News – Cash for Flab

Europe

They mayor of the Italian town of Varallo Sesia is offering cash money to those overweight folks who lose pounds and more should they keep it off for five months. It’s an interesting plan. I hope it yields good results.

Heinz Barth, a Nazi war criminal convinced of atrocious acts during WWII, dies in Gransee, ten years after being released from prison on health grounds. By accounts, his death has gone largely unnoticed in Germany, perhaps the best final punishment for those who would commit crimes such as he did. To be forgotten and consigned to oblivion by your own people.

Bosnia’s Serbs work to shed the taint that lingers from their devastating war twelve years past, washing their image and looking to attract business and prosperity. I wish them sincere good luck.

Middle East

Another offensive in Iraq. Not much can be said, in my opinion, until the ultimate results of this increased military action manifest and linger.

The US may well officially mark Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group. That’ll be wonderful for relations, won’t it?

To talk to Hamas or to leave them out? Personally, I’d prefer if Hamas were ‘brought into the fold’ so to speak, however slowly it might happen. I still think there is some promise in guiding them to be a political entity in total, but as days go by that hope steadily diminishes.

Africa

Sierra Leone counts the votes from their recent election and the powers in charge urge calm in this uneasy period. One can only hope that the calm will remain even after the votes are counted.

Nigeria will be freeing its currency by 2009.

Asia/Pacific

A Chinese bridge collapses, killing 29 people. The incident has raised concerns about their other construction projects.

Burma’s leadership hikes the price of gas up considerably in a move unannounced and unexpected.

Americas

Home Depot and Wal-Mart see a rough time head. Perhaps related to current lacking in confidence with regard to the market.

Explainer takes a look at NASA’s foam issues. Sounds like the use of this foam is far too exacting. We need something that allows for mistakes.

General

A girl ODs on espressos. Seven doubles within a short amount of time is surely far too much for anyone.

A tiny battery just larger than a postage stamp that can provide 2.3 volts of power, enough to illuminate a small light. Though not too strong yet, but a promising step forward in portable technology. The smaller the batteries get, the smaller the portable devices can be. Or the more we can put into them.

The Blogs look at Elizabeth Edwards’ verbal shots at Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, the announcement that Clinton’s White House records won’t be available until after the 2008 election and ohn Tierney’s New York Times piece wondering if we’re all just living in a simulated world.

Today’s Papers has how companies that make toys in the United States are benefitting from the numerous recalls of Chinese-made products, four truck bombs that exploded in northern Iraq and killed at least 175 people, that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been the one pushing for the inclusion of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity and more in the one page news.

Amusements

After catching chicken pox and losing part of your pinky toe to amputation, mooning the governor of Senegal was probably not the best way to end holiday

Criminal who ordered reprisals against rival gang surprised to discover that the police who were monitoring his cellphone calls could crack his code, because he spoke in Pig Latin. Umbassday

Man arrested after being found naked and smoking crack in someone’s hot tub. Brought to you with grin of stupidity mugshot goodness

News: Theater employee busted after setting up a camara in the women’s bathroom. Bonus: He was busted because he accidentally filmed himself while installing the camera

First-ever “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) award nominees announced for Web poll to “separate the elephant from the rhino”

Cops cart man away after fight with wife. Wife tells cops to look for stolen $180,000 sports car in garage. Bonus: Argument was over wife’s Hooters job. You know the state by now

Yet another study asserts that busing doesn’t work. Hippies look for yet another excuse to avoid blaming the parents of underperforming kids

Man protests his high property taxes by paying $12,000 in coins and $1 bills. That’ll show those city employees who had to count it and had nothing to do with setting tax laws

Man finds keys left in a small plane and does the logical thing … figure eights in the grass until he manages to tip the thing on it’s nose. Jailarity ensues

Man “angry with God” drives truck into church. Guess where

Guy faced child sex charges, so he jumped off his cruise ship to escape. Then the 16-year-old victim admitted he lied just to get out of school

Even if the cops have you cornered for DUI, saving the beer’s important. (with hilarious pic)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Challenge: Put something inside the box

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these collegiate cavemen

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Theme: FARK, THE MOVIE (because Hollywood is out of ideas that don’t suck)