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Majid al-Majid pegs out in custody
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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Tomb of Ancient Egyptian Beer Brewer Unearthed
[An Nahar] Egypt's minister of antiquities says Japanese archaeologists have unearthed the tomb of an ancient beer brewer in the city of Luxor that is more than 3,000 years old.
We should organize a pilgrimage.
Mohammed Ibrahim says Friday the tomb dates back to the Ramesside period and belongs to the chief "maker of beer for gods of the dead" who was also the head of a warehouse.

He added that the walls of the tomb's chambers contain "fabulous designs and colors, reflecting details of daily life ... along with their religious rituals."

The head of the Japanese team, Jiro Kondo, says the tomb was discovered during work near another tomb belonging to a statesmen under Amenhotep III, grandfather of the famed boy-pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  walls of the tomb......reflecting details of daily life ... along with their religious rituals."

Excuse me, is that a menorah ?


Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 4:04 Comments || Top||

#2  Egypt has gone to hell since. I blame the Cat Rapture
Posted by: Shipman || 01/04/2014 4:43 Comments || Top||

#3  Whatever you do, make sure you fully document the recipes before they fade away.
Posted by: gorb || 01/04/2014 10:59 Comments || Top||

#4  Sign found at Luxor archaeological site and translated into English.

Posted by: Threque the Really Smart 1 || 01/04/2014 16:37 Comments || Top||


-Land of the Free
This Week in Guns, January 4th, 2014
By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

A lot of firearms stuff in the news at the moment, but none more important than the newly-returned-from-vacation president wants to write new rules that add new data to the NICS database to include outpatient involuntary mental commitments. What could go wrong? Just another small group of individuals, the mentally ill systematically denied the right to purchase firearms through the federal system, right? Everyone should be up in arms except that the political climate now means you are crazy if you disagree with the new rule. Just like the Violence Against Women Act, if you oppose it you are a wife beater, except that law was expanded and its provisions were made retroactive. Seriously, no potential for abuse with the new rules, right? Just another expansion of the scope of government, just as we want. Right? Right??

Just as they said they would, Magul will leave Colorado, in a marijuana-induced haze and all, and build new manufacturing plants in more gun friendly states such as Texas and Wyoming.

From the Other Perfesser, a federal judge said last week that the ban on magazine limits in New York was unconstitutional. Everything else on the fascist bucket list was upheld. The judiciary has abdicated its role in society and has become a handmaiden of the left. Meanwhile, gun confiscations and attacks on the individual right to keep and bear arms continue by the state police in New York, as in California.

The gun re-registration act in Washington, DC goes into effect this week with a $48 per year fee, not including all the background check fees that must be paid. Not only that, you are presumed to be a criminal who must be photographed and finger printed. Unless your name is David Gregory, of course. Another political entity in which gun confiscation is the next logical step. It will happen.

According to David Cordrea, a representative of a Connecticut gun rights group was ordered to leave state grounds because he dared to pass out business card to the serfs law abiding citizens registering their firearms, so that state can take them at a later date. As an aside, the word is that compliance is at roughly 25 percent, which is a statement that the other 75 percent have for the individuals registering their guns.

From Gun Rights writer Kurt Hoffman, Resolve to be a gun criminal.

Loads.

Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:

Ammunition for all classes of firearms was mostly unchanged from the week before.

Prices for all classes of firearms were mostly higher.

Pistol Ammo

.45 caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged

Cheapest, 50 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, steel cased, .33 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Orca Arms, BFA, brass cased, .33 per round (Unchanged after +.02 from two weeks ago)

.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged +.03 each (-.03 previous three of four weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Jack Ross Ammunition, No Name, reloaded, .30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Wholesale Hunter, Ultramax, .34 per round (+.10 each from last week(!))

9mm Parabellum, 115 grain, From Last Week: +.02 each (-.02 each from two weeks ago)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ventura Munitions, Wolf Classic, steel cased, .26 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Orca Arms, Reloaded, .23 per round (Unchanged over three weeks)

.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (+.02 from two weeks ago)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Orca Arms, BFA reloaded, .40 per round
Cheapest Bulk: None for this week, Two weeks ago: LAX Ammunition, No label, .42 per round

Rifle Ammunition

.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (Over three weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: MunireUSA, Tulammo, steel cased, .27 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo to Go, Tulammo, steel cased, .28 per round (-.02 Each from last week, (+.03 each from previous two weeks, -.04 over previous five weeks)

.308 NATO 145 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Munire USA, Prvi Partizan, brass cased, .60 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Prvi Partizan, brass case, .56 per round (-.02 from last week, -.02 from two of last three weeks)

7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Alamo Ammo, Wolf Polyformance, steel core and case, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Red Army Standard (Ukraine), steel case, .22 per round (-.02 each after unchanged over previous four Weeks)

.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged ( -.02 each average previous 4 weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Fast, Aguila Superextra, .09 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Ammo Fast, Aguila Superextra, .12 per round ( Unchanged from last week )

Guns for Private Sale
Rifles


.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $814 Last Week Avg: $734
California: Smith & Wesson: $800
Texas: DPMS Sportical: $620 (Same Gun)
New York: Ruger SR-556: $850
Virgina: Bushmaster (M-4 pattern): $900
Florida: DPMS: $900

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,330 Last Week Avg: $1,475
California: DPMS Panther: $1,560
Texas: Armalite : $1,100
New York: None available
Virginia: Smith & Wesson M&P10: $1,400
Florida: Rock River Arms: $1,260

7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $685 Last Week Avg: $665
California: Century Arms (Underfolder): $800
Texas: WASR: $750
New York: Saiga: $600 (Same Gun)
Virginia: Zastava: $675 (Same Gun)
Florida: VZ 2008 Sporter: $600

7.62x54mm (Dragunov Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,445 Last Week Avg: $1,267
California: Romak PSL: $1,689
Texas: None
New York: None
Virginia: None
Florida: Romak: $1,200

Pistols

.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $537 Last Week Avg: $619
California: Rock Island Armory: $475 (Same Gun)
Texas: Rock Island Armory: $450
New York: Springfield 1911: $700
Virginia: Rock Island Armory: $460
Florida: Rock Island Armory: $599

9mm Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic Average Price: $405 Last Week Avg: $378
California: Ruger P89: $300
Texas: Smith & Wesson 915: $450
New York: Glock 19C: $500
Virginia: Ruger P89: $375
Florida: Beretta Cougar 8000: $400

.40 caliber S&W (Glock and other semiautomatic) Average Price: $460 Last Week Avg: $450
California: Glock 22: $450
Texas: Glock 22: $480
New York: Glock 23: $475
Virginia: Glock 27: $460
Florida: : Kahr PM40: $435

Used Gun of the Week: (From California)

U.S. Model 1903 Springfield chambered in 30-06 Springfield

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com.
Posted by: badanov || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Met a guy at the range the other day with a very nice Army Colt cross draw rig. Said it was Chisholm made. Thought I would pass their website along. I have no connection with this fellow.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 10:16 Comments || Top||

#2  Besoeker's link is worth looking at just for artistry purposes; some fine work.

You military people do realise that these people consider you a bit off anyways, and combat vets automatically have PTSD in their minds or arguments. As Baterman wants, the second you leave the military you will be unable to possess firearms, and will likely have to check in periodically and/or allow random searches.

Then it will be anyone with a DUI or drug charge, public intox, questioned in a violent activity, as well as mental committment.

Then it will be anyone who has been on certain medications, especially painkillers which include those used during labor, removal of wisdom teeth, any operation which require extended pain relief or knockout.

At this point, anyone who cannot obtain a license to have themselves as a security company for themself will likely be subjected to random drug testing and automatic search without warrent for security of firearms.

They can call it the Arrest Baby Beaters Act (ABBA) for all I care. The goal has been made clear, they are just working on the sales pitch and legal dictates, testing the temperature.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 01/04/2014 15:28 Comments || Top||


U.S. Customs destroys renowned musician's rare flutes.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Vandals.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 01/04/2014 1:48 Comments || Top||

#2 

Destroyed, or sent elsewhere ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 4:09 Comments || Top||

#3  More likely the TSA offical was pissed that there wasn't anything to steal - so he broke the 'reeds'.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 01/04/2014 6:24 Comments || Top||

#4  So the A-hole bureaucrats don't even have the common decency of an apology?
When they die... piss on their graves.
Posted by: 3dc || 01/04/2014 6:41 Comments || Top||

#5  There's an update at the bottom. looks like the flutes were nicked.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 01/04/2014 7:50 Comments || Top||

#6  Banned item to import. Never talked to the guy just destroyed them.Hand made for upcoming performance that may now be canceled.
Posted by: Dale || 01/04/2014 9:20 Comments || Top||

#7  I'd better leave my Stradivari home next time...
Posted by: European Conservative || 01/04/2014 9:30 Comments || Top||

#8  ...US Fish and Wildlife Service -v- Gibson Guitar redux...Zamfir had better watch his six...
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 01/04/2014 10:56 Comments || Top||

#9  Nothing to do with the Gibson case of course:

“Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson’s chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians. Recent donations have included $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and $1,500 to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn,” the editorial reads.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 11:00 Comments || Top||

#10  With any luck this is just the first of a long series of misfortunes sent by the Almighty to punish the Boston Camerata for their avid promotion of pan-Mediterranean New Age noodling. /half-kidding

Love early music. Love most every oriental vernacular music. Moonbeam mishmash and its cultural and revisionist baggage, not so much. But I'm in awe seeing the 'burg unanimously behind the little Arab dude with his reed flutes. I swear I can feel various bigotries crackling and crumbling off of me every time I browse through here.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 01/04/2014 22:23 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Mauritanians defy Islamists, celebrate New Year's
[MAGHAREBIA] Mauritanians rang in the new year Tuesday night despite pressure from radical Islamists who had urged authorities to ban celebrations.

A group calling itself "Ansar Tatbeek al-Sharia al Islamia" or "Supporters of the Implementation of Islamic Sharia" threatened to harass anyone who celebrated the holiday in Mauritania.

"We condemn and denounce the so-called New Year's Eve celebrations because they are against the Holy Book and the Sunna, and given what they produce in terms of immorality and evil," the gunnies said in a December 26th statement.

The statement called on the Mauritanian government to prevent these gatherings and celebrations that the gunnies claim are shameful and degrading.

In a statement to Magharebia before the holidays, Yahdhih Ould Dahi, secretary-general of Ansar Tatbeek al-Sharia al-Islamia in Mauritania said his group planned several activities to steer people away from marking the occasion.

"We will also disturb them with speeches and sermons on loudspeakers to stop them from celebrating," he said.

Describing his group, Ould Dahi said they were "unemployed young graduates of Saudi universities" and their mission was "to fight against vices and to apply Sharia".

The threats of this group to curtail freedom of expression and interfere in the private lives of citizens have prompted some young people to launch a counter movement.

A statement issued by the campaign to collect signatures against militancy led by activists, intellectuals, media workers, and writers noted, "The authoritarian role posed by these groups in secret and in public is a risk to the civil state and threatens its existence as a civilian social entity, based on the law."

"Trusteeship imposed by these groups through excommunication and accusations of treason, verbal terrorism and physical abuse, threaten to transform the national state into a failed entity of the kind that distant and neighbouring experiences have shown to be a failure and a risk," the statement added.

"They are seeking to transform this country to a takfir
...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed...
i emirate with an inquisition, run amok, destroy crops and cattle and humiliate human dignity and humanity," the activists warned.

The moderates also warned that turbans threatened to "destroy the authentic identity of this country that is based on a tolerant understanding of Islam".

The statement concluded by saying, "The seriousness of this campaign lies in the mentality of restriction, the custody of thoughts and behaviours of individuals and adults and an effort to reshape them. It is a matter that is threatening our linguistic identity, culture, and intellectual diversity, which is the currency of this society."

On the street, Mauritanians were sharply critical of the Islamists' attempts to curtail freedom of expression.

"What is new in this call is that it does not discriminate between the targets," said media figure Ahmedou Ashrif. "This group used to target Westerners but this time, it seems to have made a leap in terms of goals and is pursuing to return Mauritanian society to what it sees as Sharia, and the fight against westernization and decay, by taking advantage of these celebrations."

For his part, theatre director Mohammed Salem Ould Khliyah said that the radical group's call to harass revellers was "an immoral intervention contrary to the values of tolerance and a flagrant violation of the right of any person celebrating Christmas in Mauritania".

"We have to give others the right to celebrate without harming them or using force against them," Ould Khliyah told Magharebia.

Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Salafists

#1  "so tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1435"
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 01/04/2014 22:27 Comments || Top||


Economy
SEE YA: Top gun company splits from Colorado, costing state $85 million
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
Gov Perry of Texas offers to build new factory and provide huge tax break.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 8:46 Comments || Top||

#2  No problem, the Democrats will turn the old factory into an industrial catering service, they already have a name for it too.

Posted by: Threque the Really Smart 1 || 01/04/2014 16:49 Comments || Top||


Europe
Divorce without Judges? France Puts Plan Forward
[An Nahar] La Belle France is putting together a plan to allow divorces by mutual consent to proceed without a judge, simplifying a process that some critics say is already too easy.

Social Affairs Minister Dominique Bertinotti confirmed the plan on Friday, telling BFM-TV that "simplification is a good thing."

Under the proposal, a court clerk could approve divorces when both spouses agree.
"I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I ..."
According to the Le Figaro newspaper, divorcing couples in agreement spend an average of only eight minutes before a judge now.

Bertinotti said court clerks are highly trained in the law and could handle those cases, freeing up judges for trickier breakups. Bertinotti added: "One couple in two will divorce. Do we have to make it more difficult?"

Opponents noted the plan will further weaken the institution of marriage.
Seems pretty weak in France right now...
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ribeauvillé storks angered, threaten an end to week end deliveries.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 8:28 Comments || Top||

#2  Someone else posted here just a few minutes ago. Too bad he had to suddenly leave. Wahahhaha
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 9:48 Comments || Top||

#3  Yes. Something about exceeding the quantum of solace.
Posted by: Pappy || 01/04/2014 16:04 Comments || Top||


Spain Vows to Stand Firm on ETA Prisoner Policy
[An Nahar] Spain vowed Friday to stand firm on its policy on ETA prisoners even though tossed in the slammer
You have the right to remain silent...
members of the armed Basque separatist group have softened their stance on key demands.

Last week EPPK, a collective representing hundreds of tossed in the slammer
You have the right to remain silent...
members of ETA, western Europe's last major armed secessionist group, dropped its long-standing demand for a general amnesty.

In a statement on December 28 EPPK, representing prisoners who constitute most of ETA's active surviving membership, also said it would consider letting them negotiate individually for release.

Previously, they had refused to play ball with the prison authorities since the prisoners rejected the terms of their imprisonment.

"This statement has no value regarding the government's anti-terrorism policy in general, nor the policy of dispersing prisoners," Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told news hounds on Friday in his first public comments on the EPPK statement.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


The Grand Turk
Turkey's Jailed ex-Army Chief Blasts 'Disloyal' Comrades
[An Nahar] Turkey's former army chief Ilker Basbug, the highest-ranking defendant convicted in a mass trial over an alleged coup plot, has fiercely criticized his comrades for showing a lack of loyalty and support.

In his book "Suclamalara Karsi Gercekler" (Accusations Against Truth), Basbug gives an account of his two years in detention, as well as his frustration after he was jugged
Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un!
for life in August last year convicted of plotting to overthrow the government.

"Leading and running a terrorist organization! Let me be clear, my world turned black after I heard the charges," he wrote.

The 71-year-old decorated general accuses the judiciary of an unfair decision, and lashes out at politicians for acting as mere bystanders, and the media for hesitating to seek the truth.

But his major disappointment was the lack of solidarity from an institution he had served for 48 years before retiring in August 2010.

"The Turkish Armed Forces, with its active and retired officers, failed by showing disloyalty to their comrades," he wrote.

Basbug, who led the army from 2008 to 2010, was the most senior officer in a crowded dock convicted of involvement in a shadowy group dubbed "Ergenekon", accused of instigating an armed uprising against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-leaning government, which came to power in 2002.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Turkey Frees Two Jailed Kurdish Lawmakers
[An Nahar] A Turkish court on Friday released two Kurdish politicians from prison after the country's top court ruled that their long pre-trial detention violated their rights, media reported.

Ibrahim Ayhan and Gulser Yildirim of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), were enjugged
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
in 2010 suspected of links to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

But a court in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern city of Diyarbakir released them pending trial after a Constitutional Court ruling on Thursday.

The court upheld their complaint that their detention violated the rights of an elected official and that the time spent behind bars was excessive, the Radikal newspaper reported.

The constitutional court also ordered 3,000 Turkish lira ($1,400, 1,000 euros) in compensation to be paid to each politician, it said.

The BDP has long argued that court rulings blocking the release of incarcerated
I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece!
Kurdish MPs were politically-motivated and warned they would harm the fragile grinding of the peace processor between the Turkish state and the PKK.

The grinding of the peace processor stalled in September after Kurdish rebels announced they were suspending their retreat from Turkish soil, accusing the government of failing to deliver on promised reforms.

Kurds are demanding the release of Kurdish prisoners and political activists, the lifting of restrictions on Kurdish-language education in state schools and reducing the 10-percent election threshold required to secure seats in parliament.

The PKK, which is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara and its Western allies, launched an insurgency seeking self-rule in the southeast in 1984 that has claimed about 45,000 lives.

Three other incarcerated
I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece!
BDP deputies have also launched a complaint with the constitutional court over their detention.

Last month, a journalist and politician from the opposition Republican People's Party was freed after the court ruled his four years in jug ahead of a trial had violated his rights.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
The mystery of Raiwind palace ownership
[DAWN] The ownership of the Raiwind palace spread over thousands of acres is a mystery because it has never been mentioned in the statements of assets and liabilities of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
and other members of his family in politics.

Even latest declarations submitted by Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif, son-in-law Captain Mohammad Safdar and nephew Hamza Shahbaz to the Election Commission of Pakistain are silent on the ownership title of the huge property.

But Information Minister Pervez Rasheed told Dawn that the property was in the name of Shamim Sharif, mother of the Sharif brothers.

The statements of assets show that the Sharif brothers have much in common. Both live in houses not owned by them. Nawaz Sharif lives in a house owned by his mother while Shahbaz Sharif resides in a house owned by his spouse Nusrat.

Both use Land Cruisers gifted to them by unspecified persons. Both have multiple foreign and local currency accounts, own huge agricultural land and have investments in industrial units like sugar, textile and paper mills.

The most visible dissimilarity is the rapid growth in the value of assets owned by the elder brother and continuous decline in the value of assets possessed by the younger brother. Another dissimilarity is that Shahbaz Sharif has two properties in the United Kingdom, but Nawaz Sharif has no assets abroad.

Till the time of elections in May last year, Shahbaz was richer than Nawaz -- though none of them a billionaire -- but things are different now. According to the recent declaration, the value of Nawaz Sharif's wealth has registered a six-fold increase in just 12 months to make him a billionaire for the first time.

According to statements of assets and liabilities, the net worth of Nawaz Sharif's assets was Rs261.6 million in 2012 and of Shahbaz Sharif Rs336.9m.

In 2011, the assets of the two brothers were worth Rs166m and Rs393m, indicating an increase of Rs95.6m and decrease of Rs56.5m, respectively.

In 2013, the value of assets of Nawaz Sharif ballooned to Rs1.82bn while that of Shahbaz Sharif slipped further to Rs142m.

Incidentally, Shahbaz Sharif has more stakes abroad than in the country. He owns properties and bank account worth Rs138.28m in the UK. He has three loans worth 117.10m in Pak rupees in British banks.

The younger brother has not disclosed the value of five properties with net area of around 676 kanal in Lahore -- all gifted by his mother.

He has Rs51.96m cash in hand and Rs7.27m in his sole bank account in the country.

Mrs Nusrat, the first wife of Mr Shahbaz, had assets worth Rs273.46m on June 30 last year. It was Rs224.56m a year earlier. She has Rs14.34m cash in hand and Rs1.95m in her five bank accounts.

The assets of Mrs Tehmina, the second wife of Shahbaz Sharif, are worth Rs9.83m. They were Rs7.64m last year.

She has five bank accounts -- two in Pound Sterling, one in dollar and two in Pak rupees, but the money in these accounts is only Rs23,770. She has cash in hand and prize bonds worth Rs750,000 and two cars.

Kalsoom Nawaz, the wife of Nawaz Sharif, has net wealth of Rs235.85m, which is much less than that of Mrs Nusrat Shahbaz.

Mrs Kalsoom has land and a house in Changa Gali, Abbottabad
... A pleasant city located only 30 convenient miles from Islamabad. The city is noted for its nice weather and good schools. It is the site of Pakistain's military academy, which was within comfortable walking distance of the residence of the late Osama bin Laden....
, worth Rs63.75m, a bungalow on Mall Road in Murree worth Rs100m, 88 kanal of land in Sheikhupura worth Rs70m, jewellery of Rs1.5m and shares in family businesses.

She has Rs67,555 cash in hand and Rs55,765 in banks.

Hamza Shahbaz is wealthier than his father with net assets of Rs250.46m. He has two wives. The wealth of his first wife is Rs2.45m and that of the second is Rs9.88m.

Capt Safdar's wealth is worth Rs14.23m. He owns a car which his wife Marium received as a gift from the UAE.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


India's Goa Bans Local People from Casinos
[An Nahar] Authorities in Goa have decided to ban local people from entering the holiday state's casinos, which from March will only welcome tourists.

Goa's Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the amendment to the state's gambling act, which will come into force on March 1, prohibiting locals from entering either onshore casinos or those on ships in Goan waters.

"The act would be amended making it mandatory for the person entering casino to prove that he is tourist and not a Goan," Parrikar said Thursday, adding that a gaming commissioner would be appointed to regulate the casino industry.

Tight restrictions exist on gambling in India, where Goa is one of few states to allow casinos -- it has more than 12 in its various five-star hotels.

It is also the only Indian state to have offshore gaming vessels, which are anchored in the Mandovi River in Goa's main city of Panaji.

The state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had in its election manifesto pledged to ban locals from entry into casinos after activists protested against the ill effects of betting.
Posted by: Fred || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


10-year-old maid ‘tortured to death’ in Pakistan
A 10-year-old girl, who worked as a housemaid, was allegedly tortured to death in Lahore.

Parents of Erum, a household servant, said their daughter was lethally subjected to torture by Altaf Mehmood, owner of the house and his family members. Police said Altaf brought the injured girl to the Services Hospital in a critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to hospital sources, the girl’s body bore marks of torture but doctors were not sure if she died of torture.
"How did she die, doctor?"
"Hard to be sure. Might have been alligator bites. See those marks? Never can tell for sure."
Also, police said medical report and postmortem report will reveal the circumstances surrounding her death.

Meanwhile, police took in custody house owner Altaf and his son for interrogation. However, police said they did not receive any application from the bereaved parents to initiate legal action, adding they will begin proceedings as and when such an application is received.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
1,600 prisoners released in Myanmar
Over 1,600 prisoners were released across the country Friday under an amnesty order of President Thein Sein, local media reported.
I'm not sure that Myanmar is still WoT related given the improvements there. Releasing political prisoners is a welcome move.
The president granted the pardon to mark the country's Independence Day which falls Saturday, Xinhua reported. The freed prisoners included over 40 foreigners.

Under the pardon order, the prisoners on death row are commuted to life imprisonment while those serving life imprisonment and those with more than 40 years to serve are to serve 40 years in prison.

Other inmates with jail terms of 40 years and below had their jail sentences cut one-fourth.

Myanmar claimed Dec 30 that all remaining political prisoners were set free across the nation. According to the government, a total of 354 political prisoners were freed in 2013.
Posted by: Steve White || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Culture Wars
Gay Kid in Louisiana Says ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Made Him Feel ‘Unsafe’
...worrying about EMT detours required owing to "Gay Pride" events makes me feel unsafe...but I'll get over it...
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 01/04/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Think how the Mallards and CanvasBacks must feel.
Posted by: Shipman || 01/04/2014 7:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Thanks for the laugh Mr Ship
Posted by: BrerRabbit || 01/04/2014 8:01 Comments || Top||

#3 
Now, now, now. Settle down and read this book.
Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 8:01 Comments || Top||

#4  I wonder how much the kid (and his parents) were paid to say that.
Posted by: Frozen Al || 01/04/2014 12:07 Comments || Top||

#5  Better toughen up sugar; Fusion Style cooking makes me feel unsafe but I'm dealing with it.

Really, ever watch one of those cooking show where upon hearing the ingredients you just want to yell, "BullS!t! Why ruin a wonderful ribeye by grinding it up, and making avacado meatloaf! Is nothing safe from this scurge of convince you its better cooking programing?! Tuna ice cream with chocolate wasabi topping? Get. Out."
Posted by: swksvolFF || 01/04/2014 15:47 Comments || Top||

#6  so, basically, our speshul snoeflake wants Phil Robertson to Shut Up so he doesn't get feelings of apprehension or disapproval.
Posted by: Frank G || 01/04/2014 16:15 Comments || Top||

#7  Here is another thing that will likely make the kid feel unsafe ...

Posted by: Threque the Really Smart 1 || 01/04/2014 16:41 Comments || Top||

#8  Better toughen up sugar; Fusion Style cooking makes me feel unsafe but I'm dealing with it.

Really, ever watch one of those cooking show where upon hearing the ingredients you just want to yell, "BullS!t! Why ruin a wonderful ribeye by grinding it up, and making avacado meatloaf! Is nothing safe from this scurge of convince you its better cooking programing?! Tuna ice cream with chocolate wasabi topping? Get. Out."


That all sounds awful, but if Giada de Laurentis makes it, I'll watch.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 01/04/2014 16:48 Comments || Top||

#9  Avocado meatloaf sounding purty good actually.
Posted by: Shipman || 01/04/2014 17:09 Comments || Top||

#10  Some spinoffs already gaining momentum.

Posted by: Besoeker || 01/04/2014 17:14 Comments || Top||

#11  Liar. Idiot. Shill.
Posted by: Maggie Shusogum4219 || 01/04/2014 17:15 Comments || Top||

#12  You have to wonder how many of this 'person's classmates feel unsafe for fear to drop the soap in the showers while he is around.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 01/04/2014 17:29 Comments || Top||

#13  Whaitaminute...yeah, she does cook. Italian, I think.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 01/04/2014 17:43 Comments || Top||

#14  Whaaaaaa....

Obama makes me feel unsafe... Because he actually does by putting the country at risk.
Posted by: DarthVader || 01/04/2014 20:55 Comments || Top||

#15  He made me feel unsafe in my own home. I can’t count how many times I heard ‘faggot’ over the Christmas visit home.

Sounds like Duck Dynasty guy is the least of his problems...
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/04/2014 21:38 Comments || Top||

#16  Phil Robertson threatened my life because I had the audacity to be who I am.

If you're so audacious on being who you are, then why are you in the closet?
Posted by: tu3031 || 01/04/2014 21:42 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2014-01-04
  Majid al-Majid pegs out in custody
Fri 2014-01-03
  Qaeda militants control parts of Iraq
Thu 2014-01-02
  Syria misses United Nations deadline
Wed 2014-01-01
  Leb Army Arrests Abdullah Azzam Brigades Chief
Tue 2013-12-31
  Shamsher Mobin and 250 others arrested
Mon 2013-12-30
  Reports: Second Blast In Russian City Kills 10 On Trolleybus
Sun 2013-12-29
  Breaking: Terrorist bombing Russian train statiion kills 18.
Sat 2013-12-28
  10 Dead In Army Shelling Of Funeral Tent In South Yemen
Fri 2013-12-27
  Egypt Orders 18 Brotherhood Members Held on Terror Charges
Thu 2013-12-26
  French Tanks Deploy at Bangui Airport amid Heavy Gunfire
Wed 2013-12-25
  70 killed as troops, Boko Haram clashes in Nigeria
Tue 2013-12-24
  Turbans attack Iraq TV channel HQ
Mon 2013-12-23
  New Air Strikes on Aleppo Kill Dozens, Schoolchildren among 8 Dead in Homs
Sun 2013-12-22
  Alabama men convicted on terrorism charges get 15-year prison terms
Sat 2013-12-21
  N. Waziristan clashes: Troops pound militant hideouts, 40 killed


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