News – Tough Road Ahead

Iraq

Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani gives the interim government the thumbs up as a step in the right direction, but reminds that it lacks electoral legitimacy. “The hope is that this government will prove its worthiness and integrity and its firm readiness to perform the mammoth tasks it is burdened with,” he said in a handwritten statement.

Colin Powell says that the interim government will have no veto on US led forces. They’ll just be able to reach agreements with the US on matters such as that. France and Russia are still concerned over the issue of full sovereignty while China seems largely satisfied, though they’re still going over the latest draft.

Israel/Palestine

The plan will be going to a cabinet vote again this Sunday. Will this one matter any more than the last vote? Who can say?

Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai agrees to amend the election laws that require candidates collect 10,000 voters’ cards before they can register for polls in Sept. He also denies striking a deal with mujahideen leaders to share power if they back him.

Pakistan

A suspected alQueda militant was killed and three Pakistani paramilitary troops wounded in an explosion at a checkpoint in the country’s tribal west.

Africa

Protestors attack three UN compounds in the Democratic Republic of Congo and two looters are shot by guards at a supply warehouse in Kinshasa.

Korea

Talks between the militaries of North and South Korea end without an agreement that could reduce tensions between them.

China

A new Chinese documentary defends the Tiananmen Square incident of 1989. In related news, nine student leaders from the incident, currently in exile, are demanding a speedy, fair and open retrial for one of their compatriots, Zhang Ming, who is currently jailed.

“The president has had discussions with an outside attorney, and in the event that he needs advice he would retain him,” said White House spokesman Allen Abney, on the topic of the CIA leak probe. Curious that the president would decide to seek legal council. That could only mean he has reason to believe he might be prosecuted over it. Yes? No?

Kerry charges that Bush has mismanaged the military.

Democrats want a special counsel to probe whether Cheney broke the law through involvement in the awarding of a government contract to Halliburton.

Bush quotes Eisenhower, but leaves out one word. That nasty C-word that is sure to bite the administration in the ass if it’s even hinted at.

A small majority of Americans support spending more money on combating AIDS.

Michael Jackson won’t be charged with molesting in LA man back in the 80s as an investigation turned up no evidence of a crime. There are, of course, the more current charges yet to be finished.

Is General Anthony Zinni shooting for a position in next year’s government?

The Justice department turns out seven pages to summarize the interrogation of Jose Padilla. Ignoring the possible ditraction value of this, what is the victory, really? All of this evidence was gained unconstitutionally and thus couldn’t be used in a real trial. Then again, I doubt Padilla, a US citizen, will get a real trial in any case. It saddens me to see this going on.

General

Wanna make a web comic, but don’t have the art skills? Use crappy graphic caps from old games! Though, in all seriousness, some of these comics and the like are good.

Microsoft is edging into Apple’s turf as Media Player 10 will see the inception of the Microsoft music store. Will they be able to horn in on Apple’s profits on the windows side?

Suspected terrorists are tracked by their cell phones. Of course, in time, the terrorists will adapt and shift tactics.

Music labels are looking to make changes to CDs that limit the number of backups that can be made. Yet another attempt to battle the pirates, but will it be effective?

The sheer proliferation of cell phones is quite incredible. How long can these numbers be maintained?

Today’s Papers has soldiers about to leave the service forced to stay on if their unit will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, Bush caving to provide two medals for service in each country rather than one “Global War on Terrorism” badge, trouble in Iraq(obviously) and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Motorist fined £30 for driving while holding apple

Neurotically Yours: Foamy Fan Mail #5: Ashes to Ash

Small-town cops overwhelmed by drunk, fighting, naked rednecks at car show

Mark Fiore: Quit yer Whining

Fark Photoshop Challenge: <A HREF="http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=977045″>Theme: Unlikely Democratic vice-presidential candidates

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this person lighting a cigarette

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a college textbook for a course you wish was offered.