News – Delayed News

Having decided to take Wednesday off from work, there was no news that day, obvious. But I haven’t forgotten or abandoned my self appointed task. So here we go.

Middle East

Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah makes a fiery speech at the funeral of one of his own, claiming the group is ready for ‘open war’ with Israel. Whether this is bluster or a real declaration remains to be seen.

Many Arab countries allow further curbs of satellite television stations thought to have offended Arab leaders or national/religious symbols.

Israel’s Interior Minister wants to build an Arab city in the north of Israel. Seems an obvious continuation of Israel’s desire to have the whole of Jerusalem. I’ve little doubt that any such creation would be followed by overt or covert efforts to force or cajole Jerusalem’s Arab population to relocate to the new city.

Militants in Gaza City have attacked the YMCA there and bombed the library therein. Which faction did it is ripe for speculation, but the C in YMCA is a likely catalyst for such a senseless attack.

Africa

A look at just how much China influences Sudan. It is quite a curious thing.

Looks like Kenya has a deal to end the current crisis in the country and Kofi Annan will be unveiling it. Hopefully it will work, whatever it is when it comes to the details.

International prices for wheat are rising due to various issues, which will cause some considerable issues for t hose living in poorer African countries and the like. I can only imagine how bad it might get for Zimbabwe.

Asia/Pacific

China expresses regret over Steven Spielberg pulling out as the artistic advisor for the Beijing Olympics. Apparently this has something to do with China’s ties to Sudan, which have prompted the Chinese foreign ministry to cite ulterior motives as being behind this.

Europe

Russia tosses a fresh bit of heat into the region by hinting that Kosovo’s de facto bid for independence could improve Russian relations in the region for breakaway regions in Georgia.

Trade in humans continues. Beneath the screen of more modern threats and disasters, the quiet tragedies continue to roll on, as they have throughout human history.

Americas

Don’t you love it when members of the military use dubious reasoning to justify getting fat cash for programs that may not be in the best interest of our military?

Another school shooting makes the news, this time at Northern Illinois University. A tragedy to be sure. Though one wonders how long until fingers start getting pointed at violent games and Marilyn Manson as a result this time.

Bush defends his record on Sudan. Seems like he’s learned, if late, the folly of shoving US troops into Muslim countries willy-nilly.

The Senate votes against water boarding.

Digging into how Obama speaks. Its true, he tends to speak more in generalities than in specifics. Of course, one should recall that most people prefer things simple like that. Also, breaking up with Obama on Valentines day.

Hillary goes negative.

General

Scientists find a means to boost the natural anti-viral defenses of cells, but the procedure is more academic as the procedure can’t be reproduced in humans. Rather, it could provide valuable insights into making new anti-viral therapies.

Women should take care with skin lightening creams as they could lead to a hormone disorder. Such extreme reactions are rare, but it never hurts to be cautious.

Only 4% of our oceans have been left unspoiled by the touch of man. One wonders how long until those spots of low impact on the map will shift over toward yellow and amber.

Sadly we’re no closer to a solution for HIV than we were 20 years ago. Seems to me like a new angle needs to be found, as the old ones aren’t giving up what we need.

What makes sugar explode.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Indie Films

What? No Florida stories this morning? Well, everyone’s favorite Florida elections supervisor can fix that for ya as the state’s top law enforcement agency is looking into how to cover up yet another election fiasco

Council chief apologises for suggesting critics “join the ranks of those who believe the that the Holocaust never happened and those who dress as pirates to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendages”

Arizona high school students spend three years and $23,000 building a huge Civil War diorama for a Texas museum. Museum decides it’s historically inaccurate, has it destroyed

Pastor issues congregation sex challenge: Married couples must have sex for 30 days, singles must abstain from sex for 30 days

Not news: Burglar robs house. News: Pair of teenage twins catch him in the act. Fark: One of the twins pushes him out a second story window before calling the police. BONUS: Badass pic of the twins (and window)

Guy facing several felony counts tries to use the Klinger defense, to no avail. Instead of bringing a wedding dress to court, he chose something more readily available

Driver abandons her bus 60 miles short of destination. Oh, and the bus was full of…. Oops, quittin time y’all

Man makes 30,000 prank calls to 911 “because it’s free”

<A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080215/bs_wl_afp/lifestylejapangastronomypublishingcourt_080215073832″>If you own a lousy cafe and get the lowest mark possible in a review book, do you A) close and find another career, B) work hard to improve your food and service, or C) sue the reviewer for ¥11 million?

If you have a coat of arms designed for promotional use in Scotland without first registering it, be prepared for some court time. That means you, Donald Trump (with image of his lame coat of arms)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this interesting rock formation

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this lonely, snowy sidewalk

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Annual Valentine Photoshop theme: Design a Valentine card you’d send to an ex