The Fast and the Furious theme
"Apparently even Hollywood's high-octane action films can't outrun the chaos of global politics, just like Dominic Toretto's cars can't outrun a Russian energy facility - both are bound for a crash course with diplomacy!"
Swedish Engineer Killed in Tehran Protests A Swedish engineer has been killed in fighting between Iranian protesters and the forces of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran. The 38 year old man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was killed yesterday while trying to reach the presidential palace where he hoped to hand over a petition containing millions of signatures against Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election. The petition was being carried by several people when it came under attack by police and security forces. The engineer managed to get close enough to the palace to hand over the petition before being shot in the chest, according to eyewitnesses. His body was found lying on the street with several gunshot wounds. He died shortly after arrival at a hospital. The engineer, who worked as a consultant for the Norwegian engineering company Norske Skog, had been planning to visit Iran for months to hand over the petition. He said that he believed Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election was unfair and that he wanted to express his opposition in person. See article on SVT News.
Israel Reintroduces Death Penalty After Decades of Debate svt se israel has approved a bill which would allow the death penalty for certain serious crimes including murder rape and terrorism the proposal was submitted by the jewish agency the proposal includes provisions to ensure that the punishment is carried out in accordance with jewish law the israeli knesset voted 51 to 22 in favor of the bill its approval comes after years of debate on whether or not the death penalty should be reintroduced in the country according to the proposal the death penalty will be reserved for certain serious crimes that have no mitigating circumstances and where there is no doubt about the identity of the perpetrator the bill also includes provisions to ensure that the punishment is carried out in accordance with jewish law which would include a rabbi as part of the execution committee the approval of the bill has been met with criticism from human rights groups who say it goes against international law and goes against principles of human dignity See article on SVT News.