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


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


Posted:
Well then... this is my 1000th post, and I thought it'd be best to post it here biggrin



When I first logged onto this site and saw people with posts over 1000 i smirked and thought they clearly had nothing better to do with their time.



Ahem. Apologies to you all biggrin hug



There are lots of stories I want to flag up today... but I'll start with these ones, then add more when I'm in work later:



Attack of the underwater gnomes:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/4263761.stm



European Space Agency mission (Vance, tis up to you to point out the errors biggrin):

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4256907.stm



Righto... am back...



Lots more stories from today... as you'll notice, I just went through the Beeb site. I didn't have time to go hunting tonight, but if you notice anything good from another site, please post it biggrin



African people losing out in charity to tsuanmi victims:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/4258443.stm



Meanwhile, Bush wants a few more billion for his war:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4265331.stm



And in attempt to keep up with the Jones', the king of impoverished Swaziland buys each of his wives a BMW:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4263599.stm



Perhaps all that extra cash could fund some research into the new drug-resistant HIV strain found recently:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4260467.stm



I did not support the invasion of Iraq, however, the elections there do seem to have been a success (if only for one half of the population). But the bombings and murders continue and have increased dramatically since the election.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4257273.stm

Doctors and other aid workers are struggling to cope:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4252639.stm



On a more positive note... an agreement was signed last week between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Here are some Palestinian views (and pics) on the peace deal:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pi...fire/html/1.stm



Hollywood plans to step on yet another tradition:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4263227.stm



Perhaps it's time to rethink some of the old stereotypes:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4263755.stm



And Berlin cheers anti-Nazi movie:

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4263251.stm





Hmmm. So I hope that's ok for you all.



Take care



g'night

Clare xx












EDITED_BY: Firepoise (1108425627)

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
Wow, thats so strange, a Gnome garden!
But also quite dangerous, surely the people who have put them back down there know of the dangers, and previous deaths?

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


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


Posted:
Hey Miss Pink... I think they put the new garden at higher depth.

I think it's hilarious. Can you imagine diving in a freezing cold lake, with nothing around, when suddenly you come across a goddam gnome garden?!

comedy genius ubblol

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
I thought they put the garden at a lower depth, beyond 50m as thats the limit that police divers can do, so they can't recover the gnomes?
Written by:

Now police divers say there is a rumour that the garden has returned at a depth beyond which they are allowed




I found this story interesting:

Aspestos compensation

as my brother-in-laws dad recently died of Aspestos poisening after working with it in the 60's, it quickly sprang upon him after xmas. And the family is having trouble with getting compensation. Now they're thinking of lowering the amounts? eek

(what is also quite scary, is that this guy they featured in the articles name is the same as the one who died)

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


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


Posted:
Oops. You're right Ms Pink... read it too quickly... redface

Hmmm. Well, it's definitely going to be a lure for divers who have built up the necessary skills... but you're right, it could be a danger for the newbies (I suppose there can be some tenuous similarities between fire and poi).

Insurance companies are morally corrupt, in my opinion. Their ethos seems to be charge people in case they have an accident and then try to find ways to get out of paying up when something goes wrong.

I think if Bill Hicks had still been alive, insurance companies would be right up there taking the flak along with marketing and advertising group. (taking into consideration the meteoric growth of insurance groups in the last 20 years).

I am sorry to hear about your brother-in-law's father... I hope the family succeed in their claims for justice. Asbestos posioning sounds like such a brutal illness. Let us know how they get on...


Incidentally, did anyone catch the History of the Circus show on BBC4 last night? \
It may have been a repeat (or at least it will be), but it featured clips from Cirque du Soleil and a few others... it charted the necessary change in the circus since animals are no longer acceptable. Twas quite good biggrin

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
Hey there everyone...



I have a challenge should anyone wish to accept it.



I'm doing a page for the paper right now. I'm running a standalone picture... ie a picture without a story, just a witty caption.



The picture is of two goths walking through the streets of Derry. this is unusual because goth is a recently new thing to hit northern ireland.



Now, I imagine the editor expects me to come up with something to make fun of the fashion... but I'm not going to. So, does anyone have any suggestions?



The headline must be about 5 short words long, For example 'goths walking down street' would fit (obviously it has to be slightly more readable).



If you want to suggest something... you have 45 mins.



Thanks biggrin



PS: Doh, it's of two girls, from behind, waist down, lots of black and big shoes.

Getting to the other side smile


SkulduggeryGOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales


Posted:
"Thank God! Finally we have Goths"

Yes I know thats 6 words but one of them is very small ubblol

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!


nearly_all_goneSILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom


Posted:
Urgh, some smelly miserable goths

Some Goths, Derry, Yesterday

Nice boots, baby: Derry Goths

Goth legs are like legs

Sorry, it's too hard.

What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau


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


Posted:
Lol... Skull, you're getting there...

NAL... try harder biggrin

Getting to the other side smile


Brammember
28 posts
Location: Vansterdam, playing with my BubbleBags


Posted:
How about....

Goths, its about time!

Look, its f*****g goths! (j/k)

Goth bums = Good bums (I know abit long)

The Goths are invading!

So you think your Goth?

Not all about acid and spooky graveyards! ( I know a little long again)

Irelands newest trend: GOTH!

I will probably fire off a few more later.

Its 4:19, do you know where your lighter is?

Never trust someone who says never trust a hippy!!!

When you do business with a Christian, get it in writing.


FabergéGOLD Member
veteran
1,459 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland


Posted:
umm

new?

sure you're only up the road clare.....? goths have been around here since i was at secondary school and that's 20 years ago!!

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely smile


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


Posted:
Not in Belfast though.
Really, we didn't have that many at all... or maybe they just didn't come out much... alternativeness is really only something that has become visible to the general public here in the last 7/8 years.

And people get beaten up for lesser things.
An ex of mine was beaten to within an inch of his life while out walking about 15 years ago. They smashed his jaw into little bits by jumping on his head... he didn't even do anything, just walked through a dodgy part of the city.

I know there are problems everywhere, but there is a very strong undertone of violence and lack of respect and tolerance up here.


Anyways. The headline ran as follows (yes, I know it's crap... I was pushed for time)... Taking a walk on the wild side...

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
Enough goth bashing...

'Artful' strippers escape censure

Written by: BBC News

The club in Boise, Idaho, charges $15 (£8) for a sketch pad, pencil and dance performance, in what is billed as an "Art Club Night", Reuters agency says.

A city law passed in 2001 forbids complete nudity in public unless the display has "serious artistic merit".



ubblol I bet fire dancers could get away with it too.

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


SkulduggeryGOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales


Posted:
I've never understood why people think that nude is rude or offensive....... its just skin for god sake!

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!


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


Posted:
Lol, nice one MtBeer.

A few stories for a late Monday night...

Simpson's gay character:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4285287.stm

Frozen sea on Mars:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4285119.stm

Any thoughts on the food scare crisis?
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4284423.stm

Navy trying to recruit:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4282175.stm

Story from Oz:
Donating your body:
https://www.abc.com.au/science/features/donatingbody/default.htm

And Michael Moore honoured with his own flavour biggrin
https://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4107&n=1

laters xx

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
This story went into the paper tonight... apparently, the heads of the Anglican Chuch are meeting in Northern Ireland this week to discuss the way forward for the 77-million member church. That means the leaders from across the world are meeting to discuss issues such as homosexuality and the Church etc.
This is a huge thing, but has not been widely reported... if you think about the influence the Church had on the recent US elections, you can understand my point.
Anyways, thought you'd all like to know it was happening...



Anglican leaders last night emerged from the seclusion of a former Catholic seminary in Co Down for the first time since the talks on the Church’s future started.
Five days of make-or-break discussions held in a bid to avert a split between the 77 million-member worldwide Church’s mainstream and radical wings started on Monday.
The talks are the most important for the denomination since the Reformation in the 16th century.
They are being hosted by Church of Ireland primate Robin Eames at Dromantine retreat and conference centre, about five miles outside Newry.
While topics such as theological education, Anglican Communion programmes tackling HIV and Aids and the Church’s response to the St Stephen’s day tsunami are on the agenda, schism - and how to avert it - is dominating proceeding.
The row centres on a triangle of issues – what status the Church should give people in homosexual relationships; what does it mean for the 38 Churches which make up the Anglican Communion to be ‘in communion’; and what authority does the Bible have in the contemporary Church.
The consecration of a bishop living in an openly gay relationship in the US and the sanctioning of a same-sex marriage service by the Church in Canada brought the crisis to a head.
Mainstream leaders, mostly from Africa and Asia, argue their north American counterparts have departed from the Church’s traditional Bible-based teaching and practice.
The American radicals, meanwhile, believe the Church needs to change in response to the society around it.
Some mainstream leaders have declared themselves ‘out of communion’ with the radicals.
Already some primates at Dromantine have refused to receive Holy Communion while Bishop Frank Griswold – the head of the US Church and chief proponent of gay ordination – is present, according to reports.
Last night’s service at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh was a
further test for Anglican unity, with the primates joining together to publicly celebrate Holy Communion.
Three of the 38 primates are not attending this week’s meeting.
The daughter of the Archbishop of Burundi, Samuel Ndeysienga, died recently while Archbishop Peter Kwong, from Hong Kong, has heart problems which have prevented him travelling. It is not known why the Archbishop of Northern India, Zechariah James Terom, has not travelled to Co Down.
The primates are due to next appear in public on Friday, when a press conference will be held at the close of the meeting.

Getting to the other side smile


spritieSILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA


Posted:
Rice as the new VP?

https://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42938

That could stir things up a bit...

vanizeSILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA


Posted:
perhaps now they are grooming Rice for the 2008 presidential race instead of Powell?

lord help us.

I mean great to have a black woman as president, but please not that one!!!! anyone but her! (well besides maybe jeb bush or cheney)

-v-

Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!


PrometheusDiamond In The Rough
459 posts
Location: Richmond, Virginia


Posted:
Once again, the Zero Tolerance Rangers have gone too far...

https://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/wdiv/20050223/lo_wkmg/2597277

Dance like it hurts; Love like you need money; Work like someone is watching.

Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes.


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


Posted:
Oh my god!

If that wasn't so tragic it'd be hilarious.

How much cotton wool can parents put around their children? What effect will that have on those who will be the leaders when we're all geriatric?

Getting to the other side smile


vanizeSILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA



FabergéGOLD Member
veteran
1,459 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland


Posted:
smile

you should read "why men don't listen & women can't read maps"

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely smile


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


Posted:
Bill Gates made Honorary Knight

eek

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


vanizeSILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA


Posted:
Democratic senator likens republicans to Hitler

-v-

Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!


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


Posted:
Ok so it's not news, but it's an amazing picture of BBC news webpage...

Lovely Picture

(the first one on the link)

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


Fine_Rabid_DogInternet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...


Posted:
tis very pretty! I like.

But according to the news, in 3 yrs, I'm screwed

The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."


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


Posted:
Oh Pink, that is beautiful... Antarctica is definitely on my list of places I want to visit before I die biggrin

Never worry FRD, it seems that the only truly notable thing you get when you leave university these days is a bloody big debt.

I'd recommend that if you have any idea of what you want to do, try to get some unpaid work experience in that field... it will stand you in better stead (unless you want to be a brain surgeon or something tongue)

While I'm posting here...
UK politicians are still locked into a 2-day debate about the introduction of a US-style Terrorism bill. Conservatives are saying it is too harsh, Blair claims it is 'necessary'. After a record 30-hour debate, Conservatives are claiming 'victory' by letting the bill pass with a guarantee of a full review next year. Yeah. Right.
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4341269.stm

The 'anti-terrorism bill' will allow for the police to impose restrictions on anyone they deem to be a 'terrorist'... including house arrest, curfew, tagging and bans on internet and telephone use.

Find out more here:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2003/uk_on_terror_alert/default.stm

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
Found an interesting little page on the Beeb website tonight... the editor's opinion...



Flags up some good stories and questions how the BBC is covering them.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4339799.stm



Also tags to some interesting sites... check out 'astronomy picture of the day' also 'europe by satellite'



Good stuff biggrin

Getting to the other side smile


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


Posted:
Wow! good find! biggrin

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...


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


Posted:
Indeed!

In the 'astronomy pic of the day' link... go to the top link that says 'discover more'... there are some very pretty spacey-type shots in there biggrin

And the 'europe by satellite'... oh my god... how much information do you need?!?! Fantastique biggrin

Getting to the other side smile


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