Ant Mega-Colony takes over the World

02Jul09

 

A single mega-colony of ants has colonised much of the world, scientists have discovered.

BBC Earth News – Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same interrelated colony, and will refuse to fight one another.

The colony may be the largest of its type ever known for any insect species, and could rival humans in the scale of its world domination.

What’s more, people are unwittingly helping the mega-colony stick together.

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) were once native to South America. But people have unintentionally introduced the ants to all continents except Antarctica.

These introduced Argentine ants are renowned for forming large colonies, and for becoming a significant pest, attacking native animals and crops.

In Europe, one vast colony of Argentine ants is thought to stretch for 6,000km (3,700 miles) along the Mediterranean coast, while another in the US, known as the ‘Californian large’, extends over 900km (560 miles) along the coast of California. A third huge colony exists on the west coast of Japan.

While ants are usually highly territorial, those living within each super-colony are tolerant of one another, even if they live tens or hundreds of kilometres apart. Each super-colony, however, was thought to be quite distinct.

But it now appears that billions of Argentine ants around the world all actually belong to one single global mega-colony.

Filed under: Aggregated, Culturel, World Affairs   |  1 Comment
Tags: Ant, Argentine ants, Linepithema humile, Mega-Colony

Al Manar embaresses Lebanon by launching anti-campaign against French-Moroccan Comedian, Gad El Maleh

01Jul09

I’ve seen absurdity, but this is by far the most harsh campaign you can launch on Lebanon. A cultural campaign hits it right at its heart. When asked how would Hezbollah’s mouth piece, Al Manar can damage and change Lebanon’s image and identity, this is precisely one mean.

To ease the pain, L’Orient-Le Jour’s cover page today titled:”Le Liban dit « ahlan wa sahlan » à Gad Elmaleh“, in reference to a reversal of decision from Gad El Maleh to come to Lebanon, where its people would welcome him with open arms.

In a news conference held at the premises of the Tourism Ministry, was attended by Tourism Minister Elie Marouni, Information Minister Tarek Mitri, Culture Minister Tammam Salam, and Interior Minister Ziad Baroud later joined the event, and of course Beiteddine’s organization head Nora Jumblatt were all there to critisize Al Manar.

The photomontage above, which includes a picture of the artist, a photo of an Israeli soldier, and an image of Lebanon under attack, is how Al Manar portrayed Gad El Maleh. The channel claimed that the photograph of the Israeli soldier, which “does bear something of a resemblance“, was that of the artist at hand, leading viewers to believe that the Moroccan-born French citizen at some point served in the IDF. The photograph, along with several others, had been originally published on a pro-Israel website some 12 years ago. FRANCE 24 contacted the website, which explained that as an organisation which supports ASBI-Keren soldiers, the photographs, each accompanied by a comment from a celebrity, were sold in order to raise funds for social work projects. The picture in question however, was certainly not that of Gad El Maleh. Out of courtoisie, Gad has stated he would like to cancel his three shows due to security reasons.

Catastrophic for Lebanon’s image

I’m absolutely furious. It’s through intellectual terrorism that Hezbollah has managed to get their way. They’ve taken the Lebanese people hostage, because people outside the country associate all of us with Hezbollah’s ideas. [French publication] ‘Le Nouvel Observateur‘ published a post entitled ‘In Gad Elmaleh, Lebanon sees an Israeli soldier’. There’s the proof. This story is catastrophic for Lebanon’s image. – Reina Sarkis is a Lebanese psychoanalyst and researcher living in France.

By over-politicising Lebanon, there’s no space for hindsight or self-criticism. You cannot ban the right to laugh.

I’ve already counted myself in and signed up to the movement on Facebook titled ‘NON Au Terrorism Intellectuel! OUI a Gad ElMaleh Au Liban‘.

The Inner Circle is even looking into forming a symbolic protest in front of Al-Manar once we get the get to go from Ministry of Interior. Follow us on Twitter.

Filed under: Activism, Culturel, Francophonie   |  5 Comments
Tags: Al Manar, Beiteddine, Elie Marouni, Gad, Gad El Maleh, Nora Jumblatt, Tammam Salam, Tarek Mitri, Ziad Baroud

Israel lobbies Russia Not to Sell Advanced Weaponry to Iran & Syria

29Jun09

From the lack of local blogs mentioning this, I’d like to share some not well circulated news concerning the Middle East with this circle.

Recently news have been pouring concerning the Middle East pointing to a big change in policy for Israel and it’s increasingly uncomfortable position, what no one expected was,  secret talks with Russia. Not known for being the best of friends.

Before any war, the battle starts with the arms trade. It all started with the war with Georgia. Russia had a major lack in air superiority and is known to all, that Russia has been reduced to a mere regional power from the good ol’ days of the USSR. While realizing this disadvantage, Israel took the chance to sell Russia a spy plane (UAVs) for a ‘mere’ $50 Million in which Russia will carefully study it to build on a version of its own. The US gave the go ahead for Israel to seal the deal a few days ago.

The Benefit ?
Russia would for its part block sales of sophisticated surface-to-air missiles (S300) badly needed by Iran (in the event of a one-hit job by Israel) and eight MiG31 to Syria. Russia openly turned its back on its Arab and Muslim long-time allies in order to focus on the Caucus and Central Asia.

An unexpected smart move by Israel none the less.

Filed under: Analysis, Middle East   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Iran, Israel, Russia, Syria

President Sleimane hands Saad el-Hariri the challenge of forming a new Government

27Jun09

The implications of forming a new Goverment may prove to be a little challenging. Our new Prime Minister, son of slain Rafic el Hariri has took the challenge of his father as the next Prime Minister of Lebanon. The world, and certainly Lebanese know very well, young Sheikh Saad has big shoes to fill. Saad el-Hariri got 86 votes out of 128, while House Speaker got 90 votes. I’ll keep you posted with the formulas that have been circulating. The 30 ministry portfolios would be divided as follows:

15 Majoritaire + 10 Opposition + 5 Président
or
16 Majoritaire + 10 Opposition + 4 Président
or
14 Majoritaire + 9 Opposition + 7 Président

Among the 15-Christian Ministrial portfolios, Michel Aoun has indicated that it would be reasonable to grab 9 of the seats as they ought to be assigned relative to his blocks portion in parliament, leaving the Christians in the Majority with 6 portoflios, something the Majority hasen’t shot down as an idea, yet.

Filed under: Strictly Lebanese   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Hariri, Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister

Obama’s concern on regime change in Iran would reduce pressure on Israel

23Jun09

The Obama administration is opposed to regime change in Iran. President Obama believes in the concept of moderate Islamism; hence, his support for Turkey’s crypto-Islamist government and his undermining of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in an attempt to curry favor with the Muslim Brotherhood. 

An overthrow of Iran’s Islamist system would complicate matters for Obama, who has effectively endorsed a whole host of Islamist lies and myths. 

Chief among the complications: a secular, democratic government in Iran would no longer threaten Israel and no longer arm and finance Hamas and Hezbollah, thus reducing pressure on Israel to withdraw to indefensible borders and agree to the creation of a Hamas-ruled Palestinian state in the disputed West Bank territories and East Jerusalem.

Filed under: Middle East   |  1 Comment
Tags: Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Obama, US Foreign Policy

Sayyed Nasrallah tells President Obama: “I’m not falling for it”

19Jun09

Surely, you must be following the current climate concerning a potential new U.S. foreign policy for the Middle East.

June 6, 2009 – President Barack Obama prepares to depart for his first trip to the Arab world, the administration’s escalating pressure on Israel to freeze all growth of its settlements on Palestinian land

June 16, 2009 - Netanyahu fails to acknowlege expansion of settlements, envisions a Palestinian state with No Army, Israel controls Palestinian Airspace, Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel, No rights of return for Palestinians, Palestine must recognize Israel as a Jewish State.

June 17, 2009 – Obama praises ‘positive movement’ and a ’step forward’ in Netanyahu speech

June 19, 2009 -  Sayyed Nasrallah replies.

Filed under: Middle East   |  1 Comment
Tags: Israel, Nasrallah, Natanyahu, Netanyahu, Obama, Palestine, US Foreign Policy

2009 JOB FAIR

18Jun09

In partnership with LebanonExpats.org, HireLebanese.com is holding it’s 2009 JOB FAIR this October in Beyrouth, Lebanon.

Oct 16 & 17, 2009 
UNESCO – Beyrouth, Lebanon

If you are a Job Seeker or an Employer interested in hiring Lebanese please visit www.hirelebanese.com for more information about the upcoming Job Fair.

Filed under: Strictly Lebanese   |  1 Comment
Tags: 2009 JOB FAIR, Hire Lebanese