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Militants kill two, kidnap 22 Pakistani soldiers
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
10:54 2 11:37 GolfBravoUSMC [1]
10:53 14 19:41 Mike Kozlowski [1]
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Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 10:54 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Birthday Gam Shot

Sienna Miller [Filmography](age 31)



Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 12/28/2012 11:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Birthday Gam Shot 12/27

Eva LaRue [Filmography](age 46)


Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 12/28/2012 11:37 Comments || Top||


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Chicago reaches 500 homicides with fatal shooting
gun control works....
Chicago has logged its 500th homicide of 2012.

The last time the city reached the 500-homicide mark was in 2008, when the year ended with 512 killings. Last year, city records show Chicago had 435 homicides.

On Thursday, officials with the Chicago Police Department said the city was one homicide away from the 500 mark. Hours later, a 40-year-old man was fatally shot in the Austin neighborhood on the city's West Side. Police say Nathaniel Jackson was found on the sidewalk outside a convenience store with a gunshot wound to the head late Thursday.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office says Jackson was pronounced dead at County Stroger Hospital early Friday. Jackson's death remains under investigation. No arrests have been made.
Posted by: Beavis || 12/28/2012 10:53 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  People can hurt each other with kitchen knives and darts or live in peace with pistoles, its not what is on-hand it is the culture, and culture is the sum of x daily decisions, and its almost like the leaders are unable or unwilling to solve problems. But hey, its easy to be brave inside of a castle.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 11:08 Comments || Top||

#2  I've been out a few days so I don't know if this has been posted on the 'Burg yet. Thought you might find it interesting...hope I got the width right.



Posted by: Abu Uluque || 12/28/2012 12:01 Comments || Top||

#3  Asperger's syndrome at near epidemic levels.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 12:08 Comments || Top||

#4  Of those 500, how many were children?
...then again, being a member of a Democratic special interest group and dying in ones and twos at a time, in one of the most gun restrictive towns and states, doesn't grant the machine more power, so you're expendable in the great scheme of things.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad || 12/28/2012 12:28 Comments || Top||

#5  so you're expendable in the great scheme of things. Posted by P2Kontheroad

...and 500 dead in one large city appears to be an acceptable loss.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 12:31 Comments || Top||

#6  Not to worry, Rahm's kids go to a school that has an armed guard at the door...
Posted by: Steve White || 12/28/2012 12:43 Comments || Top||

#7  The "elite" have always had their Praetorians.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 12:50 Comments || Top||

#8  While doing away with the hastati, we have Chicago, who gives the whirlance of tipping over within 24 hours. Perhaps der liberalgrafters could get the photo they want, chinooks evacuating VIPs from soldier field.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 13:19 Comments || Top||

#9  In other news, Santa Claus was shot and killed from stray gunfire over the skies of Chicago on Christmas Eve. An unidentified number of sacks were lost and pawn shops are to be on the lookout for Large Red Bags.
Posted by: Charles || 12/28/2012 13:28 Comments || Top||

#10  This Harvard study should be required reading for anyone who wished to enter the "gun control" debate.
Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 14:13 Comments || Top||

#11  Ban Chicago.
Posted by: Iblis || 12/28/2012 15:41 Comments || Top||

#12  That's NOTHIN'!

Sometime in the early 90's, Dallas was pushing toward 1,000 murders, and it is considerably smaller than Chicago.

That was just the City of Dallas, not the whole DFW Metroplex.
Posted by: Bobby || 12/28/2012 17:04 Comments || Top||

#13  Yeah, but those bastards had it coming Bobby, see how peaceful it's gotten?

:)
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 17:09 Comments || Top||

#14  P2K -

IIRC, nearly 75 gunshot victims in Chicago this year have been under 18.

Of course, this entire report is fraudulent. Guns are outlawed in Chicago, so there cannot possibly have been any firearms killings.

/sarcOFF

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 12/28/2012 19:41 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
I ran so I could have 'men with guns' around my daughters - Breitbart
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 08:06 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How terribly amusing of him.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/28/2012 11:54 Comments || Top||

#2  No comment yet from the Sandy Hook Elementary School PTA.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 11:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Yeah. I get it. Ha ha.

Ever notice when his eminence plays human and tells a joke...they really are not that funny. Bowls like a retard, ha ha from a sixteen year old boy who snuck a wine cooler. Dork I think was the right word from the teen years vocabulary.

And for someone who plays at golf so much, he still has very skinny fingers; being left handed his left pointer should have some golfer's hand by now, and the wrist should show some evidence of muscle buildup in the scaphoid area.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 13:10 Comments || Top||

#4  Because it's the Government's job to protect people. Not his problem.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 12/28/2012 15:03 Comments || Top||

#5  The appendages of the Na'vi are different from us swksvolFF. The think differently as well.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 16:01 Comments || Top||

#6  he no more swings his own golf clubs as he does load his own bong hits...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/28/2012 16:50 Comments || Top||

#7  Tin ear, just like Hilary and unlike the vast majority of Democratic professional pols. (say what you will).

Carter of course was another exception, ear of stone.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 17:13 Comments || Top||

#8  They aren't serious about sealing the border, aren't serious about keeping illegal guns out of the hands of dedicated criminals, BUT-T-T they also don't want ordinary Amers to have Guns i.e. THE NECESSARY SELF-PROTECTIONS THE GOVT. EITHER CAN'T OR WON'T PROVIDE BECAUSE THE POLITICOS ARE TOO BUSY DIVERTING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS + RAISING DEFICIT SPENDING TO INCREASINGLY NEW HEIGHTS WHILE SIMUL PROCLAIMING THEY ARE TRYING TO REDUCE IT.

The sooner the US goes over the "fiscal cliff", or China attacks Japan + publicly humiliates the USA = Washington Govt/Waffle-critters the better.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 19:02 Comments || Top||

#9  In fairness, the interview was taped before Newtown.

I'm not sure if ABC is to blame, or, considering that the White House seems to have final vetting, someone on Obama's staff is.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/28/2012 19:19 Comments || Top||

#10  Before or after doesn't matter, Pappy. It's not funny period, coming from a yutz who wants the rest of us totally unarmed, teenage daughters and boyfriends or not. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara || 12/28/2012 20:28 Comments || Top||


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Today's Other Idiot
Vermont police have cited a Massachusetts man for DUI after he allegedly drove onto the front lawn of the birthplace of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in Vermont on Christmas Eve.

State troopers said Donald Blood III, 55, of Marlboro, Mass., thought the front yard of The Wilson House in Dover, Vt., was a parking lot, the Rutland Herald reported.

Blood was ordered to appear in court in Bennington, Vt., on Jan. 14.

The Wilson House, built in 1852, is the birthplace of Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA who died in 1971.

The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is described on its website as a "place of sanctuary where people can come to give thanks to God for their new lives."

It also hosts several AA meetings each week.
Posted by: Beavis || 12/28/2012 07:18 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Head Of Pakistan Taliban: We Will Negotiate, But Not Disarm
The head of Pakistain's Taliban said his militia is willing to negotiate with the government but not disarm, a message delivered in a video given to Rooters on Friday.

"We believe in dialogue but it should not be frivolous," Hakimullah Mehsud said. "Asking us to lay down arms is a joke."

In the video, Mehsud sits cradling a rifle next to his deputy, Wali ur-Rehman. Military officials say there has been a split between the two men but Mehsud said that was propaganda.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/28/2012 06:36 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: TTP

#1  Whoa whoa whoa...
I think the only solution here is to send Mrs. Feinstein solo in person to politely explain what is what.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 13:23 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Man Shot Dead As Police Clash With Shi'ites In Saudi Arabia
Something about a thirty kilometer wide strip of Saudi coastline, as I recall, where all the oil is...Not that it will matter for much longer. After that fun will be had by some.
Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in their national face...
n police rubbed out a Shi'ite protester in the country's oil-producing east late on Thursday, local activists said on Friday, bringing the corpse count from festivities in the restive area to 12 this year.

They said police had opened fire on protesters demonstrating about the detention of people from the Qatif district, killing 18-year-old Ali al-Marar and injuring six others.

The authorities confirmed in a statement that a man had died but contradicted the activists' account, saying a security patrol had come under fire and shot back in self defense.

The front man for the Eastern Province police said the routine patrol was attempting to intercept rioters who had blocked a road with burning tires when it came under fire from several sources, including the man they rubbed out. Police said he had a handgun.

Activists said security forces in two sports-utility vehicles had shot "indiscriminately" at the demonstrators in central Qatif and fired at people on rooftops.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/28/2012 06:36 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Subsaharan
Nigerian Army Destroys Bomb Factory, Kills 5 Gunmen
The Nigerian army said soldiers killed five "suspected terrorists" and destroyed a bombmaking factory on Thursday in the northern city of Kaduna where the Islamist sect Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
is active.

Kaduna, in the mainly Moslem north, has been the target of several attacks by Boko Haram since the group's low-level insurgency intensified over two years ago. Boko Haram has killed hundreds this year in a campaign to impose Islamic sharia law in northern Nigeria. The sect is the biggest threat to stability in Africa's biggest oil exporter.

"On the approach to the factory, some suspected hard boyz opened fire and also threw already primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at the troops," Kaduna Army front man Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement.

"The exchange of fire that ensued resulted in the death of five terrorists, while two that sustained various degrees of injuries are being treated."
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/28/2012 06:16 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram


Home Front: Politix
P.J. O'Rourke: Dear Mr. President, Zero-Sum Doesn't Add Up
Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 04:10 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Totalitarian regimes are more often than not, deeply rooted in fairness and equality. This one is no exception.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 4:30 Comments || Top||

#2  "In this zero-sum universe there is only so much happiness. The idea is that if we wipe the smile off the faces of people with prosperous businesses and successful careers, that will make the rest of us grin.

Mr. President, your entire campaign platform was redistribution. Take from the rich and give to the . . . Well, actually, you didn't mention the poor. What you talked and talked about was the middle class, something most well-off Americans consider themselves to be members of. So your plan is to take from the more rich and the more or less rich and give to the less rich, more or less. It is as if Robin Hood stole treasure from the Sheriff of Nottingham and bestowed it on the Deputy Sheriff."


This sums up the economic IQ of Obama supporters. Add to this the influence of NPR-listening pseudointellectuals in the social sphere and a little union thuggishness for muschles and you have the coalition that is now ruling the U.S.
Posted by: no mo uro || 12/28/2012 5:53 Comments || Top||

#3  On a similar theme of laughing at the morons of the left
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 7:13 Comments || Top||

#4  #1 Totalitarian regimes are more often than not, deeply rooted in fairness and equality. This one is no exception.

Throw in social justice, redistribution of income, control of the economy, destruction of education, and confiscation of firearms, and the little statist utopia nightmare is just about complete.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/28/2012 9:45 Comments || Top||

#5  One might throw religion into the list also.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/28/2012 9:46 Comments || Top||

#6  We may soon see how much of a "statist nightmare" they've brought us John. The market is off again for the 4th straight day. "The Hammmer" said last evening that this was "all part of the Obama plan". I believe him!
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 10:00 Comments || Top||

#7  Assuming it is the job of the president to solve problems.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:37 Comments || Top||

#8  Besoeker
The Stock "market" is a travesty of a market thanks to Bernanke and QE.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 10:37 Comments || Top||

#9  The deeper + worse the Anarchy, Chaos, + even Revolution, etc. the better for OWG NAU + ultimately the OWG.

"Justified" Socialism, Globalism, + inter/multi-State Dependencies, FOR COMMON OR SIMPLE SURVIVAL.

Thus, of course, as per FREEREPUBLIC the Bammer decided to give VPOTUS Biden + Fed workers a PAY RAISE - A SIGN OF ECONOMIC MORASS, TRAVAIL, + QUAGMIRE IFF THERE EVER WAS ONE!

The Fed got theirs - so where's the mighty $$$ rebate for the Mainstream???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 22:16 Comments || Top||

#10  E.G. WORLD NEWS > [Japan Times] TIME FOR JAPAN TOLET GO OF THE STATUS QUO, US LEADERSHIP EXPERT COUNSELS.

Dean Williams, Leadership lecturer + Public Policy Director of Harvard University's JFK School of Govt.

ARTIC > WILLIAMS = As "LEADERS", POLITICIANS NEED TO [Re-]LEARN TO DISAPPOINT PEOPLE, INTEAD OF TRYING TO CONSTANTLY PLEASE THEM, i.e. that its impossible to give them everything they want all the time.

As I like to say, "SMART" POLITICS IS NOT NECESSARILY OR ALWAYS "GOOD/PROPER" LEADERSHIP - UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN BE DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS TO ALL PARTIES.

So now we have the "fiscal cliff" where the only real GOP-DEM Plan is to increase the PorkZilla Spending the got us to the "fiscal cliff" in the first place, where Aunt Nancy - surprise, surprise - says to give the Bammer "UNLIMITED DEBT/SPENDING AUTHORITY".

Good for the OWG NAU + Trans + OWG + "post-US" wannabe Rising China, but not for mainstream Amerika.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 22:48 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Turkey Will Pay a High Price After Assad
Summary : by throwing its lot completely with Syria's Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey will sustain costs whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stays or goes.

Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 03:32 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Should Europe Classify Hezbollah As a Terrorist Group?
Yes. Tea?
Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 03:21 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  But then the EU couldn't give them money. Hezbollah would un-friend(sp?) them. They wouldn't be able to go to the Israel hating parties together anymore.

How would their friends be split between them?

This would just be too socially uncomfortable.

It's just best to leave this as is. Really.
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 12/28/2012 9:49 Comments || Top||

#2  Only a lawyer could make those words a question.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 12:08 Comments || Top||

#3  Or an Arab.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/28/2012 19:15 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
US intelligence report exposes Pak as supporter of terrorism
Pakistan and Iran might continue to use terrorist groups to mount attacks on other countries out of a strong sense of insecurity in the next 18 years, says a new report by the US intelligence community.

Every half-decade, the National Intelligence Council's "Global Trends" series produces analysis considered to be the best long-range geopolitical forecasting conducted by the US government. The 140-page "Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds" report has a chapter titled "Future of Terrorism" which calls Pakistan what it is -- a state supporter of terrorism.

"States such as Pakistan and Iran feel threatened by what they perceive as stronger, threatening powers in their regions or globally. Therefore, they seek asymmetric options to assert power and deter attack; using terrorist groups as proxies and pursuing nuclear weapons are two such asymmetric tools," says the report.

US intelligence experts are now echoing what India has always maintained. Pakistan trains Islamic terrorists to launch attacks on India as part of its claim on Kashmir. Anti-India jihadist groups were deliberately created and nurtured as a policy to achieve short-term Pakistani tactical objectives. These Islamic terrorist groups were not thrown up because of Pakistani government weakness, but as a matter of policy.
Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 03:09 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Totalitarian regimes generally like to have an external enemy/threat or two, just to keep domestic attention focused on something other than their miserable lot of the common man. Also enables the regime to maintain a substantial military (or a multitude of Federal, military-like, police agencies) which are a key control element of any totalitarian regime.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:25 Comments || Top||

#2  You mean the territory which actively harbored bin dover? I am shocked, shocked to find terrorism going on in this establishment.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:49 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm sure that the investigations, data analysis and documents compilation for this report only cost us taxpayers $7.98 or thereabouts.

We probably could have come to the same basic conclusion for a lot less by reading the derivative data and using some common sense, but therein lies the rub.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 12/28/2012 13:18 Comments || Top||

#4  In other news, the Santa Claus was shot and killed from stray gunfire over the skies of Chicago on Christmas Eve.
Posted by: Charles || 12/28/2012 13:22 Comments || Top||

#5  whoops, wrong thread for previous comment. Santa could have easily been killed over Pakiland and nobody would bat an eye in DC. It's common sense that Pakistan supports terrorism. It's just acting "innocent" to avoid getting nuked by everyone with a ICBM.
Posted by: Charles || 12/28/2012 13:25 Comments || Top||

#6  And in other shocking conclusions in the same report, water is wet, and on sunny days, the sky is blue.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 12/28/2012 13:50 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
South Africa's Jacob Zuma in dog ownership row
The South African government has sought to clarify remarks by President Jacob Zuma that angered dog lovers.

Mr Zuma was quoted as saying at a rally on Wednesday that having pet dogs was part of white - not African - culture.

But presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mr Zuma was simply warning against loving animals more than humans beings. He said Mr Zuma's main message was the need to "decolonise the African mind" in South Africa, where white-minority rule ended in 1994.

South Africa's Mercury newspaper reports that Mr Zuma told thousands of supporters at a rally in KwaZulu-Natal province that people who spent money on buying a dog, taking it to the vet and for walks belonged to white culture.

There was also a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt the lifestyles of other race groups, Mr Zuma said.

"Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white," Mr Zuma was quoted as saying.
Posted by: tipper || 12/28/2012 01:16 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Geen hond - geen kos" (no dogs - no food) I always say. I thought everyone knew that. It is important to note that a "majority" (over 90%) of South Africans voted for Shower Head.

(Zuma's nik after he declared that he "took a shower to avoid contracting HIV" following an illicit encounter).

Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:01 Comments || Top||

#2  That great "African mind" is what got you colonized in the first place.

Just another racist pounding his chest in support of the idea that we are NOT individuals but tribal members.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/28/2012 7:54 Comments || Top||

#3  Same Louis Farrakhan "Blue eyed devil" rant, just retro-packaging.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 8:00 Comments || Top||

#4  Angered dog lovers? Where does one begin with how wrong the whole deal is? And sorry charlie, I'll take a good dog over a human stranger eight days a week, paws down.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:44 Comments || Top||

#5  What is it with some people and dogs?
Posted by: Dopey Sinatra9196 || 12/28/2012 15:50 Comments || Top||

#6  Release the Hounds!
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 17:10 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Gazan Throws Pipe Bomb At IDF Troops, Hits Wrong Country
Paleostinians threw a pipe bomb at IDF soldiers near Rachel's Tomb. The bomb fell in Paleostinian territory and did not cause injuries or damage. Dozens of Paleostinians simultaneously hurled stones in the direction of the tomb.
O brave, brave Lions of Islam! Such a jihad y'all are waging!
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/28/2012 00:10 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Rachel's Tomb eh? That wouldn't be St. Pancake Rachel Corrie would it?
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/28/2012 18:14 Comments || Top||

#2  He throws like a girl.
Posted by: Knuckles Hupavise7383 || 12/28/2012 20:31 Comments || Top||

#3  Don't insult girls by comparing us to this yutz, Knuckles.

Bet if I wanted to throw a pipe bomb at him, I'd hit him.
Posted by: Barbara || 12/28/2012 21:04 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Four Afghan Policemen Killed with 'Insider' Help
[An Nahar] Four Afghan coppers were killed and two maimed on Thursday in an bad boy attack assisted by an insider loyal to the Taliban, officials said.

Attackers stormed the police post at Trin Kot, a remote district in the southern province of Uruzgan, before dawn and killed the officers as they slept, police front man Farid Ahmad Aiel told Agence La Belle France Presse.

One policeman who fled with the cut-throats was believed to be a Taliban infiltrator who aided the attack, Aiel said.

"He had links with the Taliban and he helped the Taliban to attack the post. He had called them to attack while the other coppers were sleeping," the front man said.

Abdullah Hemat, a front man for the Uruzgan provincial administration, confirmed the incident and also blamed a Taliban infiltrator. One gunman was maimed during fighting and later jugged
Book 'im, Mahmoud!
, he added.

"Insider" attacks by members of the police and army have become a major concern for the U.S.-led NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis....
force deployed in Afghanistan.

The attacks have seen a dramatic surge this year, causing scores of casualties among international troops and among local security forces.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Taliban


Africa Subsaharan
France says will not intervene in C Africa's conflict
[Pak Daily Times] President Francois Hollande
...the Socialist president of La Belle France, and a fine job he's doing of it...
said on Thursday that French troops would not interfere in the internal affairs of its former colony the Central African Republic, where rebels have seized a large chunk of territory in recent weeks.

"If we are present, it is not to protect a regime, it is to protect our nationals and our interests, and in no way to intervene in the internal affairs of a country, in this case Central Africa," he said. "Those days are gone."

His comments came a day after hundreds of protestors demonstrated in front of the French embassy in Bangui, angry over what they say is Gay Paree's inaction in the face of the rebel advance.

La Belle France has around 250 soldiers based at Bangui airport providing technical support to a peacekeeping mission run by the central African bloc ECCAS, according to the defence ministry in Gay Paree.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Taliban's offer of conditional truce unacceptable: Malik
[Pak Daily Times] Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Pak politician, Interior Minister under the Gilani government. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men. He had to give up the interior ministry job because he held dual Brit citizenship.
has said that the Taliban's offer of conditional truce is unacceptable, saying that Taliban groups cannot dictate the state. "Taliban leader Ismatullah Muavia through his offer of conditional truce, has tried to dictate the government which is totally unacceptable," he said while talking to newsmen at the Sukkar Air port Thursday. "Muavia is a by-product of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ...
and Lal Masjid. I had challenged Hakimullah Mehsud that if he acknowledges Ehsanullah Ehsan as his front man then as to why he himself does not come to open," he held. "I dismiss every claim of Ehsanullah Ehsan unless Hakimullah Mehsud authenticates his claim of being his representative," he declared. Malik said enemies want to derail the democratic system in the country, but their nefarious designs will be foiled with unity. "The faceless myrmidons who have tried to destabilise Pakistain are working on the bidding of someone else and they will soon come to open. In this context we have asked President Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai
... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtun face on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use...
to hand over Moulvi Fazlullah and Pirul Haq to us," the minister said. "No foreign hand is behind the terrorist activities taking place within the country, but our Pak brothers are involved therein," he remarked.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Political activist among three killed in city violence
[Pak Daily Times] Three people, including a political worker belonging to the Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
Muzafati Organising Committee (KMOC) of Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM), were killed in separate acts of violence here on Thursday.

A KMOC member was killed and two others were maimed in an armed attack at Khadim Hussain Solangi Goth situated in Ahsanabad within the precincts of Sohrab Goth cop shoppe.

According to police, two unidentified armed pillion riders opened targeted fire at a teashop, resultantly, three people, including a 30-year-old Sabghatullah son of Bilal, the committee member, 29-year-old Ali Hassan Magsi, son of Allah Dino, Incharge and 26-year-old Abdul Hameed, son of Mauj Ali, received bullet wounds. They were rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) for treatment, where Sabghatullah succumbed
to his injuries.

The police said that the victim and injured were residing in the same area where incident happened. They said that ongoing killing of political workers could be the motive behind the incident. However,
it was a brave man who first ate an oyster...
further investigation was underway.

Separately, a man was killed at sector 16, Orangi Town within the limits of Pakistain Bazaar cop shoppe.

A police official said that Salamat Ullah, 34, son of Nizamat Ullah, was killed by unidentified armed riders near his house. The body was brought to ASH for his appointment with Doctor Quincy. The dear departed was the father of three children and a labourer.

Meanwhile,
...back at the scene of the crime, Lieutenant Queeg had an idea: there was a simple way to tell whether Manetti had been the triggerman -- just look at his shoes!...
a man was killed near his house in Landhi Sector 1 near fire brigade office within the limits of Landhi cop shoppe.

An official said Altaf Hussain, 31, son of Abdul Jaleel, was returning home after closing his chicken shop. As he reached near his house, two armed riders shot him dead and escaped. The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for his appointment with Doctor Quincy.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:


Arabia
Yemen Police Officer's Body Found Mutilated
[An Nahar] Yemeni police have found the mutilated body of an officer kidnapped last month in the eastern province of Hadramawt, a security official said on Thursday, pointing to al-Qaeda faceless myrmidons as suspects.

"The security forces found the body of Lieutenant Colonel Al-Numeiri Abdo al-Oudi," who was the deputy police chief in Al-Qotn village, the official said.

Oudi's body had "received several shots in the chest while his ears were cut off and his eyes gouged out".

The official said al-Qaeda Death Eaters, who are active in southern and eastern Yemen, could have been behind the killing as "no other party can be barbaric to such a degree".

Unidentified gunnies kidnapped the police commander on November 29 as he made his way to the mosque in Al-Qotn for dawn prayers, said the same source.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Arabia


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran Grounds Domestic Flights During Call to Prayer
[An Nahar] Iran has ordered domestic airlines to take off half an hour after pre-dawn Mohammedan prayers, the website of country's civil aviation organization quoted its chief as saying on Wednesday.

"According to a directive we issued to the domestic airlines, from now on the airlines will be authorized to take off at least 30 minutes after the morning Azan (the pre-dawn call to prayer)," civil aviation chief Hamid Reza Pahlevani said.

He said the decision was taken "so that passengers can fulfill their religious duty of prayer."

Iran has practiced Islamic sharia law since its 1979 Islamic revolution. Iranian carriers do not serve alcoholic beverages nor non-halal food on either domestic or international flights.

On long-haul flights, in-cabin monitors also show the direction of Mecca, to which Mohammedans turn at prayer.

Pahlevani also reiterated the requirement that all flight crew and ground personnel observe the Islamic dress code.

On Iranian airlines, all air hostesses wear a headscarf and long coat, and air stewards do not wear ties as they are deemed a symbol of Western culture.

All women in Iran beyond the age of puberty, regardless of their nationality or religion, are required to cover their hair and much of the body. Those who do not abide by the dress code risk arrest.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  What about my carpet?
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 16:43 Comments || Top||


Iran President Sacks Cabinet's Sole Woman
[An Nahar] Iran's diminutive President Mahmoud Short Round Ahmadinejad has sacked Health Minister Marizeh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in his cabinet, state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
reported on Thursday.

The minister had proposed price hikes for a number of medicines due to the plunge of the Iranian rial against the U.S. dollar and Western sanctions imposed on the country over its disputed nuclear program.

But Ahmadinejad was opposed to the price rises and dismissed the minister.

Although the sanctions do not directly target medicines, they limit their importation because of restrictions on financial transactions.

Iran produces 97 percent of the drugs on its market, but their ingredients are imported.

In October, an Iranian official acknowledged the price of locally produced medicines had increased by 15-20 percent in the past three months, and 20-80 percent for imported products.

Fatemeh Hashemi, head of the Foundation for Special Diseases, sent a letter to U.N. chief the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan...
in August asking him to make a case to the West for easing sanctions that are detrimental to patients.

Tehran is under different rounds of sanctions designed by the United States, European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
and the U.N. Security Council to pressure it to curb its nuclear program.

Western powers suspect Iran is using the program to develop atomic weapons capability. The Islamic republic denies that and says its nuclear activities are purely peaceful.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Assad Inner Circle Takes Hard Line in Syria Conflict
[An Nahar] The Syrian vice president's criticism of leader Bashir al-Assad has highlighted the cracks in the regime's highest ranks, pitting supporters of compromise against the president's hardline inner circle.

Assad's closest aides believe the regime should keep fighting and that they can still win a war against rebels which has left more than 44,000 dead in almost two years.

"Power has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of just a few people in Assad's clan, which has grown autistic and seems to have chosen to just keep going," Gay Paree-based expert Karim Bitar told AFP.

Assad's circle includes his brother Maher, 44, who heads the army's elite Fourth Division and his wife Asma, an analyst told AFP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

The group also includes Assad's notorious businessmen uncle Mohammed Makhluf, 80, cousin Rami Makhluf, 43, and Damascus
...The place where Pencilneck hangs his brass hat...
security chief, Hazem Makhluf, 41.

Like Assad, all are members of the minority Alawite community, except his wife, who is a Sunni Moslem.

Presidential affairs minister since 2009, Mansur Azzam, 52, and former al-Jazeera journalist Luna al-Shibl are also close to Assad. Both are members of the Druze community.

Alawite Hussam Sukkar, a security advisor to the president, is also key, as are two Sunni veterans: National Security director Ali Mamluk and Political Security chief Rostom Ghazali.

"This is the group that takes the decisions," the analyst said. "Bashar, who runs the show, only listens to people who owe him, for the most part, for their rise."

But several high-level officials, members of the state apparatus and part of the army command, understand -- like Vice President Faruq al-Sharaa -- "that neither the rebels nor the army can secure an all-out victory," said Bitar.

"As such, they are hoping for a negotiated solution, which would prevent them all being swept away should Assad fall,."

In an interview published in a pro-Damascus Lebanese daily, Sharaa, who for 22 years served as foreign minister, said he favors a negotiated solution to the conflict, rather than the president's strategy of crushing the revolt militarily.

Assad "does not hide his desire to press on militarily until the final victory (and he believes that) after this, political dialogue will actually still be possible," Sharaa told Beirut-based al-Akhbar.

Experts say that out of those who share Sharaa's views, two women stand out.

One of them is Buthaina Shaaban, a 59-year-old Alawite who was close to Assad's father Hafez, and worked as his translator before becoming minister of expatriate affairs. In 2008, Shaaban became Bashir al-Assad's advisor.

The other is Najah al-Attar, a 79-year-old Sunni, who was minister of culture from 1976 to 2000, and was then appointed vice president along with Sharaa in 2006.

"It seems this group has been totally excluded from decision-making, because they think the war should end with no winner or loser," said a former minister who took a distance from the regime when the revolt broke out in March 2011.

Assad's clique, the minister added on condition of anonymity, "treats them like cowards."

The journalist who interviewed the vice president for al-Akhbar said "Sharaa is not in the decision-making circle, and communicates infrequently with the president."

On Sunday, Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi played down Sharaa's assessment. "It is one opinion among 23 million opinions in Syria, which is a state led by institutions and leaders who will give the final opinion," he said.

After 50 years in power, differences have emerged even among Alawites, as young members of this offshoot of Shiite Islam are killed daily in battle.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Africa North
Mali Islamists threaten Muslim leaders
[Magharebia] Malian Islamists issued death threats against several senior Mohammedan religious leaders, including the country's best-known preacher.

"Chérif Ousmane Madani Haïdara has received numerous death threats by phone over the past several days, either directly or through those close to him," his aide Ousmane Diallo told AFP on Thursday (December 27th).

"It's the Islamists in the north who telephoned," Diallo said, adding that one of the callers told the holy man: "We are going to kill you because you want nothing to do with our Islam, we are going to kill you because you don't want Sharia in Mali."

Haïdara heads a Mohammedan association with tens of thousands of followers: Ansar Dine (Defenders of the Faith). His religious organization bears the same name as the al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group now occupying northern Mali.

"We have nothing to do with the Ansar al-Din of the north. We condemn their chopping off of hands. We condemn their Islam," Haidara previously told AFP.

Young Mali Mohammedans Union head Mohamed Macky Ba, Bamako imam Mahamadou Diallo and preacher Thierno Hady Thiam have also received death threats.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Ansar Dine


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Today's Idiot
A British man has been checked in at the Gray-Bar Hotel after reportedly stealing a car and driving it on to the runway of Amsterdam's Schiphol airport while smashed.
"Delta Bravo Sierra, you are cleared for takeoff."
"Negative; there's a beauzeau on the runway."

The unnamed passenger was on the Dutch airport's runway 'for a few minutes', police said.
"November Uniform Tango, get off this runway immediately."
The Briton pushed an emergency exit button at a gate before making off with and in a contractor's car parked on the tarmac.

Police spokesman Dennis Muller told the AFP news agency the incident had taken place in the early hours of Christmas Day.
"Wassail, wassail/All over the tow-own/And then when we're drunk we/Will dri-ive all around..."
Just reading the words, one can tell it wasn't the slightest bit tuneful.
'He drove around for a few minutes but at no point was there any danger to flight traffic. There aren't many flights on Christmas Eve and there were none at all at the time he took the car,' he said.

Mr Muller added: 'We're investigating exactly where he went in the car. We don't know why he took the car, these are things you do when you've had one over the eight.'
Must have seemed like zomg-teh-best-idea-evar at the time.
"Here, hold my beer."
He admitted it would 'take a while [for the man] to get back to his senses'.

'We'll interview him about what he's done and then it's up to the prosecutor to decide what to do with him,' he said.

Amsterdam's Schiphol is the fourth-largest airport in Europe with between 120,000 and 140,000 passengers every day.
Posted by: Korora || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This year's idiot is mugged by reality
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 7:10 Comments || Top||

#2  That's just plain funny, BP
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 12/28/2012 10:30 Comments || Top||

#3  I think the only way to address BP's link would be to warn investors, if that word is still legal in the UK, of a possible scheme and story to clear his name of the theft knowing full well he would be accused of racism before monetary mishandling. I would demand an investigation and proof because it sounds like an embezzlement scheme or a writ large indictment of liberal economics. Take a pick.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 11:42 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Tunisian Dies after Eating 28 Raw eggs for bet
[An Nahar] A young Tunisian died after winning a bet to eat 28 raw eggs in one sitting, Shems FM radio reported on Wednesday.
"What we have here is a failure to communicate..."
"I can eat 29 eggs..."
"Cheez, why not a round number, like a dozen?"
Dhaou Fatnassi, 20, from the central town of Kairouan, swallowed the eggs after his friends challenged him to do so for an undisclosed sum of money.

The young man then experienced stomach pains and was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Any man who can't eat 28 eggs, spend a night in the box...
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/28/2012 0:06 Comments || Top||

#2  This sounds like a recent election.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 12/28/2012 0:36 Comments || Top||

#3  "Sudden High/Massive Cholesterol" Syndrome, to be sure.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 1:16 Comments || Top||

#4  Next time ask CA ex-Governator DA ARNUUUULD for his "Joe Wieder" weightlifting milkshake recipe.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 1:18 Comments || Top||

#5  So it is true. Eggs will kill you!
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:09 Comments || Top||

#6  LOL Joe, I like it.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 5:10 Comments || Top||

#7  Egg control needed?

High capacity egg-boxes to be banned?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 5:38 Comments || Top||

#8  Idiot!!!!!

Paul Newman proved that you have to hard boild them first!!!!

What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/28/2012 7:56 Comments || Top||

#9  Yah, but what kind of eggs?
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:52 Comments || Top||

#10  the shells got him
Posted by: Frank G || 12/28/2012 11:08 Comments || Top||

#11 
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 11:48 Comments || Top||

#12  DId the eggs come with roaches?
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 12/28/2012 13:12 Comments || Top||

#13  His name really Fatnassi? YCMTSU!
Posted by: rob06 || 12/28/2012 17:50 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
More details on the Christmas eve massacre at El Platanar Ontiveros

For a map, click here

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

The Christmas eve massacre at El Platanar Ontiveros in Sinaloa state was caused by a rivalry between drug gangs over territory, according to Mexican news reports.

According to a Proceso wire dispatch published on the website of Vanguardia news daily, the armed group which invaded the remote mountain community numbered about 30 armed suspects, said Sinaloa state Procuraduria General de Justicia (PGJE), or attorney general Marco Antonio Higuera Gomez.

At a news conference Higuera Gomez told the press that his office had a number of leads in the case including the identity of some of the shooters, but he did not elaborate beyond saying that armed groups vying for territory in Sinaloa state include the Beltran Leyva cartel, the Sinaloa cartel and Los Zetas.

According to the news article, Concordia mayor José Eligio Medina Rios was informed at around 1930 hrs by Maria Ontiveros Osuna that her husband Francisco Tirado Gutierrez had been kidnapped.

It was later learned that Tirado Gutierrez, along with three other individuals, Bastidas Feliciano Gutierrez, Francisco Lizarraga Perez and Marcelino Rueda Medrano had been taken to the town basketball court and executed. Tirado Gutierrez was beheaded using a machete. Investigators found 17 spent cartridge casings identified in the story as "Cop killer" rounds, probably 5.7mm.

According to an El Universal dispatch which appeared on the website of El Diario de Coahuila news daily, Lizarraga Perez, 19, was a student on vacation attending Autonomous University of Sinaloa,

About 20 minutes later, Medina Rios found five other individuals who had been shot to death at a nearby grocery store, identified as Francisco Parentes Medina, the store owner, Victor Medina Garay, related to Parentes Medina, Parentes Medina's sons Jesus and Francisco Parentes Paez and Tomas Rodriguez Aguirre, a neighbor. At the store investigators found 96 spent cartridge casings for an AK-47 rifle.

According to Higuera Gomez, El Platanar Ontiveros had a local army detachment permanently stationed in the village, but the unit had been dispatched to another location for a counternarcotics operation. Higuera Gomez said the armed group took advantage of the military unit's absence to make their assault.

Higuera Gomez also said that none of the victims had a criminal history, but any nexus with organized crime is under investigation.

The same group which performed the massacre in El Platanar Ontiveros also killed two Sinaloa state Policia Estatal Preventiva agents in Mazatlan municipality near the Picachos dam last November, said Higuera Gomez.

Many residents in the area had fled to Concordia municipality drug gang violence in other areas of the state.

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com
Posted by: badanov || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How can this be, I am under the impression firearms are illegal in Mexico.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 19:10 Comments || Top||

#2  Awwww, #1, I wanted to say it.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 22:18 Comments || Top||


Europe
Germany 'exporting' old and sick to foreign care homes
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The move, which has seen thousands of retired Germans rehoused in homes in eastern Europe and Asia, has been severely criticised by social welfare organisations who have called it "inhumane deportation". (Emphasis mine - RbR)

You have to admire their (ahem) sense of tradition, though, don't you?
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo) || 12/28/2012 0:29 Comments || Top||

#2  I certainly hope the Wiesenthal Center has budgeted for this. The work must go on you know
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 9:05 Comments || Top||

#3  I've forgotten most of my college German - would that be Versterbenraum?
Posted by: Mitch H. || 12/28/2012 10:59 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Army Arrests Suspects, Seizes Arms Following Baalbek Gunfight
[An Nahar] The Lebanese Army command said Thursday that troops tossed in the clink
Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit!
several suspects involved in a shootout between two clans in the eastern city of Baalbek.

"A dispute between residents of the area of al-Sharawina over family affairs turned into a shootout with light weapons" on Wednesday night, an army communique said.

Upon learning about the incident, a military force threw a tight security dragnet and raided the houses of the shooters, arresting several suspects, it said.

Soldiers also seized light weapons, ammunition, military hardware, drugs and several "illegal" cars during the raids.

The communique added that the suspects were handed over to the appropriate authorities to take the necessary action.

The National News Agency reported on Wednesday night that the shootout erupted when a man from Shuqair family opened fire on the house of a man identified by his last name as Solh.

Later, members of Solh family pursued the assailant and opened fire on him without causing casualties. They also set fire to his abandoned house.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
Pakistani Taliban outline conditions for ceasefire
[Pak Daily Times] The Pak Taliban have outlined conditions for a ceasefire, including the adoption of Islamic law and a break with the United States, a front man said Thursday, an offer dismissed out of hand by the interior minister.

The Taliban, in a letter, also demanded that Pakistain stop its involvement in the war pitting Afghan forces of Evil against the Kabul government and refocus on a war of "Dire Revenge™" against India. The letter from Taliban front man Amir Muawiya comes as the focus in Afghanistan shifts from a military push by NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis....
troops to potential peace talks, and amid speculation of a rift between top Pakistain Taliban leaders.

Military officials told Rooters last month that Pakistain Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud had lost operational command to his deputy, Waliur Rehman, considered to be more open to reconciliation with the Pak government. The Taliban deny Mehsud has lost command. The Pak Taliban are a separate entity allied to the Afghan Taliban. Known as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), they have launched devastating attacks against the Pak military and civilians.

The ceasefire conditions, confirmed by front man Ihsanullah Ihsan in a phone call to Rooters, said Pakistain should rewrite its laws and constitution according to Islamic law. Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Pak politician, Interior Minister under the Gilani government. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men. He had to give up the interior ministry job because he held dual Brit citizenship.
rejected any offer of a ceasefire unless it came from the Pakistain Taliban leader. "I reject all these offers, and any future claims, of Ihsanullah Ihsan, unless and until Hakeemullah Mehsud owns them himself," Malik said. A second government official, who asked not to be identified, dismissed the proposal as "preposterous".

"They are a bunch of criminals. This is not the Afghan Taliban. They are not open to talks," The official said. "No one can take such an offer or terms seriously. The TTP is not a proper entity, certainly not one any government can negotiate with." In his comments, Ihsan said the Pak Taliban were ready to abide by a ceasefire "as long as they meet our demands, that an Islamic system should be put into place, they should fix their foreign policy and stop agreeing to America's demands".

The gunnies accused Pakistain's army of acting as "mercenaries" for America and pledged to continue attacks on two major political parties they say serve US interests. "The big mistake (the government) made is that they fought America's war in Afghanistan and brought it into Pakistain," Ihsan said. NATO troops are due to hand over control of most operations in Afghanistan to Afghan forces next year and officials have been eager to start peace talks with the Taliban there.

But the Taliban insurgency in both Pakistain and Afghanistan is fragmented and commanders often disagree over strategy. Ihsan said that even if there was a peace agreement signed with the government, the Taliban would not disarm. "We do not accept Pakistain's present secular and pro-West system and its constitution," he said. "We also oppose Pakistain's pro-West foreign policy and if the government wants us to announce a ceasefire, it will have to accept all our demands."
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Africa North
Mali mausoleum destruction sparks outrage
[Magharebia] Islamist beturbanned goon groups in northern Mali demolished the last mausoleums in Timbuktu on Sunday (December 23rd).

The attacks came just three days after the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising an international military intervention to oust bully boyz and other armed Islamists occupying northern Mali.

The demolition of the last Timbuktu shrines by al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Din was a direct and desperate reaction to the UN resolution, according to analysts. The group had already explicitly rejected the resolution on the day it was released, Touareg analyst Abdul Hamid Ansari told Magharebia.

"It is not the first time that these bully boyz have acted out in a showy and absurd manner; this happens whenever their actions against the local population are criticised or condemned by regional or international institutions," Ansari said.

"This act will only increase the local population's indignation and their sympathy for the decision, particularly as the decision is anticipated to relieve them from the rule of these groups that do not have constructive plans for the future," he added.

Ansar al-Din, the dominant movement in Timbuktu, demolished about 333 mausoleums, including 18 mausoleums classified as part of UNESCO's World Heritage Site, according to Sahara Media.

The world heritage body condemned the attacks on Tuesday, with UNESCO chief Irina Bokova saying she was "profoundly shocked".

For his part, Attay Ag Elweli, a youth from Timbuktu, told Magharebia that the demolition was carried out by the person nicknamed Abu al-Walid, who commands the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice group, known historically as al-Hisbah.

Ag Elweli added in a sad tone, "Abu al-Walid and his group targeted the last two mausoleums in the neighbourhood of Sankore, and a third tomb near the big market, and a fourth located in the garrison of Sheikh Sayed Ahmed Bakaa."

In response to a question by Magharebia about the relationship between the demolition of shrines and the UN resolution, Ag Elwelli said, "The local population sensed the relationship already when Abu al-Walid repeated while demolishing the shrines that no one would rule the city of Timbuktu but God."

Yet al-Walid himself tried to justify the shrine's destruction by declaring to the Sahara Media that his Islamist group was previously unaware of the mausoleums.

"These shrines are a manifestation of unbelief and sorcery, a place of prayers and blessing without God. They are also too high above the ground, at a height which we are ordered to eliminate," he said.

According to his justification, his group "confirmed the presence of the domes and the effects of unbelief, and they decided to flatten them in order to make them similar to the rest of the graves of Mohammedans in response to the command of the Prophet, peace be upon Him."

However,
the difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits...
Mauritanian researcher Yahya Ould Sidi Ahmed, a specialist in the history and literature of the Sahara and the Western Sudan, said all previous demolitions took place either on the eve of a decision or a planned military intervention in northern Mali.

"The previous demolitions that occurred last October took place on the eve of the adoption in Bamako of the military intervention," he said.

"Destruction is again implemented now just three days after the adoption by the Security Council of this plan. This means that the issue is primarily political, such as what happened last Friday in Gao. There, the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa [MUJAO] amputated the hands of some residents," he added.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Ansar Dine

#1  "Now that you're done, we're outraged. We'll add you to the sternly-worded letter about the Bamiyan Buddhas Statues!"
Posted by: Frank G || 12/28/2012 9:54 Comments || Top||

#2  I'm thinking of opening a line on how long the pyramids and temples of ancient Egypt last.

Not long is my guess.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/28/2012 12:01 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Bilawal to infuse vigour in PPP, lead nation: PM
[Pak Daily Times] Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Baby Bhutto Zardari,
...Pak dynastic politician, son of Benazir Bhutto and grandon of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. As far as is known, Bilawal has no particular talents other than being pretty and being able to memorize political slogans ...
who is taking the helms of Pakistain People's Party (PPP), will lead the caravan of the nation and democracy and reinvigorate the PPP workers.

Talking to news hounds on the occasion of the fifth death anniversary of slain PPP chairwoman and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto
... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in...
, the prime minister said that those who have gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh trusted Pakistain People's Party. "They trust the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent...
and the struggle, vision and sacrifice of Benazir Bhutto," he said.

"Today the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto is in the hands of the people through democratic means," the prime minister said, adding that it had been acknowledged by the world that power was being transferred to the masses on the anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.

Raja said that the transfer of leadership has been taking place in the Bhutto family and "today Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will take the leadership in his hand".

Bilawal will take the mantel to carry forward the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto towards achieving the end, for democracy and prosperity of the country, the Prime Minister said.

"Today the the image of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and training of President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ...
will appear before the masses in the person of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari," the Prime Minister said. Bilawal is also highly educated and has completed his higher education from top international universities, he added.

"Bilawal will lead the caravan of the nation and the democracy," Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said.

The Prime Minister said Bilawal was bred by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto herself. He has witnessed political exile and adversity. He experienced the seclusion from his father who was in prison for eight years.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PM said "has the ability to lead the party and the nation". He will reinvigorate the PPP workers by bringing in his new thought, courage and zeal to the party. "He will infuse a new siprit among the party workers," Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Southeast Asia
Australia gets proof Philippines hostage alive
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr on Thursday welcomed news that Warren Rodwell was alive after being held hostage for more than a year in the Philippines, but said his prolonged captivity was a "major concern".

Rodwell, a former soldier from Sydney, was taken by suspected Muslim terrorists extremists from his home in the southern Philippine town of Ipil on December 5, 2011.

In a video posted on a YouTube channel linked to Abu Sayyaf, Rodwell confirms he was captured by that terrorist militant group, which was started with seed money from Al-Qaeda.

Rodwell says the date is December 16, 2012 and shows a newspaper from the previous day. He says he was kidnapped 54 weeks ago. In the two-minute video he says, "I'm being held prisoner, kidnapped by (the) Abu Sayyaf Muslim terrorist group for over one year - actually 53, 54 weeks today. This video clip today is to say that I am alive, I am waiting to be released. I have no idea what's going on outside, I'm just kept held prisoner in isolation."

Carr said the "confirmation of Mr Rodwell's welfare is welcome" but called his prolonged captivity a "major concern".

In a statement, Carr said, "The Philippines government has the lead in response to this case and is devoting significant resources to securing Mr Rodwell's release. The Australian government is assisting Philippines authorities where appropriate."

He added Australian officials had been keeping contact with Rodwell's family and it would "not be helpful to Mr Rodwell to comment further".

Major Emmanuel Garcia, the military's deputy chief for public affairs, said, "The Armed Forces of the Philippines will take measures in support to the Philippine National Police... to fully ascertain the identity and if possible, the whereabouts of the individual if he is a kidnap victim."

Rodwell was last seen in a video in May that was believed to be dated from the end of March. In another video in January, sent to his Filipina wife, Rodwell said his captors were demanding $2 million in ransom.
Posted by: ryuge || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Abu Sayyaf


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Japanese Engineers Develop A Made-To-Order 13-Foot Mech Suit
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I want one!
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/28/2012 5:09 Comments || Top||

#2  Colonel Quaritch, Colonel Miles Quaritch to the white courtesy phone please.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:13 Comments || Top||

#3  If you have a decent PC this is "play for free"
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 7:21 Comments || Top||

#4  No heat sinks needed for the smile shot.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 11:00 Comments || Top||

#5  But they couldn't build a robot to go into a nuclear reactor?
I don't get it.
Posted by: Omavitle Phans2669 || 12/28/2012 13:01 Comments || Top||

#6  Great, first time someone takes this to a playground and stomps a bunch of kids the politicians will want to outlaw giant killbots.

Reactionists!!
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/28/2012 15:26 Comments || Top||

#7  I want my Daishi A.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/28/2012 15:37 Comments || Top||

#8  But they couldn't build a robot to go into a nuclear reactor?
I don't get it.


It is bushido. We wouldn't understand.
Posted by: Dopey Sinatra9196 || 12/28/2012 15:42 Comments || Top||

#9  This thing would be a road-rager's dream! And did anyone notice the weapons platform with the three yellow port plugs? Wonder what attachment they thought best NOT shown in this publicity photo!
Posted by: DocMysticTN || 12/28/2012 16:02 Comments || Top||

#10  Human here... now how do I know about you? So answer my test... OBAMA IS:
a) The greatest president ever.
b) Unbelievably lucky that the Rep. party had no body better than mediocre to run.
c) The greatest defender of the constitution todate.
d) Going for the presidential record for most taxpayer money spent for vacation.
e) both b and d
Posted by: DocMysticTN || 12/28/2012 16:08 Comments || Top||

#11  If we take out their charging stations, we can eventually defeat them!
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 16:09 Comments || Top||

#12  GUNDAM + LACROSSE SAGA here we come!
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 18:46 Comments || Top||

#13  Its where they plug in the PPC.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 19:15 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Cabinet resignations deal setback for Egypt's Morsi
[Pak Daily Times] An Islamist minister quit Egypt's government on Thursday, the second cabinet resignation this week, as Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi tries to shore up his authority and gather support for unpopular austerity measures.

An economic crisis and a battle over a new constitution have underlined bitter divisions between Islamist-backed Morsi and his liberal opponents and delayed a return to stability almost two years since a popular uprising.

Rivals accuse Morsi, who won Egypt's first freely contested leadership election in June, of polarising society by foisting a divisive
...politicians call things divisive when when the other side sez something they don't like. Their own statements are never divisive, they're principled...
, Islamist-leaning constitution on the country and using the autocratic ways of his deposed predecessor Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
Deadly violence preceded a referendum on the basic law, dealing a blow to a struggling economy. Morsi's political rivals refused to accept the result -- the text won about 64 percent in the vote -- and they reject his call for national unity talks.

In a move that may pre-empt a planned reshuffle, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Muhammad Mahsoub announced he was quitting because he disagreed with the slow pace of reform.

"I have reached a clear conclusion that a lot of the policies and efforts contradict my personal beliefs and I don't see them as representative of our people's aspirations," he said in his resignation letter, which has yet to be accepted by the prime minister.

Communications Minister Hany Mahmoud quit earlier this week, citing his inability to adapt to the government's "working culture".

Neither were major figures in the cabinet but their decision to criticise the substance and style of Morsi's administration suggests his decisions are unnerving not just opponents but also some allies.

Earlier on Thursday, a Christian member of Egypt's upper house of parliament, Nadia Henry, quit a day after the Islamist-dominated chamber took over legislative authority under the new constitution.

The charter crafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly is meant to be the cornerstone of a democratic and economically stable Egypt after decades of authoritarian rule. The opposition says it does nothing to protect minorities.

Morsi says the constitution and an upcoming vote to re-elect the lower house of parliament will help end squabbling among feuding politicians.

He and his Moslem Brüderbund allies say ordinary people are fed up with street protests that often turn violent and want the government to focus on urgent bread-and-butter issues.

The strife has cast doubt on the government's ability to push through the spending cuts and tax hikes needed to secure a vital $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan.

The Egyptian pound tumbled to its weakest in almost eight years against the dollar this week as people rushed to withdraw savings from banks.

Egypt's defence chief said the army -- which dominated Egypt for decades and has wide ranging business interests -- was ready to step in to help the economy.

"The Egyptian economy is going through a very difficult stage," Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was quoted as saying by state news agency MENA. "The armed forces are keen to participate in development and service projects in all parts of Egypt as part of its promise to serve the great people."
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  Communications Minister Hany Mahmoud quit earlier this week, citing his inability to adapt to the government's "working culture".

Employees don't show up for work.

The armed forces are keen to participate in development and service projects in all parts of Egypt as part of its promise to serve the great people."

The Army is looking for some businesses to buy on the cheap.
Posted by: lord garth || 12/28/2012 3:06 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
U.N., U.S. Concern as Central Africa Rebels Close in on Capital
[An Nahar] The U.N. is evacuating staff from the Central African Republic and the U.S. has warned its citizens to leave as rebel fighters close in on the tense capital Bangui.

La Belle France also deployed troops to protect its embassy after it was attacked by demonstrators calling for the former colonial power to help push back the rebels who have already seized several towns in the north of the resource-rich but poverty-stricken nation.

The United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
on Wednesday ordered more than 200 non-essential staff and families of other workers to leave.

"The temporary relocation is a precautionary measure to reduce our presence in the event the security situation further deteriorates in Bangui," U.N. front man Martin Nesirky said.

The rebels' "contradictory messages and their continued military offensive seem to indicate that they might be intent on taking Bangui," he added.

Washington expressed "deep concern" and warned all Americans to leave the country "until the security situation improved."

State Department front man Patrick Ventrell also said the ambassador had "authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency personnel from our Embassy in Bangui as a result of increased rebel activity in the north central part of the country."

With President Francois Bozize's government now largely restricted to Bangui, Chadian troops sent last week to help the increasingly fragile regime are the only real obstacle to rebel forces now sitting about 300 kilometers (200 miles) away.

"We call on all the sons and daughters of Central Africa, on all members of defense and security forces still loyal to Francois Bozize's regime... to lay down their arms immediately," said a statement from the Seleka rebel coalition after capturing its fourth major town in a month.

"For reasons of security and protection of civilians, we no longer consider it necessary to wage the battle for Bangui and to send our troops there as General Francois Bozize... has already lost control of the country," it said.

The Seleka coalition is made up of rebels who say the government has not honored peace accords signed between 2007 and 2011 that offered financial support and other help for gunnies who laid down their arms.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "The temporary relocation is
a precautionary measure
to reduce our presence
in the event the security situation
further deteriorates
in Thattown,
Our strongly worded letter files on"

-Battle Hymm Words of the UN
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 16:36 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
North Ossetian Deputy Mufti Shot Dead
[An Nahar] A deputy mufti in the Russian province of North Ossetia was rubbed out overnight, the Ria Novosti news agency reported Thursday.

"He was killed by five shots at point-blank range," the report quoted the office of North Ossetian Mufti Khajimurat Gatsalov as saying.

The murder took place on the road to the regional capital Vladikavkaz, according to the committee of inquiry in the small republic bordering Chechnya.

North Ossetia has a history of ethnic strife between the majority mostly Orthodox Christian Ossetians and the Moslem Ingush minority.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic Emirate of Caucasus


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Russia Warns of 'Bloody Chaos' if Syria Talks Fail
[An Nahar] Russia on Thursday warned of "bloody chaos" in Syria should peace talks led by U.N.-Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
envoy Lakhdar Brahimi fail to end the 21-month conflict estimated to have claimed more than 45,000 lives.

"The alternative to a peaceful solution is bloody chaos. The longer it continues, the greater its scale -- and the worse things get for all," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Interfax news agency.

Lavrov's comments followed his meeting earlier in the day with a senior Syrian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad.

Russia remains Syria's most important international ally and is one of the few nations to have unlimited access to Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Lord of the Baath...
's government.

Lavrov's meeting with the Syrians came as Brahimi wound down several days of talks in Damascus
...Home to a staggering array of terrorist organizations...
by calling for "real change" and the quick introduction of a transition government "with all powers".

Assad's government has still not responded to Brahimi's call.

But the armed opposition immediately rejected any transition plan that would see either Assad or his immediate cohorts retain their positions of authority.

Brahimi will meet Lavrov in Moscow on Saturday in hopes of convincing Russia to do all it can to make sure that Assad accepts an accord that would gradually ease him from power.

Lavrov did not disclose the full details of his talks with the visiting Syrian delegation.

But he conceded that hopes were fading for a Russian-backed initiative drafted in Geneva in June that made no explicit call on Assad to step down -- an alternative the ruling regime appeared to accept.

"Considering what is happening in Syria, the chances for such a solution based on the Geneva communique... are diminishing," Lavrov told Interfax.

"But they still exist, and we must fight for them," Lavrov added.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  "Bloody chaos" ya say?
Awwww, no! Not that!
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/28/2012 18:24 Comments || Top||

#2  "bloody chaos"

How would that be different from now, exactly?
Posted by: Barbara || 12/28/2012 20:25 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Tunisia replaces Siliana governor
[Magharebia] Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali on Thursday (December 27th) appointed a new governor for the restive region of Siliana, Tunsisie Numerique reported. Montassar Jarray was named to replace Ahmed Ezzine Mahjoubi.

The move follows a general strike held by Siliana residents to demand that Mahjoubi be fired for "incompetence". The protest degenerated into five days of violent festivities before the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) reached a compromise deal with the government on December 1st.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Egypt Prosecutor Orders Probe into Opposition 'Incitement'
[An Nahar] Egypt's public prosecutor on Thursday ordered a probe into the top three leaders of the opposition on suspicion of trying to incite followers to overthrow President Mohamed Morsi, a legal source said.

The prosecutor, Taalat Ibrahim Abdallah, who was appointed by Morsi late last month, signed the order against the leaders of the opposition National Salvation Front, which led protests against Morsi's drive to have a new constitution adopted.

The probe targets Mohammed ElBaradei, a Nobel peace prize laureate, Jerry Lewis doppelgänger Amr Moussa
... who was head of the Arab League for approximately two normal lifespans, accomplishing nothing that was obvious to the casual observer ...
, former chief of the Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
, and Hamdeen Sabbahi, the leader of the nationalist left wing. Moussa and Sabbahi were presidential candidates in June elections that Morsi won.

The National Salvation Front alleged frauds and irregularities in the December 15 and 22 split referendum on the new charter, which Morsi signed into law this week.

It accuses Morsi's Moslem Brüderbund of wanting to use the constitution to introduce creeping strict Islamic sharia law.

Abdallah called on Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki to name an investigating magistrate for the probe, which would examine suspicions of "inciting for the overthrow of the regime".

Morsi on Wednesday hailed the adoption of the new constitution with 64 percent of the votes in the referendum, though turnout was a low 33 percent.

Within two months, Egypt has to hold legislative elections to choose a parliament to succeed the one dissolved by the constitutional court in June. The opposition parties in the National Salvation Front coalition are considering competing in the elections on the same ticket.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Europe
Greece Says Needs 27.5 bn Euros to Recapitalize 4 Biggest Banks
[An Nahar] Greece's four biggest banks need 27.5 billion euros ($36.4 billion) in recapitalization funds by the end of April, the national central bank said in a report released Thursday.
$36 billion? Bank of America and Citigroup eat that for lunch...
"Capital needs for all Greek commercial banks were estimated in May 2012 at 40.5 billion euros, of which the 27.5 billion euros corresponded to the four core banks," it said.

The four banks, identified as the National Bank of Greece (NBG), Alpha, Eurobank, and Piraeus, will receive support from the state because they are considered crucial to the national banking sector. A dozen smaller banks are to be recapitalized with private funds, also by the end of April, the national bank said.

"The Greek banking sector was severely hit over the past few years by the combined effects of the restructuring of Greek sovereign debt and adverse economic conditions, both of which affected banking assets and deposits," the central bank's report explained.

Its assessment of the bank's recapitalization needs over the 2012-2014 period was "conservative" it said. A key factor behind the needs was a restructuring of Greece's sovereign debt, it said, which hit Greek banks hard because they held large amounts of sovereign bonds.

The banks were also expected to suffer losses on both domestic and international loans.

According to the central bank, the main objective of its "comprehensive banking sector strategy is to secure a well-capitalized and viable banking sector."

In addition, Greek officials seek "to gradually restore depositors and market confidence."
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  And that money would last maybe a year, and they'd need as much or more again. Why don't they just print their own - it's all anybody else does?
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/28/2012 9:11 Comments || Top||

#2  In addition, Greek officials seek "to gradually restore depositors and market confidence."

Good luck with that! We've not had a great deal of luck with it yet here.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 9:15 Comments || Top||

#3  My confidence isn't going to go up until they stop confiscating my savings by debasing the currency. And that's not going to happen until after the collapse.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/28/2012 10:01 Comments || Top||

#4  I'm beginning to detect a pattern Glen. It's a giant monopoly game! When they (the gummit) finally wins and owns everything, they will reshuffle the cards, move everyone back to "GO", and start the game anew.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 10:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Serfs up.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 11:52 Comments || Top||

#6  Greece holds a gun to its own head and demands money.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/28/2012 15:23 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
U.S. sailors sue Tokyo Electric over Fukushima radiation
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If they were performing under lawful orders in the conduct of humanitarian relief operations, their claim is with the VA, not Tokyo Electric.
Posted by: P2Kontheroad || 12/28/2012 9:06 Comments || Top||

#2  You're probably right, but they could be trying to shame the Japanese into compensating them.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/28/2012 9:18 Comments || Top||

#3  Which would you rather have; a disability finding (after 4 years of fighting) of 30% and $45. per month tax-free income... or a few million dollars in an up front, out of court settlement? They made a calculated business decision. Not one I admire or agree with, but a business decision not unlike that many make when entering the military these days.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 9:26 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Militants kill two, kidnap 22 Pakistani soldiers
[Pak Daily Times] Around 200 heavily-armed Orcs and similar vermin stormed two government paramilitary camps in northwest Pakistain on Thursday, killing two security personnel and kidnapping at least 22, officials said.

The attackers armed with heavy weapons including mortars and rocket launchers struck before dawn at the two militia posts outside Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
, close to the restive tribal areas that border Afghanistan. "The exchange of gunfire lasted about one hour in which they killed two soldiers, maimed one and took away 22 others," local administration official Naveed Akbar told AFP.

He said security forces had barricaded some roads and launched search operations in certain areas but no success had been reported so far. A security official confirmed 22 members of the tribal militia were missing from the camps, which lie in a mountainous area about three kilometres apart. The camps are close to Pakistain's tribal areas, which are regarded as havens for Taliban and al Qaeda linked bad boys.

Other Pak officials, however, said at least 30 men had been taken, a figure echoed by Taliban spokesmen. Eight of the paramilitary soldiers have been killed, Taliban front man Muhammed Afridi said in Khyber Agency. He said the group had captured 30 soldiers. Another front man, Ihsanullah Ihsan, said 33 were taken. Military sources said no soldiers or police were missing. The Levies is a force raised from the tribes and supported by the Pak government.

In August, the Pak Taliban released a video showing what appeared to be the severed heads of a dozen soldiers, after the military said 15 troops had gone missing following fighting with Orcs and similar vermin in the Bajaur tribal district. There has been a surge in attacks in northwest Pakistain in the past two weeks, including a suicide kaboom on a political meeting in Peshawar on Saturday that killed Bashir Bilour, the second top politician in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central...
province.

The Pak Taliban grabbed credit for that attack, saying Bilour, an outspoken critic of the bad boys, was assassinated in Dire Revenge™ for the death of one of the movement's "elders". Pakistain has lost more than 3,000 soldiers in the fight against homegrown hard boyz but has resisted US pressure to do more to eliminate havens used by those fighting the Americans in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan

#1  "at least you still got your pure virginity sovereignty"
Posted by: Frank G || 12/28/2012 10:05 Comments || Top||


Afghan nationals tortured, 2 Khasadar rescuers injured
[Pak Daily Times] Unidentified persons tortured thirty Afghan nationals near the Michni post on Thursday, whereas two Khasadar Force personnel who came to the rescue of the Afghans were maimed in cross-firing with the assailants.

According to reports, the Khasadar Force personnel rushed to the site to control the situation when they came to know that some unidentified people were torturing the Afghan nationals. "We were tortured physically and our clothes and some Afghan passports were also torn," an Afghan national said. Another Afghan national quoted their attackers as saying that "we are taking Dire Revenge™ for those twenty-nine Pak nationals who had been tortured in Afghanistan and whose Pak passports had been torn and thrown into River Kabul."

The political administration dispatched more Khasadar personnel to the site who exchanged fire with the unidentified persons. As a result, two Khasadar personnel were slightly injured. The administration forces have incarcerated
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
five suspected persons during a search operation in the area near Michni checkpost, Landikotal APA said. The Khasadar personnel took the Afghan nationals to the Torkham border crossing so that they could go back, sources said.

They added that the Afghan border security forces went berserk and wanted to close the border when the saw the tortured Afghans returning, but the Torkham Tehsildar Meraj Khan met them and pacified them by promising that strict action would be taken against the myrmidons. He also informed them that five suspects had been arrested after the incident.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Africa North
Mali PM Calls for Swift African Military Action
[An Nahar] Mali's new Prime Minister Diango Cissoko called Thursday for military intervention by an African force to help take back the Islamist-controlled north "as quickly as possible".
"Please don't let them kill me!"
"We have confidence in this intervention," Cissoko told journalists in Abidjan after meeting with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara
...the current president-for-life of Ivory Coast. He actually beat his predecessor in an election before having to eject him from the presidential palazzo....
, the current head of the West African bloc ECOWAS which is preparing the intervention force.

This operation "will take place as soon as conditions are met and we are doing all so those conditions are met as quickly as possible," he said.

The U.N. Security Council on December 20 approved the deployment of an international force in Mali, but in stages and without a precise timetable. It also insisted on the need for dialogue with the gangs in the north which reject terrorism and the partition of the country.

Armed Islamist groups, some with al-Qaeda links, seized northern Mali in the wake of a March coup in Bamako, and have imposed a brutal form of Islamic sharia law.

An interim government has taken over in Bamako and Cissoko said "credible" elections would be held when conditions allow.

U.N. chief the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan...
recently pressed Mali's government to hold free elections as soon as possible as part of preparations for the intervention force.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Ansar Dine

#1  Save me infidels, it's my only hope.
Posted by: lord garth || 12/28/2012 3:36 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Benazir's 'killer' died in drone strike: Kaira
[Pak Daily Times] Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said that one of the suspected assassins of Benazir Bhutto
... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in...
was killed in a drone strike whereas the remaining accused were languishing in jail. Talking to news hounds, he said that the Pakistain People's Party (PPP) wanted to resolve the country's problems through dialogue. He also said the journey started by the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent...
and carried on by Benazir Bhutto to strengthen the country was full of crises, problems and sacrifices. The information minister said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had begun the journey by giving a new philosophy to Pakistain, adding that Benazir had also given her vision, and now Bilawal would announce his vision. In a related development, the National and Super highways were closed for heavy traffic on Thursday to facilitate the people going to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to attend the fifth death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan


Africa North
Islamist leaders attend Tawassoul congress
[Magharebia] Political leaders from across Africa and the Arab world gathered in Nouakchott at the week-end for the second congress of Islamist party Tawassoul.

"The presence of symbols of Islamist movements who came to attend this conference had great significance for Islamists in Mauritania, highlighting their ability to mobilise and garner support", Tawassoul member Mohamed Ould Slama said.

It was also an opportunity to promote the party's moderate Islamist approach, he told Magharebia at the event's conclusion on Saturday (December 22nd).

The gathering provided an occasion for Islamist movement leaders to share insights on a variety of topics.

The head of Tunisia's ruling Ennahda party, Rachid Ghannouchi spoke at a session titled, "A Nation Between Two Stages".

"The winds of change will include all Arab countries, and Arab rulers have to respond to their peoples to spare them revolutions," Ghannouchi said.

"The rulers must know that we're in the time of freedom and democracy, and if change doesn't come from within the regimes themselves, they will be swept away by floods, like other stronger and fiercer regimes in some Arab countries," he added.

With Tunisia still suffering from the repercussions of the revolution, Ghannouchi did not present his country in a rosy way.

"Tunisia, like all other Arab Spring countries, is still in transition," he said. "However,
it's easy to be generous with someone else's money...
we're proceeding with national reconciliation to get past this stage."

Talking about the reasons for Arab Spring, Ghannouchi noted, "It came after 50 years of absence of development, repression and numbing of peoples. However,
man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them...
we're required to exert more efforts to realise peoples' dreams."

Discussions also covered the experiences of Islamist movements in running governments and the challenges they face.

General Supervisor of the Moslem Brüderbund in Libya, Bashir Kabti said, "Moderate Islamists in Libya played a major role in the revolution that toppled Qadaffy's regime."

"Today, they represent the second largest political force in terms of representation in the General National Congress," he added. "They have chosen to take part in government rather than compete against other forces," Kabti said.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Caribbean-Latin America
Los Zetas crew in Nuevo Leon admits to 22 murders

For a map, click here. For a map of Nuevo Leon state, click here

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

Five armed men suspected in the deaths of 22 individuals were detained by Nuevo Leon state ministerial agents and a unit of the Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones (AEI), according to Mexican news accounts.

The detainees were identified as Ezau Alejandro Saldaña Olvera, Carlos Arturo Bazaldua Escalante, Jesus Guadalupe Frías Mendoza or Jesus Alejandro Drias Lozano, Mario Vazquez Ramirez and Francisco Javier Sanchez Robles.

According to a news item posted on the website of Milenio news daily, the five suspects were operating as halcones, or lookouts for the Los Zetas drug cartel in Anahuac municipality in Nuevo Leon state.

Quoting the Nuevo Leon state Director de Comunicación Social del Gobierno del Estado, Jorge Domene Zambrano, the five detainees had been operating in Anahuac municipality between April and August of 2012.

In total only four complaints have been filed against the crew. Three of the detainees were placed under arrest on a road leading to Monclova, Coahuila this month. Information developed from that arrest led to the other two members of the crew.

In addition to the 22 allegedly killed, the crew also committed kidnappings and carjackings in the area, and were employed as hit men. Among the victims were individuals who had denounced members of the crew, relatives of enemies and operatives of rival local gangs.

The cases allegedly involving the crew include:
  • An April, 2012 case of a hit on a woman and her daughter who had gone to the police about the crew.

  • An April, 2012 case of hit on an unidentified female who was a relative of an individual who had denounced one of the crew to the local police.

  • A June, 2012 carjacking victim.

  • A June, 2012 kill order against an unidentified individual.

  • A June 2012 hit against a drug dealer and his son.

  • A July, 2012 hit against a female acquaintance of one of the crew's leaders.

  • A July 2012 hit against a mechanic accused of stealing money from the crew.

  • A July 2012 hit on a female who was living in ejido Los Rodriguez.

  • An August hit on a male member of a rival gang.

  • Two men were killed because they had posted photos of escapees of the Apodaca prison break last February.

  • Two men who were abducted from 20 de Noviembre colony.

  • Six others who were identified as relatives of a former crew member known only as Z50.

According to the report, 17 of the 22 murder victims were incinerated, while the other five were buried in various places in and around the municipality.

Anahuac municipality is on Nuevo Leon Highway 1, about 40 kilometers southwest of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and about 15 kilometers west of the Tamaulipas-Nuevo Leon state border.

Contraband seized during the investigation included five vehicles and communications equipment.

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com
Posted by: badanov || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Chemical weapons used on Homs
Syria's military police defector tells of nerve gas attack

The head of Syria's military police defected to the opposition, accusing the Assad regime of systematic "murder" and claiming that reports of chemical weapons being used against rebels in the restive city of Homs were true.
From The Independent, no less. Will this cause the progressives in the western world to pay attention to Syria now? Condemn Assad? Do anything other than the most mild 'tsk-tsk'?

Oh, I already know the answer.
Maj-Gen Abdul-Aziz Jassim al-Shallal became one of the highest ranking Syrian military officers to throw their support behind the rebels, accusing forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of turning their weapons on innocent civilians in the now 22-month-long civil war.

"I declare my defection from the army because of its deviation from its fundamental mission to protect the nation and [its] transformation into gangs of murder and destruction," he said in a video message posted online, reportedly from the Turkish border.

He accused the military of "destroying cities and villages and committing massacres against our innocent people who came out to demand freedom." General Shallal suggested in his message that he had been working with the opposition for some time before he formally defected to the rebel cause.

He becomes the latest in a string of leading military advisers to abandon the government and join the disparate rebels. But it is his claim that chemical weapons were used in Homs during a deadly attack on Christmas Eve that is likely to be of greater interest to the Syrian opposition and their foreign backers.

Reports from Homs had suggested that a type of nerve agent was used by the Syrian forces in the attack, a point that General Shallal appeared to verify yesterday. Al Jazeera reported at the time that at least seven people had died after inhaling a poisonous gas "sprayed by government forces in a rebel-held Homs neighbourhood".

It is not clear that the substance used in Homs was banned by international law, even the though the General yesterday specifically referred to a "chemical weapons" attack. Nonetheless, the use of non-conventional weapons is considered a "red line" by some in the international community who have been reluctant to intervene directly.
But not by our president, apparently, even though he said a month ago that it would be...
The issue of chemical weapons and their security is likely to form the basis of discussions when the UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi visits Moscow on Saturday.
Only so the Rooskies can remove the 'Made in the Soviet Union' labels from the stash...
Posted by: Steve White || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Perhaps the duffer was referring to scheduled maintenance on the..... "Red Line".
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:37 Comments || Top||

#2  "Can't I just eat my waffle?"
Posted by: Frank G || 12/28/2012 8:23 Comments || Top||

#3  Of course the goal posts will be moved: NOW it will not be that chemical weapons were used, but that PROHIBITED chemical weapons were used.

Thus, a convenient loophole is created by allowing the use of a uniquely compounded active agent, or the creative use of an existing agent that was not forseen. It will be left open until it is "suddenly" discovered and closed at a convenient moment.
Posted by: Ptah || 12/28/2012 8:53 Comments || Top||

#4  All weapons bar nuclear are chemical. Think the term should be bio-chemical weapons.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/28/2012 9:14 Comments || Top||

#5  That would be the Royal some in the international community.

Still said, forgive me if I don't trust green helmet man either.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Tear gas?
Posted by: AlanC || 12/28/2012 13:44 Comments || Top||

#7  Least we know why Bambi is so interested in the Fiscal Cliff suddenly.
Posted by: Charles || 12/28/2012 13:58 Comments || Top||

#8  Tear gas?

There are unverified claims that 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ) was used.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/28/2012 18:57 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Bouira bomb kills 2 teens
[Magharebia] A bomb blast killed two Algerian teenagers on Wednesday (December 26th), El Watan reported. The incident occurred when the two children, aged 12 and 14, were gathering olives in Ahl Regueb, south of Bouira.

The bomb likely targeted ANP troops that use the area as a shooting range.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in North Africa


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
France Says No Role for Assad in Syria Transition
[An Nahar] La Belle France said on Thursday that Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Horror of Homs...
should not have any role in Syria's political transition as he had too much blood on his hands.

"Bashir al-Assad, who is still ferociously repressing his people and bears responsibility for the 45,000 victims of this conflict cannot be part of the political transition," foreign ministry deputy front man Vincent Floreani said.

The statement came after international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called for "real change" and the installation of a transitional government with full powers until elections can be held.

"The transition period should not lead to the collapse of the state and its institutions," Brahimi said, making no mention on the fate of Assad, whose current term expires in 2014.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


India-Pakistan
Bilawal came, saw, conquered
[Pak Daily Times] Pakistain People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday formally launched his political career at a mammoth public gathering held here to mark the fifth death anniversary of his mother and former premier, late Benazir Bhutto
... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in...
, and vowed to continue her fight for democracy, and reconciliation policy of the incumbent PPP government.

Speaking at the big public meeting in front of Bhuttos' mausoleum, Bilawal said his party still owns the slogan "Roti, Kapra aur Makaan" (food, shelter and clothing). Bilawal spoke in fluent Urdu for over half an hour for the first time, in an emotional way very similar to that of his mother. His address drew much attention and response from the masses gathered to listen to him. He was the only speaker to whom people listened silently and responded with zeal. His father, President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ...
, and the top PPP leadership were present on the occasion.

Bilawal also chanted the slogan "Tum kitne Bhutto marogay, har ghar se Bhutto nikle ga" in an emotional way similar to that of his mother. He also added two new names in the slogan -- Malala Yousufzai and Bashir Bilour. In his first major public speech of his political career, Bilawal also criticised the judiciary for not showing interest in reopening of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent...
's reference and making progress in Benazir Bhutto's liquidation case.

He sarcastically said that judges had the time to take notice of soaring sugar prices and CNG rates and hearing petitions on the Kalabagh Dam, but do not have time to consider high-profile murder cases of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. "Is providing justice your job or running the government affairs," he asked. He said that Taliban-like forces were strengthened in a country where law and justice were missing. He also talked about "conspiracies" his party and his father, President Zardari, experienced during the current tenure of their government.

He said that conspirators remained silent when military dictator Gen (r) Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
was in the Presidency in military uniform, and they did not want to see an elected president in the country.

The PPP chairman said that the people who tried to block his mother's way were still aiming to eradicate democracy, sometimes on the pretext of memogate scandal and sometimes by fabricated cases.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Two Levies men injured in attack
[Pak Daily Times] Two Levies Force personnel were maimed when unidentified gunnies shot up their vehicle on Wali Khan Road on Thursday. According to Levies sources, the gunnies shot up a Levies' vehicle which was patrolling on Wali Khan Road, and managed to escape from the scene. They said that two personnel, identified as Zaheer Ahmed and Abdul Samad, were maimed and shifted to the Civil Hospital Mastung for treatment.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


Home Front: WoT
Home for Christmas: 9 Flattops at Norfolk
Impressive.
Posted by: tu3031 || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Enjoy it now, people - we're looking at an image of one the greatest concentrations of USN sea/firepower e-v-a-r!, before "sequestration" cuts andor SHTF between China + Japan in East Asia.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 1:14 Comments || Top||

#2  Yikes. Nice grouping, if you catch my drift.
Come home to Mayport.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 5:02 Comments || Top||

#3  It's all part of the New Deal Shipman.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 5:07 Comments || Top||

#4  Make a helluva reef when Obozo scuttles them to save money for his health care.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/28/2012 7:50 Comments || Top||

#5  71 years after Pearl Harbor, they're still lined up in rows...
Posted by: gromky || 12/28/2012 10:22 Comments || Top||

#6  When I watch turkeys cross the road I am at least comforted by the fact that turkeys should not know better.

And the sad fact about saving money for health care has nothing to do with equipment, once we allow government to start counting beans like people.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 10:23 Comments || Top||

#7  Well at least we know where the Navy plans to make their "fiscal cliff" funding cuts.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 11:48 Comments || Top||

#8  Reminds me of the old saying not to put all your eggs in one basket. A small nuke would achieve military naval parity.
Posted by: DarthVader || 12/28/2012 12:03 Comments || Top||

#9  A target rich environment
Posted by: Elmase the Ugly2144 || 12/28/2012 12:48 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Singapore medics battle to save India gang-rape victim
[Pak Daily Times] Doctors in Singapore battled Thursday to save the life of an Indian student who sustained horrific injuries in a gang-rape after she was dramatically airlifted overnight from a hospital in New Delhi.

As India's prime minister vowed that the attackers of the 23-year-old would face swift justice, medics at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital described her condition in the intensive care unit as "extremely critical".

"She is being examined and the hospital is working with the Indian High Commission (embassy)," the hospital added in a brief statement. The Indian government, which is paying for the woman's treatment, approved the decision to transfer her from Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital where she had been treated since the December 16 assault on a bus in the centre of the capital. Visa arrangements were also fast-tracked to enable the victim's relatives to keep watch over her in Singapore.

"The hospital and the family have requested that the privacy of the patient and the family be respected," said a statement from the high commission.

According to police and prosecutors, six men took turns to rape the woman and assault her with an iron bar, leaving her with intestinal injuries, before they threw her out of a bus that they had taken for a joy-ride.

While doctors in Singapore did not give details about the treatment she has received since her early morning arrival, their counterparts at Safdarjung said Mount Elizabeth had been chosen as it has a multi-organ transplant facility. BD Athani, medical superintendent at Safdarjung Hospital, told news hounds the woman had already undergone three operations in New Delhi.

"With fortitude and courage she has survived the after-effects of the injuries so far but her condition continues to be critical," Athani added. The gang-rape has prompted widespread street protests in India, not only in revulsion at the savage nature of the attack but also because it tapped into simmering anger at the level of violence against women.

Official figures show that 228,650 of the total 256,329 violent crimes recorded last year were against women, with the number of rapes in the capital rising 17 percent to 661 this year.

Gang-rapes are reported on a daily basis, with police revealing on Thursday that a 42-year-old woman had been found overnight dumped on a road in southeast Delhi after she was gagged, sedated and then raped by three men.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Unfortunately, the MSM-Net is repor that the victim has passed away from her injuries.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 22:21 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
S Sudan 'armed groups' attack disputed area: Khartoum
[Pak Daily Times] "Armed groups" from South Sudan clashed with Arab rustics in Samaha, a flashpoint border region disputed by Khartoum and Juba, the Sudanese military said on Thursday.

The fighting occurred two days ago, army front man Sawarmi Khaled Saad told AFP.

"We hear that there was some groups from South Sudan, gangs... and they attacked the nomads there, the Rezeigat," he said. "The fighting was not between the Sudanese army and the South Sudanese army."

He said he had no information on casualties or what sparked the incident. "We are trying to find a political solution for this problem," Saad said. The Samaha region is one of five areas disputed by Khartoum and the South's government in Juba.

In November, Sudan's army said it attacked an area several kilometres (miles) north of Samaha where Darfur rebels had set up a compound, but South Sudan said bombs landed on its territory, killing civilians.

Sudan considers the area, around the Bahr al-Arab River, to be part of its East Darfur state.

This week's clash came as Sudan and South Sudan try to implement stalled economic and security deals -- including a demilitarised border buffer zone -- which they hailed in September as ending conflict after they fought along their undemarcated border in March and April.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir
Head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and eventually appointed himself president-for-life. He has fallen out with his Islamic mentor, Hasan al-Turabi, tried to impose shariah on the Christian and animist south, resulting in its secessesion, and attempted to Arabize Darfur by unleashing the barbaric Janjaweed on it. Sudan's potential prosperity has been pissed away in warfare that has left as many as 400,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. Omar has been indicted for genocide by the International Criminal Court but nothing is expected to come of it.
and Æthiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Wednesday evening "discussed means of implementing the agreements which were signed in Addis Ababa between Sudan and South Sudan... as well as removing the impediments", the official SUNA news agency reported.

It added that Bashir affirmed his readiness to meet South Sudan's President Salva Kiir "in any time and place" to speed up the deals reached in the Æthiopian capital after African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
mediation.

Desalegn was heading on Thursday to South Sudan after his one-day stop in Khartoum, SUNA said. Along with the buffer zone, the September pacts allowed for a resumption of South Sudanese oil exports through northern pipelines. They also said border points would be reopened for general trade.

Khartoum accuses South Sudan of supporting rebels operating in Sudan, which has been a major obstacle to implementing the agreements.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Sudan


Africa North
Salafist party to refrain from decisions damaging to tourism: Bakkar
[Al Ahram] Nader Bakkar, the official spokesperson for the Salafist Nour Party, announced during a national dialogue with the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers on Wednesday evening that the party will not take any decision for a period of one year in the coming People's Assembly (the lower house of parliament) that might damage the country's tourism sector.

Bakkar explained that the Nour Party is calling for a new initiative to overcome the current economic crisis "by endorsing a political truce for a specific period, which could be a year, during which the government, presidency and various political forces can execute an agreed upon legislative and economic agenda for an economic renaissance."

He also pointed out that this step will be sufficient enough to reactivate the economy and to resolve the tourism crisis in the current period.

Bakkar made it clear that it is not possible for an official to close a crucial and ongoing activity like tourism, affirming that a balance may be struck between the party's principles and the country's economic requirements.

Salafist Nour Party confirmed that they will not close down beach tourism since it is an essential part of tourism in Egypt.

A number of party representatives, the minister of tourism, and the head of the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers attended Wednesday's meeting.

Last week, Elhamy El-Zayat, head of Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers, told Ahram's Arabic-language news website that since the 5 December festivities between opponents and supporters of President Mohamed Morsi at the presidential palace, Egypt has been losing 250 million dollars on a weekly basis.

He also expressed concern
...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended...
at the low tourist figures seen in Egypt this Christmas holiday.

Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under: Salafists

#1  The extent to which they will be unable to help themselves will be fun to watch - er, from a distance. Complaints from Brit and Aussie gay couples being harassed / beaten in 3 - 2 - 1...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/28/2012 16:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Bakkar made it clear that it is not possible for an official to close a crucial and ongoing activity like tourism

He doesn't mention the mobs of Salafists who will, though.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/28/2012 19:10 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Three killed in Quetta attacks
[Pak Daily Times] At least three people, including two personnel of a sensitive agency, were killed in separate attacks on Thursday. Unidentified gunnies bumped off two personnel of a sensitive agency in the Satellite town. The dear departed, identified as Subidar Ishaq and Hawaldar Abdur Rehman, was struck down in his prime while their killers fled the scene of the crime. On getting information, police reached the spot and shifted the dead bodies to hospital for an appointment with Dr. Quincy. After completing legal formalities the bodies were handed over to the heirs. Police have started the paperwork but haven't done much else and started a search for the killers.

In another firing incident in Satellite Town of the placid provincial capital, one person was killed and another injured. Police sources said that unknown gunnies riding a bike opened indiscriminate fire at two persons, leaving them seriously injured. The assailants managed to escape from the scene. The maimed were rushed to the Civil Hospital where one of them departed this vale of tears. The police are investigating the incident.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pound, the lost dog backed into the corner and showed its teeth. Really big teeth...
a man was shot and injured. Police sources said that unidentified gunnies riding a cycle of violence shot up the victim, Sadiq Ali, on Toghi Road, leaving him injured. The attackers managed to escape. The police shifted the injured to Sandeman Civil Hospital. Police said it was a sectarian attack and it was probing further.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Baloch Liberation Army


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
One Killed, Other Wounded in Armed Dispute in Bekaa
[An Nahar] One person was killed on Thursday in an armed dispute in the Bekaa region, reported the National News Agency.

It said that Ali Suleiman al-Moussawi was killed in the town of Masa in the outskirts of the town of Ali al-Nahri when a man identified as M.T. shot up him and his brother Hussein.

Hussein was maimed in his back and leg and transferred to Riyaq Hospital.

The gunman has since expeditiously departed at a goodly pace.

The reasons for the clash remain unknown.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
Uniformed men will be assigned to teach in Thai south
Thai border patrol police and army soldiers will be assigned to teach in state-run schools in Thailand's southernmost provinces, according to the Thai defense minister.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, who stayed overnight in Narathiwat province on Tuesday during his two-day inspection trip to the far South, said instruction by police and military personnel will be a temporary measure due to a shortage of Thai Buddhist teachers.

He said the assignment of teaching jobs to soldiers, rangers and border patrol police was agreed to by the Federation of Teachers in Three Southern Border Provinces.

A series of attacks against Thai Buddhist teachers in the area has devastated the morale of educators, many of whom have sought permission from the Education Ministry to transfer from the region.
Posted by: ryuge || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Azerbaijan pardons eight 'political prisoners'
[Pak Daily Times] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday pardoned eight people allegedly incarcerated
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
for political reasons in the ex-Soviet republic regularly accused of rights violations, state media said.

Among those freed were human rights
...which are usually entirely different from personal liberty...
campaigners Vivadi Iskandarov and Taleh Khasmammadov, state news agency AzerTaj said. Also pardoned was Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijani citizen working as a news hound for Iranian television who was incarcerated
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
on drugs charges amid tensions between Islamic but officially secular Baku and neighbour Tehran. The others set free included an opposition party member and religious activists in the mainly Moslem country, which has sought to prevent the rise of Islamic radicalism and is a partner in the NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all....
-led mission in Afghanistan.

The prisoners were pardoned as part of an amnesty of 87 people, although dozens more alleged political prisoners remain in jail, including Hilal Mamedov, a newspaper editor and rights activist. The Azerbaijani authorities led by strongman Aliyev have often been accused by international rights groups of silencing dissent, persecuting journalists and jailing opponents.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Foreign Activists Enter Gaza on Solidarity Mission
[An Nahar] A delegation of pro-Paleostinian activists, mainly French and Egyptian, crossed into Gazoo from Egypt on Thursday to deliver aid, AFP correspondents at the border reported.
How many Iranian missiles did they bring with them?
The "Welcome to Paleostine" delegation of about 90 people is to stay in the territory until January 1, in solidarity with the people of Gazoo and in protest against the Israeli blockade in force since 2006, organizers say.

Organized by French group EuroPaleostine, the delegation includes 60 French members and 25 Egyptians, and entered Gazoo through the Rafah border terminal, the only land crossing between the territory and the outside world not dependent on Israel, which also maintains an air and sea blockade.

The visitors brought drugs, surgical supplies and French textbooks, the organizers said.

In the past, several similar "Welcome to Paleostine" initiatives failed when activists were refused entry by air to Tel Aviv and by land from Jordan into the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Israeli blockade on Gazoo was first imposed in June 2006 following the capture by Orcs and similar vermin from the territory of an Israeli soldier, who was eventually freed in October 2011 in a trade for 1,000 Paleostinian prisoners held by Israel.

It was strengthened in 2007, when the Islamist Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, movement took control of Gazoo, then eased somewhat following an international outcry over the killing of nine activists in a 2010 Israeli commando raid on a flotilla trying to break the naval blockade.

In 2011, a U.N. report found the commandos used excessive force but ruled that the blockade itself was legal.

Israel says that its restrictions do not affect the civilian population of Gazoo and that it allows 50,000 tons of goods to enter each week.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  allows 50,000 tons of goods to enter each week.

Just what do they trade for those goods? Rockets, bombs, and rocks, it would seem. Who is paying for them? Unless it's KSA, it's nobody who can afford it.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/28/2012 8:57 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Brahimi Urges 'Real Change' as Opposition Rejects Assad in Political Transition
[An Nahar] International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on Thursday called for "real" change in war-torn Syria and the installation of a transition government with full powers until elections can be held.

"We need to form a government with all powers... which assumes power during a period of transition. That transition period will end with (presidential or parliamentary) elections," the U.N. and Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
envoy told news hounds.

Brahimi made the remarks at a news conference in Damascus
...Capital of the last overtly fascist regime in the world...
, during his latest bid to persuade Syria's warring parties to negotiate an end to the 21-month conflict estimated to have killed at least 45,000 people.

The Algerian diplomat had arrived in Syria on Sunday for his first visit to the country since October.

A diplomat at the U.N. Security Council said, however, that the veteran troubleshooter had received no support from either side during his talks in Syria.

Meanwhile,
...back at the chili cook-off, Chuck reached for the green sauce...
Syria's opposition National Coalition replied to Brahimi's proposal on Thursday, saying it would agree to any solution for a political transition as long as it excludes Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Oppressor of the Syrians and the Lebs...
and his family.

"We will accept any political solution that does not include the Assad family nor those who harmed the Syrian people," Coalition front man Walid al-Bunni told a presser in Istanbul.

"Our first condition for them is to leave the country," Bunni said in remarks translated from Arabic, referring to the Assad family and the regime's inner circle.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


India-Pakistan
CID arrests proclaimed offender
[Pak Daily Times] Anti Extremist Cell (AEC) of Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police on Thursday claimed to have apprehended an alleged absconder involved in killing of three Hindu doctors in Shikarpur District in 2011. Sindh government had announced Rs 0.5 million head money for his arrest. An official of the CID department said that under the directives of SSP CID and police team, including DSP Ali Raza, Sub Inspector Owais, Inpector Raja Khalid and ASI Basharat Hussain, conducted a targeted raid at Truck Ada Maripur area and apprehended an absconder Ramzan Bhaio, son of Haji Bux, and recovered one Kalashnikov and bullets from his possession. He added that the accused had demanded extortion from Dr Ashok Kumar, Dr Adeeb Kumar and Naveed Kumar and later killed them over its non-payment in Shikarpur. The provincial government announced Rs. 5, 00,000 million reward money for his arrest. An FIR 74/11 U/S 302, 324, 452 384 and 511 was lodged against him and his accomplices in PS Chak in the district.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Former U.S. President Bush Senior in Intensive Care
[An Nahar] After more than a month in hospital battling bronchitis, former U.S. president George H.W. Bush has taken a turn for the worse and is in intensive care with a "stubborn fever," a front man said Wednesday.

"He's had a series of setbacks now that have landed him in guarded condition in the intensive care unit," front man Jim McGrath told Agence La Belle France Presse.

"Early last week it was really looking good, but then it seemed a couple of dominoes started falling and it was taking us in the wrong direction."

The 88-year-old was first admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston on November 7 for bronchitis treatment and released on November 19. But he was readmitted on November 23 after his cough flared up once more.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I have a bad feeling about this - first the passing of Gen. Stormin' Norman, now on-going medical complications for CIC Bush 41.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 12/28/2012 1:08 Comments || Top||

#2  So do I - my father passed on two years ago this week, after having a month-long case of walking pneumonia. Then they discovered an underlying heart condition which had been going on for years, and those dominoes suddenly fell all in the wrong direction.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom || 12/28/2012 9:07 Comments || Top||

#3  Pneumonia is a common killer of the elderly. That metaphor of dominos falling is an apt one for the way many elders pass on, everything seems to go wrong at once.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/28/2012 9:16 Comments || Top||

#4  It seems something gets nearly everybody. I'll take 88 with as big a smile as I can muster.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/28/2012 9:19 Comments || Top||

#5  At least he got to see the New World Order before he died.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 12/28/2012 11:11 Comments || Top||

#6  HW - Aviator at 18, before people needed two apps to find their ass.

BO - Still hungover at 18.

Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 12:05 Comments || Top||

#7  Sometimes, I'm glad these people are dying .. before they see what their country has turned into.
Posted by: Omavitle Phans2669 || 12/28/2012 13:05 Comments || Top||

#8  Advisor said to "Put the harps away". So I'm not looking for him to die quite yet. Though I didn't particularly like how he fumbled everything away to Clinton. I feel alot of scorn mixed with admiration for the guy.
Posted by: Charles || 12/28/2012 13:21 Comments || Top||

#9  Understood Charles, but would you like him as a next door neighbor? Would you like your kids to talk to him about what it's been been like?
History will look upon him very kindly.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 17:01 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Egypt tourism shows little recovery in 2012
[Al Ahram] Around 10.5 million tourists visited Egypt in the first 11 months of 2012, a 17 per cent increase on the same period last year, Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou said Wednesday evening.

During a meeting with the Tourism Chamber of Commerce, Zaazou told industry professionals and news hounds that tourism generated some $9.4 billion in 2012, a slight increase over the $9 billion seen in 2011.

Despite the increase, such figures are still well below the $12.5 billion the sector generated in 2010, the most successful year in its history.

Minister Zaazou blamed political unrest and violent festivities that followed President Mohamed Morsi's constitutional declaration of 22 November for the unimpressive performance of the industry.

"Occupancy rates have dropped by about 25 per cent due to the current state of affairs in Egypt," Zaazou explained.

The month of December usually marks the beginning of the peak tourism season in Egypt. But early indicators are disappointing. The News Agency that Dare Not be Named reports that arrivals this month are down 40 per cent from November while industry officials complain of slow business.

"We are in the middle of the season and some hotels in certain areas are nearly empty," Elhamy El-Zayat, head of the Egyptian Tourism Federation, said.

El-Zayat explained that many establishments have cut their prices significantly to lure in tourists and that this is taking its toll on revenues. "In some places you can get a room for the night plus three meals for just $15. No wonder that many companies are just unable to pay their employees," he said.

The tourism sector was dealt painful blows following the 2011 popular uprising that unseated former president Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
. The ensuing security vaccum drove tourists away and left the foreign currency earning industry at a near halt.

The sector was projected to stage a strong comeback in 2012 following the coming to power of an elected president in summer and the political stability this was supposed to ensure.

"We had expected a rebound to normality by the end of this year, but we are still stuck at 2011 levels," Mohamed Essam, an operator at Tiran Tours in Cairo, told Ahram Online.

Tourism accounted for 10 per cent of Egypt's economic activity during the final years of the Mubarak era. The industry employs some four million people, more than 10 per cent of Egypt's total workforce.

The drop in tourist activity coincides with rough economic conditions Egypt is increasingly facing. Last Monday, Standard and Poor's (S&P) downgraded Egypt's credit rating to junk level, casting strong doubts on the ability of the state to meet its obligations. On Tuesday, it downgraded three major Egyptian banks, citing their heavy exposure to government debt.

These troubles reflect a lack of trust in the Egyptian economy, especially after a $4.8 billion loan deal was indefinitely postponed due to the political unrest in the country over the new constitution.

In the past few weeks, the Egyptian pound lost 1.5 per cent of its value to the dollar, reaching the level of LE6.19 to the dollar. A black market has been reported to have reappeared.

"Tourism is one of the main nerves of the Egyptian economy; it saves the country from possible crises. We just need stability," Zaazou added.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  They could encourage Muslim tourism instead, with each visitor to the pyramids allowed five whacks with a hammer on the pyramid of his choice. Ought to be a big seller.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/28/2012 9:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Don't give 'em any ideas.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 12/28/2012 12:37 Comments || Top||

#3  Why, when I could just go stand in a burnt hedge row and be home for edible food.

I think the pure islamist way would be to require each visiting meccadome to bring five pounds of wax, and like big mo would have done, carry it by foot and in hand to piously place on any pyramid. Only the truly devout can do it, so I anticipate the islam way of not even trying it. If a mere christian dog can do the stations of the cross, surely the men of pure can take a short walk.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/28/2012 13:30 Comments || Top||

#4  These troubles reflect a lack of trust in the Egyptian economy government.
Posted by: Pappy || 12/28/2012 15:07 Comments || Top||

#5  They could encourage Muslim tourism instead,
Itn unIslamik to Tap.
Posted by: Shipman || 12/28/2012 17:03 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
India to name and shame rapists: minister
[Pak Daily Times] The Indian government said on Thursday it will post the photos, names and addresses of convicted rapists on official websites to publicly shame them, in a new measure to combat growing crime against women.

Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh, India's junior home minister, said the campaign would begin first in New Delhi, where the brutal gang-rape of a student on December 16 by six drunken men has sparked nationwide protests.

"We are planning to start it (the campaign) in Delhi," Singh told news hounds, hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said women were being treated unfairly in India.

"Photographs, names and addresses of the rapists will be uploaded on the Delhi Police website (http://www.delhipolice.nic.in)," he said.

"We are very serious about dealing with the problem and taking all possible action as early as possible." The minister said the government-run National Crime Records Bureau had been told to prepare a directory of convicted rapists and upload their photographs and personal details to its official website (http://ncrb.nic.in) as well.

The announcement came a day after India said it had launched a judicial probe into the attack on the 23-year-old student who was dramatically airlifted to Singapore from a hospital in New Delhi late on Wednesday. Her drunken attackers, joyriding in a bus, raped the student and then assaulted her with an iron bar. The savage gang rape sparked some of New Delhi's largest mass protests in decades. India has also promised to toughen laws against rape, which currently carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Posted by: Fred || 12/28/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:



Who's in the News
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Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2012-12-28
  Militants kill two, kidnap 22 Pakistani soldiers
Thu 2012-12-27
  Somalia sets 100 days for Al Shabab militants to surrender
Wed 2012-12-26
  6 Killed in Attack on Nigerian Church
Tue 2012-12-25
  Drone Strikes Kill Six Qaida Suspects in Yemen
Mon 2012-12-24
  Tunisia arrests 16 al-Qaeda suspects
Sun 2012-12-23
  Egypt vice-president resigns on final day of referendum
Sat 2012-12-22
  Scuds pummel Syrian rebel positions
Fri 2012-12-21
  U.N. Security Council Approves Mali Intervention Force
Thu 2012-12-20
  Yemeni President Restructures Army, Removes Saleh Cronies
Wed 2012-12-19
  Three more polio workers shot in Pakistan; eight dead in 48 hours
Tue 2012-12-18
  Syrian rebels take control of Damascus Palestinian camp
Mon 2012-12-17
  Rebel Offensive In Hama
Sun 2012-12-16
  Rockets Fired on Peshawar Airport, Five Dead, Dozens Injured
Sat 2012-12-15
  Tunisian Salafists attack bar, call drinkers 'infidels'
Fri 2012-12-14
  Coca-Cola resumes its production in Somalia

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