5. Official: Ukraine sold nuclear-capable missiles to Iran, China
"A senior lawmaker yesterday called for Ukraine's prosecutor-general to investigate alleged sales of nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China in violation of international nonproliferation treaties. ... In his letter to [President Viktor] Yushchenko, [Hrihory] Omelchenko said an investigation launched last summer 'proved that some 20 air-launched Kh-55 and Kh-55M cruise missiles with nuclear capability were exported to third countries' in
violation of international treaties." [editor's note: the Kh55 is an air-to-surface missile with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers and the ability to deliver a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead - TLK] (02/03/05)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002168929_ukraine03.html
---------------------
I have frequently described to friends a fascinating scenerio where bio-engineering will enable us to create plants that grow into useful objects while still living. Imaging planting a living habitat, a small bulbous tree that regulates its internal temperature and climate while you live inside it. And interesting small step in that direction follows:
23. Chinese man grows his own chairs
----------
A Chinese man has patented his technique for growing his own wooden chairs. Mr Wu, from Liaoning City, Shengyang province, moulds branches into shape while the tree is still growing. He uses elm trees which are pliant and do not break easily, reports the China
Morning Business View. Mr Wu, who's in his 60s, says it takes him about five years to grow a tree chair, from saplings to the finished article."
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1268332.html
----------------------
On the differences between Iraq and Vietnam
9. The quagmire on Slothnor
National Review
by Jonah Goldberg
"The year is 2456. The human colonies on Mars have been invaded by giant, laser-visioned tree sloths bent on crushing humanity and forcing the survivors to work as slaves in the massive dung mines of the planet Slothnor. In a last-ditch effort to save our species from
extinction, the brave humans launch a counterattack on the Sloths' home world. Le New York Times (headquartered in Paris since 2018) blares in a bold holo-headline 'Disturbing Echoes of Vietnam Conjured by Earth Aggression.' O.K., I'm kidding. It would probably take a few
weeks before the Times actually invoked Vietnam." (02/02/05)
http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200502021105.asp
