Free Republic

A wild brawl was caught on video in Senegal’s parliament this week after a male opposition lawmaker slapped a female colleague of the ruling party, reports say. The confrontation between Massata Samb and Amy Ndiaye Gniby of the Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition erupted during a budget presentation. Samb was addressing the chamber about recent comments Gniby had made in which she had criticized a spiritual leader’s opposition to the idea of President Macky Sall seeking a third term, according to Reuters.

Extended Stay Hotels has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, buckling under debt as its revenue dries up in the recession. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company filed its Chapter 11 petition Monday in the Southern District of New York. Extended Stay - which operates under the brands of Extended Stay America, Crossland Economy Studios, Extended Stay Deluxe and Homestead Studio Suites — operates 15 hotels in the Orlando area. According to the filing, Extended Stay had about $7.1 billion in assets and $7.6 billion in liabilities at the end of 2008. Lakewood, N.J.-based Lightstone Group bought Extended Stay from Blackstone Group...