Going back to work

In a policy reversal, the American-led occupying forces have declared that former Bath Party members in Iraq are now allowed to return to their old jobs. This is seen as an attempt to alleviate some of the frustration in the Iraqi populace who have been responsible for most of the violence in the past week. Islamic cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has warned the United States that he will unleash suicide bombers if they attempt to attack the holy city of Najaf. American forces however are getting ready for an attack on the city of Fallujah after other diplomatic methods failed. Also, an very interesting story from the New York Times about the fate of released Japanese hostages who upon returning to Japan may have wished that they stayed in Iraq.

Although misquoted when he allegedly told a reporter that "foreign leaders were supporting him," John Kerry is actually starting to see some of that, as Tony Blair's former right-hand man Alastair Campbell publicly acknowledged that Kerry would be his choice. He however doesn't vote, and an article in the Atlantic Monthly discusses how the GOP delivers exactly what its constituents want: values, strength, guns and righteous ferocity abroad, which keeps them voting Republican. If you're unsure yourself about who you are going to vote for, AOL/Time Warner has a feature that will allow you to answer some questions to show how close your thinking is to the other candidates. I got the following result:

Dennis Kucinich 84%
Al Sharpton 75%
John Kerry 73%
George Bush 8%

Given that neither Kucinich or Sharpton are going to be the presidential candidates, I think my choice would be clear. Of course if you're not all that hot on Kerry, you can always check out this site, which possibly has the best URL ever -- I wonder if there was a lot of competition to register it. :)

The Dali Lama stated yesterday that he is not looking for Tibetan independence from China during some public speeches. Paul Martin says he has no issue discussion human rights issues in his meeting with the Dali Lama tomorrow, a discussion which will probably inevitably lead to how China suppresses culture and religion in Tibet. On the same note, the Washington Post published a great article detailing how the Chinese government works to prevent opposition student groups from forming by using informants and sentencing students to ten years in prison for attending meetings.

Also:
- Signs of life have been found in a 3.5 billion year old lava field.
- Researchers at Stanford believe that they have found the molecular basis for the 'Mozart effect.'
- Curry has been shown to be helpful in alleviating cystic fibrosis.
- Better get ready for the summer, because the cicadas are coming.
- A survey carried out by a research company has shown that mp3 players that can hold about a 1000 songs are optimum for most people.
- Human Rights Watch has alleged that pro-government forces in western Sudan executed 136 men in an operation last month.
- 150 people are reported dead and more than 1200 were injured in the explosion caused by a train accident in South Korea.
- A joint study by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund is warning developed nations that they are not meeting their goals in the global reduction of poverty.
- The grand mufi of Saudi Arabia has declared that the perpetrators of the Riyadh bombings await hellfire for their actions.
- The Mayor of Begles, France has stated that he will conduct the country's first same-sex wedding in June.
- Looks like the Mossad still have a thing for Canadian passports.
- A happy St. George's Day to all the English out there.