News Predictable Outcome?
Middle East
Abbas changes up Palestinian election laws that give Fatah an advantage over Hamas. The only factor that will decide whether or not this turns into a civil war now are the people. If the people decide to splinter, it will be. If they reject one group for the other, it won’t. Personally, I think the splinter is more likely than the rejection, but you never know. But we have a pretty clear possibility here that I hope our leaders are paying attention to the possibilities.
Israel’s Supreme Court orders the government to redraw a portion of their wall near the village of Bilin, where protests against it have been common. Largely because the prior path of it would have cut them off from 50% of their agricultural land.
To be honest, it’s hard for me to give much sympathy to Israeli parents concerned with the danger of homemade rockets when it comes to their kids. Considering the danger that Palestinian children live under every day of their lives, the concerns of Israeli parents, while valid, pale in comparison. Note: I don’t think rocket attacks are a good thing nor do I want Israeli kids to suffer. But when it comes to scope, their dangers are relatively minor, considering the low rate of injury from the homemade rockets. Six deaths in six years is tragic, but minor. More people die from common accidents.
Africa
Sudan postpones a census vital to two upcoming national polls because of funding issues. Namely, as accused by census officials, by withholding some $30 million it had pledged to the project.
A journalist traveling with African migrants makes a life saving call when their boat capsizes.
Asia/Pacific
Sydney is hit with a virtual lock down in anticipation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum. A sad thing when violent protests are expected(Howard talks up the forum). And that the brothels expect a lot of business.
China is being privately prodded over weapons of their make being used by militants in Afghanistan to attack British troops.
China denies that their military hacked into the US DoD’s computer network. For we ordinary folk, we have to decide if we trust our government to be straight with such accusations, since they’ll never present any real evidence to convince us(national security and all that). Personally, I don’t trust most accusations that our government makes.
Americas
Bush considers life after being President. Doesn’t look like he plans to do anything of any real importance, unlike his father and Bill Clinton who have gone on to work toward grand goals.
Plans are in the works to expand the Panama Canal, despite protests on the environmental impact it may have.
Brazil’s government is pressured over their continued production of cluster bombs.
General
The Blogs look at the future of same-sex marriage in Iowa, Tony Snow’s resignation and the infant-formula lobby.
Today’s Papers has note that Google might be making a cell phone, how lawmakers have been poking and prodding the Pentagon into getting gear to the troops, the lack of trust between the US military and the Iraqi Army and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Come On Paper Disappoint Me
“But you promised that you wouldn’t give any tickets for the first thirty days” whines man busted by a new speed camera while driving 110mph
Where else would some parent first buy their kid a grenade-shaped belt buckle, then pack it in luggage for trip aboard world’s largest cruise ship?
If you’re going to rent a car to deliver a metric buttload of heroin, make sure you don’t leave a kilo behind when you return the car
Let he among you who has never stolen a hearse with a body in the back and used it for a pub crawl cast the first stone
Traffic warden finds his own moped clamped after parking for more than a half-hour at lunchtime, allegedly to look for illegally parked cars
This is how to NOT win an argument with your girlfriend over whether you are too drunk to drive
Drunken idiot charged with stealing funeral flowers. Fark: while the funeral was still in progress
Company gives out free cell phones to homeless – What could possibly go wrong?
Two Elvis Presley fans who made neighbours lives a living hell by singing karaoke to The King’s hits told to STFU by a court (pic)
Two men arrested and charged for stealing mannequin and the Budweiser shorts it was wearing
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Design a label for your own brand of microbrews
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Greg Brady singing the national anthem
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Transform your favourite celebrity into a zombie.