Iran provides its assessment of the 6-way nuclear talks and luncheon held in recently in Geneva:

Iran says nuclear talks a step forward

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's president described talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear program as a step forward on Sunday, official media said, even though the meeting in Geneva failed to produce any breakthrough in the standoff.

Let’s take a closer look at that final clause: “…even though the meeting…failed to produce any breakthrough…” I suppose it never occurred to the Reuters reporter that each passing day in which that statement holds true is indeed a mark of progress for Iran.

President Ahmadinejad was also quoted in the story as saying:

"Any negotiation that takes place is a step forward".

In entertainment news, a Muslim song stylist finds vindication in the courts of a decadent Western crusader imperialist (or is that imperialist crusader?) nation:

Yusuf Islam wins damages for "veiled women" slur

LONDON (Reuters) - British folk singer Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, accepted libel damages and an apology on Friday from a news agency that reported he had refused to talk to women at an awards ceremony who were not wearing a veil.

The artist, who changed his name after becoming a Muslim in the late 1970s, will donate the "substantial" payout to Small Kindness, a U.N.-linked charity he chairs.

Adam Tudor, the singer's attorney, told London's High Court that the story behind the legal action was published by World Entertainment News Network and was used on Contactmusic.com, a website said to have 2.2 million page views a month.

[…]

Tudor said the article had embarrassed the singer, creating a false impression of his attitude to women and also casting serious aspersions on his religious faith.

Oddly, the story makes no mention of the damages a fellow artist and British subject, Salman Rushdie, received after Mr. Yusef made these statements in 1989:

"He [Rushdie] must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die."

[and]

In Islam there is a line between let's say freedom and the line which is then transgressed into immorality and irresponsibility and I think as far as this writer is concerned, unfortunately, he has been irresponsible with his freedom of speech. Salman Rushdie or indeed any writer who abuses the prophet, or indeed any prophet, under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death. It's got to be seen as a deterrent, so that other people should not commit the same mistake again.

[Special note: Salman Rushie is not a Muslim.]

No added commentary here. Simply imagine Al Gore’s dreamy dreams upon reading this story. (Should that prove too frightening, please proceed to the next item.)

Emergency Beijing Olympic pollution scheme begins

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijingers breathed easier on Sunday as traffic restrictions and factory closures came into effect in a last ditch attempt to turn the often smoggy Chinese capital into a pollution-free venue for next month's Olympics.

On a sunny but still slightly hazy day, the flow of cars was lighter than usual for a Sunday on the city's wide roads, as vehicles with odd license plates were banned from the streets for the day. Tomorrow even-numbered cars must stay in the garage.

"Its great -- today there are far fewer cars on the road and the air quality is so nice. This is good for the children," said 20-year old Wang Yanna, out for a weekend stroll with her toddler nephew near a busy intersection.

[…]

The city has warned that people who violate the rules will be caught by a high-tech surveillance network of over 10,000 "smart" devices, including cameras, ultrasonic and microwave scanners.

__________________________________________________

As you read this next entry, please do not think that “unnecessary” includes the travels of bishops living in remote countries who retired a dozen years ago, but nonetheless dash around the planet to accept awards and engage in other activities appropriate to being a crusader activist for justice and equality. I know you’ll want to, but just don’t. Got it?

Unnecessary flights killing the poor: Tutu

LONDON (Reuters) - Businessmen who take flights rather than use video conferencing are adding to global warming that is condemning millions of the world's poorest people to death, according to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

The former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town said developed countries had caused global warming and must therefore take the lead in slashing emissions of climate changing carbon gases.

"It is the countries which are the least responsible for causing climate change that are paying the heaviest price," he said in a video message to a meeting of the World Development Movement lobby group on Thursday night.

"Do not fly in the face of the poor by allowing the emissions produced by endless and unnecessary business flights to keep growing."

[…]

Tutu, a Nobel Peace laureate and tireless campaigner for global justice and equality, said scientists predicted that up to 185 million Africans would die this century as a direct result of climate change.

"Climate change is for real. As I speak, famine is increasing, flooding is increasing, as is disease and insecurity globally because of water scarcity," he said.

"As an African I urgently call on ordinary people in rich countries to act as global citizens, not as isolated consumers. We must listen to our consciences, and not to governments who speak only about economic markets.

"These markets will cease to exist if climate change is allowed to develop to climate chaos," he added.

Tutu said the developed nations must pass laws forcing them to cut their carbon emissions by at least 80 percent.

One more thing…Please do not think that no matter what the climate, 185 million Africans will most likely die over the next 100 years anyway, as will 185 million North Americans, South Americans, Europeans and Asians; such is the fate of Man and you’d imagine a bishop would know that already. Thinking that way is simply rude when confronted with a global justice and equality activist on a roll.