the 4th Circuit Court’s ruling on “enemy combatants,” and Steve Jobs’ keynote address.

Today’s Papers has note that Don Herbert(Mr. Wizard) has died, a new poll that reveals a significant majority of Americans support the idea of giving illegal immigrants a chance to become U.S. citizens, a U.S. military commander telling a House panel that the Iraqi army needs at least at least 20,000 more soldiers in order to be effective and more in the one page news.

Amusements

“Since 2001, every TV set sold in Australia has been fitted with a miniature camera/microphone that records everything happening in front of the screen when the set is on”

Usually, a cash graduation present from your grandmother is a good thing. Unless it’s counterfeit and you get caught spending it

The top priority in still-ravaged New Orleans is building a $3.5 million monument on a “Homeric” scale. Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair

Weather satellite crucial to hurricane forcasting is about to fail. Don’t worry though, another is scheduled to go up in 2016

Old and busted: Rubber bullets and water cannon. New hotness: Dung

Correctional officers get bored and steal a cow; Correctional Institute gets mad and has a cow

Sack races, egg-and-spoon races, a vintage steamroller and garden gnomes amongst kiddie things banned in the UK because, of course, they lead to juvenile crime, drug abuse, underage sex, STDs and drunkenness

“Why do all my 30-year-old electronics keep breaking?”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this magical well

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this little floater

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop your own set of Russian matrioshka nesting dolls.