Newsnight

First up, we welcome Roberto the Italian back to Mainz. After completing his degree in Italy he has now returned to rub it in for those who have yet to complete theirs :)

No doubt everyone has become aware of the comradeship going on between the Italian and German members of the European Parliament. Well, the latest shot was fired by the Germans, and is detailed here.

A new way to stop that unstoppable menace that is SPAM, or unsolicitated emails, has been found by the Internet Research Task Force. It has to be read.

Now for the serious stuff:
Bad news for Bangladesh, as a ferry carrying over 750 people sank, with about 400 currently missing.
Good news for a man from Arkansas who awoke after a lengthy 19-year coma. Apparently, he is now trying to catch up on what has happened.

As it becomes apparent that various mis-truths (not going to be sued here, thank you very much) were fed to the public as regards the reasons for war in Iraq, Tony Blair stands defiant (alone) that the proof will materialise as quickly as you can say "rehash me a ten-year-old thesis and pretend it's from a reliable source".
Also, that tear-jerking story of the female US soldier shot and stabbed in Iraq, and then heroically rescued (Saving Private Ryan, anyone?) by the american military turns out to be as far from the truth as The White House is from finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

A couple of IT bites now; consumers up to their eyebrows (for want of a more explicit expression) with paying too much to the music industry monoloths, are getting together and organising a revolt. Join in the fun.
Information about a replacment for the humble barcode has been released (inadvertantly) showing that it is yet another method to control the population. Read about this new invasion of privacy here.

That about it for now, tomorrow is the summer party of the nuclear physics institute, and seeing as we're in Germany, the beer starts flowing from 11am !!!
Friday also sees Carlitos, Lobelto, Makek (el croata), Alberto, Pepe, Eme, Pau, David, Bruno, Natalia, Consuelo, Mirian, Helene (la francesa), Ana, Maria, Pili, Tere and Susi head off to Berlin for the much-acclaimed Love Parade.

Can't wait for the photos :)