The Syrian regime is trying really hard to silence everyone opposing them.

The clip below was shot earlier today and it shows the bombardment of the city of Homs by Syrian loyalist forces. At least 50 civilians were killed.

Source: frugaldad.com

Because he said so!

Word out of North Korea is that authorities have begun punishing those caught mourning poorly at Kim Jong Il’s passing.

A source from North Korea’s North Hamgyong Province told Daily NK:

The authorities are handing down at least six months in a labor-training camp to anybody who didn’t participate in the organized gatherings during the mourning period, or who did participate but didn’t cry and didn’t seem genuine.

I’m surprised they’re not awarding some kind of prize to those who cried the hardest.

Christmas came early for the people of North Korea.

North Korean state television announced today that Kim Jong il, whom the Korean people and the world held in “high esteem,” died Saturday during a glorious train trip. He was aged 69. The television presenter said he died of physical and mental exhaustion.

As a side note, today is the birthday of Lee Myung-bak, the President of South Korea. Best birthday present he’ll ever receive!

The video below shows the (forced) reactions of people in Pyongyang (N. Korea’s capital city) after hearing the message about Kim Jong il’s death. Warning: it’s seriously disturbing.

Now, does Kim Jong il’s death mean things will finally change in North Korea? Nobody understands North Korea well enough to make any kind of meaningful prediction about this. The only certain thing Jong il’s death has created is the chance for change. Whether or not this chance will be used remains to be seen.

If you want to read about the Russian protests against Putin, head over to slate.com.