Calling -setNeedsDisplay:YES from within -drawRect?

This would be incredibly inefficient, even if it worked.

Well, usually there is some delegate method that is called, when a download of something finishes. You should implement that method and call setNeedsDisplay:YES there.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.