Beyond the Bubble
World News
As an international court discussed a pivotal issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations on Tuesday in Beit Surik, west of Jerusalem, many Palestinians protested a controversial move by the Israeli government.
The Palestinians were protesting the building of a barrier in the West Bank, which Israel claims is designed for security purposes. Many Palestinians say it is merely a strategic attempt to ward off land for a future Israeli state. The barrier blocks Palestinians from schools, farmland and jobs, reports the Kansas City Star.
The group of Palestinians showered soldiers with rocks as they responded by shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd. According to Reuters, at least 20 people were treated â€" mainly for tear gas inhalation.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat compared the barrier to the Berlin Wall.
"The aim of this wall is to prevent our people from establishing an independent Palestinian state with its capital Jerusalem, alongside the state of Israel," Arafat said in an article in the Kansas City Star.
National News
President Bush announced on Monday that he supports a constitutional ban on gay marriage.
The controversial move highlights a point of division between Bush and the John Edwards and John Kerry campaigns â€" two presidential hopefuls who say they are against gay marriage but would not support a constitutional ban.
In an article for the Peoria Journal Star, Bush said that activist judges in places such as San Francisco and Massachusetts are changing the "most fundamental institution of civilization" by allowing same-sex marriages to take place.
Kerry told the Associated Press Bush is "looking for a wedge issue to divide the American people." Some Democrats considered the move to be an attempt to cater to the interests of right-wing supporters while diverting attention from his record on health care, foreign policy and jobs.
"He should keep his hands off the Constitution of the United States of America," San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told ABC.
"I think it's a mistake. And we're going to stand on principle here in San Francisco and continue to expand decency, expand the rights and freedoms and privileges that this great city has always stood for," he said.
College News
A club on the campus of Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., has sparked controversy after developing a scholarship available only to white students.
Jason Mattera, 20, founder of the College Republicans, offered a $50 scholarship for students who fill out an application which contains the following words: "Only students who can truthfully answer yes to the following question may be considered for this award: Are you a student of non-color, Caucasian descent (white)?," as reported by The New York Times.
The application also required a 100-word essay asking the applicant to discuss why he or she is proud of being white and what it means to him or her personally. Mattera said the scholarships were meant to parody numerous scholarships exclusively available to minorities.
"If you are a white student on campus, you don't have anyone helping you, there is no one compiling a list of scholarships just for you," he said in an interview for The New York Times. "Why is it that only students of color have this?"
Entertainment News
Millions of viewers around the county tuned in Sunday to see "Sex and the City's" famous foursome enjoy their traditional gossip-filled brunch for the last time.
Early numbers show that the ratings for the final episode were more than twice its average numbers, with an estimated 12 to 13 million viewers tuning in, according to USA Today.
The show's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, said she watched the final episode like any other viewer and was pleased with what she saw. "I'm extremely happy," Parker told USA Today.
Parker also said she was happy with the conclusion of the final episode, although it was kept tightly secret until the very end.
Producers say in all, three alternate endings to the show were taped in order to conceal the conclusion of the final episode.
Executive Producer Michael Patrick King said he is hoping to write a script for a movie, but there are no definite plans as to whether or not viewers will see Parker's character hit the big screen any time soon.
Parker says she is in negotiations for several movie roles in the coming future.
â€" Compiled by Lance Dwyer