What Caught My Eye Today

Editor's Note: Nope, you didn't miss anything. Just took a few weeks off and left the computer at home.

World Bank - I'm almost sorry that I was gone when Wolfowitz got the heave-ho. So here's the latest on this deal. Robert Zoellick, a nimble negotiator who has crisscrossed the globe as President Bush's trade chief and as the country's No. 2 diplomat, is the White House's choice to be the next World Bank president. He is expected to succeed Paul Wolfowitz, who is stepping down June 30 after findings by a special bank panel that he broke bank rules when he arranged a hefty compensation package in 2005 for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza, a bank employee. Bush's selection of Zoellick must be approved by the World Bank's 24-member board. Is it just me or is there some sort of prerequisite for having a funky last name to get this gig?

Iran - I didn't see this one coming. In its first public talks with the United States in nearly 30 years, Iran proposed a three-party group to address violence in Iraq. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said the United States would consider the plan for an Iraqi-American-Iranian body, to be called the "trilateral security mechanism." The Iranian Ambassador said Iran was ready to create "a new military and security structure" in Iraq by training soldiers and police. Iraq's Foreign Minister said that he didn't expect miracles from the meeting, but it was an important step because it began talks between the parties that play the major roles in Iraq. "Iran is a player, whether we like it or not," he said. Well for what its worth, it sounds like the Iraqi Foreign Minister read the Iraq Study Group Report.

That said, while some things change, some tragically stay the same. Here's three examples.

Iraq - Compounding the fresh evidence of chaos in Iraq, the U.S. military announced that a total of 10 American soldiers were killed in roadside bombings and a helicopter crash on Memorial Day, making May — at 113 fatalities — the third deadliest month of the war. Across the country Tuesday, police and morgue officials contacted by The Associated Press reported a total of at least 120 people killed or found dead.

Al-Qaida - An American member of al-Qaida warned President Bush to end U.S. involvement in all Muslim lands or face an attack worse than the Sept. 11 suicide assault, according to a new videotape. "Your failure to heed our demands ... means that you and your people will ... experience things which will make you forget all about the horrors of September 11th, Afghanistan and Iraq and Virginia Tech..."

Here are some of those demands...All Americans must convert to Islam, Bush must remove all U.S. military and spies from Islamic countries, all Muslims must be freed from U.S. prisons and the U.S> must end support for Israel.

I see that first one having a better chance than any of the others.

Tennis - The second grand slam of the year, the French Open, is under way. As the first round draws to a close, the American contingent is performing as expected. On the men's side of the draw, 8 of the 9 Americans in the draw lost. This includes notables such as James Blake and Andy Roddick. The sole survivor, Robby Ginepri... his first round match is tomorrow. The women haven't gotten quite as far yet, but are doing alot better than the guys. 5 of 9 Americans have played their first round matches, with 3 advancing (including both Williams' sisters).

Speaking of sports...

Basketball - The Conference Finals are underway. The West is all but won with San Antonio leading 3-1 over Utah. In the East, Cleveland is attempting to make it a series against Detroit by winning Game 3, bring that series to 2-1 in Detroit's favor. They better speed things up a bit. Pre-season starts in a couple of months. Seriously, look it up if you don't believe me.

Hockey - Assuming you can find any of the games on your cable TV listings, the Stanley Cup finals started on Monday with Anaheim beating Ottawa 3-2.

Baseball - Storylines that have caught my eye...

Milwaukee Brewers: Lost 12 of 15 games and still lead their division by 5 games
NY Yankees: Tied with Tampa Bay for last place in the AL East, 7 games under .500 and 13.5 games behind division leading Boston.
Barry Bonds: Was on a tear with 11 homeruns by May 8, then followed that up with a 19 game drought before he hit #746 on May 27.

Yachting - Lest you thought I forgot (wishful thinking) here's the latest on the America's Cup. They may have to call it something else this year. The U.S. entry, BMW Oracle Racing, got hammered by Italian entry, Luna Rossa Challenge, 5-1 in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semifinals. The finals begin on June 1 with a match up between the Italians and New Zealand entry, Emirates Team New Zealand. The winner will challenge Swiss entry, Alinghi for the America's Cup starting June 23.