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Divergent paths for West Bank brothers

Grubbanax — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:00 +0000

Off a nameless alley in the Balata refugee camp, a poster of Ahmed Sanakreh clutching his assault rifle dominates his parents’ living room wall.

Ahmed’s decision to take up arms came naturally. The teenager idolized his big brother, Ala. The two were inseparable, and when Ala joined the intifada, or Palestinian uprising, Ahmed followed.

But last year, as Palestinian leaders began moving to renew peace talks with Israel, the brothers parted ways. Ala gave up his gun. Ahmed kept fighting.

The young men’s divergent paths sketch more than a family drama. They illustrate the achievements and limitations of a campaign by the Palestinian leadership to tame the West Bank’s most unruly city, the first testing ground of its ability to govern a would-be independent state.

7 of History’s Most Terrifying Sports Riots

Grubbanax — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:12:15 +0000

Spectator sports have a singular capacity to bring together disparate groups of people towards the common goal of cheering for a favorite team. However, this noble aim is occasionally forgotten by forty-thousand people collectively thinking, “Hey, I bet I could pick up this stadium chair and throw it at that guy! That’ll teach him to support my team’s rival.” In the spirit of that mindset, here are a few riots you might have missed while watching the Pistons-Pacers Malice at the Palace on YouTube.

Live the luxury life of 'Sex and the City' characters for $US24,000

Grubbanax — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:38:13 +0000

Carrie Bradshaw wannabes are in luck. For $US24,000 (A$26,260) a New York travel company is offering Sex and the City fans the chance to live the life of characters in the television series, splurging on luxury shoes and handbags, being pampered at...

China seeks India Tibet backing

Grubbanax — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:49:17 +0000

A senior Chinese official has urged India to “understand and support” China’s policy towards Tibet, following recent unrest there.

State Councillor Dai Bingguo comments came in a telephone call to Indian National Security Adviser MK Narayanan.

Beijing said Mr Narayanan had reiterated that the government in Delhi viewed Tibet as part of China.

Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959.

India is also home to more than 150,000 Tibetan exiles.

Tibet’s government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces since anti-China riots began two weeks ago.

Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters.