Saudi Arabia claims lashing, jailing of rape victim justified; Canada to review taser policy after deaths, comas, critical wounding of targets...

21 November :: Facing a storm of criticism from around the world, with US diplomats telling the press they are "astounded", the Saudi justice ministry has attempted to justify its plans to whip a rape victim and jail her; the Saudi regime claims the sentence of 200 lashes and 6 months in jail was imposed because she and her lawyer spoke to the press; human rights groups have said the manipulated process —in which the victim was stripped of legal representation— and the sentence are tantamount to complicity after the fact; Fawzeyah al-Oyouni, a founding member of the Saudi Association for the Defense of Women's Rights, has said all Saudi women are "fearing for our lives and the lives of our sisters and our daughters and every Saudi woman out there. We're afraid of going out in the streets"... Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) taser policy under independent review after man was killed at airport, others charge they were tasered while shackled or handcuffed; one war veteran says he was tasered while cuffed, in ambulance, and in hospital, suffering severe burns, he is suing RCMP; RCMP chief for British Columbia has said if evidence is presented of chronic technical risk, he would favor moratorium... Economists worry housing sale slowdown in US, UK property, consumer markets, affected by predatory lending, correction could lead to difficult year(s) economically in former boom markets... Scientist finds fossilized claw of ancient giant sea scorpion, estimated 8 feet in length; 400-million year-old Jaekelopterus Rhenaniae would qualify as largest 'bug' ever observed...