What Caught My Eye Today

Heat Wave - Temperatures climbed so high across much of the West on Thursday that authorities warned residents of southern Nevada, southeastern California and northwestern Arizona that outdoor activities could be dangerous except during the cooler early morning hours. Phoenix reached 115 degrees; Baker, Calif., reached 125 degrees. Even Stanley, Idaho, which at more than 6,000 feet elevation is routinely the coldest place in the lower 48 states, was seeing record highs, the National Weather Service said. The remote town in the Sawtooth Mountains reached 92 degrees Thursday, and was expected to hit 93 degrees Friday. Forgive me, but I find myself in the unusual position of quoting Paris Hilton in saying, "that's hot."

U.S. Foreign Service - Threatened abroad, U.S. diplomats have been hit with unprecedented security restrictions, confining many to fortress-like compounds and frustrating Bush administration efforts to get out and counter anti-U.S. sentiment. Lockdowns and prohibitions on travel now apply to Americans posted to embassies and consulates in at least 28 nations. More than half the nations are identified as key to curbing the spread of militant Islam. The impact on foreign policy is considerable, sweeping across four continents and many countries where the U.S. hopes to counter the spread of extremism and improve America's tarnished image. I fail to see the problem here. If Bush doesn't care that the rest of the world hates us, why should we?

Let me preface these next two items by saying, this must be a rather slow news day.

China - Officials in Chongqing are preparing to submit an application to Guinness World Records to have the free four-story public bathroom listed as the world's largest, where a recently-opened porcelain palace features an Egyptian facade, soothing music and more than 1,000 toilets spread out over 32,290 square feet. "We are spreading toilet culture. People can listen to gentle music and watch TV," said an official. "After they use the bathroom they will be very, very happy." So like this must have something to do with overcrowding. Seriously, how many of you relish the idea of doing your business next to 999 strangers?

Australia - A major condom brand said it expected thousands of applicants for a new unpaid job on offer — condom tester. Durex said 200 adult Australians — men and women — are wanted to test a range of its condoms. While the successful applicants will not be paid, each will receive a pack of Durex sex products, a chance to win 1,000 Australian dollars, plus professional prestige, the company said in a statement. How they test the condoms is not specified, but testers must provide honest feedback about how they find the products. Let me see if I have this straight. Durex has no problem advertising for condom testers, but modesty prevents them from saying how. One can only imagine the feedback they're going to get.

Tennis - Good news, bad news for the American contingent at Wimbledon. Venus Williams (23) played her way into the Women's finals against Marion Bartoli (18) of France who shocked Justine Henin (1) in 3 sets. On the men's side, Andy Roddick (3) bowed out in 5 sets against Richard Gasquet (12) of France. The semi finals pit Roger Federer (1) against Gasquet in one match up and Rafael Nadal (2) against Novak Djokovic (4) of Serbia. I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but if the seeds play out accordingly, Federer and Nadal will face each other in a Grand Slam final for the second time in a row. Sounds like the blossoming of a pretty enticing rivalry.