[islamic court] you’re a bit strong so no talks

Monty Lionheart has this one taped – do go across and have a look: 1] The Islamic Courts Union, which controls much of southern Somalia, has refused to meet the interim government for peace talks unless Ethiopian troops leave the country. 2] Although an 18-strong Islamic delegation flew to Sudan on Sunday, Adow said they would not engage with the largely powerless interim administration until Ethiopian troops leave. I’m a bit confused here – Sudan is not Somalia. Or is it all part of the same process – send in the militias to rape, mutilate and torture to death, then move in and offer yourself as the ‘saviours’?

[catastrophe] france runs out of garlic

Telegraph today, so therefore you’ve all seen it: But violet garlic, esteemed by the gourmand and grown only in one small part of France, cannot be obtained for love nor money. Brian Page, or "Garlic Brian" as he is known to his customers, is the sole importer to Britain of violet garlic, "I know it sounds absurd but there really is none left, and the French are very embarrassed about it," said Mr. Page, from Rogate, Hants. Firstly, I love this last vital geographical pin-pointer for Mr. Page. Secondly, I wonder if they meant ‘gourmand’ or ‘gourmet’? Thirdly, this could see an influx of vampires unless something is rapidly done to remedy the situation.

[what if] ahmadinejad on bush

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, amid a struggle between two major clerical factions for control of Iran's influential Assembly of Experts, is trying to shore up his conservative base by portraying himself as a man with a direct link to God. As for President George W Bush, "he also receives inspiration, but from Satan", says Ahmadinejad. That’s as maybe but what if Ahmadinejad, by some fluke, just happens to have it … ? What if he might just be … ? Is it possible … ? Nah … forget I even mentioned it.

[literature] sunday evening quiz

Compressed plots – which novels and authors are described below?

1. An Irishman becomes so familiar with his bicycle that when cycling at speed the atomic structure of his body fuses with that of the bicycle frame.

2. A rather shy novelist arrives in New York to launch his first book, only to be greeted by a rioting mob of Black Panthers, old-age pensioners, gay rights activists and feminists after his blood.

Five more here.

[clive & bryan] publishing on demand

Clive Davis, in the Washington Times: "In POD, an author delivers his manuscript and the publisher edits, designs and sets it on a computer, but doesn't actually print any copies at all. Instead, it simply waits until somebody buys one. At that point, the book -- a proper one, on paper, with proper binding -- can be made on the spot and delivered through, for example, Amazon or direct from the publisher. Alternatively, the buyer can get it from a printing and binding machine rather like the current digital-photo processors. The latter method is the obvious one, and Starbucks is indeed looking at it." What do you think?

[russia] daily life through open eyes

This piece is as honest about Russia as I can be. Firstly, I’m not in Russia proper – I’m in one of the republics although I do cross over quite often. Secondly, though my financial position doesn’t match it, my social state, in Twelfth Night terms, is ‘well’. Therefore I don’t yet live down in the sewer but am conveyed from door to door. I shop locally, walk about and chat with folk, hitch rides occasionally just to tune my ear to latest developments and so on. But what is it really, really like, living here? This is my take. Read more »