Hamas also Will Ceasefire, Iranian Ship found with Rockets

Some very interesting things have been happening in the world while we were watching the Obama inauguration. Hopefully, the newspapers will pick up and expand on them.

Turkey has gotten Hamas to call a ceasefire. Not only has Israel withdrawn to leave rubble and ruin in its wake, but no more missiles will officially be launched during the stated time of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, those industrious Palestinians have started re-digging out those smuggling tunnels...

An American warship has stopped a ship rented by Iran carrying rockets, headed for Gaza. It has been towed to Egypt to be searched with fine tooth combs. I don't know if this will spark more than an oops, you caught us apology.

Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve has reported: " that Muntadar al-Zaidi, who has been in custody in Iraq after hurling shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a mid-December press conference, has asked for asylum in Switzerland.

In the Arab culture, the sole of a shoe is the ultimate insult; it is considered rude even to show the sole of your shoe to another, let alone throw it at them.

The report (translated here) quotes his lawyer, Mauro Poggia as saying al-Zaidi fears for his safety in his Baghdad prison. Even if al-Zahid is released, he faces the inability to get a job, and possible other repercussions. Despite this, he has, however, been hailed as a hero by many. That still does not give him much comfort. "

In China, two people have been sentenced to death for selling 600 tons of melamine laced protein powder, which caused the deaths of six children and 300,000 others to fall ill.

In Japan, exports fell to a new low in December, and auto maker Mitsubishi will join Toyota in stopping manufacturing for a few weeks. There is also a huge recession happening in South Korea, leading North Korea to issue aggressive statements.

And, the saddest news: the UN reports that over 2,770 people have died from cholera in Zimbabwe. The President, Robert Mugabe, has denied that there is a problem and nobody in the government is allowed to do anything to help. The upcoming rainy season will bring rising water levels and will make the situation worse. Also, there is little education being done in the rural villages, where it has now spread. From the BBC: "Traditionally in Zimbabwe whenever someone dies they usually bring the body to the village of origin for funeral and burial and many times, unfortunately, bodies are not disinfected," 
"Everybody touches the body and everybody cries on the body and they get infected as well."
He added that the lack of awareness and the difficulty of getting to clinics meant that those dying of such an easily treatable disease was growing."

Finally, some more late-night humor:

"You know, it's really fascinating to watch this peaceful transfer of power. Because we're the envy of the world that we're able to do this. I only hope Conan and I can do it just as peacefully." --Jay Leno

"In fact, John McCain said he was so moved by today's events, he suspended his campaign again." --Jay Leno

"Well, did you all see Obama's speech? He said America is finally ready to lead again, to which Bush said: 'Hey, I'm sitting here! Hello! I'm still here!'" --Jay Leno

"Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts made a mistake during the swearing in of Barack Obama. That's the second mistake the Supreme Court has made with a president, if you count the time they declared Bush the winner." --Jay Leno

"I think Barack Obama missed the perfect opportunity to balance the budget today. Did you see those thousands of port-a-potties? Make them pay toilets, we'd have a surplus by tomorrow."

"And it was cold. It was so cold in Washington, it felt like Hillary's inauguration." --Jay Leno

"It was so cold, Al Gore led a prayer for global warming." --Jay Leno

"All the living ex-presidents attended the swearing-in ceremony. But did you see this? Bill Clinton got the biggest response from the crowd. Did you see that? Yeah. Yeah, apparently, thousands of women yelled, 'That's him, officer!'" --Conan O'Brien

"Barack Obama is the new President of the United States, our 44th. As our first African-American president, Obama fulfills the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, and as our first Hawaiian president, he fulfills the dream of Don Ho." --Jimmy Kimmel

"Now, a lot of people thought I didn't want Barack Obama to be president, that is not true. I just didn't want him to be president of America. I thought he could do a great job in Nicaragua. If I am sad, it is only for the Nicaraguans. Lo siento, mis amigos. Lo siento. But this man is now our president, and as an American, I pledge to support him unconditionally, for as long as he remains popular." --Stephen Colbert