News – Iraq’s New Day?

Middle East

Iraq’s new PM talks big, but US officials pretty much agree that the Iraqi government is fragile now and the next few months will tell the tale. Hopefully no one will screw up, they have a lot to get done.

Amid the growing chaos in Gaza, Israel kills off a militant leader. Like we needed more to stir the pot there. At least Abbas is trying to end the conflict.

Hamas demands the return of money that one of its officials tried to smuggle out of the country last Friday.

A defense layer forcibly ejected for the second time amid the circus that is Saddam’s trial.

Europe

Montenegro votes for independence from Serbia. Serbia has been loosing a lot recently.

North America

Alberto Gonzalez says that reporters could be prosecuted for publishing classified information. Question is, will the Administration seek to prosecute someone at the New York Times over leaking info on their domestic surveillance?

Ray Nagin holds on to his control of New Orleans. Hopefully he’ll do a good enough job to justify his continued presence at the helm.

FBI agents have a tape of Rep. William Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat, accepting $100,000 in cash as a bribe from a Nigerian official. They also note they later found $90k hidden in his freezer. Prosecute him.

Bush hails a new day with regard to the formation of Iraq’s government. Funny, looks like every other day to me. And still no idea when the US can withdraw and leave Iraqis to their own country.

So why haven’t we put any alQueda leaders on trial?

Madonna tours and goes back to being ever so controversial. I guess the normal mom thing didn’t work out for her. Not that I’ve been paying attention. 😉

US Iraq War vets, homeless? Yup.

Da Vinci Code might have sucked, but all of the hype netted it $244 million upon worldwide opening, second biggest global opening take. Let this be a lesson to all who panic. Don’t do it again.

General

The Blogs look at a recent UN report on Gitmo(not a positive one), English as the US national language and the FBI searching for Hoffa.

Amusements

Warcraft Vids: Billy Maclure – More amusing to those who have some knowledge of the game, but still amusing and well made even without it.

Warcraft Vids: Teremus in Irongforge – In this vid, you’ll see one of the things top level characters do when they get bored. They kite(lead high level mobs without killing them) to various areas in the game world. For mobs like this, you require a group, mostly to keep the one kiting alive. Probably took upwards of an hour to do this one, judging how far they had to go to get it to Ironforge. The song couldn’t be more appropriate. 😉 Policy dictates this sort of thing can be considered harassment, since the mob would wipe out low level characters in the area easily.

Mark Fiore: Snuggly the Security Bear

“Sex bomb” deployed in war against terror. Tom Jones unavailable for comment

British authorities “err on the side of caution” by labelling thousands of innocent people criminals and it’s not about to apologize to a bunch of people who lost their jobs or couldn’t get into university because of it

Movie special effects have reached the point where it’s cheaper to simulate a location than to actually film there

Jedi knight certificate from the Universal Life Church

Elton John: “I’m talking … you farkwit, farking photographers you should be shot, you should be all shot. Thank you.”

Problem: people need omega-3 fatty acids but don’t like fish. Solution: feed the fish to pigs and then feed the pigs to people. Is there anything pork can’t do?

School omits words “In God we trust” from coin picture on yearbook. Gives students stickers with words if they want to replace them

Saudi argues that girls should not be allowed to exercise because they “might become attracted to each other.” (pic)

Things you should not do on your resume

Town council hires £200-a-day consultant to tell them how to make a cup of tea

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Police bust GW after finding his MySpace page

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: New Zealand

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Darth Vader takes a day off.