An #Outsiders Newsflash (5/29/2015) : Sepp Blatter Wins

Sepp Blatter has just won re-election for another 4 Year Term as President of FIFA.   This is as Prince Ali of Jordan withdrew after the first round where he received 73 votes.    It was quite a testament to the unease being felt throughout the World of Football.   

In his acceptance speech, Blatter committed to a transformation.  The question is whether he's able to deliver especially as the US Justice Department is continuing its' investigations and has noted that this is just the beginning.

Notations On Our World: Briefly on Israel

Israel's new Government has taken office.     It is the most rightwing Government that has presided over Israel ever.   The Prime Minister has had to play quite a balancing act to satisfy elements within his own party and the allies currently in the Government.

In the meantime, missiles have been fired from Gaza and Israel attacked training camps in Gaza.  There is mounting frustruation in Gaza over the pace of reconstruction as the Defense Minister noted that if quiet does not persist, Gaza will pay a heavy price as Israel was subjected to a Palestinian move to have Israel banned due to the West Bank bus plan--subsequently shelved by the Prime Minister.     

Hamas, though, has its ' own profound challenges as underscored by this tough report by Amnesty International: 

Amnesty: Hamas tortured, killed Gaza civilians during war with Israel http://t.co/44Pnr0205g pic.twitter.com/Am9jq73nac

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) May 27, 2015

Israel's challenges continue to mount on a multitde of fronts.     It has to plan for a post-Assad Syria--it is not a question of if, but when.   The perceptive editorial in +Haaretz הארץ  earlier this week underscores how Israel is being truly led to the edge of the abyss.   It was interesting to note how some analysts are still holding out hope that somehow Herzog, the Opposition Leader, will join the Government as Foreign Minister especially in lieu of the looming threats. Time will tell....  

An #Outsider Newsflash (II) (5/27/2015) : On the Queen's Speech in the #UK

The United Kingdom new session of Parliament has started with the pomp and circumstance that goes back hundreds of years.     The speech, though, is quite extensive and  +The Guardian has provided some interesting analysis on it which is available by clicking here.  There was interesting comments as it was a throwback to the 80's.

Some of the highlights are noted below (Courtesy of the Guardian):