US is leaving a 'legacy of waste' in Iraq

Reporting from Khan Bani Saad, Iraq — The shell of a prison that will never be used rises from the desert on the edge of this dusty town north of Baghdad, a hulking monument to the wasted promise of America's massive, $53-billion reconstruction effort in Iraq.

Construction began in May 2004 at a time when U.S. money was pouring into the country. It quickly ran into huge cost overruns. Violence erupted in the area, and a manager was shot dead in his office. The Iraqi government said it didn't want or need the prison. In 2007 the project was abandoned, but only after $40 million of U.S. taxpayer money had been spent.

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It sure would suck to be a smoker in New York (unless you're Native American)

The price of smoking is set to become even higher in New York, as new tax law is set to push up the price of a pack of cigarettes to almost US$11.00 (NZ$15.46). The cigarette tax, as reported by Fox News, is set to jump by around $1.60, under a deal made between New York City and various state officials. 

A packet of cigarettes in New York City following the change would be over 5 dollars - making New York the fist city in the world to break the five dollar mark in terms of demerit taxes on cigarettes. 

At least one estimate, Fox News noted, showed that around half of all the tobacco purchased in New York was bought by Native Americans - who pay no tax on tobacco. 

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Labour MP uses tax payer money to pay for porn movies (VIDEO)

Shane Jones, a Labour MP, has been shamed as documents released today reveal that he used a state issued credit card (taxpayer money) in order to pay for adult films while on trips away from home. (Below is a video of Jones at Wellington Airport).

Jones told a group of journalists this afternoon that he was not a 'sex fiend' but, Fairfax reports, got into the habit of watching adult movies while on holiday. 

At this stage, there is intense speculation that Jones may be forced to leave parliament. 


[Video via Stuff.co.nz]

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