Odds and ends

Some links people have sent me, via email or the comments:

Israel National News (Arutz Sheva) has quoted this blog as a straight news source, and linked back to me. (Even so, they slightly mis-characterize a clan clash as if it was a Hamas activity.) Hey; it's better than being ripped off!

Juan Cole wrote on his blog the interesting "fact" that "despite being Shiite fundamentalists, Hizbullah has consistently supported a strong, united Lebanon and is among the foremost purely Lebanese nationalist forces in the country." Sure - as long as they are in charge. (h/t Dan)

The German Foreign Minister traveled to Saudi Arabia without his boyfriend. Since Saudi Arabia has a death penalty for homosexuality, this might have been a good move. (h/t Silke)

Sky News reports that researchers in Israel have invented an "electronic nose" that can sniff the existence of cancer from people's breath. In fact, the lead researcher is an Israeli Arab. (h/t Jacob)

There is evidence that Turkey used chemical weapons against the PKK Kurdish group. No word on whether there will be a UN inquiry on this war crime, or whether the story will even last a week. (h/t Jacob)