News – Too Sleepy to Title News

Middle East

Israel scales back Gaza operations after a drop in rocket attacks. No doubt a drop due to militants fading back a bit, waiting for the right moment to scale up attacks again.

Israel’s government approves the growth of settlements in the West Bank and evacuate settlers from one settlement to another rather than back to Israel’s home territory, angering Palestinian leaders. Things like this are why I don’t think Israel’s leaders want peace. That or they’re stupid enough to think this won’t effect the peace talks or they just don’t care.

It’s amusing when Israel’s government points out the Palestinians haven’t held to their side, as an excuse for why they don’t hold to their own. Because if no one holds to any side, nothing will be get done. The ‘he did it first’ argument is one for schoolchildren on the playground, not a mature state whose people consider themselves enlightened.

A mass grave uncovered in Iraq, which may date back to sometime after the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Asia/Pacific

China’s trade surplus falls unexpected, suggesting a reduced demand for their goods. Likely due in part to the slow down in the US economy. If that’s so, it’s an amusing thing how much China has invested in selling to the US.

Europe

Putin opines that the west will not find relations easier with Dmitry Medvedev running Russia. I have no doubt that Putin knows exactly how his little puppet will dance.

Germany is allowing a sitcom named “‘Allo ‘allo”, which is set in France under Nazi occupation. This is a good show that the country might be relaxing a bit of its phobia over the past. A comedy that pokes fun at the Nazis is a good place to start.

Americas

Bush vetoes a bill that would stop the CIA from using interrogation methods such as simulated drowning. Thus he supports the use of torture.

Bars are looking to bypass the smoking ban by becoming ‘theaters’. An amusing attempt at end run. One wonders if it will work for them in the long run. Depends if, when the government acts on this, the bars will challenge legally and what that will end up with.

More lunacy from everyone’s favorite anti-video game wacko, John B. Thompson. May his wacky antics continue to scuttle every play he makes against games, thus leaving Americans to decide what they will and will not play.

General

Seems the best time to stop smoking is when you’ve retired. Which makes sense. Less stress and more time to devote to distracting activities would help the effort tot quit, I do think.

Pro and Anti-whaling nations have talks to try and come to a mutual agreement. The talks have had a positive, if not decisive outcome.

The Blogs look at the seminary attack in Jerusalem and the Samantha Power resignation.

Today’s Papers has word that the Senate Intelligence Committee is getting ready to release a critical analysis of claims that were made by Bush administration officials in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, a look at how the National Security Agency plays a little-known, but pivotal role in domestic surveillance programs, news that the leaders of Pakistan’s two main political parties agreed to a power-sharing deal and vowed to reinstate judges who were fired by President Pervez Musharraf and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Hotshot lawyer loses $1 million in casinos, dips into clients’ funds to gamble more, loses everything, and then files a lawsuit for $20 million against casinos, because it’s not her fault. “They had a duty of care to me”

Pro-life group chanted anti-abortion slogans at the premiere of “Horton Hears a Who,” apparently not aware of the difference between a cinematic abortion and a literal one

Israeli Army claims that playing Dungeons & Dragons is a sign of mental and moral inferiority

If you’ve bought a novelty gun-shaped cigarette lighter, don’t take it out and wave it around at your local McDonald’s

The roar of the crowd at a football match inspires a retired greyhound to do four laps around the stadium – for which she gets a standing ovation

Busybody wants to protect his precious snowflakes from foul language…in a park

Prank (prāngk) n. A mischievous trick or practical joke. See also: repeatedly putting a condom on Noah Webster’s phallic shaped extended finger

Sydney police commander praises the excellent work of his officers after they left the keys of their van in the ignition and allowed a suspect to drive off in it

Cruise ship captain is being probed by race relations chiefs for upsetting Germans…by banning towels on sunbeds?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this man holding a bottle of something

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy on a ladder

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Trading cards for political figures