News – Power to the People

Asia/Pacific

The Chinese people work their power, stymieing the building of a new chemical plant near the port city of Xiamen. This is the sort of example that can spark long term changes in how people look at the relationship between them and government. That is especially worthy in a country where the government is used to having a blank check.

Defending whaling seems like defending an aspect of culture for some Japanese people. One argument shown here is that we eat all sorts of animals in the west, who are we to tell them what to eat? The simple fact is the animals we eat aren’t endangered in the way that whales are. Quite simply, there will eventually be few to no whales left in the world if trends continue as they have. Then there will be no choice but to stop eating them as there will be none left to eat. If the lamb were endangered, I would be amongst those telling all to cease using them for food stock. But they aren’t endangered, thus remain in their place in the food chain. Of course, even when dealing with whaling there are some tactics that are laudable and those that are not.

Middle East

In the face of overwhelming world criticism Israel shifts slightly on its lockdown of Gaza. Some fuel will help in the short term, but in the long term more needs to be done to prevent their actions from amounting to summary punishment of every man, woman and child in that region. As might be expected, that doesn’t go over well with neighbors.

The ones that truly suffer because of this are the people who don’t attack. And while some will know why Israel does this, many will not or won’t care for the fact of how much hardship it causes for them and their families. Whether or not they blame the militants as well, they will know Israel is one who actively does this to them. And that could nudge them closer to turning to militancy.

US troop presence is not always desired in Iraq. Seems Falluja is now one of those places, even after it seems militancy has left the area.

Little surprise that most people think the gap is widening between the West and Muslim countries.

Africa

Amnesty International calls on Sudan to stop obstructing the coming of international peacekeepers to Darfur. Little surprise that a man suspected of being a coordinator between Sudan’s military and the Janjaweed is given a senior government position.

To add to Zimbabwe’s issues are concerns over their power infrastructure with recent blackouts and longer term issues.

Americas

Fears of a US recession are having a serious global impact. It seems an odd thing to be to have the welfare of the world economy be, in essence, the responsibility of the US to maintain. Seems to me that would be a dangerous state of affairs for the world and that such responsibility would be better distributed.

Hugo Chavez threatens to nationalize farms to deal with food shortages in Venezuela. Obviously the farmers would prefer to sell their food to those who will pay more, rather than to provide for the poor who can’t pay as much for what is provided by government controls.

General

Scientists remove a gene from Ebloa in the lab, making it harmless. If they could reproduce that in a drug, we’d be set.

EA is putting out a game that will be supported through ads and micro payments. Meaning free save for those two revenue streams. It’s an interesting concept that deserves a look. Depending on the prominence of the ads, it could be a preferable way of releasing games for those who aren’t interested in paying 40-60 bucks for them new.

Explainer looks at what prep pilots have for dealing with crash landings.

Should you force your kids to say they’re sorry when they wrong another? Some think a more canny method should be used, making the apology seem more the child’s idea than your own. Makes a bit of sense that. If you force a child to say sorry, they may not really feel it. But if you make a connection with them, then lead them from that to the feelings of the other, it could be a more heartfelt expression to apologize for a wrong done. Takes more time to get to it, but it means more as well.

The Blogs look at a new report that shows 75 percent of Baghdad neighborhoods are now “secure” and the passing of Bobby Fischer.

Today’s Papers has a look at how Iraq’s vast archaeological sites are being ransacked by illegal diggers, lots on the latest democratic debate and musing about the potential of a US recession in the one page news.

Amusements

Two thieves steal $30,000 which turns out to be a bag of bread rolls. Bonus: Thief accidentally shoots his accomplice

When the rules gets stupid, the stupid get creative

“I’m an abomination, and I’m coming over to your house after school”

Avoid tickets by claiming wife’s in labor. Just make sure you don’t get the police escort to the hospital. In a stolen car

Grand Jury to Texas Supreme Court Justice: You’re indicted. District attorney to Grand Jury: No he’s not, oh, and you’re a gay activist with a political agenda

Don’t you wish your local news was like this? “Pot Belly Pig farm puts out All Pigs Bulletin on Mirabelle”

Autism Speaks, a charity that claims to speak for autistic people sues 14-year-old autistic kid when she starts a parody website about autistic people being able to speak for themselves. K-Mart sucks

Not news: driver attempts to outrun cops. Fark: driving a 1992 Geo Metro

John McCain threatens to sic his 95-year-old mother on Chuck Norris for saying he is too old to be president

<A HREF="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=509713&in_page_id=1770&This=Better”>Not news: Goth walks fiancé on a leash. Fark: Goth has to keep walking after bus driver refuses entry, says “No dogs allowed”. When you see the pic, you’ll say it was a good call

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop your very own road to nowhere

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this House

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Challenge: Create a self portrait using inanimate objects