All the news you can use : Sept. 18 2013

There is a lot going on in our World today and as some readers just do not have the time to follow it all and shared their appreciation of pieces  of mine covering the essentials in a short explanation format, let us offer a news compendium with each summarized. As much as possible, all that an informed person needs to know on subject X in one sentence ( or two ).

International Affairs :

The Syria affair is alive and kicking, of course! Here are the major pieces presented.

The UN report is being questioned by Moscow which says that Syria provided it with proofs to that effect.

In reverse, Human’s Right Watch identifies governmental military installations as the likely source of the Aug. 21 attack.

On the ground, the rebels are fighting each other up North by the Turkish border ( FSA vs Al-Qaeda ) and in the Kurdish region ( Djihadists vs Kurds ) and against the regime near Hama and Damascus.

The US, UK and France keep pushing for a UN resolution that should include a provision for the use of force in case of non-compliance with the USA/Russia deal from Geneva.

The date of the first deadline, namely disclosure of stocks by Syria, is to fall by Saturday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24140475

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10316367/Chemical-weapons-launched-from-regime-held-military-base-HRW-say.html

And the French are trying to explain their position to the opinion as found below.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/17/4486902/why-is-france-pushing-so-hard.html

Nearby in the Gulf.

Bahrain, a small but petroleum rich island nation, which has long been a target of NGOs and the UN concerning its human rights record has gone a step further by linking the main opposition party to terrorism.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/09/18/Bahrain-ties-opposition-leader-to-terrorism/UPI-99561379517503/

In Africa.

First up North is Algeria where ailing long-time President Bouteflika is now moving against the Army, Police and Secret Services strongmen in what looks suspiciously like an attempt to stay in power for a while longer ( first estimates give a 2 year extension of his present term).

At the same time, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the present head of Al-Qaeda, added Algeria to Morocco and Egypt ( and of course the USA through his economic terror strikes announced on 9-11 last week ) as a country to strike at & take control of.

And last but not least, the Nigerian government is pushing at all costs in its fight against Boko Haram as found in this latest incident of worth :

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/201391891748626861.html

And in a last report on the Islamists for  today, the Talibans like modernity when it serves their purpose as evidenced by Twittering about the assassination of an  Afghan electoral official; how very Western teenage style of them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/world/asia/taliban-in-tweet-say-they-killed-election-official.html?_r=1&

Social affairs :

As long as we have mentioned social media, Facebook had to apologize after using the face of teenage cyber-bullying victim Rehtaeh Parsons from Canada that ended up committing suicide over the problem … for a dating ad, no less?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24141835

In a different social matter, France is considering outlawing/forbidding Little Miss contests, those ridiculous Pageants originally from the US that make little kids, sometimes toddlers compete for beauty queen titles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24145119

Having mentioned America, 2 related subjects :

The discussions over the future of the Republican Party are all over the news including their uncharacteristic stance against the Obama administration on the Syrian intervention and the ongoing indecision of Congress at such small matters as the budget et al; good for the GOP that it is in reflection over those.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/columnists/article_15664df0-1cdb-11e3-a108-001a4bcf887a.html

http://guardianlv.com/2013/09/business-leaders-feel-uneasy-as-republican-party-continues-to-hold-country-hostage/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/18/wonkbook-the-republican-partys-problem-in-two-sentences/

http://www.carbonated.tv/news/5-reasons-the-republican-party-must-evolve-or-implode-by-2020

Brazil for its part is taking a hard stance in its relations with the US, President Dilma Roussef having cancelled an important State trip to Washington over the espionage revelations from the Snowden affair with possible consequences ranging from diminished chances at a Brazilian fighter planes tender to an attempt by South America’s biggest Nation to find ways of integrating the Internet in a manner away from the American tech to protect its data?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24133161

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/us-brazil-us-diplomacy-analysis-idUSBRE98H11G20130918

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24145662

Let’s end on good notes, shall we?

As a replacement to the Space Shuttle, the NASA has set-up a contest for private companies to provide transportation to near space like the International Space Station in order to concentrate its energies and resources on exploration and one of the contenders ( Orbital Sciences Corporation ) launched its bid in a literal way today as the Antares rocket lifted its Cygnus cargo ship ( much like the ESA public-funded ATV or the Japanese HTV equivalent ) and should be joined by another soon as well as some for human transportation which should bring prices down if all reach their goals and orbit?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24147578

A little further than the ISS though we find the Moon, very crisp for the last few days as it is reaching fullness today and the Harvest moon status that marks the proximity of this Sunday September 22 Autumn equinox ( the date of equal day and night durations ).

http://earthsky.org/tonight/the-moon-unites-everybody

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/harvest-moon-2

In honor of this, I suggest listening to the piece below by Bedlam aptly named Harvest Moon but first
( or do not forget to, if afterwards )  take a look at the incredible pictures from China’s Yunnan province found on the People Daily site by clicking on this picture to reach it if only to show that despite all the bad news, this World is a beautiful place?

Click to go to all 30+ images on People Daily

Harvest Moon video :

And good day all, Tay.