News – Shifting Problems without Solving Them
Americas
Bush plans to reduce tours of duty for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. And since the military hasn’t had a sudden surge in recruiting, one can only assume a half assed solution like more private security firms or further feeding off the national guard will be used to fill the gap.
How a single photograph can effect much. There is an odd, often titanic power when it comes to journalism. Most of the time its light, but every once in a while it is a force not to be trifled with.
A close reading of Bush’s latest speech.
Problems with the plans used by American Airlines have led to mass cancellations and general chaos for tens of thousands of passengers. Now would be a bad time to fly American.
Wal-Mart faces trouble and embarrassment with the exposure of its corporate video archives to more public scrutiny.
Middle East
The World Bank puts out a warning for North Africa and the Middle East. Water shortages are in the future and the amount available per person could dwindle by half by 2050.
The US military continues to hold AP news photographer Bilal Hussein, reviewing an amnesty order by Iraq’s government to have him released after two years of detention.
Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Egyptian cleric, issues a fatwa that says tiny amounts of alcohol are permitted by Islam. Of course, this causes an uproar, when most clerics say you can’t drink at all.
Africa
The UN is concerned Ethiopia and Eritrea could throw down and brawl again if UN peacekeepers are withdrawn from the region.
South African Deputy security minister Susan Shabangu tells police they should shoot to kill if a criminal threatens them. This despite constitutional protections for criminals, as most civilized nations have. Of course, one should consider the high rate of violent crime, even if that doesn’t excuse such a stance.
Asia/Pacific
Olympic officials are troubled by the protests that follow the relay of the Olympic torch, but China assures them it will go smoothly.
Indeed, they say they’ve stopped a terror plot to kidnap athletes, journalists and tourists at the games themselves. They also shifted the planned route of the US portion of the relay.
The Fray on rising cost of Chinese goods.
General
So many car crashes in media. And why they’re so used.
Concern over pro-suicide sites online. It seems a bad idea to allow such things, as they could influence those who are in a poor state of mind to do what they may later regret(though not in this life).
A drug to protect one from radiation? That could be a boon in many ways.
Economics and Game Theory to explain the shortage of eligible bachelors? Sure, why not.
The Blogs look at the protests accompanying the Olympic Torch relay in San Fran, Yahoo’s experiment in ad-sharing with Google and Elton John’s pronouncement that America is “misogynist” for not supporting Hillary Clinton.
Today’s Papers has Defense Secretary Robert Gates telling a Senate panel that he wants to resume troop withdrawals quickly(After Bush has stated no more withdrawals), a look at how a Navy officer who testified yesterday that she worked as an escort for the so-called D.C. Madam could face punishment and might even be discharged, that Sen. John McCain switched his position on how much the government should help homeowners who are having trouble keeping up with mortgage payments and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Man fined $810 for damages caused from argument with girlfriend over which gang their precious snowfizzle should claim
Burglars caught breaking into candy store after police followed trail of candy wrappers to them. With “I need more candy” mugshot
Postal official defends $13,500 steak dinner
Instead of her face, porn star running for city hall puts pictures of her ass on her campaign posters; “I am the derriere of the Socialist party”
Farkers referred to as “cheeky Astley pranksters” for their part in the Mets Rickroll scheme. The Sun is there
Casing: “Slang. to examine or survey (a house, bank, etc.) in planning a crime.” For instance, discovering that a bank branch is cashless prior to attempting to rob it
Lindsey Lohan agrees to full-frontal nudity in low-budget flick to demonstrate what a serious actress she is
Ex-teacher gets five years in porn case. He would gotten away with if it weren’t for those pesky kids rummaging through his drive he left in the computer lab *facepalm*
Nothing really prepares a man for marriage like being tasered, handcuffed, hog-tied with duct tape, oiled and feathered, and paraded through downtown strapped to a lawn chair on the back of a flatbed truck (with video)
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this blustery blowhard
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this googly-eyed seed pod
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop challenge: Design a flag for the Nanny State