August 7, 2013

Syrian army kills 62 rebels east of Damascus

Source: Reuters

BEIRUT | Wed Aug 7, 2013 5:32am EDT

(Reuters) - Sixty-two rebel fighters were killed in a Syrian army ambush at dawn on Wednesday near the town of Adra, east of Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, said.

The state news agency SANA did not give a death toll for the ambush but said the rebels were from the al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front. It said all the rebels were killed and machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades confiscated.

SANA said the "terrorists" included non-Syrians and the Observatory said that eight rebels were still unaccounted for after the attack, which happened west of an industrial area east of Adra.

Assad's forces have been on the offensive around Damascus after rebels pushed into towns and suburbs on the outskirts of the capital last year. Adra is in the Eastern Ghouta region, which has been besieged by the army for months.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/07/us-syria-crisis-ambush-idUSBRE9760DQ20130807?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=992637

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This horrific conflict seems far from over...

August 7, 2013

Pay your taxes or lose your license

State warns scofflaws who owe $10G could lose driving privileges

Albany

Some 16,000 delinquent taxpayers were put on notice Monday: Pay up or lose your driver's license.

The Department of Taxation and Finance sent the warnings to implement new provisions of law enacted with the state budget. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, authored the proposal.

"Our message is simple: Tax scofflaws who don't abide by the same rules as everyone else are not entitled to the same privileges as everyone else," Cuomo said in a press release.

"These worst offenders are putting an unfair burden on the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who are hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers," he continued. "By enacting these additional consequences, we're providing additional incentives for the state to receive the money it is owed, and we're keeping scofflaws off the very roads they refuse to pay their fair share to maintain."

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Pay-your-taxes-or-lose-your-license-4708596.php

July 29, 2013

Wave of car bombings target Iraqi Shi'ites, killing 60

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD | Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:43am EDT

(Reuters) - Car bombs ripped through busy streets and markets in Iraq on Monday, killing at least 60 people in predominantly Shi'ite areas in some of the deadliest violence since Sunni insurgents stepped up attacks this year.

The 17 blasts, which appeared to be coordinated, were concentrated on towns and cities in Iraq's mainly Shi'ite south, and districts of the capital where Shi'ites live.

Militant groups including al Qaeda have increased attacks in recent months in an insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government as a civil war in neighboring Syria heightens sectarian tensions.

The violence has raised fears of a return to full-blown intercommunal conflict in a country where ethnic Kurds, majority Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a stable way of sharing power.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/29/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE96S06420130729

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Updated twice, expect there will be more to come...

June 21, 2013

Hi, Skinner. I have another question about jury service here.

Since I've seen questions here from those who think they're being called for juries too frequently, I wanted to let you know that I've experienced the opposite. Probably because I'm here a lot and have a 100% chance of being chosen, I used to be called once or twice a day, especially later at night when there are fewer of us here.

But it has been quite awhile since I've been called, checked my inbox and the last time was May 18th. This seemed odd to me, may be part of the glitch others have been experiencing, so I thought I'd let you know...

Thanks!
Rhiannon

June 20, 2013

Canadian says he was speeding so he could dry his car

A 67-year-old Canadian man was fined $800 and lost his driving privileges for 45 days after driving 112 mph to dry his freshly washed car.

BLACK DIAMOND, Alberta — He was drying off his freshly washed car.

That's what the Canadian man told the Mounties when they stopped him for driving 112 mph south on Highway 22 south of Black Diamond in western Canada.

The driver, a 67-year-old who lives in the area, appeared in court Monday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Tuesday the judge fined the man $800 and suspended him from driving for 45 days.


(nothing additional at link)
http://news.msn.com/world/canadian-says-he-was-speeding-so-he-could-dry-his-car

June 18, 2013

LOL! Yes, I'm sick of that photo, too, though I got much more sick of this one:

June 15, 2013

Anyone notice Jonathan Alter's statement that no one there caught?

He said "Republicans have lost five out of the last six presidential elections..."

June 15, 2013

Online revival of a 1960s sci-fi magazine.

My friend recently had a story published there and turned me onto it. This is an online revival of a 1960s science-fiction magazine. Paid-for content, free for readers. Check out the "Shorter Stories" for a quick sample. Short reads and entertaining, IMO.

http://www.perihelionsf.com/anomalies.htm

June 13, 2013

Small dog loses it on top of a pool table (cute video) :D

&feature=player_embedded


http://www.boston.com/news/source/2013/06/small_dog_loses.html?camp=twit:bostondotcom-robo&dlvrit=980919

June 4, 2013

Fine for backing in car raises eyebrows

SARASOTA, Fla. - You may not realize it, but backing your car into a parking spot is illegal in certain parts of Sarasota, including the Palm Avenue parking garage. That's where $35 tickets are being issued on a daily basis to those who don't follow the rules.

That fine is raising a few eyebrows. Recently, local photographer Cliff Roles received a ticket in the garage for backing into a space. He says it's the only way he has ever parked his car.

"My peeve in the whole thing was basically the amount of money that was being asked of me," said Roles. "I hope the person that determined this amount of money might reconsider and think about a friendly warning, or reduce the amount of money he is going to take from people breaking this absolutely ridiculous ordinance."

The garage does have signs indicating that backing in is prohibited. Roles admits he did not see the signs.


http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/fine-for-backing-in-car-raises-eyebrows/article_9a4b16f8-ccb9-11e2-945e-001a4bcf6878.html