Awesomely Practical Bangladesh

In an inspiring display of sensibility, the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has ordered male government employees to stop wearing suits, jackets, and neckties.

In addition to eliminating pointless and uncomfortable decorative elements from men’s clothing, the move will help minimize the need for air conditioning. Accompanying the government’s laudable decision was an order not to turn air conditioners in government buildings below 75 degrees F.

Under the new dress code – which applies even to the highest levels of government – men may also wear their shirts untucked, instead of stuffing the bottom portion into their pants for no good reason other than to conform to some arbitrary display of professionalism. The BBC reports that the government plans to encourage private businesses to follow its example.

Samoa Goes Left

Samoa has become the first country since the 1970s to change the side of the road on which cars are driven. At 0600 local time (1700GMT) sirens sounded and drivers were told to move from the right side to the left.

The government brought about the change to bring Samoa into line with other South Pacific nations. A two-day holiday was declared to ease traffic as people got used to the new rules, which faced legal challenges from groups which predicted chaos.

Of course, they did, it's safer and smarter.

Unbelieveable, North Koreans Drown Southerners Without Warning

North Korea unleashed walls of water from one or more of its dams on Sunday, sending a flash flood roaring through the heavily armed border with South Korea and sweeping away six South Koreans, officials in Seoul said.

The six South Koreans, who are still missing, include an 8-year-old boy. They were camping or fishing on the Imjin River, which flows from the North, enters South Korea north of Seoul, and meanders close to the border before emptying into the Yellow Sea.

“The government will send a telegram to the North on Monday to protest and demand a satisfying explanation,” the Unification Ministry of South Korea said in a statement.

Officials said the Imjin River’s water level on the border doubled, to 15.1 feet, after North Korea began releasing water without warning at 2 a.m. on Sunday, either from its newly built Hwanggang Dam 17 miles north of the border or from a smaller dam downstream.

Is this not governmental murder?

Security Guards Sacked in Kabul

Eight private security guards at the US embassy in Kabul have been sacked over claims that they took part in drunken parties and lewd bullying rituals. The embassy said the guards, who were photographed in various stages of nudity, had now left Afghanistan. Embassy officials did not confirm the guards' nationalities or names.

A standards watchdog revealed the scandal this week saying guards had brawled, drunk vodka from each other's buttocks and urinated on people. You must be kidding, what next? We are supposed to be setting a good example and winning friends. This is moronic!

Iran Gets First Woman Government Minister

Iranian MPs have approved the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic. Her name is Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi who was approved as health minister.

She was one of 18 nominations for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new cabinet to be approved. Two other women were among three rejected nominees.

The president's choice for defence minister, Ahmad Vahidi, who is wanted by Argentina over a deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, won strong backing. The vote follows months of wrangling after disputed elections in June.

Hey, it is some sort of progress... right?

A load of bull!

South Jordan, Utah, police used a Taser to stop a charging bull.

The animal escaped from its owner around 9800 South and 1300 West on Wednesday. Several people tried to corral it, but the bull knocked down an 80-year-old man and cut him.

Police responded and deployed a Taser on the animal. The owner then was able to get the bull into a trailer. The man who was knocked down was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Canada 'racist' according to ANC

Maybe I am missing the point but I see something wrong with this story from BBC News...

The governing party in South Africa, the ANC, has condemned as "racist" a decision by Canada to grant a white South African man refugee status. Brandon Huntley, 31, had told officials in Canada he could not return to South Africa after seven different attacks.They included three stabbings, which he said he had suffered as a result of his skin colour.

But a party spokesman said the African National Congress was shocked by the "sensationalist" allegations. "Canada's reasoning for granting Huntley a refugee-status can only serve to perpetuate racism," Ishmael Mnisi said.

It seems to me that the ANC would have been arguing the exact reverse if the person seeking refugee status was not a white man. This truly smacks of double standards.

Reality bites: Pit bull flattens deputy's tires

From Cumberland County, N.C., comes this deflating tale... Sheriff's Deputy Lynn Lavallis responded to a call Sunday from Gloria Bass about a dog chasing her daughter on her bicycle, trying to bite the back tire. When Lavallis pulled into Bass' driveway, there was nothing to see. Lavallis parked the patrol car and got out to investigate.

Enter Bass' pit bull, which proceeded to tear into the car's tires, flattening all four. "The dog didn't try to attack the deputy. He just doesn't like tires," said Debbie Tanna, a sheriff's spokeswoman. A sheriff's investigator, an animal control officer and a tow truck were summoned. Bass wasn't cited; her dog was on her property and didn't bite anything human. Bass will be billed for four new tires — $504.60. Heheheheheh! Smart dog!

Some people are unbelievable!

A mother-of-four was murdered by her partner days after she changed her Facebook status from "married" to "single", a court has heard.

Hayley Jones, 26, was found by her children at the family home. She had been fatally stabbed.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Brian Lewis, 31, killed her after telling friends he could not stand to lose her to another man.

WOW! The New BMW Sports Hybrid!

Low impact, high speed ... the futuristic BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics two-door concept hybrid car can get to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds yet uses less fuel than a Toyota Prius. Hon, can I have one???? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease.