Hamas: Abbas no longer heads PA

Global protests call for end to Gaza op

More grave than Gaza


Obama and Hamas
Obama Team Denies Report He will Engage Hamas
[Obama: "Present!"]

Senior Officer: Hamas Terrorists Afraid to Come Out and Fight

Mashaal calls IDF operation in Gaza 'another holocaust'

'US abstention a warning to Israel'

Jerusalem & Babylon / The true meaning of hasbara

Terrorist Attack on Jewish Families in Lod

Judea, Samaria on High Alert over Kidnap Plans

Security Cabinet Votes to Continue Operation Cast Lead

Mortar shells fired at Kerem Shalom

Israel to step up assault on Hamas

IDF warns Gaza residents: Strikes to intensify




U.S., Iran share interests in Afghanistan: Petraeus
[My head hurts.]

Saudis say oil won't be used as a weapon to end Middle East crisis

Turkey hopes to become Europe's gas alternative

Iran gas to Turkey raised to 18 mln cubic metres

Attack on Iran would threaten U.S. army in Iraq

Afghan held for forced abortion of his sister

Istanbul's ancient past unearthed



Lloyds pays $350M to US in sanctions case
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lloyds TSB Bank has agreed to forfeit $350 million for helping customers skirt U.S. sanctions on business transactions with Sudan, Iran and Libya.

[And they're not alone:]

Ten of world's top banks laundered money for Iran


Putin to attend debutantes' ball in Germany: Berlin
[Shall we dance?]

Georgia, US sign strategic accord
[Pretty words on paper. I doubt they'll mean much when Mr. Debutante comes to call again.]

Hopes for resumption of Russian gas supplies sink
Ukraine Signs Accord on Transit Gas With EU, Russia?

Is Ukraine Next?

And when the lease on Sevastopol expires?

Renewed Riots Break Out in Greece as Protesters Clash With Police



China denies exporting stolen railway technologies

China aims to increase coal production 30 pct by 2015: govt

China sees oil import dependency rising from 50% to 60% by 2020

Strike-hit India may ask army to restore fuel supply

Rapid dengue spread



Mozambique: 317 Cholera Cases in Maputo

Dozens of new cholera cases in Limpopo

14 people die of Ebola in DR Congo

Sarkozy to visit Republic of Congo in late Jan.

Somali pirates reportedly release Saudi tanker
5 Somali pirates drown with ransom share
[Justice!]

FACTBOX - Ships held by Somali pirates



Brazil: 340 on cruise ship sickened; cause unknown

Brazil May Shut 15 Gas Turbines Before Bolivia Talks
Brazil may close 15 natural-gas-fired power plants tomorrow, reducing use of the fossil fuel in favor of cheaper hydroelectric power amid a gas dispute with Bolivia.

[Remember this?]




Obama raps Bowl Championship Series: 'We need a playoff'
[Glad to see him taking on the tough questions! On that note...]

Cultural rebel on the gridiron

Obama Calls for DTV Delay
[Hmm. Why now, all of a sudden, after this thing has been pushed for so long?]



Rubin’s Career at Citigroup Ends After $20 Billion of Losses

Market seeks to read earnings, economic tea leaves

Flu Strain Resistant to Leading Flu Treatment

Minnesota cracks another case of salmonella

Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down U.S. for Months



World Bank says current financial crisis a good time to review global economic order
This encompasses three trends - more densely populated cities, shorter distances between workers and cities where they can work, and the opening up of economic borders.

In the United States, 96 per cent of innovations take place in metropolitan areas where talent is concentrated - a phenomenon the World Bank calls economic density.

Its theme of "economic distance" can be illustrated in large countries such as China, where workers are increasingly able to move to cities, like Shanghai, in search of lucrative jobs.

[Again, they suggest we all cram ourselves into cities. Which is the last place I'd wanna be when TSHTF. Handy, huh?]



'Global central bank could prevent future crisis'
[Out of Dubai...]
To avoid another crisis, we need an ability to manage global liquidity. Theoretically that could be achieved through some kind of global central bank, or through the creation of a global currency, or through global acceptance of a set of rules with sanctions and a dispute settlement mechanism.




Death toll rises to 15 after Costa Rica quake, dozens still missing

Magnitude 5.0 - OFF EAST COAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND, N.Z.

Magnitude 5.1 - LUZON, PHILIPPINES

Magnitude 5.1 - OFFSHORE ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE

Volcano smoke forces PNG airport closure

2008 saw notable increase in moderate Southern California earthquakes



More quakes at Yellowstone.

Map Centered at 44°N, 110°W-Yellowstone

See that clump on the north side of the lake? Compare:

File:Yellowstone Caldera map2.jpg - Wikipedia

Those are near the north side of the caldera.

Also, quakes worldwide were too quiet today. That pressure's gotta go somewhere.