Turmoil in the Mideast

Eager Egyptians hold landmark presidential vote

After a lifetime of being told who will rule them, Egyptians dived enthusiastically into the uncertainty of the Arab world's first competitive presidential race Wednesday, wrestling with a polarizing choice between secularists rooted in Hosni Mubarak's old autocracy and Islamists hoping to infuse the state with religion.

Yemen to get $4B to aid fight against al-Qaida

Saudi Arabia and Western and Gulf states pledged more than $4 billion in aid to Yemen after more than 90 Yemeni soldiers were killed in a suicide attack, deepening concerns about al-Qaida's presence in the country.
Clinton: US hacked Yemeni al-Qaida sites

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says U.S. cyber experts hacked al-Qaida propaganda online in Yemen, changing ads that bragged about killing Americans into ads that showed the death toll of al-Qaida attacks against Yemenis.
Syria says sanctions have cost country $4 billion

Syria's oil minister blamed international sanctions Wednesday for shortages of cooking gas and other basic goods, saying the measures have bled $4 billion from the nation's ailing economy.
UN: Bahrain to mull ways to improve rights record

Bahrain has agreed to consider recommendations to release political prisoners, outlaw torture and join the International Criminal Court, a move that could open it to international prosecutions of alleged abuses, the U.N.'s top human rights body said Wednesday.
Tunisia sets terms for extradition of ex-Libyan prime minister

Libya's former prime minister will only be extradited to his country if his life isn't in danger there and he can be guaranteed a fair trial, Tunisia's presidential spokesman said Wednesday.

The Ruptured Duck

Veteran wins chance to rock and roll all night

Unemployed wounded veteran selected as roadie for the upcoming Kiss tour.
Pacific Sportsblog

Schrock’s-eye view, Day 3 of Far East D-1 Soccer Tournaments

Large-school soccer matches do their best to keep up with Far East track and field drama.
Pacific Sportsblog

Things learned, observed on Day 3 of Far East high school spring sports tournaments

No fewer than 11 Far East track meet records tumble, most in preliminaries; turnabout becomes fair play on the diamond.
Good game

World of Warplanes: High flying history

Wargaming.net is grabbing all their historically melded polygons and taking to the air.
The Ruptured Duck

Recap of the Twitter town hall on female veterans

The Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs hosted a Twitter chat Tuesday to answer questions on care and resources for female vets
Pacific Sportsblog

Schrock’s-eye view, Day 2 of Far East D-1 Soccer Tournaments

Injuries to key players mar what has become a pair of tournaments featuring thrilling match after thrilling match.