News – Justified Defense?

Middle East

Iraqi PM Nouri Malik defends his government’s progress thus far, saying he needs more time. Obviously, but many aren’t convinced his government is pulling out the stops in getting things done as promptly and completely as possible. But, for the most part, we don’t really have a choice in whether or not we continue to assist. It is, ultimately, in our greater interest to make sure his government doesn’t crumble.

A spokesman for Israel’s military says they’ve taken a Palestinian man, Mohammed Salameh Abed Zufi, into custody and charged him with aiding the capture of Gilad Shalit last year. Well, at least he’s being charged. We’ll see if the charges pan out.

In related news, French Foreign Minster Bernard Kouchner says that he’s heard the two Israeli’s taken by Hezbollah last year are still alive and that negotiations for their release continue.

Lebanon’s rival factions are opening up to each other once more. They just have to guard against the doorway closing once more.

UK troops are just about out of Iraq, the numbers that remains dwindling.

Africa

The UN and AU hold Darfur crisis talks in Libya, hoping their three point plan will lead to peace talks between local rebels and the government.

At a new teaching hospital in Ethiopia they use the Internet to allow local doctors to confer with colleagues in India in real time. The goal is to have 20 hospitals around the country that can allow rural doctors to get valuable advice. This is something we need in this country for sure.

Asia/Pacific

UN nuclear inspectors confirm the shutdown of North Korea’s nuclear reactor. A good thing to hear. The first step in eliminating North Korea as an issue.

Starbucks gets kicked out of the Beijing’s Forbidden City. There shall be one place where this ubiquitous franchise shop won’t be located.

Europe

A fresh child porn bust nets 66 people in Spain. The arrested including doctors, lawyers and teachers.

A free bike scheme is being set up in Paris. Likely that would fail miserably in most places in the US, since the bikes would likely be stolen.

Americas

One hopes the Catholic Church is still leaning well from the lingering stigma of abuse allegations and the result.

Thought it would be over once Hilton was out of jail? You were wrong.

Cheney pushing the White House toward military conflict with Iran? Yeah, I can see it.

General

Intel and the non-profit One Laptop per Child foundation settle their differences and join forces on the project. That’s about the best outcome one could hope for.

The contents of RedBull. Sure you want to drink that stuff?

The Blogs look at religious democrats and killer badgers.

Today’s Papers has how Japanese society is preparing for the introduction of juries in courtrooms in 2009, how Iraqi soldiers aren’t happy about the new alliances that are being created between U.S. forces and Sunnis, how the United States is planning to give $750 million in aid to Pakistan’s tribal areas over the next five years, which many are worrying could fall into the wrong hands and more n the one page news.

Amusements

This week in overexaggeration: Florida park evacuated after a flare washes ashore

When drinking and driving, throwing a beer can at the police car behind you is not a recommended way to avoid arrest

Kimberly-Clark unveils new high-tech toilet paper dispensers that give out five sheets of TP per sitting, no more. “People generally in life will take what you give them,” explains executive

Connoisseurs cringe as judges determine that California’s best Chardonnay is “Two Buck Chuck,” which sells for less than $3.00 a bottle

Duke student newspaper incorrectly states Starship Enterprise has cloaking device; Trekkie letter to the editor hilarity ensues. Duke sucks

Man, in possession of marijuana, begs uniformed cop for late-night ride home, not realizing that everyone who gets in a cop car must be patted down

Dolphins thwarting submarine sex – apparently enough people are having sex on submarines for this to be a problem

Nanny state takes action on latest environmental health threat facing British citizens: birds singing too loudly in people’s yards (pics)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Now that Drew has a book and TV show, how else should he branch out his media empire?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy with swords

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Design a new mode of transport. Difficulty: Must be made up of things found in a kitchen.