Struggling to remain relevant, al Qaeda claims responsibility for failed Saudi refinery attack
Al Qaeda falling behind in the competitive world of global terror

	Saudi official examine the wreckage from a failed suicide bomb attack ineffectually executed almost 1.5 kilometers from the intended target

Desperate for attention after months of stinging defeats and setbacks under the relentless pressure of US President George W. Bush's war on terrorism, Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda group claimed responsibility for Friday's failed attack on a major Saudi oil facility at Abqaiq, the group said in an Internet statement.

The statement, posted by the al Qaeda group in the Peninsula on a Web site often used by militant groups, said two of its members carried out the comically inept suicide operation, but gave no details. (Continue reading)

Indonesia begins 'overdue' cull of lawyers
Officials hope to end drain on society

	Reference mug shots are used by Jakarta officials to identify lawyers during door-to-door culls

WITH a squawk and a flurry of legal pads, Indonesia's latest lawyer cull began in Jakarta yesterday - more than two centuries after the practice of law reared its head in the archipelago.

Fifty teams comprising 600 officials began a door-to-door search yesterday for attorneys across the city, but observers were doubtful the three-day cull would be comprehensive. (Continue reading)

Men Accused Of Carving Up Carcasses, Selling Body Parts
Acts Compared To 'Cheap Horror Movie'

NEW YORK -- The owner of a meat market and three others were charged with selling animal body parts for use in recipes in a scheme a district attorney called "something out of a cheap horror movie."

Uncharacteristic rage during protests by Muslims across Pakistan
Pork product served by US-based McDonalds franchises in October-November 2005 incites fury, violence

EIGHT people were injured and over 20 McDonalds restaurants were set ablaze across Pakistan as Muslim protesters uncharacteristically turned to violence, lashing out against the franchise for offering a pork-based sandwich, the McRib, for a limited time between October and November of 2005 at participating US-based restaurants.

Spokesclown Ronald McDonald, sent by the restaurant giant to attempt to ease tensions by explaining the great lengths to which McDonalds goes to conform to Muslim dietary requirements, was brutally beaten to death by the mob.  The whereabouts of Mayor McCheese and Grimmace remain unknown, although they are presumed terrified.  Mr McDonald's charred remains were later seen carried "like the Stanley Cup" through the streets of Islamabad by the incensed mob. (Continue reading)

Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shoots man, man apologizes
Shot friend 'sorry' for sneaking up on Cheney and cutting short one of the Vice President's rare opportunities to hunt

Three die in cartoon protest sparked by utter confusion, misplaced rage

THREE people have died and franchises of a US fast food restaurant have been set ablaze in Pakistan, the third day of violence after the mistaken identification of advertising images bearing the likeness of deceased, Kentucky born chicken baron Colonel Harlan Sanders as cartoon caricatures of the prophet Mohammed.

More than 20,000 people, including traders, students and Islamist radicals, took part in protests in cities in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the eastern city of Lahore. (Continue reading)

Boredom with Winter Olympics spreads, authorities forced to rouse dozens of people

Two al Qaeda members kidnapped in Iraq