5 May 2008
'UN SUSPENDS FOOD AID TO GAZA
'The UN is to again suspend distribution of food aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip because of fuel shortages, the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) has said.
'The announcement was made several hours after Israel closed two major crossing points into the territory after they came under mortar fire.
'UNRWA stopped distributing food aid in Gaza two weeks ago [see April 2008 diary under 24 April 08] for several days after its vehicles ran out of fuel.
'Israel has blockaded Gaza since Hamas took power in the territory last year.'
(BBC Ceefax, p.118)
12 May 08
'The US is prepared to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah, US President George W Bush said in an interview with the BBC. ...
'He made the remarks ahead of a trip to the Middle East later this week. ...'
(BBC Ceefax)
This comes after Hezbollah's recent temporary takeover of west Beirut.
13 May 08
At the trial of eight UK men accused of plotting to blow up transatlantic airliners in flight, the jury was shown video of tests of the men's proposed homemade "explosive": hydrogen peroxide, the soft drink "Tang", and a couple of other ingredients. The first 30 attempts to produce an explosion failed (I believe it so far), but on increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (an oxidiser) further, an explosion was obtained.
A new "Osama bin Laden" audio and/or video on the occasion of (well, a bit on the late side for) the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the modern Israeli state. "Osama" calls for holy war, etc.
21 May 08
The price of crude oil has passed $130 a barrel.