Beirut Falls to Hezbollah, UN Aid Plane Impounded by Myanmar Government, Taser Parties? (and More!)

Hezbollah has taken over the western portion of Beirut the capital of Lebanon. This recent violence stems from the Western-backed (read: US-funded) government’s attempt on Monday to shut down Hezbollah’s telecoms network calling it a threat to state security.

According to eyewitnesses, the takeover occurred on Thursday at 8am with widespread Hezbollah roadblocks. Witnesses report street fighting involving machine guns, RPGs and tanks throughout the city. Civilians, apparently, have been forbidden from exiting their homes or even standing out on their balconies. Foreign nationals are desperately seeking a way out of the city.

It is feared that such violence will spiral the country back into civil war. The first Lebanese civil war occurred from 1975-90.

Meanwhile, the situation in Myanmar (Burma) continues to deteriorate. As many as 100,000 dead or missing and thousands facing homelessness and disease, yet the government remains incredibly reluctant to allow foreign aid into the country.

On Friday, the UN World Food Program suspended operations when its’ first plane was impounded by the government. Aid flights will hopefully be resumed on Saturday.

According to the US government, Myanmar will allow one aid plane to land on Monday.

Therefore, despite significant aid pledges on the part of the international community, (UK $10m, UN $10m, Japan $10m, US $3m, France $3m, Australia $2.8m), it is doubtful how much will actually be allowed into Myanmar by the military Junta.

On the US political front, it seems to be simply a matter of time before Hilary Clinton admits defeat. By securing North Carolina and nearly taken Indiana, Obama is increasingly being viewed as the apparent democratic nominee. The Washington Post’s blog The Trail’s headline today even reads “The Real Race Begins”—arguing that the news coverage should be focusing on the Obama vs. McCain contest rather than the floundering Clinton campaign.

Further evidence of the erosion of Clinton’s position as a viable contender came today as superdelegate Rep. Donald M. Payne left the Clinton camp this morning for Obama. Three other undecided superdelgates also joined Payne in declaring their solidarity with the Obama campaign.

And Now For Something Completely Different… Taser Parties!

Move aside Tupperware and Avon- Taser parties are the latest and greatest home parties. According to the BBC, such “parties” are becoming more and more common in the US. Companies are especially targeting women, marketing the taser as the perfect tool for personal protection. They even come in cute colors—leopard print, light pink, red, etc.

On a personal note, my mom has actually tried on several occasions to give me something like a taser but I’m quite uncomfortable with the idea. Check out the BBC’s story, which is pretty hard on our American desire for such protection, and then tell me what you think.

That’s the news. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday!