What happening today - Global

ABC News Feed Today, I don't normally just pull the RSS, but other blogs took a bunch of my time today and there were so many international issues that this was quickest.

Somalis, Ethiopians Battle Islamic Foes
Today, January 04, 2007, 1 hour ago
Somali Troops, Ethiopian Soldiers Fight 600 Islamic Militiamen in South; Kenya Closes Border
(Isn't it interesting that so few Muslim countries are rising up to defend the Islamics in this country? Why is that?)

Scientists Say 2007 May Be Warmest Yet
Today, January 04, 2007, 2 hours ago
2007 Could Be World's Warmest Year on Record, British Climate Scientists Predict


U.S. Sailor Spotted Off Chilean Coast
Today, January 04, 2007, 2 hours ago
Chilean Navy Search Plane Spots American Sailor Adrift Off Coast, Trawler Headed for Rescue

Chilean Navy Seeks Solo American Sailor
Today, January 04, 2007, 5 hours ago
Chilean Navy Searching for American Solo Sailor Adrift on Disabled Yacht

220 Pounds of Explosives Found in Spain
Today, January 04, 2007, 5 hours ago
Police Find Nearly 220 Pounds of Explosives Near Abandoned Car in Spain
(Sure seems like all the anti-terror police are doing a much better job)

3,500 Islamists Said Hiding in Mogadishu
Today, January 04, 2007, 7 hours ago
About 3,500 Islamists Hiding in Somali Capital, Interior Minister Says; Kenya's Border Closes

Kenya Said to Close Border With Somalia
Today, January 04, 2007, 8 hours ago
Kenya Closes Border With Somalia, Says Minister; Extra Troops Sent to Northern Frontier

Taiwan High-Speed Rail System to Debut
Today, January 04, 2007, 9 hours ago
New Taiwanese High-Speed Rail System Set to Debut After Long Delay
(Long Delay? We haven't even started ours yet)

Gunmen Target Three Hamas Officials
Today, January 04, 2007, 9 hours ago
Gunmen Target Three Hamas Officials in Apparent Revenge Attacks Blamed on Fatah

Saddam Execution Video Leads to Arrests
Today, January 04, 2007, 10 hours ago
Arrests Reported in Saddam Execution Video, U.S. Says Former Leader Dignified to the End
(Good, it's time to teach the "rule of law" the real basis of democracy)

Jerusalem Mourners Pay Tribute to Kollek
Today, January 04, 2007, 10 hours ago
Mourners Pay Tribute to Former Jerusalem Mayor Theodor "Teddy" Kollek

Somalis Not Ready to Turn Over Weapons
Yesterday, January 03, 2007, 10:23:57 PM
Everyone in Somalia's Violent Capital Has a Gun, Everyone, That Is, but the Police

Austrian Held Captive Describes Ordeal
Yesterday, January 03, 2007, 4:31:10 PM
Young Austrian Woman Held Captive Describes Life Since Escape in TV Documentary

North Korea Foreign Minister Dies at 78
Yesterday, January 03, 2007, 3:35:26 PM
North Korea Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun Dies After Reportedly Suffering From Kidney Disease

Olmert, Mubarak Seek Restart Peace Talks
Yesterday, January 03, 2007, 3:32:17 PM
Ehud Olmert, Hosni Mubarak to Look for Ways to Restart Mideast Peace Talks at Upcoming Meeting

Saddam Execution Tonite?

Well all the stars seem to be aligned for his hanging tonite:

ABC Feed

Reuters News Alert

A guy who is suing Saddam for crimes against his family filed in US court to stop the execution in Iraq ... Huh? Yeah, he says that since he hasnt had a chance to get a monetary damage verdict against Saddam he doesnt want him dead yet. Michelle Malkin on the same story.

Iraq the Model updates us from Iraq .... No Saddam in 2007!

More in a a couple hours
Looks like he'll be dead by 10 p.m.

Update 9 p.m. Al Arabiya reporting that Saddam is on the execution platform and will be dead in a couple minutes.

Update 9:09 p.m. Al jazeera reports that he is dead! Thank God that's over. Pray for peace in Iraq. American Pundit reports from same source.

Day After Christmas

Ethiopian Troops use the policy of Preemption against Islamic Courts in Somalia. African Union leader says they can defend themselves if they feel threatened. Interesting? So if a country feels some trepidation they can attack their neighbors? Who's idea was that?

Turkmenistan announces Presidential elections February 11th, but blogger Registan expresses serious doubts about the legitimacy of the democratic move. Shall we bomb them?

Some news reports suggest that Syria may be willing to open peace talks with Israel. Is this a triangulation to let them gain financial support from the U.S. and Nata and the west against Iran? Are they worried that Iran may cut a deal to align closer to the west and throw out their wacko President? Will they give up support of Hezbollah?

If you design clothes in Second Life can your designs be copied? Or do you own the designs through some intellectual property rights? Now, you may say "who cares" but this is a business and a growing market. The Chinese didn't care about stealing music CD's and DVD's until they wanted to make their own, then they wanted to talk about property rights.

Have a great idea? Are you an innovator looking to file a patent, decent article pointing the right way. Now, if you really want to think situational ethics, try a quick read of Crichton's new book Next. When you're done send me a note on your thoughts about gene patents.