News – The Final Address

Americas

Bush’s last State of the Union is a rehash of more of the same. Of course, I didn’t expect anything new from him. He’s long since bleed that hope out of me for his presidency. Nothing bad to say unless it was about congress.

Middle East

ivals Fatah and Hamas hold talks in Egypt over the recent border breach. For all the good that it will do the situation, since both sides are sure to ask for too much and thus have no chance of a compromise that would actually prompt forward momentum. Much like between Israel and Palestine as a whole.

The long awaited report on Israel’s conduct in the 2006 Lebanon conflict is coming up. This is a government commissioned report, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

The UN security council fails to come up with a unanimous statement on the situation in Gaza, with Libya and the US on opposing ends of the spectrum as to the wording. I knew the US would be half of the problem, never with the will or guts to properly take Israel to task when they do something unsavory. Of course, it’s far easier with the Palestinians.

Some wonder why I tend to fixate more on Israel. Simply because it goes without saying when Palestinian militants and government do something wrong. Many are quick to point fingers at them, leaving Israel largely blameless. I decry many things that the Palestinian side has done, along with the militants who make up half of the cycle of violence. But Israel should know better. And they need a firmer hand when it comes to how the world reacts to the poorly thought out actions they undertake that continue to feed the flame that slowly eats away at the region, right along side the militants and more extreme elements of Palestinian society.

Africa

Kenya’s parties meet up to end the crisis that has led to a flare of deadly violence in the country.

Let’s not forget the lingering violent stalemate in Somalia. Not much said on it, but by the look little has changed.

Asia/Pacific

Burma’s Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung says that they’re taking action on 43 officials over the issue of child soldiers. A good start if true, but that won’t get my eye off of them over the state of their government as a whole. Hopefully that will apply to the major powers in this world as well.

Chinese authorities stop denying that workers have died on Olympic games construction projects. Since 2003 six workers have been killed in accidents.

A ‘human zoo’ in Thailand? And its because of tourists to the region, mingled with a government with less than solid morals on the matter.

Europe

Given recent economic issues and the Societe Generale’s problems, it’s little surprise that the EU is looking for more transparency in financial institutions.

General

A sedentary life makes us ‘genetically old’ before our time, apparently. I can believe it, I feel like a crotchety old man already. I just need a cane and some punk kids to get off my lawn.

Here we see why anonymous vigilantism is a bad thing. Invariably they’ll punish the wrong person. It tells of something I’ve heard of only recently, which is an apparent will amongst some anonymous hackers to stick it to Scientology.

Explainer looks into the learning of a dead language.

The Blogs look at the results of the latest GOP primary.

Today’s Papers has some details on the Kenya situation, bits on the state of the union and way too much on the recent primary.

Amusements

“There are few things more horrific than being in the midst of 400,000 drunks… I can’t help but think that this might be the closest many of us will ever come to entering a war zone”

Drunk guy sues college after fateful Jell-o wrestling incident

Eighty people brawl at Chuck E Cheese. Behold the power of cheese — and pepper spray

News: Miss Toronto pageants rejects beauty queen as judge. Fark: Because she uses Tarot cards

Deep down, every one of you has dreamt of one day walking around a public beach dressed as a giant penis

A chamber of commerce worth joining: San Antonio Hispanic Chamber attempts to set world record for tequila shots — 1,375 of them

Not news: Smoking indoors banned. News: Businesses scramble to erect outdoor shelters to protect smoking workers from the cold. Fark: The outdoor shelters can’t have a door because then they’d be indoors

Sex offender e-mail registry proposed to protect minors . . . because it’s so difficult to get a new email account

Drunk footballer who parked his car in the middle lane of a motorway and fell asleep tries to blame it on referee

Rob us once, shame on you. Rob us twice, dude, what were you thinking?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these Russian eggs

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this swinging photographer

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this coffee cup and console