Page: ......
_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Hi there everyone,

After a couple of requests, some consideration and my own rather curvaceous tangent on the thread for the Russian families of the school massacre… I decided to start a thread dedicated to interesting issues in the daily news (or even the daily news itself, anything news-related really… you get the idea).

I’ve done a search and while there’s hundreds of threads for individual news stories, I couldn’t find one for an ongoing discussion of what’s happening in the world around us.

I know lots of people don’t follow the news, but many do, and my opinion is that discussion on current events gives people a better understanding of nations, races and ‘humanity’, for want of a better word.

HoP is in the enviable position of having a really global audience – there can’t be many websites with regular posting members from right across the world, covering such a wide spectrum of cultures, ideas and beliefs. We have the ability to look at events from many different viewpoints, so I thought we should use it.

Anyways, I was thinking we could post, or draw attention to, some of the main stories that affect us on a daily basis…

Btw, I really don’t want this to become an America-bashing thread (or any other type of bashing). I think most of us share the view that the American government are fairly appalling at the minute, and while criticism will definitely happen, I don’t want any Americans on the site to feel victimised or that pro-Bush types feel their views aren’t valid. Try to keep all the views considered and, if possible, sourced.

So anyways, let me know what you think…

A couple of interesting stories I picked up on today were:

Indonesia has become the latest nation to join the war on terrorism following the car bomb at the Australian embassy which killed 9 people and injured 180… I heard an Indonesian government official (I think it was the spokesman for the Indonesian foreign ministry) say they are 'now ready to join the war on terror', after it was alleged the ‘militant Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah’ were responsible. (sorry, am about to leave work and couldn't find a source... will try to get it tomorrow).

Also, US secretary of state Colin Powell has declared the situation in Sudan a genocide:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3641820.stm

It seems the countries are busy arguing over the term ‘genocide’ as opposed to actually getting out there with aid and peacekeeping forces.

Anyways, I’d be interested to hear anyone’s opinions on these stories… as well as anything else you’d like to bring up…

Thanks
take care
Clare xox

Getting to the other side smile


hexagonicClubbles Jugs
1,687 posts
Location: Manchester


Posted:
bloody idiots! some people are soooo stupid...mad2

ah wah wah wah a wah wah


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
"See, being a sci-fi fan obviously makes you dumb"

ubblol

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Yeush.



I've been terrible at keeping this thread going... but I was looking through it today and thought it was appropriate to bump it up.



On the very first page I posted a link to Iraq Body Count... https://www.iraqbodycount.net/.


At that time there were thirteen thousand innocent Iraqi deaths/murders.



Today, there are over twenty-five thousand.



Add to this the 1,700 US deaths since the invasion.



And Bush claims these 'sacrifices' are all 'vital'

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4631339.stm



The UN have also heard rumours (which must be fairly strong if they are announcing it, I would have thought), that the US military are keeping prisoners onboard ships in foreign waters (where they are conveniently free from any conventions or rights)

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4632087.stm



'Just making the world a safer place, y'all'



In case anyone has lost the point of the G8 protests amid all the hype - this story shows that despite the pledges, hard cash is STILL needed to provide adequate drugs for the treatment of AIDS:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4629933.stm



And police in Edinburgh are hopeful and optimistic they can deal with the crowds.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4627479.stm



Following the appaling bulldozing and destruction of thousands of homes in an effort to 'clean-up' the country, a Robert Mugabe state-owned Zimbabwean paper has blamed the country's drought on a US/UK conspiracy. More evidence, if more were needed, of a despotic ruler who really does need to be removed.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4630443.stm





Meanwhile, good news in Canada as MPs approve a bill to allow gay marriage:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4632229.stm



while a gay rights march has finally been given the go ahead in Jerusalem:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4624843.stm





Six months on from the Boxing Day Tsunami... it seems not much has been done to rebuild in Indonesia

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4623345.stm





With a poll showing 80% of female respondents had suffered sexual harrasment at some point, China finally makes it a crime

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4625913.stm





And check this out... a rather funky, easy-to-understand guide to a NASA 'deep impact' mission. They plan to fly a device into the path of a comet to find out what it is made of. Impact is on July 4th.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4088316.stm





And in local news:



A teenager who killed his parents and then went on holiday with their credit cards has been jailed for life.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4633339.stm1



The only man to be so far convicted of involvement in the Omagh bombing (the last bomb in Northern Ireland in which 29 people, including a mother of unborn twins was killed) has been freed on a technicality.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4633921.stm





Ok then. That should be enough for now biggrin



Sorry it's all from the BBC, I'll try to source some other stuff later



If you've seen any interesting stories from the news sites that you check, please post them here.



Take care

Clare x

Getting to the other side smile


taintedaddict
422 posts
Location: London


Posted:
Heard a few days ago that there tring to ban the Gay rights march in Belfast, and the police agree that it causes violence. Apparently it might be going before a parades commission.They should arrest the narrow minded people who start the fights not the people taking part. I have took part the past 3 years and everyones there gay or straight in support of the parade having fun and anyway I hardley think that the GP causes the amount of violence that the july marches cos.

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers...


JhingeBRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom


Posted:
saddam hussain is trying to sue the sun newspaper for showing him in his cell in his undies. he rekons that they were infringing his human rights by publishing this what the hell does he know about human rights

i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Thanks Firepoise. The first thing I though of was “In The News” when I heard this radio interview yesterday.

Re: Mugabe Zimbabwe genocide

“The Mugabe 'clean-up' in Zimbabwe has occurred in all provinces. Many millions of people will die trying to survive a freezing winter in mountain caves. “ This is the message I heard on JJJ. It was phone link to a senior member of the opposition.

She went on to say “it was retaliation for voting against him, she feared for her life and it was an “International” situation”. She had hoped the UN envoy would do something.

Today 30 June, Anna Tibaijuka the UN envoy met with Mr Mugabe and said they had "very good discussions".

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Thanks Stone smile

The BBC report of the UN meeting:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4634875.stm

WorldNet report on Robert Mugabe:
https://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45010

And for your amusement/horror... the (not really) official Robert Mugabe homepage:
https://mugabe.netfirms.com/

Also:
Pirates attack a ship laden with tsunami aid:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4636695.stm

Will Spain be next to approve gay marriages? smile
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4636133.stm


Will post more tomorrow... I shouldn't be online here smile

Take care x

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
I'm sure some of you will already be getting the Make Poverty History group mails, but for those that don't... this is why the protests are so important:

This is the Make Poverty History checklist for when the G8 leaders meet.

Across trade, debt and aid

* Commit to stop imposing economic policy conditions. Conditions imposed through aid and debt relief include trade liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation and fiscal austerity. Developing countries must be free to determine their own economic policies while remaining accountable to their own people for delivering poverty eradication.

Trade Justice

* Stop forced liberalisation at the World Trade Organisation (WTO); allow developing countries to protect key sectors important for their development interests; and support binding Special and Differential Treatment for all developing countries.
* Commit not to negotiate bilateral and regional trade agreements that require developing countries to go beyond commitments made in the WTO.
* Eliminate agricultural export support and all trade distorting support to agriculture by 2010; and ensure that no agricultural exports are dumped on the markets of developing countries.
* Commit to ensure that global trade policies and practices do not undercut internationally agreed environmental and social standards, in particular, core labour standards.
* Pledge to work with other UN members to establish binding internationally agreed rules for corporate accountability.

Drop the Debt

* An immediate cancellation of all multilateral and bilateral debt for all countries needing it to achieve the MDGs.
* Agree all debt relief must be fully funded and not reduce aid flows.
* Adopt a fair and transparent arbitration process where the issue of sovereign debts can be resolved.

More and Better Aid

* Commit to contribute the G8's share of the US$50 billion MDG funding gap, starting in 2005/2006; and outline a timetable to reach 0.7% of G8 GNI by 2010.
* Commit to agreeing with OECD DAC partners a set of ambitious targets for improving aid effectiveness that can be monitored, are time-bound and quantifiable. This must include a commitment to fully untie all aid to all developing countries and ensuring aid is focused on poverty eradication.

Action on HIV/AIDS

* Commit to, and pledge new funding for, HIV treatment for everyone who needs it by 2010.



Check out www.makepovertyhistory.org for other ways to help

grouphug

Getting to the other side smile


mtbeerGOLD Member
ARRRR!
529 posts
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA


Posted:
646-Pound Catfish Netted in Thailand

Non-Https Image Link

Let's go to Thailand for a fish cookout\fire party!

"My skin is singed but it heals my heart and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars." -Davey Havok


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Awww frown

What a pity to land such a monster.

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
NASA's comet collision a success:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4648437.stm

More warnings about a possible bird-flu pandemic are virtually ignored:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4647485.stm

Anarchists and the media make G8 protests look like a riot zone:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4646491.stm

Third shark attack:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4643361.stm

General Pinochet is still alive:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4650399.stm


That's all for today...

smile

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Hmpf. frown

On Saturday, the most frightening couple in Britain (David and Victoria) were seen bobbing their perfectly coiffeured hair in time to the music - supporting Live 8 and Make Poverty History. Today, they are supporting this farcical, money-grabbing Olympic bid.

umm eek

Yes indeedy folks... instead of concentrating on one of the most crucial news stories taking place this year, the broadcast media have been seduced by 'celebrities' calling for the Olympics to be held in London.

I have a few problems with this.

1. The Beckhams hypocrisy (it's not the worst problem, just the first one).
Quite apart from the fact David Beckham has nothing to do with the British Olympic campaign, their publicity-whoring is distracting from the issue they supported at the weekend... but shrug, it's hardly surprising. Just a sign of what makes the news these days.

2. Much more important is that the millions being spent by Paris, London, NY, Madrid and Moscow in their 'bids' could be much better spent in Africa. And the millions which will be squandered by the host Olympic city could be much better spent in Africa.

3. This money-hungry 'global' enterprise is drawing attention away from Edinburgh and Gleneagles - where world leaders are supposed to be discussing an End to world poverty - can you see the contradiction there?!!

Instead, as a second-place news story, cameras are focusing on the small handful of troublemakers, rather than the hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators.

mad

So then:
Full coverage of the G8 protests from Indymedia:
https://www.indymedia.org.uk/

BBC G8 coverage:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2005/g8_gleneagles/default.stm



After a stunning Live 8 show, Pink Floyd's guitarist calls for all Live 8 profit to be donated:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4651309.stm


In an unbelievable show of strength, Lance Armstrong looks on his way to take a SEVENTH tour:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/default.stm

Getting to the other side smile


.:star:.SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom


Posted:
So by now everyone has heard about the london bombings, I was just wondering if people thought that this would have any effect on the G8 meetings.

I can just imagine Bush and Blair saying 'screw the environment and africa, its time to declare war on someone'

Lets hope that Africa doesn't get forgotten in all this

any thoughts?

_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
To be honest, I think this G8 meeting will be the culmination of policies and discussions that have been going on for months among civil servants across the world.

It will certainly draw attention back to the 'war on terror' and away from Africa... in a rather similar (but much more devastating) way that the Olympic bid drew attention away yesterday.

Sigh. If today has shown anything, it is that AGAIN it has been proven that violence and terrorism (of any variety) does not solve anything.


By contrast, it was the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday yesterday. So happy returns of the day to him.
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4652391.stm

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
And while there's much already happening today... this story could have far-reaching implications.

A journalist in America has been jailed for not revealing her sources in court:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4655957.stm

It seems to have stirred up debate on the issue of the US media (at last!). Particularly, the Bush administrations negative impact on the media.

Getting to the other side smile


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Yeep...

Haven't posted on this in a while redface

But I found an amusing cartoon and thought I'd post it

From Al Jazeera:
Go here, then follow link to Cartoon

Tis quite funny smile

Getting to the other side smile


Pink...?BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom


Posted:
ubblol Great cartoon!!

I was just thinking about this thread earlier on when I saw this https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4599524.stm


Makes me sick. What people can even think of doing that?

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
ubbcrying

Getting to the other side smile


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Hoffy turns 100

ALBERT Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the mind-bending drug LSD, celebrated his 100th birthday overnight, still sprightly some 60 years after taking his first trip.

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


Pink...?BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom


Posted:
Columbian Teenagers forced to carry condoms

Kudos for the effort...

But then, just because they're being forced to carry them, doesn't mean they'll use them!!

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


Pink...?BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom


Posted:
Hundreds Die in Hajj Stampede

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


_khan_SILVER Member
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA


Posted:
This one just makes me sick. And sad.



Iran's anti-gay pogrom



alert:

there's a rather disturbing photo in this article, right at the top
EDITED_BY: blueboy (1137098520)

taken out of context i must seem so strange
~ ani di franco


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Hmmm. Tis not working frown

Getting to the other side smile


_khan_SILVER Member
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA


Posted:
i just edited the post, maybe that's why? it works for me, but is a little slow.

taken out of context i must seem so strange
~ ani di franco


Pink...?BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom


Posted:
That's awful blueboy!!

And the photo - shocking!!

So sad to see such things going on in the world we live in today frown

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
frown

indeed.

Getting to the other side smile


Pink...?BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom


Posted:
Man forced to Marry Goat

ubblol

This made me laugh.

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


jeff(fake)Scientist of Fortune
1,189 posts
Location: Edinburgh


Posted:
A bizzare interpratation of Islamic law?

Still hillarious. ubblol

According to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle of Quantum Dynamics, we may already be making love right now...


SpiderbabySILVER Member
c",
199 posts
Location: Ireland


Posted:
Im surprised nobody mentioned this yet, my friend was in dublin at the time, he said it scared the crap out of him




Non-Https Image Link







Non-Https Image Link




a unionist march went bad, it was attacked by some republicans who came down from the north and by some idiots just looking for an excuse to cause trouble

_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
Le sigh frown

Meh... another stupid riot over a battle victory that should have been laid to rest a long time ago...

And don't be surprised if things haven't been posted here yet... just post it yourselves smile

I would love to spend all day trawling the internet and posting interesting news stories here, but sadly can't... so keep up the good work m'lovelies.

Getting to the other side smile


Page: ......

Similar Topics

Using the keywords [new *] we found the following existing topics.

  1. Forums > New Discussion Group [27 replies]
  2. Forums > excellent new board [2 replies]
  3. Forums > New board, festivals, web sites...the roof is on fire!! [5 replies]
  4. Forums > help!!! [7 replies]
  5. Forums > Fire poi photo on the CD cover [8 replies]

      Show more..

HOP Newsletter

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more...