News – A Country Glut with Barriers

Middle East

Israel is making a new barrier that extends into the sea from it’s border with Gaza, in order to deter Palestinian infiltrators.

Another big offensive by US forces against an insurgent stronghold. One wonders when we’ll see more conclusive evidence of effect besides a few casualty statistics to go along with these, showing they’ve done more than just chip a bit of substance from the insurgency.

Meanwhile it’s reported that insurgents have risen in Ramadi, using it as a base of operations. And when the US turns it’s attention there, the insurgents will shift to another place.. and another, and another.. see a pattern?

Israel attacks the EU over previously noted meetings with Hamas mayors in Palestine. Making accusations of the EU appeasing and legitimizing them. The amusing thing is they’re legitimizing themselves by becoming part of the Palestine government. What would Israel do if a member of Hamas rose to high office in legitimate elections? Personally, I don’t think Israel can afford to hold a hard line, unless their people will enjoy another few years of war due to diplomacy scuttled by said hard line.

Europe

The EU has another problem crop up, a clash over their 2007-2013 budget.

North America

The House Appropriations foreign aid subcommittee provides less for Bush’s Millennium Challenge Account than be wants, while increasing funding to fight against AIDS.

The Pentagon says that critics of Guantanimo show ignorance of what is really going on. Yup, especially when information that could enlighten us to what is really going on remains suppressed and hidden. Some comments are over the top, that is true, but it remains that many have serious reservations about the ultimate usefulness of Guantanimo against the problems it causes.

Frist defends his actions with regard to Terri Schiavo and says he’d do it all again. Lets hope we don’t have to witness something like this again.

General

A look at the theory of ‘savings glut’. Going to show that how you solve a problem(or if you have a problem at all) depends on which direction you look at it from.

The IAEA gives a thumbs up to a US plan to set up a committee to examine how the nuclear safeguards regime can be improved. Pity it took so long to get something like this moving. This is the sort of idea that should have manifested months, not years after 9-11.

The ICRC hits back after a policy adviser for the U.S. Senate Republican majority said the ICRC had lost its impartiality and was advocating positions at odds with U.S. interests. I’m not comfortable with those two sentiments being right next to each other, as advocating positions at odds with US interest don’t necessity imply a loss of impartiality. Despite that many seem to buy into just that.

New tech in tracking stolen cars.

Dell would like to package and sell MacOSX with future PC products.

Today’s Papers has the watering of the G8’s forthcoming global warming policy by the US, agreement on the committee to form Iraq’s constitution, earthquakes in California and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Police chase ends after motorcycle rider loses police in mall, later nabbed when he shows up at CHP to claim his bike

Norway’s Princess Leah was named for Star War’s Princess Leah, which is probably less insulting then being named Princess Chewbacca

In retrospect, Americans posing nude in front of the Arc de Triomphe might offend the French

Coast guard tows shark-infested whale carcass into swimming area to see what happens when you do that

Now you can have Hilary Duff’s vast, impressive catalogue of timeless, decade-spanning songs on one “greatest hits” album

Woman piles flammable material next to water heater, sets house on fire. Returns to burned home, discards cigarette in trash, gets listed on Fark

Man claiming to be “too disabled to work” found wrestling alligators, taking martial arts classes and selling bootleg CDs and DVDs.

“Attack squirrels” invade NY’s Lower East Side; no word on the size of their nuts (with pics)

Police officer offers to let women drop traffic charges if they drop trow for him on camera

Wesley Snipes has a pretty cool fake South African passport, and is dumb enough to try and use it in South Africa.(w/pic)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Worst possible spokesperson for common products

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Colorize this black-and-white lighthouse photo

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop some “specialmodifications” for this smuggler