Britian opts out of EU vote for now

The continuing integration of Europe took yet another blow today, with Britain signalling that it will not even hold a vote on the EU constitution given the events of the past week. Most commentary is focusing on how there needs to be a period of reflection through which the ideas that can continue to move integration forward acceptably can rise to the top of public discussion.

The International Criminal Court has announced that it will hold an inquiry into possible war crimes charges in the Darfur conflict in the Sudan. Zimbabwe is looking more and more like it might be the next country to face this type of scrutiny, especially after the police have warned protestors in a general strike scheduled on Thursday that they will take tough action against those who take part.

The Supreme Court of the United States upheld a law against medical-marijuana, effectively invalidating laws that 11 states passed that allow for the use of marijuana in controlled circumstances. It's ironic that a Supreme Court known for its state-power first mantra conveniently flips sides when the results go against their other conservative views, or, as in 2000, when they needed to elect a Republican president.

The United States is facing some more bad press in South America, as the Columbian Congress is reviewing a treaty that shields American troops from any prosecution if they commit crimes while fighting the 'war against drugs.' This is important since in the last 3 months, 7 soldiers have been charged with drug and weapons smuggling. They could take some advice from Russia, who knowing that they have an imagine problem have launched a new English-language TV station to sell the country.

Also:
- When scientists aren't simulating galaxies (see previous post), they're simulating the human brain.
- A picture of what's left in one of the main Saudi oil fields.
- 10 patients suffering from heart failure who have recieved injections of foetal stem cells have all been rapidly recovering from their condition three months post-treatment.
- How increases in longevity might hamper progress.
- Top 100 tech products of 2005, according to PC World magazine.
- The United States and North Korea are now in talks about the latter's nuclear programme at the United Nations.
- Gilles Duceppe, current leader of the federal Bloc Québécois, is hinting that he might run for the provincial leadership of the Parti Québécois since Bernard Landry gave his resignation notice.
- The American Dream of upwards mobility is increasingly untrue for the majority of citizens.
- A judge has ruled that the claims made in the M3Power razor ads are unsubstantiated and inaccurate.