News – Cause and Effect

Middle East

One good thing about Hamas’ moves as of late is it seems to have struck home to Israel how good they had it with Fatah. I wouldn’t say they’re falling all over themselves to make a deal now, but it is good to see them back in the cooperation state of mind again. Only question is, will something come of it this time? Or will it again fall back into uselessness. Meanwhile Israel continues to deal harshly with Gaza.

Video Explainer: Where to militants get their ski masks?

Africa

Over a thousand have been arrested in Zimbabwe for breaking the new price controls, which have made it law to cut the prices of many goods in half in a bid to beat the country’s massive inflation.

Guinea-Bissau, a country without a proper prison, which could become Africa’s first narco-state.

Asia/Pacific

Real religious issues seem to be cropping up in Malaysia. All those complaining Christians should remember how nice they have it here, where you won’t get a forcible conversion for practicing what you believe.

North Korea considering an early shut down of their reactor? I like the sound of this. Eagerness to see this done is a good thing. And the inspectors have the go ahead to get things started.

Americas

The Dreamliner. A plain made mostly of carbon fibre, claimed to be the most environmentally friendly passenger plane ever built.

The Clintons are accused of hypocrisy for criticizing Bush on his pardon of Lbby. Yeah, it wasn’t a smart idea. But I’ve heard there were hearings back then and as such, their issues are closed for now after the opposition had their chance to complain. The precedent has been set by the past. Let the hearings for Bush’s little mistake commence. You can start with the White House justifications.

More consideration for the pros and cons of Ethanol.

General

The iPhone and it’s web apps. Those little toys that will make or break one’s interest in a toy like this.

The Blogs look at a rumor that Rupert Murdoch’s the new owner of Dow Jones, if Fred Thompson’s tendentious role as a Watergate attorney means his days as a plain-talking maverick Republican are over and BestBuy computer technicians stealing your porn.

Today’s Papers has New York wineries cracking down on people there more for a good time than for the wine tasting, a standoff at Pakistan’s Lal Masjid between militants and the government, concern that Iran might try and move it’s nuclear operations underground and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Snuggly’s Independence Day

News: Catholic Church removes restrictions on Latin Mass. Fark: they didn’t remove the part about prayers calling for the Jews to ‘be delivered from their darkness’ and converted to Catholicism

Nearly 4,800 fluorescent yellow golf balls were stolen from a Kansas City golf course after someone raided its driving range in the middle of the night. “Enough to fill the bed of a pickup” say police

Two criminal masterminds rob a hotel at gunpoint and try to get away by driving into a police station parking lot. Jailarity ensues

72-year-old Mayor gets cited for DUI and loses license. Does he, A) get someone to drive him to work, B) abuse his power and make the DUI go away, or C) suck it up and bike to work every day on a red Schwinn?

Police break into an apartment after neighbors complain of a nasty smell. They don’t find a dead body, just a tenant with really bad foot odor asleep next to a pile of foul-smelling laundry

Metallica frontman James Hetfield detained at a British Airport before his Live Earth gig because he sported a “Taliban-like beard”, not because Metallica has sucked since the early 90’s

Angry drunk man threatens to kill Waffle House workers if they don’t cook him a steak, then threatens to send UFOs after them

With all other problems solved, New Jersey works on regulating bathroom breaks in school. Glad to see we have our Pee-orities in check

Teenager responsible for 40% of the crime in his town. (w/appropriately dorky photo)

Descendents of Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cat at center of Key West governmental debate

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this Manchester cop on his T3 scooter

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this fellow and his firehose

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: The Clintons re-enacting other famous scenes from the movies or TV