Dreaming of Simplicity

Top story today is still the Georgian crisis. Despite a ceasefire agreement, violence is said to be flaring up inside Georgia. Earlier in the day, the wires were reporting that Russian tanks were heading towards Tbilisi on the main highway. The tanks apparently turned off and did not proceed towards the Georgian capital. News breaking as I write this is that Russia has shot down 2 Georgian spy drones. Georgia has said it will leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of which Russia is a member. As I'm late posting today, G.W. has just made a strong statement against Russia in the White House rose garden, adding that he will send Secretary of State Condi Rice to France and then onto Georgia where she will "express America's solidarity with the democratic Georgian government". He also said that the US military will lead a humanitarian mission to Georgia. That's somewhat surprising that the military will be leading it rather than the Agency for International Development (USAID). The West are considering expelling Russia from the G-8 according to some reports.

Michael Phelps has won his tenth Gold medal in the Olympics making him the 'greatest ever' Olympian in the modern Olympics 112 year history. Also at the Olympics, China has detained pro-Tibet protesters from Students for a Free Tibet. Other news today, the US has increased sanctions on Iran; 17 have been killed in an explosion in Lebanon; and aid workers have been killed in an attack in Afghanistan.

Sad news, a US army deserter is to be deported from Canada back to the United States. In the US, polls suggest that the Presidential election will be very tight. The New York Times has the story of yet another detainee dying in US hands. Also, how the right plans to use the same tactics to attack Obama as it did Kerry. The World, from PRI and the BBC, has an in-depth article about life in Ukraine. In the UK, the head of the Bank of England has warned of difficult times ahead. The Dalai Lama has wished the Chinese good luck in the Olympics whilst in France.

There have been various rumours about deals being reached in Zimbabwe flying around the internet over the last 24 hours, Le Monde reports. Liberation tells of how Russia is waging a cyber-war against Georgia. Finally, odd news for the day: the Pope has been criticised for a blatant lack of a conscience as he continues to wear fur.

Current Olympic rankings:

1. China - 17 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze, 27 total
2. USA - 10 Gold, 8 Silver, 11 Bronze, 29 total
3. Korea (South) - 6 Gold, 6 Silver, 1 Bronze, 13 total
4. Germany - 6 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, 9 total
5. Italy - 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze, 11 total
6. Australia - 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 6 Bronze, 12 total
7. Japan - 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze, 9 total
8. Russia - 2 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze, 12 total
9. Great Britain - 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze, 7 total
10. Georgia - 2 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze, 3 total