Fresh Loaf

• There goes the good news: Job losses rise in June as unemployment hits 9.5 percent.
• We pull out in one place, we push in the other: U.S. marines press Taliban fighters in Afghanistan in a new offensive.
• Sad way to go: A French probe concludes Air France flight 447 crashed “almost vertically” into the water.
• Instigatin’: North Korea reportedly test fires four missiles.
• Apparently, Saddam’s WMD bluff was aimed at Iran.
• European scientists have developed a swine flu vaccine.
• Forget bagel Friday, how ’bout nekid Friday: Staff members at a design firm in Newcastle, England worked one full day in the buff in order to “boost” morale.
• Don’t forward the kiddie pr0n: The GBI issued a warning about a suspicious email circulating that may contain child porn, and in turn, incriminate people that open it.

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A boat belonging to Cynthia McKinney (seen in this CL file photo) was detained by the Israeli Navy off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

• Not quite: Al Franken’s victory in the almost-never-ending Minnesota Senate Race doesn’t really give Democrats a filibuster-proof majority.
• Kerfuffle: Cynthia McKinney’s boat was seized by the Israel Navy as it approached the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid.
• Mission Accomplished? As U.S. troops pull out from Iraqi cities (and Iraqi oil fields are opened for business), a huge car bomb kills 35 in Kirkuk.
• Old-fashioned coup: The Organization of American States (like the U.N. only smaller) threatened Honduras with suspension if it did not restore deposed president Manuel Zelaya.
• No porn and… no chicken? China expected to ban U.S. poultry imports.
• When California sneezes… The Golden State faces tough budget choices as revenues evaporate due to the recession.
• Oh the humanity: Paleontologists brought to tears, laughter as they visit creationist museum.
• If you’re not using FireFox, we need to talk: Version 3.5 is a vast improvement over an-already awesome web browser.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• Done: U.S. troops pull out of major cities in Iraq… meanwhile, some of Iraq’s massive oil and gas fields are now opened for bids from foreign firms for exploration.
• Damn: An Airbus airliner carrying 153 passengers crashed off the Comoros islands, so far a 5-year-old child is the lone survivor.
• Don’t look now: But drug violence is increasing at the border… the U.S.-Canada border.
• In our own backyard: In light of the coup in Honduras, and while President Obama strongly condemned the ouster of the Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, the U.S. has a long history of instigation in the region.
• Serious WTF!: Some people (read: demented) are holding “swine flu parties” to “immunize” their children.
• Interesting: China decides against plan to require manufacturers to install a web filter after protests from the Obama Administration and Chinese internet users.
• White collar crime justice? Bernard Madoff sentenced to 150 years in prison.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• Kind of a big deal? Military ousts Honduran president… FWIW, the U.S. has publicly sided with president Manuel Zelaya…
• Mixed messages? As partial recount begins in Tehran, authorities detain Iranian staffers working at the British embassy… meanwhile: forget recount, reformers want annulment.
• Steve Jobs’ recently disclosed liver transplant sheds light on flaws in the system that favor those with means to travel to where organ wait times are shorter.
• Gas sippers: Thanks to the recession, the International Energy Agency expects demand for oil to grow only 0.6 percent from now until 2014.
• Yes the U.S. lost a 2-0 lead to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final. Yes, it’s still a good thing. (When was the last time the U.S. soccer squad made an international tournament final?)

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• Or is it? Michael Jackson’s albums take seven of the top 10 spots in the iTunes albums sales charts.
• Speaking of which: U.S. consumer spending rose and incomes gained in May.
• Well I guess that settles it: Iran’s electoral watchdog insisted the country’s recent presidential election results were the “cleanest ever.” Like totally.
• Follow the logic: President Obama turns to immigration reform, hinting at a path to legalization for the millions of undocumented immigrants.
• Curious what Leviticus says about adulterers: S.C. Lt. Governor says Sanford should stay in office.
• The lone dissenter is a man: Supreme Court rules strip-searching of female student to be illegal.

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>> As the chaos in Iran rages on, women have become the face of the would-be revolution.

>> Google is a vampire, says newspaper publisher. Bloodsucking digital evil!

>> POETIC POLITICIAN: Gov. Mark Sanford knows how to woo the ladies or at least that’s what his string of romantic emails would imply.

>> Facebook becomes even more stalker-friendly … but now you have a choice about it!

>> SHOCKER: A preacher presiding over a multi-million dollar religious outfit may be unethical? Didn’t see that one coming…

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• Fizzling out: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenini vowed not to yield to pressure from opponents demanding new elections as the opposition leader formally withdrew complaints of vote rigging.
• Too little, too late? Obama condemned the Iranian regime’s response to street protests… meanwhile, protesters may be employing inventive tactics to express their defiance.
• Next door: U.S. air strike kills dozens in Pakistani tribal area controlled by Taliban forces.
• No porn for you: U.S. trade officials say China’s intent on shipping web-filtering software with every computer sold is a violation of WTO’s rules.
• Where’s Mark? The ongoing saga of South Carolina governor Mark Sanford culminated yesterday as he was spotted at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport returning from a solo trip to the “exotic” city of Buenos Aires, Argentina (I’m guessing densely populated metro areas are exotic to South Carolinians).
• Don’t look now: But Rep. Ron Paul’s bill to audit the Federal Reserve is piling up co-sponsors in the House.

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Hundred of people demonstrated in front of the CNN Center calling for the Iranian government to stop the violence against protesters.

• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issue a warning that new protests will be met with, well, a “revolutionary confrontation,” even as election monitors acknowledge vote discrepancies across 50 cities… and sure enough, Iranian police attack hundreds of protesters today. Meanwhile, journalists find themselves amidst those detained by Iranian authorities.
• Meanwhile, pressure mounts on President Obama to harden his stance towards Iran.
• Uh oh: Violence escalates in Baghdad as U.S. prepares to withdraw from the city.
• Go at it alone: Democrats may have to pursue health care reform without Republican support.
• Meanwhile: Lack of new jobs may pose a political hurdle for Democrats.
• Wake up sheeple! Apple sells more than a million iPhone 3GS models.

More photos from Saturday’s demonstration

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• And then that happened: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneni strongly defended the Iranian presidential election results, criticizing protesters.
• Can you say cash cow? Some AT&T stores are reportedly running out of the new iPhone 3GS minutes after opening their doors.
• This is wrong: Minnesota woman is ordered to pay $1.92 million in file-sharing case.
• I thought we were leaving? Senate approves war-funding bill.
• Remember that story about China wanting to block porn? Well, now they want Google to help.
• Nuttin’ ta fucwit: And remember how North Korea hinted at test-launching a missile in the general direction of Hawaii? Well, the U.S. has deployed missile interceptors and radar equipment to the island state.
• Urban wildlife? A full-sized aligator is found lurking in the waters of the ‘Hooch near a Fulton County park.
• Oh my bad, I didn’t realize Glenn Beck is an American hero.

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• We’re uhm, looking into it: Iran’s Elite Guardian council offers to meet with all four presidential candidates to further investigate allegations of fraud… meanwhile, opposition protests again drew thousands today.
• It’s a start: Claims on unemployment benefits dropped for the first time since January.
• So that’s where their money comes from: Washington Post exposes massive, global insurance fraud perpetrated by North Korea.
• Bureaucracy to the rescue! Obama administration begins push to create a consumer protection plan as part of a new office within the Federal government… meanwhile, Pyonyang is reportedly going to test-fire a missile toward Hawaii this summer.
• Mexican authorities dismantle the country’s largest meth lab, capable of pumping out 40 tons of the shit.
• Deep space hibernation? Scientists revive microbe after 120,000 years in hibernation.

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• Where is their vote: Mousavi issues direct challenge with rally call over ’shameful fraud’ in Iran… While the regime warns Iranian websites and bloggers to remove material that creates tension.
• Plus, the power of Twitter: The State Department suggested Twitter reschedule it’s downtime to ensure Iranians continued to tweet from the front lines.
• And: The Iranian regime continues to crackdown on the opposition as more arrests are made, and further restrictions to journalists and social networks are put in place.
• Over on this side, this is quite disappointing: Obama blocks access to White House visitor logs à la Dick Cheney.
• But, dude’s at least working it: Obama to propose changes to the financial regulation system and the administration is opening up benefits to gay partners of federal employees.
• And not to mention, we got that other little problem: North Korea threatens merciless attack if it’s provoked… sort of when my cat decides to pounce on my ankle, but x 1,000,000.
• To boot: Inflation is under control, even though gas prices continue to go up.
• Hey, not all bad news! Apple set to release iPhone software update 3.0 today!

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Another offensive Sarah Palin joke

>> OIL WAR: After months of protests and many deaths, the Peruvian government may be close to working something out with the indigenous Amazonians.

>> Letterman made a bad joke about Gov. Sarah Palin and the “real” Americans must now take a stand.

>> Citizens of Iran are making it clear that you can cut off traditional media but there’s no hiding from Twitter. Or YouTube. Or Facebook.

>> This is all far too reminiscent of Brokedown Palace.

>> DRONES: And this sounds entirely too much like that one godawful Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx movie.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• Tens of thousands of Iranian protesters defy ban to march in the streets of Tehran after Friday’s disputed election… meanwhile, opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi makes an appearance at a rally after days of de-facto house arrest, and calm was urged by the country’s supreme leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as he orders an investigation into Moussavi’s claims of vote rigging.
• But: There are reports of leaked election results data show Ahmadinejad came in third.
• You can do it! President Obama takes his health care reform message to the American Medical Association.
• Yes but: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now embraces the “idea of a Palestinian state.”
  

  "End the Occupation" protest photo from a demonstration earlier this year in front of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta.

• Up and down: U.S. stocks are sharply lower this week amid drop in commodities.
• EU agrees to take in some former Guantanamo Bay detainees.
• WTF: Miami “cat-killer” arrested – he allegedly mutilated over 15 cats.
• Whadayaknow: Glacier in southern Argentina continues to expand despite global warming.            (Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Lee Ho of Decatur's Lee Ho TV Sales and Services

• You mean they didn’t before? Senate just now allows Federal Officials to regulate cigarettes.
• Change they can believe in? High turnout in Iranian elections boost Ahmadinejad’s challenger.
• What? We’re switching from analog TV broadcasts to digital? You serious?
• Ron Paul Bomb effect: Lobbying and activism by Congressman Ron Paul’s supporters have helped move the Federal Reserve Transparency act out of committee to the floor of the House.
• Surprised the H1N1 virus is a global pandemic? Don’t be, the WHO expects developing countries to be at higher risk of wider spread.
• Not in our backyard: Facing bipartisan opposition, the Obama Administration has all but abandoned plans to bring detainees cleared for release to live in the U.S.
• How will they get online and download a browser? Microsoft is ordered to ship Windows 7 without Internet Explorer in Europe.

  (Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• WHO? Would you look at that, the World Health Organization has declared, wait for it, a global swine flu pandemic!
• Curious: Reformists in Iran hope elections prevent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad winning a second term.
• More evidence suggests the Air France jet broke up mid-flight.
• We’ll spend our way out of this: U.S. retail sales gain for first time in three months… but, higher gas prices may have something to do about that.
• A model for health care in… Wisconsin?
• That shooting star may be classified: Data on “incoming space rocks” detected by hush-hush satellites is now off-limit.
• Our pal Andisheh Nouraee is guest blogging at the Mother Nature Network today, head over for more daily briefing and leave rude comments!

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>> The first Gitmo detainee hits American soil to face trial in New York.

>> AMERICA: Several banks will be allowed to repay TARP funds, mostly so they can escape potential restrictions like salary caps.

>> Atlanta’s Perception of Crime strikes again.

>> The campaign for peace in Israel continues as the U.S. Middle East envoy chats up Israeli officials.

>> Europe goes all radical right as conservatives and fringe groups gain ground in the recent EU elections.

>> The key to the iPhone’s purported awesomeness is in the apps. But video capture and speed is nice too…

>> CELEBRITY WORLD: Apparently stalking your ex works wonders for getting back together.

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• Fightin’ words? North Korea convicts two U.S. journalists for a “grave crime”… meanwhile, the Obama administration indicated that it may intercept North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.
• Obamajobs: President Obama announces plan to tap into the $787-billion economic stimulus fund to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs in the next three months.
• Sad reminder: More bodies found in the Atlantic as Brazilian forces continue to search area where the Air France plane went down.
• Swinging pendulum? Center-right parties win across European-wide elections… meanwhile, the Pirate Party (as in file-sharing) wins one of the 18 Swedish seats in the European parliament.
• Don’t bother: Supreme Court rejects challenge to Army’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
• Fanboys don’t cry: Don’t hold your breath for new Mac hardware at the World Wide Developer’s Conference today.

(Edit: The Pirates just won one of the Swedish seats not two).

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• Unemployment rate inches above nine percent, but at a slower pace… which in turn, has caused a mixed morning in the stock market.
• So what happened? Investigators are still considering various theories as to what caused the AF447 crash in the Atlantic, but no definitive conclusions as to what actually caused the plane to go down.
• Is it me or is it deja vu? Calls for Middle East peace… difficult compromises… European support… American president calling for unity…
• Auto erotic asphyxiation? Authorities in Thailand believe David Carradine’s death may have been accidental.
• Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is hogging all the tabloid headlines for pictures like these (nsfw!).
• Don’t know if this is true/real, but if it is it gives a totally new meaning to the “code monkey” moniker, and I quote: “Higher Primates Can Program After VB.NET Training.”

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>> Obama’s recent speech in Cairo derided Muslim extremists and stereotypes of all Muslims, even quoting from the Quran to emphasize the true peaceful nature of Islam.

>> The 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre has police swarming in expectation, with only peaceful vigils to be found.

>> RECCESSION 101: Bankruptcies surge as creditors come a-knocking.

>> In the name of…?: No student Democrats sanctioned by Liberty University.

>>Bill, noooo! Actor David Carradine found dead yesterday.

>> Families of Air France flight passengers told not to expect any survivors as the search for the black box seems less and less likely to turn up answers.

>> The mystery of the Montauk Monster solved? The explanation is almost stranger than a supernatural one.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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FOR YEEZY: A couple of the two dozen people camped in front of Walter’s shoe store in downtown Atlanta this morning. Most have been there since Saturday and will stay until the $215 limited edition Kanya West-designed “Air Yeezy” shoes go on sale this Saturday.

>>“Huge ray of economic sunshine burst upon Georgia” 2100 jobs coming to Georgia

>>COINCIDENCE?: U.S. expects Afghan attacks to raise 50% this year, meanwhile U.S. acknowledges mistake in killing dozens of Afghan civilians …

>>Jimi Hendrix murdered?

>>You’ve heard about it, butt have you seen the video.

>>Obama changing Gitmo policies?

>>Getting high the perfect start to a day of work?

>>Air Yeezy hype

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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>> Clues to the missing Air France plane are turning up only in pieces as searches continue in a wide swath of the Atlantic.

>> Crazy expensive date on taxpayer dime or much-needed family time that pales in comparison to past prez “vacations”? The verdict is out on the First Couple’s NYC night on the town.

>> A recent poll discovered that many conservatives believe Colbert is actually one of them. There’s some truthiness to that.

>> Sotomayer takes to the Hill to make her case.

>> SHOCKER: Bill O’Reilly spins the recent murder of George Tiller into a rant about … himself.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• No matter the low probability, it’s haunting to hear about a plane “disappearing” off the radar.
• Ox-y-mo-ron (noun): a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in killing a doctor that performs abortions.
• Not going away anytime soon: North Korea reportedly preparing another missile test… meanwhile, China suspends diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
• It’s just a car… company: The slow demise of G.M. might make its imminent bankruptcy irrelevant.
• There are no words… Minnesota Supreme Court hears arguments on the never-ending Franken-Coleman Senate race.
• I told you mofo’s: LEAVE SUSAN BOYLE ALONE!!
• Dawn of the E-Book industry? Google joins the party.
• Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, launches early.

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• I kinda don’t wanna see how much bite this barking dog has: North Korea test-fires another short-range missile.
• Long overdue: Pentagon plans to create a new division solely for combating threats in cyberspace.
• Half-full? First quarter G.D.P. is slightly better than anticipated.
• Bloody civil war: More than 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan military in the last days of that country’s recent armed conflict.
• Dear Time Magazine: Perfect choice of picture. That is all.
• Further evidence of GOP implosion: Talking heads go apeshit all over the internet.
• Quick 15 minutes: Now that the media’s infatuation with Susan Boyle is done, they’re practically driving her to the mad house.
• Heard this before: New Microsoft-developed search engine hopes to be a “player” in the Google-dominated web search industry.

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>> SHOCKER: Even exorbitantly-priced fashion houses aren’t safe from the clutches of the recession.

>> For those who championed the use of waterboarding, how do you feel about rape and the “use of wires” in sexual assault?

>> POWERLESS COUPLE: Newt and Rush team up to spread the rhetoric on Sotomayor.

>> Note to pedophiles — child porn in cartoon form is still not OK.

>>AWESOME: Everybody’s doing the nuclear shuffle. … Cuba and Russia renew joint nuclear research.

>> Lest we forget all the accomplishments of our monkey brethren — celebrate the 50th aniversary of the original space monkeys.

>> WTF?: Biblical quotes adorned the intelligence briefings between Rumsfeld and Bush. … Separation of church and state, what?

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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• Not cool: North Korea’s second underground nuclear test signals it’s close to building an atomic weapon… and because I know you’ve looked, a George Mason University PhD student has stitched together the most “authoritative map of North Korea on Google Earth,” complete with labels for all those strange structures and all.
• For the last bloody time: It’s Judge Sonia SotoMAYOR not Sotomayer… ugh… and the GOP should not abstain from opposing her nomination for fears of alienating Hispanics – it’s a little too late for that.
• The headline on this story is way too clever for your shirt: “Strange Bedfellows: Opposing lawyers in Bush v. Gore team up to overturn California’s same-sex marriage ban…“
• They’re running with it: World stocks rally on news that U.S. consumer confidence jumped in May.
• You know it’s bad when: Mexico arrests 10 mayors with alleged connections to the drug trade.
• This would be nationalizing: U.S. moves to take over 70% of General Motors.
• It’s making money somewhere: Global newspaper sales grew in 2008.
• More competition on the way: Microsoft set to release Zune HD to challenge Apple’s iPod touch.

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