Today, camels in Australia. When Australia was first settled, a lot of Afghan immigrants brought their camels, and these were released into the wild when it became apprent that cars and trucks were cheaper and more efficient. There are 800,000 wild camels now roaming the deserts of Australia, which is more wild camels than what you'll find in the Middle East. They are causing some havoc to some local plants species, and there is talk about a cull: other people have played up the benefits of camel milk which is low fat but high protein. Australia also exports camel meat and live animals to the Middle East. If I can get hold of some camel cheese next time I go home, I'll let you know what it tastes like.
A survey of Israeli immigrants living in settlements on the West Bank indicates that up to two-thirds of them would move if told to do so by the Israeli government. Reasons for living there include religion (the West Bank is the heart of biblical Israel), cheap prices, and wide open spaces. The survey was carried out by the Israeli left wing Peace Now organisation, and has been attacked as unmethodological and unscientific by the right wing settlers organisation. The fact that settlers might be inclined to move is an important factor in the establishment of any Palestinian state.
China is very mad about two reports published by two US committees, which indicate that China is a strategic threat (a no-brainer if you ask me - the reaosn why, in a moment). Chinese officials are not pleased with the new line being taken by the Bush administration, which is quite different from the Clinton administration's rapproachment policy. They overlook that the first Congreesional committee is bipartisan, and in fact led by a Democrat. One of the key concerns which comes out of the report is China's increasing ability to launch a strike on Taiwan. I personally see three things which indicates a likelihood of Chinese adventurism in the future: first, the purchase of a Ukrainian air craft carier by a Macau company to be used as a casino, of all things. The carrier is a rusting hulk, but would provide a blueprint of how to build such things. Currently China only has a littoral navy, which prevents it from sending troops across the Taiwan Strait. There have been some clear indications that the carrier will not in fact be used as a casino (eg. who is paying for the two expensive tugboats which are hauling it to China?), something which the Japanese recognised some time ago, and exerted pressure on the Turkish government not to let the hulk go through the Bosporus. Second, China has an increasing male popualtion - extremely disproportionate in some areas, and studies have suggested that this might led them to militarism. Third, the old guard don't look that willing to move out, and that bothers me - Jiang Zemin was a key player in the Tiannamen Square massacre.
Finally, a US study has shot holes in the French paradox. People have been wondering for abut a deacde how the French eat some much fat and yet have an extremely low number of heart related diseases amongst its population. the theory was that there were anti-oxydents in red wine which reduce cholestrol. The next theory was that in fact it was the money, not the wine - affluent French people can afford to go to the doctor more often. The latest study indicates that people who drink wine tend to have better eating and exercise habits, compared to those who drink beer, spirits, or nothing. This study was held in the States, though, and it would be interesting to see if it converts across to pate-swilling croissant-munching France.
