KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq – A dozen Iraqi air force and U.S.-contracted firefighters conducted a joint coordination exercise for a simulated C-130 crash here April 3.

The exercise, led by the U.S. Air Force's base transition team, marked the initial steps in preparing Iraqi partners for increasing responsibilities as U.S. military forces gradually transition out of the country to meet the Dec. 31 bilateral security agreement deadline.

Insurgents in Zabul province inflicted attacks against Afghan civilians April 6, injuring six children.

Bellevue v. Bloomy: Pricing a right beyond reach; Why people hate Congress

Compared to the price of fingerprinting by the King County Sheriff’s Department, the cost of getting fingerprinted in New York City so one can subsequently pay $340 to exercise the right to keep a handgun in one’s own home is astronomical.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/bellevue-v-bloomy-pricing-...

Article by Dave Workman

PAYBACK!
Afghan and coalition forces took out an Afghan policeman who opened fire on ISAF personnel.
http://www.sofmag.com/afghan-coalition-forces-target-suspect-killing-2-i...

Issa’s ‘Gunrunner’ probe will not be deterred by ‘ongoing investigation’ stall

A congressional probe into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ “Project Gunrunner” controversy will not be stalled or derailed by the Justice Department’s assertion that it cannot hand over all documents sought by an April 1 subpoena, a congressional committee spokesman indicated to this column late yesterday.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/issa-s-gunrunner-probe-wil...

Article by Dave Workman

Police say a suicide car bomber has attacked the home of a senior police official in southwestern Pakistan, killing one person.

Thursday's blast in Quetta killed a police officer, but did not seriously wound the official.

At least eight others were wounded in the attack, including the police official's two children, who were hospitalized.

The Associated Press says a Pakistani Taliban spokesman called reporters to take responsibility for the attack.

Brazilian authorities say a gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leaving 13 people dead and at least 20 wounded.

Forces backing Ivory Coast's internationally recognized president are fighting for control of the presidential residence where the country's incumbent leader is refusing to surrender.

The battle for control of Abidjan is in its seventh day.

Authorities in Mexico say security forces have found at least 59 bodies in a mass grave in the northern state of Tamaulipas, near the U.S. border.

Government officials said police and military personnel found the mass grave while investigating the March 25 disappearance of several buses in the area. The state prosecutor's office said they are trying to determine whether the grave contains the bodies of the bus passengers.

Eleven suspects were arrested during the investigation.