TresSugar

Front Page: War Crimes Suspect Captured, US Ready to Cut Farm Aid, Bulldozer Attack

CitizenSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:56:02 -0700

War Crimes Suspect Captured:
Celebrations swept the streets in Sarajevo over the news that Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect, Radovan Karadzic, had been captured. He'd been hiding in Belgrade, Serbia, on the run for more than 10 years. Charged with using 284 UN peacekeepers as human shields, the UN says Karadzic's forces killed up to 8,000 in 1995 as part of a campaign to "terrorize and demoralize the Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat population."

US Ready to Cut Farm Aid:
The US is ready to drop the maximum for farm subsidies to $15 billion a year to under pressure during talks for a global trade deal. The trade offer is hinged to other partners at the WTO also opening up their markets for agricultural and industrial goods. The ceiling for farm subsidies, freeing trade, is a key component of the deal.

Bulldozer Attack:
A bulldozer driver rampaged in Jerusalem today, crushing vehicles close to the hotel where Obama is expected to stay later today. The driver of the bulldozer was shot dead. Police are describing the incident, the second one in less than a month, as a "terrorist" attack. Officials say that 11 people were injured, and no one has yet claimed responsibility.

Sex and the City Billboards: Too Racy for Israel?

LibertySugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 03:00:58 -0700

You won't find Carrie and Mr. Big making out on the street of Jerusalem. Sex and the City advertisers have decided to forgo marketing in Jerusalem and Petah Tikva, Israel, in order to avoid offending devoutly religious residents.

The ad company is worried that the word "Sex," as well as racy pictures of the films' stars could, provoke widespread objection. This isn't the first time SATC has employed a different marketing campaign in these locations. During the shows television heyday, a poster was modified to make Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit into a more modest ensemble.

Not wanting to be labeled prude, the city of Petah Tikva went out of its way to clarify that it had nothing to do with the decision. And, an official from Jerusalem called reports that the city had censored the billboards slanderous.

Are sexy posters offensive to even the non-religious? Is the company taking a paternalistic attitude toward these residents? Or are they just sensibly avoiding a confrontation and negative backlash?

Photo courtesy of New Line

Headline: Gunman in Jerusalem Attack Identified

CitizenSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:23:20 -0800

Thousands mourned the victims of yesterday's shooting attack at a Jewish Seminary in Jerusalem. The attack happened Thursday night and killed at least eight students, wounding at least nine others - three of them seriously - according to Israeli police. The victims of the attack were between 15 and 26 years old.

The gunman has been identified as Ala Abu Dhaim. According to his family in Arab East Jerusalem, he had once worked as a driver for the seminary. Yesterday's attack was the first attack inside Jerusalem in four years and the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians in almost two years. Hamas did not take responsibility for the incident, but said, “We bless the operation. It will not be the last.”

Source

Headline: Terrorist Attack at Jewish Seminary in Jerusalem

CitizenSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:34:10 -0800

Though details are still coming in, moments ago a two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, killing at least eight, reports are now saying. One gunman was also wearing an explosives belt.

There hasn't been an attack like this for some time, and the scene is in chaos. More information to come as it breaks.

Headline: Israeli and Palestinian Leader Meet For Peace

LibertySugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:08 -0800

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Palestinan President Mahmoud Abbas "you can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh" yesterday, when the two leaders met for another round of peace negotiations.

Comments made by the Israeli prime minister - that the issue of Jerusalem would be last on the peace process agenda - threatened to deter the talks. Olmert insisted that Abbas had agreed to the schedule. Palestinian officials, who insist that Jerusalem should be the capital of an independent Palestine, denied agreeing to avoiding the Jerusalem issue.

The two leaders plan to meet again in two weeks time. They have met twice a month since last November's American-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis, Md. Despite the struggle to agree on the agenda, I think it's hopeful that the two are meeting and posing for Rihanna-inspired photo ops.

Source

Fancy First Lady Steals Sarkozy's Mideast Peace Talk Thunder?

LibertySugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:15 -0700

Though his visit ended amid panic, France's Nicolas Sarkozy's first presidential visit to Israel this week made quite an impression. Sarkozy called on the country to stop settlement in the occupied West Bank, saying Mideast peace depends on Israel dropping its refusal to surrender sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians. As compensation, he assured Israel that it could count on France's support in halting Iran's nuclear program.

Sarkozy praised Israel's democracy and quoted the biblical passage in which God promises the Holy Land to the children of Israel, drawing a mixed review of applause and scowls (from the handful of Arab members). Speaking to parliament he said:

"There cannot be peace without an immediate and complete halt to settlement," he said. "There cannot be peace without recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and the guarantee of free access to the holy places for all religions."

Sarkozy's address follows fluffy weekend coverage of his arrival by the country's newspapers that seemed more preoccupied with his Italian singer First Lady Carla Bruni than his agenda. According to the AP, the front pages of Monday's newspapers were filled with pictures of a smiling Carla "overshadowing her husband." For a preview of their coverage, read more.

The Haaretz daily, which is Israel's oldest daily newspaper, featured a front page close-up of Carla, taken as the couple arrived at Israel's international airport Sunday, with Sarkozy and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the background.

Israel's largest daily, Yediot Ahronot, used the front page headline "Queen Carla" to tease a spread with a collage of her photos and a celebrity style-esque breakdown of her wardrobe - including the $2,500 Prada dress she wore upon arrival, a $1,200 purse and a $650 pair of sandals.

Source

Double Trouble? Israel Might Punish Terrorists' Families

LibertySugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:51 -0700

Recent and shocking attacks by East Jerusalem Palestinians has inspired Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to call for tough action against the families of terrorists.

Hoping to tie the victims' fates to the fate of a terrorist's family, some Israeli officials want to strip the families of their state benefits, or even demolish their homes. One proposal would revoke identity permits or citizenship of those actively affiliated with terrorist organizations, thus cutting off family benefits as well.

Prime Minister thinks these consequences will deter future terrorists, but I think it sounds like a way to create more animosity and thus more violent attacks, especially the call for house demolition. Will this make terrorists think about their families before they act, or compound the problem making reconciliation more elusive?

Source

Front Page: Election Riot in Mongolia, Bulldozer Attack, India's Truck Drivers Strike

CitizenSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:56:28 -0700

Election Riot in Mongolia:
In Mongolia's capital, protesters rioted over alleged election fraud destroying the ruling party's headquarters, dampening hopes for a stable government, and resulting in five deaths. President Nambariin Enkhbayar declared a four-day state of emergency late last night after the fire was set at the headquarters. The emergency announcement is the first in Mongolia's history, and allows security forces to use tear gas and rubber bullets to break up demonstrations. About 220 civilians and 108 servicemen have been injured in the clashes, with another 700 protesters detained.

Bulldozer Attack:
A Palestinian smashed a bulldozer into a bus and several cars this morning in Jerusalem, killing three people before being killed himself. The rampage left dozens injured in the city center before a police officer engaged the driver, struggling with him in the cab of the vehicle, and shooting him dead. One witness said of the attack, "I saw [the bulldozer driver] crashing cars and going into the bus... He wanted to kill as many as he could."
India's Truck Drivers Strike:
India's truck drivers are striking, keeping nearly four million trucks off the roads to protest against rising fuel costs. The Indian government has cut subsidies due to rising global prices of crude oil and passed the increase on to drivers. Oil prices have risen by 40 percent since the beginning of the year. The strike is likely to push up the prices of food and other necessities. One trucker said, "we are already running under huge losses. The cost of diesel is so high that we have nothing left to live on."

Source

Resignations and Attacks: Obama and His Very Busy Day

CitizenSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:57:43 -0700

Barack Obama's got a full plate this morning! A top aide quit, Muammar Gaddafi is after him, and his campaign has had to create a website to combat the negative messages swirling about him. That's a lot before 9 a.m.! Here are the scoops:

James Johnson, the head of Obama's veep-search team resigned unexpectedly yesterday in an effort to silence questions over his business activities, including favorable mortgage terms and his role on committees that awarded payouts to corporate executives. Obama said of the departure, “Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice-presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept.”

To see what else is going on, read more.

Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi has slammed Obama for saying Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel. Gaddafi said he was either ignorant of the Middle East conflict or lying for the benefit of his campaign. Calling Obama "our Kenyan brother," Gaddafi also said Obama might suffer from an inferiority complex because of his African origins, making him act "more white than white people" instead of acting in solidarity with African and Arab nations.
Spurred on partially by the Michelle Obama "whitey" rumors, the Obama campaign has created a website FightTheSmears.com as the one-stop shopping for the Obama response to damaging stories. Other rumors addressed on the site, include the Obama/Muslim question and the Pledge of Allegiance kerfuffle.

Phew! He's got his hands full today. And whoa, Gaddafi - those are some very strong words. Are these stories big do'ins or much ado about nothing?

Source

Bill Maher Puts New Movie "Religulous" in the Offering Plate

CitizenSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:00:14 -0700

Bill Maher isn't what you'd call a God-fearing man - far from it. He makes no secret that he's a rationalist and an atheist, and thinks all organized religions are a bunch of bunk. The comedian is trying his hand at preaching without the choir in his new documentary, Religulous, directed by Borat director Larry Charles.

He says the movie aims to answer these questions:

What do you believe, why do you believe it, and why do you need to believe it? Can we be good without God? Is religion a calling or a mental illness? Were Jesus, Moses and Mohammed prophets and visionaries, or crackpot nut cases who today would be put away? Is religion an obsessive-compulsive disorder?

The doc features visits to Jerusalem and the Vatican with interviews including Jews for Jesus, Muslims, polygamists, Satanists, Hasidic Scholars and even Rael of the Raelian Movement (the UFO folks). Check out the trailer. The movie comes out October 3 - do you think this movie is sent from heaven, or hasn't got a prayer?

To see Bill talk to Larry King about the movie and his views on religion - including his assertion that we don't need a person of faith in the White House, but rather a "person of doubt," read more.