Fear Grips Pakistan’s Heartland as Terrorism Intensifies. How’s that for a powerful headline? We’re treated to this expose on Pakistani terrorism courtesy of new writer Tayyab Y. Malik, who does an excellent job at explaining how the Pakistani Army is dealing with new threats. He interviews several Pakistani residents on the ground, finding out how they deal with everyday fear. Great job, we look forward to more reports from Islamabad.
Salim Jiwa tracks down police to get more details on how a violent sex offender was captured in B.C. recently. It’s a thorough crime story, including info any reader would want to know about this case. This Digital Journalist has consistently tackled gritty stories, and we commend him for his journalistic prowess.
Curious how a decentralized farming network providing local food truly works? Then read Bob Ewing‘s fascinating Q&A with the founder of bk farmyards, based in Brooklyn. You’ll learn what inspires a locavore like Stacey Murphy as she recognizes the importance of reconnecting to our “foodscape.” Well done, Bob.
KJ Mullins interviews the creators behind a song on Canada’s Highway of Heroes, known to be a stretch of road carrying the caskets of fallen soldiers. This article reveals how moved people became when they heard the song, how it’s evolved to be a touching tribute. Read the article to learn more and check out the attached YouTube video to hear the tune.
Oh Robin Williams, what won’t you say? Find out in Earl Dittman‘s illuminating Q&A with the Hollywood funnyman. Williams is starring in the new flick World’s Greatest Dad but he’s not just a pitchman in this interview; he talks about his recent heart problems, his parenting skills and why he’s proud of doing stand-up.
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A selection of other notable stories include:
• Gore: Copenhagen just a first step, tougher reductions needed by Michael Krebs: Undoubtedly, one of the biggest stories is the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Michael files this story about Al Gore explaining why the conference is just the beginning and “we have already overshot the safe levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.” At least the governments are meeting to talk, right Al?
Michael also writes about the Climategate fiasco, letting us know why some Republican Congressman believe it’s the “elephant in the room.”
• Alan Grayson curses out Dick Cheney by Andrew Moran: Florida Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson has once again cussed out former vice-prez Dick Cheney, this time telling him to “STFU.” We’re thinking the acronym is a smart move, since no one wants an FCC fine. Check out the many comments footnoting this article and have your say on whether you think Grayson was out of line.
• Major Canadian record labels facing massive infringement claims by Maciej Lewandowski: How can four major music labels illegally use around 300,000 songs? That is one of the questions at the heart of an ongoing lawsuit against these big labels, filed by the estate of Chet Baker, among others. Maciej cites tech lawyer and columnist Michael Geist, who wrote the original report. ispy8 couldn’t resist commenting: “It’s about time the Music Mafia [Warner Music, Sony BMG, EMI, and Universal Music] got a taste of their own medicine.”
• Mystery light appears above Norway by Kevin Jess: Doesn’t it seem like every year there’s a weird-light-in-the-sky sighting? This one comes from Norway, featuring a blue light which “flew up from behind a mountain, stopped and began to move around in a circle creating a spiral pattern in the sky.” Thing is, this is no UFO, as the commenters noted, but instead a Russian missile test gone wrong…so they say.
• Ice Age skull of giant sloth unearthed in Southern California by Sandy Sand: You don’t where you’re going unless you know where you came from, right? It’s a mantra today’s sloths should take to heart. Now they can learn a bit more of the past thanks to an ancient sloth skull found in California, as Sandy tells us. A museum will examine the skull remains to find out how sloths lived, their evolution and their habitats.
• Two Brooklyn teachers caught ‘undressed’ in empty classroom by Oliver VanDervoort: “Two female language instructors were tossed out of their Brooklyn high school after being caught ‘undressed’ in an empty classroom.” So began a saucy story sure to be a hot discussion topic in teacher lounges and school cafeterias. Weigh on what you think about this apparent teacher misconduct in the comments section.
• 15-year-old Wisconsin Cheddar goes on sale by Sandy Sand: In a fun light story, Sandy writes on a very aged cheddar selling for $50 a pound, out of Hook’s Cheese Co. in Wisconsin. Is it us or does reading about cheese get the stomach grumbling?
• Bryant Gumbel announces he has cancer on live television by Andrew Moran: How’s this for a morning shocker — journalist Bryant Gumbel announced on Live! With Regis and Kelly he is suffering from lung cancer. Andrew explains Gumbel and his doctor are hoping that the treatment is completed and successful. We wish you luck, Bryant!
The Top Blog Post of the Week goes to Steven Zyan Kain Nickels for his blog post on the upcoming holiday season, winter, and being “unattached.” We learn a lot about this new Digital Journalist, and we recognize what a well-spoken writer he is. Important to note — the post is tongue-in-cheek, and Steven displays his wry sense of humour.
