News – Source Switch

For the time being, I’m shifting from Reuters to BBC for my headlines, since at the moment I can’t seem to load Reuters news pages without Exploder hanging like a slack jaw.

Middle East

Saddam and some others are on trial now for an anti-Kurdish offensive in 1987-88. So, without finishing the first farce trial(the one about Halabja is still going on), they decided to complicate things with a second farce trial at the same time? Could they hope to make this one less a joke without a solid end to the first to restore some faith in the fledgling justice system in Iraq? Of course, Saddam is dismissive of this second tribunal and entered no plea. Of course, trying him on charges of genocide complicates the trial.

Olmert suspends the plan to withdraw from the West Bank. Likely because his government doesn’t want to give the appearance, in the wake of the Lebanon conflict, of Israel retreating back into itself. It would be, to some, a sigh of weakness.

Germany is waiting to see just what mandate the UN has for forces in Lebanon before it commits troops. The Turks too agonize over what to do. Many are reluctant to dip their feet into the pool that is conflict in the Middle East. Not surprising after seeing what it has reaped for the US. Extended troop deployment, deaths a plenty, truckloads of money spent and as of yet inconclusive results after years and years. Who would want to deal with that crap?

Already unexploded munitions from Israel’s attacks has claimed lives and maimed children. Cluster bombs need to be banned. Period. With a 23% dud rate, that leaves a lot of refuse for people to stumble upon and be blown up.

The Lebanese survey the damage done by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Damage we’ll be paying for, in part. Along with this interesting quote by a member of Lebanon’s Druze minority.

“Hezbollah may have kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, but Israel kidnaps Lebanese and Palestinians when it likes,” he says.

“No-one comes to bomb essential roads and bridges in Israel.”

Mind you, we can’t ignore the damage done in Israel. But that is one city. Lebanon’s damage is across the country and has shot down vital needs. And that city suffered no casualties.

Deployment of the Lebanese army is easier said than done. They’re hardly equipped to deal with this problem, let alone facing down Hezbollah. But they are making an effort, with the country’s defense minister, Elias Murr, declaring anyone firing rockets at Israel will be considered a traitor and will be dealt with firmly.

Israel is playing loose with the ceasefire with a commando raid deep into Lebanon, calling it a defensive action to disrupt weapon supplies from Iran and Syria. Irrelevant. If they know something is going down, they need to bring it to the attention of the US, Lebanon and the UN, not unilaterally invade Lebanese territory yet again, threatening to break what has been made.

The operation didn’t go well anyway. So again, Israel doesn’t meet a goal and reaps scorn.

A procession of Shia pilgrims in Iraq comes under fire by snipers, ending with at least 20 dead.

Europe

Carla del Ponte, the UN chief prosecutor at The Hague, condemns Serbia for not handing over Gen Ratko Mladic so he can face war crimes charges.

Africa

Two African Union peacekeepers are killed in Darfur and three injured. They were hurt when armed men ambushed a fuel convoy. There has been no comment about which group might have carried out the attack.

Nigeria cracks down on kidnappers in the country. Hopefully they can. Kidnapping is a bane to tourism. I know I wouldn’t want to set foot in a country that has lots of visitors kidnapped.

The UN wants the Sudan government to cease forced relocation of displaced peoples. It’s unlikely they will stop, sadly.

South/Cnntral America

Castro is getting better. So everyone who was hoping he’d kick it can give it a rest for now.

North America

Now the CIA’s secret efforts to track terrorist money are under scrutiny for privacy concerns. This is a secret program dealing with UK banks, which may violate local laws.

The White House brushes off criticism from UK MP John Prescott that Bush is ‘crap’ on piece in the Middle East. Many in the UK, including some other MPs agree with the sentiment of the comment. Blair might be a steadfast ally to the US< but there's no guarantee that his eventual successor will be.

Mel Gibson gets three years probation and has been ordered to attend AA meetings after his drunk driving charge.

Could our military be, in a way, teaching soldiers that their bodies are weapons?

Should Democrats embrace the fearmongering game to combat Republican fearmongering? Personally, I hope not, because that will be the next step in the total breakdown of our electoral system. Once both parties are firmly entrenched in such bullshit politics, we’re all lost.

General

Snakes on a Plane does well. Not surprising. It might even develop a cult following.

Scientists discover the method by which HIV slips through the body. Basically, the virus turns off a molecular switch inside of cells. Scientists were able to block the switch and restore the cell function. There are drugs that can do this, but there are risks and it requires more study. Perhaps if such medicines can be tuned to only effect HIV effected cells, we might have something promising.

Tests show that premature babies might be adversely effected by constant exposure to hospital lighting.

Swiss scientists have a new breast cancer test that can save women from unnecessary chemotherapy. Not only that, but it’s less invasive than some alternatives.

The case for circumcision to help prevent AIDS. Off with their heads!

The Blogs look at a ruling against warrantless wiretaps, Apple investigating work conditions in its iPod factory in China and more michegas over a changing definition of “planet.”

Today’s Papers has continuing coverage of the arrest of John Mark Karr as a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case, the Democratic National Committee’s decision to move the 2008 Nevada and South Carolina caucuses so they fall just after Iowa’s, but before New Hampshire’s primary, a legal loophole allows some child fetish Web sites to flout child-pornography laws and publish sexually suggestive photos of barely clothed children and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Gel-filled bras OK on planes, despite security….proven harmless unless contents activated by snake bite

Military physical training evolves with “outside the box” exercises like playing soccer in flak vests, spinning around baseball bat then trying to run in a straight line. Next month, grenade toss

If you rob a bank and take hostages, perhaps asking the police for a motorcycle isn’t the smartest choice of getaway vehicles. Ouch

The worst imaginable cover of Europe’s The Final Countdown – this makes you pray for nuclear armageddon just to burn the tears of laughter off your face. I’m not kidding

10 tons of cat litter spills and closes California highway, even though it failed to clump

Nothing like country living; the singing of birds, the gentle whisper of the breeze, and the soothing sounds of CANNONFIRE ALL FARKING NIGHT LONG

Banning girl from wearing crucifix to school is the surest way to make sure people climb up on bigger ones in protest

Set phasers on roast and fire at Captain Kirk

How funny people find you depends on the accent in which you tell the joke. Hoire cooms de soiense. Hello … is this thing on?

Billboard company offering $420 for return of their fake gigantic marijuana that was stolen by some stoners. With video of the perpetrators in action

Fark Photoshop Challenge: According to the trivia section of IMDb.com, Alan Thicke was the first choice for Oskar Schindler in “Schindler’s List.” Photoshop Alan into your favorite Oscar-winning movie. Link goes to inspiration

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy with a flaming marshmallow

Fark Photoshop Challenge: The Rock has been selected to star in a “Johnny Bravo” movie. Photoshop other celebrities in cartoon roles