Lebanon plans to charge Israel with violating a food copyright by marketing provisions such as hummus and falafel as Israeli, Fadi Abboud, the president of the Lebanese Industrialists Association announced Monday. Abboud contends that these foods are historically Lebanese, and that Israel's appropriation of them has cost the Levantine country profits "estimated at tens of millions of dollars annually."
-Foreign Policy

Condoleezza Rice, who's making another tour of Israel, has this to enjoy while traipsing through Jerusalem: "Israeli TV announcers coined her name as a verb, meaning to go endlessly around in circles, accomplishing nothing." At least … it's not Santorum?

Some Jews are upset the New York Times-owned classical radio station WQXR refused a 60-second paid commentary placement about "bombings carried out against Israel by the militant Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas." Counters the radio station: The ad doesn't make clear the missiles it's talking about aren't being aimed at any part of the station's listening area. [ Apr 8, 2008 · posted by david · Link · Respond

In a stunning confession, Bar Refaeli admits she'd rather be a world-renowned model, overpaying for an apartment in the West Village and sleeping with a famous Hollywood movie star than a fallen soldier lying, bleeding to death, in the trenches.

LEONARDO DiCaprio's Israeli model girl friend, Bar Refaeli, dodged her country's mandatory military service - and couldn't be prouder. "I don't regret not having been drafted . . .because I made out big," she told an Israeli paper. "Why is it good to die for one's country? Isn't it better to live in New York?"

Of course it is! Because, as everyone knows, enlistment in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forcee) is mandatory for both sexes. But, as every Israeli citizen knows, the combat roles are completely voluntary for women.

But yeah, faced with the prospect of army fatigues, same-sex barracks and kitchen duty, we can sort of see how you'd look at couture gowns, Leo DiCaprio and fully catered black-tie galas as total "lifesavers."

After 114 days spent as a kidnapping victim – taken from his car at gunpoint by the group Army of Islam – BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston was released with what's being billed as help from Hamas. The New York Times was quick to note (read: second paragraph) the semi-bald Johnston's appearance: "his hair grown out over his ears."

• Apparently, not everyone is digging that "Israelis are Whores" campaign.

• For some reason, Britney Spears is threatening to sue over a couple of innocent billboards that call her "'a total nut job' and 'certifiable.'"

• However, Brit seemingly has no problem repeatedly flashing her nipples at the camera, downing martinis "like water" or earning the reputation of "one hot mess" who needs to "stay home with her kids."

• Gays protest Isaiah Washington's firing. And by "gays" we mean "one angry lesbian who 'just wants whatever will make Dr. Yang happy.'"

• Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has to be the only rock-star left who doesn't view a trip to rehab as a merit badge.

CONTINUED »

As Lebanon and Israel duke it out to see who's God has the bigger dick, the Wall Street Journal chimes in with this completely unexpected piece of news:

Bloggers from Lebanon and Israel — some on the scene, others around the world — are providing live updates of their experiences, commenting on each other's writing and sometimes linking to blogs across the border.

Linking?! Across the border? Don't they know how dangerous a href is?

Movable Type: The new face of diplomacy. Maybe they should offer a plugin for that.

In the Midst of War, Bloggers Are Talking Across the Front Line [Sarah Ellison. WSJ]

It's the most exciting thing on Fox News since Bill O'Reilly picked a fight with Keith Olbermann, during a live Fox & Friends broadcast correspondent David Lee Miller and his crew in Gaza take fire. Back in New York, the talking heads review what happened:

Brian Kilmeade: Clearly he's shooting at the press too. He's wearking a flack jacket that says "Press" right on it.

Steve Doocy: Yeah, but if you're somebody and you're long ways away and you just see something and you don't know who it is sometimes you just start shooting.

Brian Kilmeade: Really?

Steve Doocy: Yeah.

(via FBNY)