A year ago Sri Lanka had been hit by the Tsunami. Now the National Defense Council has been assembled after 14 soldiers were reported to be killed by Tamil Tigers. Also an elderly Tamil politician was shot during a Christmas service and another 11+ troops were blown up on Dec. 27 near Jaffna. Christmas pictures & story

More and more CIA kidnappings of civilians have become public. Even from Sweden innocent people were flown to Egypt for torturing purposes. Local governments in Germany and Sweden are now getting questioned by opposition and media why they had allowed any such illegal activities.

Politicians and members of the European Parliament are celebrating a large victory against privacy protection with a new law, that is forcing the communication industry to store all E-mails, faxes, SMS and phone calls for a period of 24 months.

Iran`s President Mahmud Ahmadinedschad has prohibited Western music in his country following his desire to relocate Israel into Germany. At the same time he demands more tolerance for his nuclear armament ambitions which have found support in North Korea according to recent German intelligence reports.

Australia saw massive violent clashes between Arabic immigrants and local youth.

Munich attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union have accused the Bush administration and the CIA for having kidnapped the German citizen Khaled el-Masri. He had been brought to Kabul Afghanistan for 5 months torturing before he was dropped a in Mazedonia.

In Israel hardliner Benjamin Netanyahu demands to heat up the Middle East with airstrikes on Iran whilst in Sri Lanka the new government and Tamil Tigers keep on intensifying their exchange of attacks in order to achieve again a civil war status.

Romania, Poland, Syria and Egypt have been mentioned as main suppliers of torturing services for the U.S. such as "Wateboarding".

The Human Rights Officer of the European Union Alvaro Gil Robles reports that the American "Bondsteel" prison camp in Kosovo had been used by the American government for activities above regular western law. At the same time Condoleezza Rice has denied any U.S. Involvement into torturing.

At the Montreal climate conference the Bush administration has again denied connections between global warming and the increased amount of Hurricanes. U.S. citizens are still the by far largest producers of devastating Carbon dioxide with an annual 19,7 tons per head compared to 8,7 tons in Europe. Again the U.S. government has refused to sign the Kyoto protocol and to join global protection efforts.

In Madras, India 75.000 people were evacuated once again to escape unusual amounts of rain and mud.

In France politicians have intensified their efforts to combat Rap artists for their lyrical contributions which they blame for having triggered recent suburban riots.

President Bush had been accusing the Chinese government for violating human rights whilst Dick Cheney is seeking a permission for "legal torturing".

In France 200 Parliament members had been demanding investigations against Rap artists who have criticized the living conditions in the ghettos of Paris.

$5,7 billion have been raised for the earthquake victims in Pakistan from where aidworkers report organized corruption such as regular troops selling donated tents to the 3,3 million homeless for up to $100.

In Israel Ariel Sharon is trying to achieve some early general elections in which he plans to compete with a new party.

During his visit to China U.S. President Bush had hold a long speech demanding more freedom for religion and politics.

North Korea has offered to end it`s nuclear armament program.

The U.S. trade deficit has reached a record high of $66 billion.

Later 3.000 additional police officers had secured the center of Paris whilst all over France the incidents had continued forcing the government to extend the "state of emergency" for another 3 months.

Authorities in Paris had imposed a curfew on the Département Seine-Saint-Denis and the government has called for a state of emergency nationwide with incidents now also in Toulouse and many other towns.

The riots in Paris are expanding into other cities and last weekend over 2.400 cars had been set on Fire not only in the ghetto streets of Clichy-sous-Bois, where kids call it "playing Baghdad". Now since almost two weeks the violence has been getting more intense each night and meanwhile similar incidents at still a smaller scale are reported also from several German cities.

At the Americas summit in Argentina large protests against U.S. President George W. Bush had also been encouraged by Diego Maradona and local government leaders.

Again Japanese trawlers have embarked to kill 860 Whales for "scientific" reasons though protesters claim, that the meat will be for sale.

Iran`s new leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has intensified his demand to wipe out Israel and thousands had been demonstrating in Teheran against the U.S.

3 big explosions have shattered the Indian capitol Delhi killing at least 50 citizens. Violent terrorists from Kashmir are suspected to stand behind the assault.

European scientists see a drastic rise in global warming resulting in droughts, more storms and a much higher sea level.

Poverty in the United States is on a tough rise with a 12% growth in 2004 and now 37 million poor people according to latest statistics by the U. S. Census Bureau.

Hurricane Wilma had caused a huge flood in Mexican City of Cancun, where over 50.000 people had been evacuated. Governor Jeb Bush had declared a state of emergency for Florida, where now more than 6 million people have no electricity. Many citizens did not want to leave their homes and round 160.000 were requested to evacuate.

The eye of Hurricane Wilma had a size of 50 miles and even in a distance of more than 200 miles from it the danger could be huge.

Pakistan and Northern India were hit by the worst earthquake ever with over 40.000 people killed and 40.000 injured within only 2 minutes. In the city of Balakot 17.000 from 25.000 inhabitants have died and all schools have collapsed entirely whilst 45 U.S. Military helicopters had been flying continuos aid missions.

Northern Caucasus saw an outbreak of rebel attacks and one school had to get evacuated.

Bali in Indonesia was hit badly by a line of 3 bombs that have killed 22 civilians including several tourists from Japan, Australia, Korea and the U.S. Authorities see El Qaeda terrorists as prime suspects.

In the U.S. a woman had been sent off a Southwest plane because of her T-shirt with some anti Bush/Cheney slogans.

Several hundred thousand protesters had assembled in Washington and London to express their resentments against the war in Iraq.

In Germany Gerhard Schroeder had announced plans to remain chancellor after the elections had brought no majority for the opposition. Later CDU Party leader Angela Merkel became the new No.1 in Germany.

Katrina

Hurricane Rita had not been as destructive as expected however power cuts and local tragedies have happened as well as more than 1 million people had been evacuated.

The American Worldwatch-Institute has criticized the Bush administration for having cut funds, efforts and interest in preserving nature and environment.

U.S. Congress has decided to provide $52 billion for the Katrina disaster and each victim shall receive $2000.

More Hurricanes are feared since the overall temperature of the Atlantic is still much higher than in previous seasons. Under close surveillance are now "Maria", "Nate" and "Ophelia" near the Southern coast line though they are still at moderate strength.

Tons of Swedish aid items for the Katrina victims have not been delivered since days as well as 15 tons of German food items were rejected by U.S. authorities even after they had been cleared by NATO units.

Citizens who had wanted to stay in New Orleans were forced by the authorities to leave their homes and even pets.

Also India was hit by heavy monsoons with a death toll at over 300. Furthermore giant floods had shattered Germany and China, where over 1.000 had died.

Many scientists have been predicting such developments for a long time and the effects of global warming and other environmental abuse are expected to become even more drastic in the near future. Still not only the Bush administration denies any such connections.

till not all Katrina victims have been discovered and the tough search for dead bodies continues whilst many return to the city, where Ray Nagin now expects up to 10.000 who may have died.

Thousands of U.S. citizens have lost their complete existence and are now confronted with a social welfare system, whose most funds had been invested into the search for Iraqi weapons for mass destruction, currently worth $6 billion per month.

Despite the risks of future floods and Hurricanes U.S. President Bush has declared, that New Orleans will be a great city.

The evacuation of the Katrina victims in New Orleans had been delayed again and again for a lack of busses whilst over 50.000 are still in need of been rescued from nightmarish circumstances.

Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama suffer from the Hurricane Katrina aftermath with wide areas flooded. Several hundred people have died and millions lost their homes. Looting and shooting is widespread and victims are threatened by a lack of food, drinking water and electricity with still rising water.

France, Germany and 18 other countries had offered help for the Katrina victims, what has been rejected by President Bush, who said "we can help ourselves".

At the same time total Anarchy enabled by inefficient authorities is reported with victims still in need for basic help and protection from armed gangs and rapes. In addition epidemics are widely feared with loads of dead bodies scattered in various areas.

So far the Bush administration had not able to provide help, law & order. Not to mention a plan for the future for those millions of citizens, who have lost their hometowns. New Orleans might be history and also several other villages and towns have gone completely.

Inside the Superdome thousands had been waiting for help and 80% of low-lying New Orleans was submerged by waters up to 6 meters. The devastation reminded of a nuclear strike as witnesses did report.

Iran vs. Europe / U.S.

German Chancellor Schroeder has called U.S. President Bush`s power threats against Iran highly dangerous pointing also at the still uncertain situation in Iraq.

Iran is intensifying the conflict about nuclear facilities in Isfahan and trying to build a defensive, anti-western coalition with Syria.

Conservative forces led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have taken over Iran from the reformers Chatami and Rafsandschani. At the same time BBC correspondent John Simpson has expressed his suspicion, that the new country leader has been involved in the Teheran hostage drama in 1979.

Misc.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has invited U.S. President George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice for a visit to Libya.

Oil companies had been raving about the new peak record price of $70.80 per barrel.

Two bombs have exploded in Turkish tourist town Antalya and several people were injured.

The amount and intensity of tropical storms has grown by around 50% as a result of pollution based changes in the atmosphere and global climate. Affected nations will now also have to expect a further exponential rise in particular with the still rapidly expanding pollution in the U.S. and Asia.

London police remains worried with current investigations pointing at the threat of a third group of terrorists. At the same time links to Saudi Arabia have been found where arrested suspects may have joined certain "training" facilities.

An innocent Brazilian was shot dead by London Police with 5 bullets in his head during their hunt for terrorists. Victims of terror, editorial comment

U.S. President Bush will spend another $9 billion on his $90 billion anti missile defense system. So far not a single rocket has been launched and critical experts say, that it will never ever work.

EU countries and in particular German Chancellor Schroeder have demanded from Iran to reconsider recent nuclear plans whilst the Teheran government insists on their right to create nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Iranian leaders are also trying to establish a defensive, anti-western coalition with Syria.

The sound of sirens had been frequent over London and Police investigations have led to several arrests also in Italy. Still the background of the terrorists remains uncertain with so far no links to any radical Muslim group.

The IRA has given up the fight as announced in a historic Sinn Féin declaration.

Japan contributes 20% to the annual UN budget and had announced to reduce payments without becoming a steady member of the security council.

London citizens had been very fortunate when some faulty bombs did not explode. They had been positioned inside a bus and the tube and very similar to the assault two weeks ago, when over 50 had died.

The United Nations were seeking support for 2,5 million people threatened by a giant famine in Niger, Africa, where last year`s crop had been completely vanished during a severe cricket plague. Now $30 million are needed urgently. But after several billion Dollar have been given to the Tsunami hit countries the overall interest in aid for suffering nations has dropped dramatically.

In Mexico Hurricane Emily had forced to evacuate the area around Cancun and the Island of Cozumel.

Turkish investigators say now, that a mail bomb instead of the previously suspected woman had blown up the tourist bus near a beach in holiday town Kusadasi, killing 5 and leaving 14 injured.

Israeli troops & the Hamas resistance have again intensified their exchange of assaults.

The oil price has reached the highest level of all times with $61,28 per barrel.

London City was shattered by 4 blasts that killed over 50 people. More than 700 were injured and first investigations did point at the Al-Qaeda.

The G8 nations have agreed to raise their aid for Africa up to $50 billion p.a.

The 2012 Olympic Games will take place in London.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair`s request to sign the Kyoto protocol for environmental protection has once again been rejected by U.S. President Bush. Still the United States are responsible for the biggest devastation.

The Live 8 concert for Africa in London, Moscow, Philadelphia, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Tokyo and other cities has been announced as the largest one of all times. Critics say, it is primarily a promotion for celebrities with only very little African involvement.

The oil price went up to $57,92 per barrel.

Democrats in Washington discuss various new evidence against the White House in conjunction with the President`s justification of Gulf War II efforts.

France & Netherlands said No to the European Constitution whilst Chiraq & Schroeder had put the blame on Tony Blair.

After the killing of 500 peaceful and unarmed demonstrators in Uzbekistan various governments and the UN have demanded to solve the conflict without any further violence. At the same time thousands are trying to escape into Kyrgyzstan.

North Korea reported a food shortage.

UK scientists have celebrated their first successful cloning of a human embryo for medical purposes.

Tony Blair has won the general UK election for a third time.

In Africa Ivory Coast & Togo are seeing outbreaks of violence against western nationalities.

The EU has criticized the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay as "inhuman and illegal".

Russian President Putin has explained to Israel, that nuclear efforts in Iran will be no threat.

The Prime Minister of Japan met President Hu at an Asia-Africa summit in Indonesia.

Ricardo Sanchez and other formerly leading U.S. Officers at Iraq have been cleared from any guilt concerning the abuse scam.

The Government of Sri Lanka is accused of keeping huge parts of donated tsunami relief funds whilst President Kumaratunga claims at her website, that not even five cents in cash have been received for the reconstruction of tsunami hit areas.

Several people were killed at a big prison riot in the Cuban capitol Havana.

The Oil price has climbed above $60 per barrel.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan demands a reform of the organization to match today`s problems more realistically.

U.S. foreign secretary Condoleezza Rice has demanded from China to force North Korea back to negotiations concerning nuclear armament.

Several British scientists have warned of another Tsunami in Southern Asia which might happen within the next few months.

In Italy President Berlusconi had announced to remove the troops from Iraq. A little later he said, they will stay.

The U.S. trade deficit is now at $58.4 billion and the oil price is now approaching $60.

UN Aid Coordinator Jan Egeland reports, that in Sudan 6 million people have been driven out of their homes. Only 10.000 African peace corps are not enough to stop the disaster of famine, massrape and killings.

At a peaceful demonstration in Istanbul many young women were beaten up badly by the Turkish Police. Now many women will also get jailed.

In the U.S. the amount of homeless people is reported to be increasing fast whilst at the same time aid funds have received big cuts.

Many Italians had attended the funeral of special agent Nicola Calipari who had done a tremendous job saving the life of journalist Giuliana Sgrena. At the same time the White House has criticized that the Italian government has bought a hostage free.

The UN, EU and U.S have demanded from Iran to accept International inspections of nuclear developments.

Russia & Iran have signed a treaty about nuclear cooperation and Vladimir Putin is convinced of the peaceful character.

Documents about Michael Jackson`s case have become available at smoking gun.

South Korea is no longer using the Dollar as the lead currency and more Asian nations are expected to follow.

George W. Bush has annoyed Russian President Vladimir Putin with complaints about the Russian way to democracy.

Despite the fresh truce a suicide blast at a club in Tel Aviv by the Islamic Djihad has killed four civilians and injured up to 40.

Syria & Iran have appointed to help each other in case of a U.S. attack. At the same time Israel has again proclaimed it`s right for a strike against Iran in conjunction with their nuclear developments.

The U.S. Air Force bribery scam at the Pentagon deals now with a volume of $3 billion and a Boeing contract was suspended whilst another 403 orders will now be examined.

North Korea has admitted the possession of nuclear weapons for mass destruction and dictator Kim Jong Il has offered Iran support in case of an American attack.

Israel & Palestine have announced truce.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il is now suspected of dealing with nuclear weapons after Libya had forwarded some material to the United States.

Israel plans to release 900 Palestinian prisoners.

Bill Clinton got appointed by the UN to supervise Tsunami relief in Asia.

Another 6,5 earthquake had caused a big panic in tsunami hit Indonesia, where people and government are expecting U.S. troops to leave as early as possible despite their huge aid and relief efforts.

U.S. President Bush has emphasized his readiness for a military strike against Iran, justified by the possession of weapons for mass destruction. In addition Condoleezza Rice gave an update on the dangerous "ax of evil countries", which now includes Cuba, Birma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, White Russia and Iran as threats to America.

Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in as the new president of Palestine whilst new terror and rejection by the Israeli government made his first days difficult. In particular the Hamas & Djihad terror groups prefer to continue with the regular exchange of violence with the Israeli military.