Border barrier

A border barrier is a separation barrier that runs along an international border. Such barriers are typically constructed for border control purposes, viz. to curb illegal immigration, human trafficking and smuggling.

In cases of a disputed or unclear border, erecting a barrier can serve as a de facto unilateral consolidation of a territorial claim.

Examples include the ancient Great Wall of China, a series of walls separating China from nomadic empires to the north and the modern Mexico–United States barrier.

List of current barriers

Note: The table can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically using the icon.

Barriers by region

Africa

Botswana

In 2003, Botswana began building a 300-mile (480 km)-long electric fence along its border with Zimbabwe. The official reason for the fence is to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock. Zimbabweans argue that the height of the fence is clearly intended to keep out people. Botswana has responded that the fence is designed to keep out cattle, and to ensure that entrants have their shoes disinfected at legal border crossings. Botswana also argued that the government continues to encourage legal movement into the country. Zimbabwe was unconvinced, and the barrier remains a source of tension.

Moroccan Wall

The Moroccan Wall of Western Sahara is an approximately 2,700 km-long structure, mostly a sand wall (or "berm"), running through Western Sahara and the southeastern portion of Morocco. It separates the Moroccan-controlled areas (Southern Provinces) and the Polisario-controlled areas (Free Zone, nominally Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) that lies along its eastern and southern border.

According to maps from the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) or the UNHCR, part of the wall extends several kilometers into internationally recognized Mauritanian territory.

Physical structure

The fortifications lie in uninhabited or very sparsely inhabited territory. They consist of sand and stone walls or berms about three meters in height, with bunkers, fences and landmines throughout. The barrier minebelt that runs along the structure is thought to be the longest continuous minefield in the world. Military bases, artillery posts and airfields dot the Moroccan-controlled side of the wall at regular intervals, and radar masts and other electronic surveillance equipment scan the areas in front of it.

Adam Ruins Everything

Adam Ruins Everything is a sketch comedy/educational television show starring Adam Conover that debuted on September 29, 2015 on truTV. On January 7, 2016, it was announced that the show had been picked up for a 14 additional episodes to air starting in August 2016. The series aims to shine light on popular false impressions and trends, debunking false ideas in society.

Synopsis

Adam Ruins Everything is based on a CollegeHumor web series of the same name, and stars comedian Adam Conover (who was also the star of the CollegeHumor series) as the host. In the show, Conover debunks misconceptions with what the show calls "annoying facts", backing up his points by lecturing the audience, appearing in skits, interviewing experts, and citing references on-screen. Adam has said on a Twitch.tv stream that DVDs could potentially be released.

Episodes

External links

References

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, often abridged as Last Week Tonight, is an American late-night talk and news satire television program airing on Sundays on HBO in the United States and HBO Canada, and on Mondays (originally Tuesdays) on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom. The half-hour long show premiered on Sunday, April 27, 2014, and is hosted by comedian John Oliver. Last Week Tonight shares some similarities with Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where Oliver was previously featured as a correspondent and fill-in host, as it takes a satirical look at news, politics and current events on a weekly basis.

Oliver has said that he has full creative freedom, including free rein to criticize corporations. His initial contract with HBO was for two years with an option for extension. In February 2015, it was announced that the show has been renewed for two additional seasons of 35 episodes each. Oliver and HBO programming president Michael Lombardo have discussed extending the show from half an hour to a full hour and airing more than once a week after Oliver "gets his feet under him".