  Recent data gathered and triggered by the SWIFT satellite have greatly
improved our knowledge of long-duration gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and X-ray
flashes (XRFs). This is particularly the case for the X-ray data at all times,
and for UV and optical data at very early times. I show that the optical and
X-ray observations are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the
"cannonball" model of GRBs and XRFs. Elementary physics and just two mechanisms
underlie these predictions: inverse Compton scattering and synchrotron
radiation, generally dominant at early and late times, respectively. I put this
result in its proper context and dedicate the paper to those who planed, built
and operate SWIFT, a true flying jewel.
