News – Burn it Up

Americas

The US military unveils a ‘heat ray’ weapon. It’s said to be non-lethal and produces a painful burning sensation, which could be used to disperse crowds. A Reuters journalist agreed to be shot at with it and described it as similar to a blast from a very hot oven – too painful to bear without diving for cover. Interesting, though the long term effects of such a device are, obviously, unknown.

Spanking. To ban or not to ban? The ban suggested by Sally Lieber of California seems to be a minor ban restricted to children under the age of four, meant more to give aid to convicting child abusers than stymieing parents and their disciplinary practices.

The US and UK may well have it out now that the UK wants to pull some of its troops out of Iraq in the near future.

Middle East

Israel launches a campaign to try and isolate Iran economically. It’s becoming more and more clear to me that, in time, Israel is going to try a direct strike against Iran. Personally, I think it a bad idea, not for the attack itself, but for the backlash that the attack will cause. Sadly, most western powers seem to be all hindsight and no foresight.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki gets the backing of Iraq’s parliament behind his new security plan. Lets hope it does something significant in the end to deal with the disorder.

Fresh trials in Lebanon as an argument between Sunni supporters of the government and Shia opponents at Beirut’s Arab University flares into a city-wide clash in Beirut. I wonder at what sort of history led to these sectarian divisions being this aggressively confrontational. Or is it just the current power struggles that fuel these sorts of violent flashes.

Pfc Corey Clagett, the third soldier to plead guilty to killing three Iraqi detainees, gets 18 years for his crimes. A comparative slap on the wrist, considering taking part in murder would usually net a person life. Of the prior two, one got 18 years as well, the other 9 months.

The sparks of more factional violence in Gaza are being seen. Hopefully they’ll die down again and give the people some more peace.

Looks like Iran’s Ahmadinejad is seeing more criticism mounting against him. I can’t say I’m unhappy about this. He’s been quite a troublemaker.

With rumors of a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, the US shifts some attention back toward it. About time, Afghanistan has been ignored and allowed to fester for far too long.

Africa

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir admits that government planes have been bombing northern areas of Darfur. HE says the act doesn’t breach UN-brokered ceasefire signed earlier this month and that it is his only choice to respond to attacks by rebel groups.

Mogadishu continues to go through a period of disorder in the wake of the UICs ousting.

Asia/Pacific

Some unearthed caverns in Australia have given up a treasure trove of fossils that reveal new species that were once present.

Europe

For those interested in Anne Frank, some letters have been found that give more flesh to the story. One thing they show is the family’s desperate attempts to leave Germany legally.

The disputed sale of items once owned by King George I of Greece has netted $18.4 million dollars, six times what was estimated. Likely the controversy helped to give the auction some spice.

General

Research suggests that car exhaust could stunt the lung development of children who live too close to busy roads.

Research also suggests that a mother stressed during her pregnancy is more likely to have a child with mental issues. So guys, help reduce the burden on your lady, for her sake and for the kid. Even if this research is wrong, it’s not a bad idea all by itself.

As expected, hackers are busting into the security of the new HD DvDs. I’m not surprised, there is no electronic system made that a hacker cannot eventually bypass. One hacker in question says he’s doing it because of frustration. See, HD DvDs are picky about what devices they will play on. That alone is one reason I have no interest at all in HD DvDs and will snub them.

The Blogs look at a Senate committee’s nonbinding resolution disapproving of the troop surge for Iraq, the goings-on in Beirut and the gay-sheep study.

Today’s Papers has a new study that reveals smokers with a specific brain injury can immediately stop puffing without getting any cravings, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg missing Sandra Day O’Connor, the growing commercial relationship between Iraq and Iran and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Squirrel Songs 3

Mark Fiore: State of the Resolution

Remember yesterday’s story about how microwaving sponges disinfects them? Turns out they have to be wet otherwise they’ll just start on fire, as more than one moran found out

Japanese women are using male escort services not for sex, but for backrubs and cuddling. They even sign notes promising not to go all the way and everything

Organisers of Kenyan summit on world poverty upset after poverty-stricken street children invade their 5-star hotel and eat their expensive food

FCC forms task force on media and childhood obesity, since it’s obviously the fault of the media that kids are so fat. Parental responsibility will be right back after this commercial break

Dutch man gets ID card and driver’s license made with picture of The Joker. Put out the Bat Signal

Today’s bumbling criminal captured as a result of his fashion choices brought to you by Covington, Louisiana

Overzealous movie censor edits the word God entirely out of in-flight movie. Where is your now?

Though factually correct, proclaiming, “You’re making me to be more of a mass killer than I am” is actually conterproductive when trying to establish you’re not a serial killer

Piece of steel accidentally fed into a mulcher is launched 1,000 feet into a senior housing complex. Whoopsie

Church school burglar/boy genius has drunken mom drive him to police station to turn himself in. This pretty much ends how you might expect

Today’s “elk with a plastic chair around its neck” story brought to you by Estes Park, Colorado (with pic)

Having a bumper sticker which reads “I Love Porn” probably isn’t the best camouflage if you’re trying to abduct 12-year-old boys

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy and his snuggly toy

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Photoshop what the Shadow Knows

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop theme: Manly men on horses