News Bits!

-The death toll in Pakistan and surrounding countries has exceeded 20,000, with countless more bodies yet to be recovered in what was the most devastating earthquake to hit South Asia in the last century. Aid agencies estimate that over 120,000 people are in "urgent need of shelter." The magnitude-7.6 quake struck on Saturday near the northeastern border of Kashmir and Pakistan. Austinist asks that you leave links to donation sites in the comments section.

-Boy George flees America!

-Rumors continue to fly about Apple's upcoming announcement on Wednesday. Yes, we're geeks.

-We found out from Metblogs that The Black Angels have signed to Light in the Attic records for their upcoming EP release (this Friday). Congrats, kids!

-Mount Everest isn't as big as we all thought.

-Samsung will almost certainly be building their new manufacturing plant in Austin. Estimated cost: 3.5 billion dollars.

-The Statesman's Ben Wear tells us all we didn't know about obscure driving laws in Texas.

-Avian flu outbreak in Turkey and Romania results in mass cullings of foul fowl. Meanwhile, the US Health Secretary is warning about a possible flu pandemic.

-Title these under "Obvious": SUVs are superior death-inflicting machines, kids in meth labs aren't in the best of environments.

-A teen driver remains in critical condition after plowing his pickup into an ambulance.