Free Republic

Karachi is one of the largest cities in the world, home to 17-million people, give or take a million. It is the economic engine of Pakistan, responsible for three-quarters of its economy. It is the bellwether for a precarious nation -- as Karachi goes, so goes Pakistan, they like to say here. It's also, according to a recent report from global human resources consulting firm Mercer, South Asia's lowest-ranking city for personal safety and the sixth most dangerous city in the world. It has had no elected government for more than 18 months, after the last one dissolved in bickering...

In a case where a firearm was locked in the glove box of a postal employee, the strong central government once again stuck it's chest out and scoffed at the Second Amendment. From an appeals case in U.S. District Five: “the Postal Service owned the parking lot...and its restrictions on guns stemmed from its constitutional authority as the property owner” How arrogant of the Judges to rule that someone other than “we the people” own the postal property. Finally there is no constitutional authority granting them any right to restrict firearms, they do so only by a string of rulings...

LOS ANGELES - Oops, she dinged it again. Paparazzi took pictures and videos of a puppy-toting Britney Spears steering her car into another one as she tried to turn into a spot in a Studio City parking lot. Then assessing the damage to her own car only. Then heading off to shop. But the tale of the tape made it clear to the owner of the parked car just who it was who scraped up her silver Mercedes-Benz. Kim Robard-Rifkin, 59, told the entertainment Web site CelebTV.com on Wednesday that nobody from Spears' camp had contacted her about the damaged...

While you're out shopping, some people are looking to take advantage of you. News 4's Lupita Murillo looks at what you can do to stay safe for the holidays. ------ Graciel Mariscal's shopping cart is filled with Christmas gifts for family and friends. She and her mother are spending time Christmas shopping on one of the busiest days of the year. But as she loads up her vehicle with her purchases, she's also aware that the parking lot can be a perfect oppurtunity for criminals to do their Christmas shopping. Mariscal says, "I'm always looking out for my surroundings and...

Archeologists say the site contained a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple -- as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues... The socialist local council says the remains never would have been found had the town not dug up the main square, Plaza de Espana, to build the car park in 1998, the newspaper said. Mayor Juan Wic said the parking lot is "essential for the commercial future of the square and city."

A woman is bumped by a car a week after a fatal shooting. AAA advises not holding a spot by standing in it. Gerry Milot, 70, couldn't find a handicap space at the crowded Wal-Mart on Missouri Avenue in Largo. So his wife, June, 66, staked out a spot, standing in it until he could move their car over. But Henry Gawlik also wanted the coveted space. So he bumped June Milot out of the way with his Cadillac, police said. Gawlik, 81, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a vehicle and battery for hitting Gerry Milot after...

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ABU GHRAIB, Iraq, Oct. 20 — Tens of thousands of Iraqi prisoners stormed out of their cells to freedom today after President Saddam Hussein declared an amnesty that appeared to have all but emptied a sprawling, nationwide network of prisons that have served as the grim charnel houses of one of the world's harshest police states. At the Abu Ghraib prison, a sprawling compound on the desert floor 20 miles west of Baghdad that has become a notorious symbol of fear among Iraqis for its history of mass executions and allegations of torture, the heavy steel gates gave way under...

Blair: Iraq Is Real Threat Prime Minister Tony Blair has strengthened his support for a possible US-led attack on Iraq, saying the country "poses a real and unique threat".Mr Blair made the pledge whilst facing the Press at an open forum in his Sedgefield constituency. "I believe it is in the United Kingdom's national interest that the issue is addressed," he said. Constant dialogue The Prime Minister said "America should not face the issue alone" and promised "the fullest possible debate will take part in Parliament and elsewhere". "The rest of the world has a responsibility, not just America," he...

A crowd of angry teenagers and their parents accused police Sunday of arresting many innocent bystanders during an overnight raid on a west Houston parking lot where youths apparently congregate. Scores of Houston police officers swarmed onto the Kmart parking lot in the 8400 block of Westheimer about 12:30 a.m. Sunday and arrested about 425 people for criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. Houston Police Department spokesman Martin DeLeon said many cars were towed. DeLeon said business owners have been complaining about youths gathering on their parking lots on weekend nights and causing a commotion. DeLeon said he did not have more...