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9/11 Mastermind Scolds US for 'Torture,' Killings

'Millions' killed for 'national security,' he charges

(Newser) - The accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks yesterday took the US to task for "torturing" people in the name of national security and killing "millions." Many "can kill people under the name of national security, and torture people under the name of national security," said...

US, Israel Developed Flame to Burn Iran Nuke Efforts

Nations joined forces on virus, Stuxnet cyber attacks: sources

(Newser) - Surprise, surprise. The US and Israel together devised the malevolent Flame computer virus to snarl Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weaponry, reports the Washington Post . The massive malware has been monitoring Iran's computer networks and sending back a stream of intelligence to aid the Stuxnet-linked malfunctions in Iran'...

US to Pressure Brits for More Troops in Afghanistan

(Newser) - The US is expected to push for more British troops to help fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, a move certain to be unpopular with the British public, reports the Guardian. NATO Gen. Stanley McChrystal will likely recommend to President Obama that the current total of 150,000 Afghan troops should...

Queen Livid at French Snub for Obama D-Day Fete

Sarkozy wants to focus on 'main event' of US prez visit

(Newser) - Queen Elizabeth is furious at not being invited by the French for D-Day ceremonies next week that will include President Obama, reports the Daily Mail. The French never had any intention of inviting members of the British royal family to the 65th anniversary commemoration in Normandy in order to allow...

World Attitudes Toward US Improving: Poll

Fewer believe US exerts negative influence

(Newser) - A worldwide wave of anti-Americanism appears to be abating a bit, though global views toward the US continue to be mainly negative, according to a BBC World Service poll. The average percentage of people saying the US is a negative global influence dropped to below 50% for the first time...

Olmert Nixes Hamas Truce: 'This War Will Continue'

Says Palestinian militants must first cease attacks, recognize Israel

(Newser) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today refused to consider a truce with Hamas until the militant Palestinian group recognizes Israel and halts attacks in Gaza, reports the BBC. Olmert told government officials that Israel is gaining ground in stopping rocket attacks, of which 1,000 have hit Israel since Hamas...

Iran Prez: US Hurts World Peace
Iran Prez: US Hurts World Peace
OPINION

Iran Prez: US Hurts World Peace

'Unilateralism' tarnishes American prestige, Ahmadinejad writes

(Newser) - Writing in Newsweek, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the US has forsaken its “proper role in eliminating tyranny and violence” in the international arena, instead acting unilaterally to disrupt a peaceful world. Ahmadinejad says Iran has every right to develop nuclear fuel “for peaceful purposes,” and the...

83% Back Sacrifice to Fight Warming

But global survey mixed on higher fuel taxes

(Newser) - Four out of five people worldwide indicated they're ready to make personal lifestyle changes to combat global warming—even those from the worst carbon dioxide spewers, China and the US, according to a BBC poll of 22,000 people. Support was mixed, however, on increasing taxes on coal and oil,...

Resource-Rich Greenland Looks to Break Free

Another consequence of climate change may be independence

(Newser) - Global warming has put Greenland’s mineral and oil deposits within reach, raising the volume on long-simmering chatter about independence. Denmark supplies much of the island's budget—including a substantial welfare system—but the self-sufficiency offered by melting ice means Greenlanders may no longer need the Danes at all, reports...

Fading US Sway Leads to Darfur, Burma Inaction

China is ignoring rights abuses for economic interests, Time says

(Newser) - Diminished US influence is allowing human rights violators in Darfur and Burma to get away with murder, Harvard expert Samantha Power writes in Time. America is speaking up louder than ever, but Uncle Sam’s diplomatic nadir makes for “a void in global human rights leadership.” China has...

Big Families Win Wars
Big Families
Win Wars

Big Families Win Wars

Professor links countries' military strength to number of 'superfluous sons'

(Newser) - A nation’s military strength may be rooted in its average family size, says a popular German professor, putting Islamic countries in a good position, America on neutral ground, and Europe in dire straits. Bigger families mean “more superfluous sons to burn on the battlefield,” argues Gunnar Heinsohn....

Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

Putin's policies on Kosovo, Iran, nukes ruffle US, Euro feathers

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin's Russia is charging back into the international spotlight, the Christian Science Monitor reports, challenging European and US policies on a variety of issues. Putin has thrown a wrench into Kosovo’s all-but-assured independence from Serbia, backing Belgrade’s efforts to keep the province. Russian planes recently violated Norwegian...

Deal Struck, Kim Will Dismantle Nuke Plants

Pyongyang to detail activities; expected to get off US terror list

(Newser) - Kim Jong-Il has reportedly agreed in six-party talks to begin disabling his nuclear facilities and revealing program details. In return—though not part of the agreement—the US will fast-track North Korea's removal from its terrorism list. The terms show new flexibility from a waning Bush administration, as well as...

Brazil Stuns US Women in Cup Semifinal

4-0 defeat is worst ever for overwhelmed American squad

(Newser) - Brazil thrashed the US, 4-0, in the Women’s World Cup semifinals today in Hangzhou, China, the worst loss in the program's history. The match was “over at halftime,” the Chicago Tribune writes, with the Americans down two goals—and one player, after Shannon Boxx received two yellow...

Zut Alors! Rude French Scaring Off Tourists

Sweeten up, official warns his compatriots

(Newser) - France to the French: Take it easy on foreigners. After the land of vin and fromage fell for the first time in years as the top traveling spot, the tourism bureau has issued guidelines about courtesy, the Guardian reports. “Our greatest handicap,” said a tourist official, “is...

China Threatens to Crash Dollar
China Threatens to Crash Dollar

China Threatens to Crash Dollar

(Newser) - The Chinese government is threatening to crash the American dollar by liquidating its $1.33 trillion in foreign reserves if the US dares impose trade sanctions to force a revaluation of yuan, reports the Telegraph. Two Communist Party officials have given interviews in recent days with stern warnings directed at...

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