News – Misplaced Pop Guns
Middle East
The GAO says that the US military cant account for some 190k assault rifles and pistols given to Iraqi security forces. Which amounts to 30% of the weapons distributed in the last three years. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in the hands of insurgents, but it does mean that they don’t know where they are due to haphazard record keeping.
Hundreds of protestors march, demanding more support from Israel’s government for Holocaust survivors. Mind, the simple fact is that Israel could easily bankrupt itself by caving to the will of the people. Or cause more US funds to go into their coffers, more likely. Israel shouldn’t be forced to bear the brunt of their needs, though it would be good to give some help in the most dire cases.
Three Palestinians describe life in Gaza. AS one might expect, it varies from person to person. But it isn’t all that bad for many. At least, not compared to the norm that they’re used to.
Iraq’s power grid remains bad and is getting worse as time goes on. A serious problem as power is one of the primary factors in how well a country runs.
Fixers, who pay a large role in helping the press get around in a dangerous place like Iraq.
Iraq’s Energy Ministry cracks down on trade unions that are against foreign exploitation of Iraq’s oil reserves. Their tactics in this have been termed as being reminiscent of Saddam’s own. Doesn’t bode well in my opinion.
Africa
Looks like most of the rebel groups in Darfur are in agreement on a common position and want to have final talks with the Sudan’s government. Wouldnt it be nice to have final talks and get that solved.
Zimbabwe’s government puts into place their own domestic surveillance laws. Wont be long before every country in the world is spying on their own populations.
Asia/Pacific
Shots are fired across the demilitarize zone between North and South Korea. First such incident this year, no casualties.
China cleans up the one child policy slogans it puts up, looking to make them less threatening.
Americas
I won’t tell you not to vote for Tom Tancredo. He will give you enough reason all by himself. Seriously.. how foolish is this man?
Bush signs and expanded wiretapping law, allowing his cronies to eavesdrop on foreign terror suspects without a warrant.
Hugo Chavez admits he wants to change things so that he can remain in power indefinitely. Not really surprised. He might not be the monster some make him out to be(or perhaps he is), but he’s no saint either.
General
Nissan is working on putting tech into future cars that will allow the car to monitor a driver’s level of intoxication and not start if the person is drunk. I see this as a good thing, but I can see it driving some customers away.
Explainer details the right way to escape a sinking car. Read it, you never know what might happen.
The Blogs look at Obama’s tough stance on Pakistan, the crumbling infrastructure of the US and Robert Olen Butler’s wife is leaving him for Ted Turner.
Today’s Papers has a look at the prevalence of open adoptions, more concerns over a Turkish invasion of northern Iraq, a look at how the partisan wrangling between lawmakers in Congress has been escalating since Democrats took control and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Homeless sex offender faces life in prison for not registering at an address because he cant find a home. Nobody will rent to him which makes him homeless, and if you are a sex offender you have to live in a home to register
The fear mongering goes international: Australian bridges are next
Not news: Man teaches stepdaughter to drive. News: He nearly loses his leg when she runs him over. Fark: She’s 30 and drunk. With mugshot goodness
Police summoned to arrest a hair dresser who refused to tell a decidedly non-fabulous meter maid how old he was
Atheist Diversionary Tactics. Bonus: author has quite the vocabulary
The Florida Tag hops a fence and spends a warm Sunday in Washington, D.C
Fifty percent of drivers cannot read a map and ninety percent cannot fold one
Sloppy Bangkok policemen are being ordered to wear bright pink “Hello Kitty” armbands
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop what these boogie boarding beauties are looking at
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this person and her golf cart
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this closeup encounter