News – Iraq in the Long Term

Middle East

While some might not feel it as acutely, many Iraqis are still suffering greatly. One can only guess the damage that will be done to their culture and social psyche by the time this is finished. Some might blow such things off, but a national trauma, which is what the last few years have been, can shape the future of how a society develops.

The International Red Cross confirms that there are marks on the feet, legs, back and nose of Jalal Sharafi, an Iranian diplomat who claims he was tortured while being held by the CIA, but cannot confirm that they are the result of torture.

Japan pledges 100 billion yen to help rebuild Iraq’s economy. One can only hope their money isn’t as squandered as ours is in that respect.

Let us not forget our ‘ally’ Egypt. Their record on torture makes them suspect whenever they’ve been in the lead with regard to interrogations.

Congress approves funds to be sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for use in strengthening his security staff.

Russia doubts Iran’s claims that they can produce nuclear material on an industrial scale.

Africa

Chad admits that their soldiers crossed the border into Sudan while pursuing militants and clashed with Sudanese forces.

Ethiopia admits they’re holding terror suspects from several countries, including America, Canada and Sweden. They deny, however, that the detainees are being held incommunicado and that they’ve already released five of them.

Hizbullah claims that the US is waging secret war against them, funding anti Hizbullah militant groups and undermining the Lebanese army. And, get this, that the word is being given for this by Cheney. I’d say I can believe, perhaps, half of that. But the whole thing? Unlikely.

Asia/Pacific

North Korea tells US delegates that they’ll miss the deadline for shutting down their main nuclear reactor, but can start the process now that the dispute over held funds is resolved.

Said delegations also secures the recovery of six US soldiers killed in the Korean War. There are still over 8k personnel listed as missing.

Australia is doubling it’s minor commitment of troops to Afghanistan, largely due to the lingering of the resurgent Taliban.

Europe

Several judges in Ukraine’s Constitutional Court are threatening to quit over political pressure. They’re deciding on whether President Viktor Yushchenko had the right to dissolve parliament and call a snap poll in May.

So what’s the difference between a committee and a cartel when it comes to gas exporting nations?

Might a new Cold War be started between Russia and the US over the deployment of our missile defense system in Europe? It may well happen.

Americas

They finally find out who among the many men claiming to have done so, is the one who knocked Anna Nicole Smith up. Only time you’ll see guys jumping out of the woodwork to claim a baby is when it’s a famous baby connected to famous money.

Bush mentions immigration reform again. Looks like this will be just another thing he didn’t get to due to political reasons. I’m sure he’ll finally have a lot to empathize with Clinton about, concerning the difficulty of the lame duck years, when the tide has turned against you.

Is it a good idea to investigate the use of non-lethal chemical weapons as part of counterterrorist operations? I think there is some good reasoning on the subject, but recent history also shows that semi-lethal might be a closer description than non-lethal with some chemical agents. I think we should look into it, but proceed very carefully.

Though hardly representative, this sort of grading on politician speeches is very interesting.

General

Research suggests most dieters put on more weight than they lose in the long run. Best bet has always been healthy eating habits and exercise. Restrictive eating tends to lead to those restrictions failing over time.

The Chinese government is trying to crack down on too much gaming. One wonders how they define people as being ‘addicted’ to gaming.

The Blogs look at Don Imus’ two-week hiatus and Titans cornerback Pacman Jones’ yearlong suspension.

Today’s Papers has note that the White House wants a new czar to oversee the Iraq and Afghanistan actions but can’t find anyone that wants the job(who would, seriously?), plenmty of coverage on Imus, lawmakers delivering the first subpoena in the investigation into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys as they demanded the Justice Department turn over hundreds of uncensored documents and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Taser the gnome for low rates

New ads target pot-smoking teens. “Pot. It might not kill you, but it could turn you into a dickhead”

Not news: Getting a disorderly conduct fine. News: Telling the judge that you are only going to pay $10 of the $281 and come back and kill everyone. Fark: Leave the courthouse being chased by police, ram two cruisers, punch a cop in the face

President of ad agency plans to walk across America, in what is in no way a publicity stunt, according to his press release. But if you WERE to need him, he will have his Blackberry. Bonus: Bill Clinton will likely join him at some point

Not news: How to make a pancake. Fark: Using only heroin tools

I-Mockery attends the Worst Carnival Ever in the parking lot of an abandoned mall where a variety of murders have taken place over the years

Customs officials wonder why someone would send hundreds of old computer monitors from Canada to Oz. Answer: $211 million worth of coke and ecstasy, eh?

Moose and reindeer at a wildlife park have been invited to a taste test panel that will help decide which type of salt should be used to de-ice the roads in wintertime

Russian fisherman sparks international incident after making beer run to Japanese island of Hokkaido

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Design the cover of a self-help book written specifically for all the Mother of the Year candidates constantly showing up on Fark

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this fair scene

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Exploit a historical figure for business purposes