Here is the Thursday May 8, 2008 edition of interesting reads from around the world.

A Joint Israeli-Palestinian State?
The Los Angeles Times explores the possibilities and highlights some of the voices on both sides who think that may the solution.

Biofuels & Beef in Brazil
Germany’s Der Spiegel reports on the visit of Germany’s Minister for Environment Sigmar Gabriel to Brazil. Brazil plans to massively expand the production of biofuels but environmental campaigners worry about the effect this will have on the rainforest. Germany’s environment minister, who recently visited the country, thinks demand for cheap meat presents an even great danger.

Slovakia Joins the Eurozone
Slovakia today won EU approval to adopt the euro on Jan. 1 2009, thus becoming the 16th member of the European single currency zone. You might be surprised to learn the third largest company in Slovakia is the gay porn enterprise of Bel Ami. Now all those budding young porn hunks won’t have to worry their little heads about currency conversions. Bel Ami’s presence in Bratislava is one reason the city is considered one of the top five gay destinations in Europe. More on Slovakia’s Eurozone bid from Fistfulofeuros. And here is a gay guide to Bratislava.

Violence in Zimbabwe Escalates
What was once confusing is now increasingly clear. Robert Mugagbe intends to bully his opponents and retain the Presidency. His game now is the waiting game, postpone, defer and above all intimidate. Here is the latest news from Washington Post and the IOL South Africa.

Changing One’s Religion in Malaysia
Well if you are Muslim in Malaysia, you are not allowed to switch your faith. All Islamic countries have similar laws. However the case of a women orginally a Buddhist but converted to Islam but now wants to revert back to Buddhism has garned some international attention on freedom of expression in the Islamic world. Singapore’s Straits Times has the story.

Is Barack Obama Another Adlai Stevenson?
Historian Jean Baker, a professor of history at Goucher College, is the author of many books including, The Stevensons: A Biography of an American Family compares the two Senators from Illinois in this article in the History News Network.