MONROVIA, 23 November 2009 (IRIN) - In the Liberian capital Monrovia acute malnutrition is due not only to poverty and inadequate health and sanitation services but also to factors such as high teenage pregnancy and the war’s damage to the social fabric, say nutritionists, who call the condition “a social problem”.

One can read this article here.

By Paul Rincon, Science reporter, BBC News

Engineers operating the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have smashed together proton beams in the machine for the very first time.

The step was described as a "great achievement" for those working on the huge physics experiment.

One can read this article here.

Denver Fox affiliate, KDVR, reported November 20 that a recently erected billboard makes a comparison between President Obama and a terrorist and attempts to publicize the "birther" cause by demanding proof of Obama's eligibility to be President.

The story says, "The billboard, located at 4855 Miller Road, shows two cartoonish images of Obama wearing a Muslim turban and reads 'PRESIDENT or JIHAD?' It also says 'BIRTH CERTIFICATE - PROVE IT!' alluding to the conspiracy theory which claims Barack Obama was born in Kenya rather than Hawaii, which would disqualify him for the office of President. The words 'WAKE UP AMERICA! REMEMBER FT. HOOD!' appear on the bottom of the billboard."

Don't these folks have something better to do? Personally, I think throwing Fort Hood in there really is pretty moronic.

Phil West, owner of a local car dealership and the person responsible for the billboard, is quoted as saying, "Since Fort Hood, I've had it. You can't suggest things. You can't profile. You gotta call a spade a spade."

Well, here's to calling an idiot an idiot. You're an idiot Mr. West.

West goes on to say, "Everything I have read about Mr. Obama points right to the fact that he is a Muslim. And that is the agenda of what Muslim is all about. It's about anti-American, it's about anti-Christianity." 

Now that's just plain ignorant. 

http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-obama-billboard-112009,0,2612065.story

The Times (UK) reported November 23 that Israel may be close to securing the release of a soldier held since June 2006 by the terrorist group Hamas. The story says,

"Israel and the Palestinians are close to reaching agreement on a prisoner swap that could mean freedom for an Israeli soldier held for more than three years in exchange for the release of nearly a thousand Palestinian militants. Gilad Schalit, the young Israeli corporal captured by Hamas in a cross-border raid in June 2006, could be freed as early as Friday, when Palestinians observe Eid al-Adha — a traditional period for amnesties."

Nearly a thousand Palestinian militants? Oh well, I suspect Israel will be able to round up at least some of them again shortly after their release. At least I hope that would be the plan.

"Among those expected to be released by Israel is Marwan Barghouti, a leading candidate to succeed the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, who has threatened to step down over a lack of progress in the peace process. Barghouti, the leader of the Fatah young guard, is serving multiple life sentences for murder and attacks on Israelis during the last intifada. Seen as a more militant leader, Barghouti is one of the few figures who may be able to bridge the bitter divide between Hamas and Fatah. He has been in an Israeli jail since 2002. Despite his popular backing among the Palestinians, he is a pragmatic figure who is viewed by many Israelis as a potential successor to President Abbas, since he has the credibility to forge a peace deal."

And in a sign of the distrust between the sides: "The exchange, facilitated by Egypt with aid from German negotiators, would probably be in two stages. In the first, Galid Schalit, now 23 and promoted during his detention to the rank of sergeant, would be handed over to the Egyptians in return for the first tranche of prisoner releases. In the second stage, he would be transferred to Israel, resulting in further releases of Palestinian prisoners."

I still am suspect of this potential deal. Hamas has used Galid as a bargaining chip before, only to have something prevent his release at the last minute.

"This is not the first time that both sides have geared up for an exchange, only to see hopes shattered at the last minute. However, reports were given credence yesterday by Hamas’s confirmation of a unilateral moratorium on rocket-firing into Israel. One Israeli newspaper said that some Palestinian prisoners had written to their families saying they would soon see them again. A prisoner exchange would provide a huge boost for Hamas, isolated and under blockade in the Gaza Strip for more than two years. Unlike Fatah, which has negotiated with Israel, yet won no serious benefits, Hamas has continued to urge armed resistance."

Armed resistance. Is that the politically correct term for terrorism? I'm sorry, but "armed resistance" does not include firing rockets at civilian towns or sending suicide bombers into movie theaters, buses, and restaurants.  

"Sergeant Schalit’s release would come as an enormous relief to the Israeli authorities. His captivity has tortured a military that prides itself on never leaving a man behind, dead or alive, and struck at the heart of every family in a nation where military service is compulsory. There are, though, some who fear that the price being paid is too high — especially some of the families of victims of violence perpetrated by those now slated to go free."

Do you think Hamas would be willing to make such a swap if the situation was reversed? I doubt it. They don't place the same value on life that the Israelis do.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6928316.ece