breaking the fense

"Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into northern Egypt on Wednesday after Hamas militants blew up parts of the fence dividing Egypt from the Gaza Strip, forcing an end to the closing of Gaza that had followed Hamas’s takeover of the territory last summer. ..."

"Palestinians Topple Gaza Wall and Cross to Egypt"

by Steven Erlanger

in: The New York Times

Peace deal to end war

"The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and armed groups in the country signed a deal Wednesday to end years of fighting in the country's east, according to Peter Kessler, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). ..."

"5M dead as Congo peace deal signed"

in: CNN

food for 2 million people not yet there

"... A surge of truck hijackings threatens to cut off food rations for more than 2 million people in Darfur ..."
"Darfur hijackings hit food distribution"

by Associated Press

in CNN.com

Fraud in Paris

"...The French bank Société Générale said Thursday that it had uncovered "an exceptional fraud" by a trader that would cost it €4.9 billion, or about $7.1 billion, and that it would seek new capital of about $8 billion. ..."
"$7.1 Billion Fraud Uncovered at Société Générale"
by David Jolly
in The New York Times

2007 TU24 asteroid

"An asteroid at least 500-feet-long (152-meters-long) will make a rare close pass by Earth next week—but there is no chance of an impact, scientists reported Thursday.
The object—known as 2007 TU24—is expected to whiz by Earth on Tuesday with its closest approach at 334,000 miles ..."

"Asteroid to Whiz by Earth Next Week"

by Alicia Chang

in National Geographic

"Deep Transe Behavior in Potatoland" by Richard Foreman

"...Richard Foreman, a man whose slogan, spelled out in a ravishing new show called “Deep Trance Behavior in Potatoland,” gets right to the point: “Go to other places.” And, boy, does he make sure that you do.

Richard Foreman is celebrating his 40th anniversary this year as the creative force that is the Ontological-Hysteric Theater, one of the most enduringly fertile bastions of the New York avant-garde. ..."
"No Map Needed for Reality-Altering Trip"

by Ben Brantley

in The New York Times

Katty Grannan's California

"When it's up close and personal, photography can really get under your skin. In these separate but related bodies of work, Katy Grannan employs California's paradisiacal sunlight and a gritty empathy to illuminate life at society's margins. ..."

"The Grand Delusion"
by R. C. Baker
in: The village voice

Civilian nuclear programmes between France and Arabian countries

"French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a Gulf tour, during which he is due to sign a nuclear co-operation deal with the United Arab Emirates. (...) Mr Sarkozy has said the Arab world should have the same rights to such programmes as other states. ..."

"Sarkozy to sign UAE nuclear deal"

in: BBCnews

Iran as Bush focus

"President Bush on Sunday urged wary Persian Gulf allies to rally against Iran “before it is too late,” even as the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that the country had agreed, yet again, to answer outstanding questions about its nuclear programs within four weeks."
"Bush Urges Unity Against Iran" Published: January 14, 2008

by Steven Lee Myers
in: The New York Times

"President Bush chastised Iran on Tuesday for committing a “provocative act” by confronting United States Navy warships in the Persian Gulf over the weekend. ..."
"Bush Castigates Iran, Calling Naval Confrontation ‘Provocative Act’" Published: January 9, 2008
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Thom Shanker
in: The New York Times

"IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, accompanied by Mr. Olli Heinonen, Deputy Director General for Safeguards and Mr. Vilmos Cserveny, Director for External Relations and Policy Coordination, visited Teheran from 11 to 12 January 2008. ... "
"IAEA Chief Concludes Visit to IranStaff Report" Published: January 13, 2008
in: IAEA.org

Gender equality in Norway

"From 1 January 2008 it became compulsory for Norwegian companies to appoint a substantial number of women to their management boards, but is government intervention on gender issues the best way to create real change in the corporate world?
Norway now leads the globe in gender equality at board level ..."

"Smashing the glass ceiling"

By Stephanie Holmes

in: BBC News

Press conference for Benazir Bhutto's son

"Benazir Bhutto's son has finally held his own press conference. How Pakistan's heir apparent handled the media, fake Facebook pages and fears about his future. ..."

"Flying Solo"

by Rod Nordland

in: Newsweek

Baitullah Mehsud the name that many are accusing

"Baitullah Mehsud is being blamed for most of the suicide bombings in Pakistan, including Benazir Bhutto's assassination. The rise of a militant leader. ..."

"Al Qaeda’s Newest Triggerman"
by Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau
in: Newsweek