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. . . many are treating these claims with some suspicion - let's hope they've good cause to. I can't help thinking the longer this goes on (it's over a month now) the worse it reflects on the Palestinian government. They have a chance to prove that the rule of law can apply in Gaza. They need to grab it. The petition for Alan's release has .

German Army Training Vid
The German army is coming under fire for getting recruits to imagine they are targetting African-Americans from the in a training exercise. New Yorkers, especially Bronxers, aren't too happy. The German Defence Ministry is investigating. Here's the vid in original . Tell us what you think.

Nigeria
have been killed as the country goes to the polls. Is there hope for Nigeria? Are you confident the election results will be sound?

A Blow for Abstinence
The White House's plans for preventing STDs and teen pregnancies have come under criticism for lack of . Here's the report in , it's very complicated but out of the 2,057 youths, half remained abstinent in both the group receiving education and the ones that did not, (the control group). This raises the question though: just what is the best way to combat STDs and teen pregnancies?

The Wolf at the Door
Paul Wolfowitz is hanging on in his job at the World Bank. The Ö÷²¥´óÐã Have Your Say site has a on whether we still need this institution. We'll be watching developments today but is the World Bank and its sister org the IMf a force for good or just a way of letting African leaders fill their coffers?

Turkish President
Turkey's Prime Minister is rumoured to be running for the Presidency. Some folks are horrified because Erdogan, a strict Muslim, might be thinking about repealing that's country's separation of state and religion. The outgoing President, Sezer, has reportedly said: "For the first time, the pillars of the secular republic are being openly questioned." I find Turkey an interesting country - it's going through the secular versus religious state debate that most other nations are going through but it also wants to be part of the EU. Here's a nice if you've time. If you're in Turkey or you're from there: let us know what you think.

Holocaust remembrance day
Two hours ago people all over Israel stood silent as they remember the dead of the . What does the day mean to you and are more importantly, are you really satisfied such horrors could never happen again?

Kate and Wills
It led all the British papers this weekend. Prince William has split from his girlfriend Kate Middleton. Apparently his Grandmother, Queen Liz, told him she "didn't want another Diana." Do us scumbags in the media make it impossible for celebs to have any kind of stable relationship?

Chinglish
As China gears up for the Olympics in 500 days they country is waging war on . . .. Yes, the horrendously bad signs exhorting people to "eat mixed elbow with garlic mud" and the like are being targeted. What's the bet they'll be up on eBay commanding big money within a few weeks?

Malawi Madge
Madonna is back in Malawi ostensibly to review her charity but will she be returning to London with another wee nipper to add to her family? We got a massive response to Madonna's decision to adopt baby David last time so we'll have to keep an eye on this one . . .