Slovenia, Poster Child for the New Europe
By Seth Stevenson, Slate
It's easy to bask in the glory of ten new countries joining the grand European Union this month, thereby tearing down the symbolic walls that marred the latter half of the 20th century. But a look below the surface reveals problem children that are 'xenophobic, protectionist, and on the verge of economic decline.' Yep, that's Slovenia, the poster child for the new Europe. -- Jacob Wheeler
http://slate.msn.com/id/2099689/

Return of the Original Invaders
By Chris Kohler, Wired News
In 1978 Space Invaders captured the attention of millions of spellbound video gamers, who saved their skins by shooting upward at never-ending drones of digital aliens. Just when you thought the world was safe, they're back, this time as Space Raiders -- to mark the Japanese video game company Taito's silver anniversary. In Space Raiders you can choose between three gun-toting characters: 'teenage street punk Justin, beautiful TV reporter Ashley or vengeful cop Naji' to save the world -- Jacob Wheeler
http://wired.com/news/games/0,2101,63283,00.html

Private Contractors in Iraqi Prison Scandal
By Christopher Allbritton, Back To Iraq
Ever wonder who broke the story about American soldiers abusing and torturing Iraqi prisoners? A former reporter for the Associated Press and New York Daily News, Christopher Allbritton funded his trip to Iraq out of his own pocket and with donations. The latest from his weblog Back to Iraq: 'Private contractors were supervising interrogations in the infamous Abu Ghraib prison ... One civilian contractor was accused of raping a young male prisoner but has not been charged because military law has no jurisdiction over him.' -- Jacob Wheeler
http://www.back-to-iraq.com/archives/000755.php