Apparently the latest craze in the arab world is for people to protest by burning themses to death in public places.

Where is the fun in that?

(a guy burning himself to death is supposed to have started off the protests in Tunisia, but its not as "effective" in other places - according to this article, 12 people have done the same thing in Egypt in the past week!)

because he could hurt you real bad.

*or anyone elses for that matter.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has hit south-western Pakistan, in a desert area bordering Iran and Afghanistan, the US Geological Survey says.

BBC News

A Briton of Pakistani origin has been arrested for faking his own kidnapping with that of his British wife to get a ransom from his family, say police.

The couple were living in Pakistan and were reported missing on 10 January from Gulberg, Lahore.

Police later found Awais Hadier Shah, 28, and his wife Jamie William, 24, hiding in a hotel room.

Mr Shah is expected to be charged with offences, including fraud. Police say his wife is not involved in the plot.

Read more @ BBC News

Tunisia's president has stepped down after 23 years in power amid unprecedented protests on the streets of the capital Tunis.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said he would be taking over from President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

A state of emergency has been declared amid protests over corruption, unemployment and rising prices.

Mr Ben Ali has flown to the Mediterranean island of Malta, reports the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.

Read more @ BBC News

Tomorrow, Jamuary 9 2011 is the date for a referendum in Sudan where the Christian South may secede to create a separate country from the Muslim/Arab north.

If it does secede, there could be war as in the middle there are resource rich over which the newly divided country will fight.

If the south does not secede, then there could be war as the southerners will feel their rights are being trampled over by the north and will also feel threatened by some bedouin like people who are moving south to escape the expansion of the sahara desert to the north.

Something to keep on top of.

She was shot in the head but there are conflicting reports wether she is dead or alive.

(Source)

Two pakistani men have been convicted of grooming "young white girls" and Jack straw thinks the Pakistani community needs to get its act in order. (source)

I think the criticism he has recieved for stereotyping is besides the point and that he is right to discuss the issue as it needs to be discussed.

John Pilger investigates the media's role in war. He traces the history of 'embedded' and independent reporting from the carnage of WWI to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This was first broadcast on Tuesday 14 December 2010. Did anyone watch it? what do you make of it all?

Watch on itvPlayer, available until around 13 January 2011.

They are Women of the Year because: “They are fearless. Their life’s purpose is to be of service to Somali refugees, and their unwavering fortitude in the face of insurmountable obstacles is a testament to the warrior spirit of women.”
—Iman, cosmetics executive, model and 2006 Woman of the Year, born in Somalia

Her lifesaving efforts started in 1983, when she opened a one-room clinic on her family farm. As the government collapsed, refugees flocked to her, seeking food and care. Today she runs a camp housing approximately 90,000 people, mostly women and children because, as she says, “the men are dead, fighting, or have left Somalia to find work.”