Beyond the Bubble

World News

A demonstration taking place in the southern Iraqi city of Amparah regarding unemployment was abruptly ended when Iraqi police officers and soldiers shot into the crowd, reportedly killing five and wounding six.

Although officials say that the protest had gotten out of control, witnesses say it was a peaceful demonstration until the Iraqi police entered the scene.

The conflict began, however, when shots were fired from the crowd and Iraqi police mistook themselves to be under attack. They then shot into the crowd but claimed to not have hit anyone, although witnesses contest that report. Soldiers then moved into the protest with armored vehicles and some protesters responded by throwing explosive devices at them.

Witnesses and officials continue to disagree over how many people were actually killed and wounded.

This protest is one of many that have taken place since the elimination of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003.

National News

Roman Catholic Bishop Raymond Burke took a monumental step into politics last week by announcing that lawmakers who support abortion would not be allowed to receive communion.

Burke gave his decree to diocesan priests in Milwaukee and argued his point of view with Vatican doctrine, canon law and teachings used by fellow U.S. bishops. Such a controversial move has launched a debate over the separation of church and state.

Barry Lynn, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for the Separation of Church and State said in an article from the San Jose Mercury news on Jan. 11, that it is difficult to make such an order because lawmakers have to cater to many different influences and many different people, not just the Catholic church.

For years, officials in the Catholic church have urged their followers to vote and act with their religion in mind. But Burke's is more extreme than any taken in the recent past.

Prior to officially making his decree, Burke had written many Catholic politicians, such as Democratic Congressman David Obey, warning them against supporting certain laws lest they be forbidden from taking the sacrament of Eucharist.

College News

A professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison recently made a huge scientific contribution to the process of cutting cheese.

Concerned that typical cheese processing techniques possessed a great deal of deficiencies, Xiaochun Li began researching a technique that would be more precise, cost effective and sanitary: lasers.

Lasers protect the cheese being sliced from acquiring bacteria by abandoning the blades traditionally used in the process, as well as allowing the cheese to be sliced in much thinner quantities.

After first experimenting with traditional lasers that cut through surfaces by using heat, Li decided he would need to use a laser that used shorter wavelengths after his first tests fried the cheese he was using. Li then turned to lasers that operated on ultraviolet light, a laser similar to that used for laser eye surgery.

Although Li's finding can possibly have significant impact on the cheese industry, there are a few obstacles to overcome with the new technique. Li is currently only able to slice cheese at a speed of one inch per 25 seconds. Li said he is confident, however, that he will be able to speed up the process.

Entertainment News

May 2004 will bring the end of one of televisions most popular sitcom characters - Frasier Crane. This year will mark the 20th year that Kelsey Grammer has played this role after he was introduced in "Cheers" in 1984.

Although much speculation had been made about this being the last year for the Emmy Award-winning show, the decision was only made official on Monday when NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker announced it during a television critic luncheon at the Paramount Network Television lot in Hollywood.

"Frasier" is currently ranked No. 32 after enjoying a top 10 ranking for many years.

The popular sitcom, based on the eccentric psychiatrist Frasier Crane, has set an unprecedented standard of quality over its eleven seasons - winning the Emmy for five straight years from 1994 to 1998.

-Compiled by Lance Dwyer