Needless to say, the biggest story out there right now is the videotape taken by an al-Qaeda affiliated group that shows an American contractor, Nick Berg, being beheaded. Though the video is out on the Internet, I decided that it was one thing that I really didn't need to see, especially after reading a description of what takes place. Brad, however, thought differently, and is currently traumatized by it, describing the brutal reality and 'non-Hollywoodness' of the event. Though clearly tragic, this event could have been prevented as the Guardian reports that Nick Berg was previously warned to leave the country but refused to do so. Today's news is plastered with the story, so much so that the ABC ponders the extent that it will deflect coverage from the prisoner abuse scandal.
Two more soldiers have been charged with the abuse of prisoners in Iraq as the Pentagon prepares to release additional media regarding the abuse. US Major General Antonio Taguba has placed the blame on the military leadership for not providing the necessary training or supervision over the troops stationed at Abu Ghraib prison. The New Scientist adds to this idea - after contacting psychologists they determined that it was likely that the abuse was condoned by senior officers. It has also been revealed that the United Nations repeatedly asked coalition forces for an explanation over the deaths in Iraqi detention facilities. The report originally made by the International Red Cross on the same subject is now available online as a PDF. The New Yorker, the publication to originally break the story, has published a follow up story on how the Department of Defense mishandled the controversy after the photos were made public.
Meanwhile, some rifts are beginning to show in the US military, with some officers openly questioning whether they are in the winning the battles, losing the war situation. In Afghanistan, the US military is opening an investigation over prisoner abuse there over allegations of an Afghan police officer on a military base being stripped naked, beaten, and photographed. In good news though, Moqtada al-Sadr is hinting around about a deal that would disband his militia army. However, it's still too soon to know whether any plan will come to fruition.
In brief:
- Hubble may have, for the first time, taken a picture of a planet orbiting another star.
- The noise from your computer chip may be used to decipher encrypted code.
- European researchers have found a way to 'unblacken' the censored parts of government reports.
- Wired News warns against browser hijackers.
- Beyer is looking to put a marijuana-based drug on the Canadian market to relieve the symptoms of MS and neuropathic pain.
- The ABC goes through all the things your mother told you about nutrition.
- Warwick University researchers believe that poor communication between brain cells leads some people to overeating.
- Good health news in the big apple - New York City reports an 11% drop in smoking in the last year.
- Like your morning coffee pick-me-up? It may actually be better to take small doses of caffeine at regular intervals.
- Female partner selection has made males more attractive over time.
- Deutsche Welle looks at the pros and cons of wind power.
- The Sydney tarponds, one of Canada's most toxic sites, are about to get $400 million in cleanup money.
- Recent attacks on oilfields in Iraq and Saudi Arabia have contributed to the price of crude oil surpassing $40/barrel, just $1 from their all-time high.
- Ha'aretz has published an article about the inequalities between Arabs and Jews in Israel proper.
- In a little bit of a surprise, John Zogby from pollster Zobgy International has written an articling detailing how the upcoming election is actually John Kerry's to lose.
- Former BC Premier Ujjal Dosanjh has called the NDP 'inconsequential.' All depends on whether it's a Liberal minority government after the election, really.
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