News For November 10, 2010

Bombs Away:
Afghan Air War Peaks With 1,000 Strikes in October

By Noah Shachtman

The U.S. and its allies have unleashed a massive air campaign in Afghanistan, launching missiles and bombs from the sky at a rate rarely seen since the war’s earliest days. Continue

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Welcome To India, Obama Sahib

By Eric Margolis

India has been steadily developing a family of long-ranged intercontinental ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads behind the cover of space-launcher vehicles. Continue

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The Betrayal of Gaza

By Noam Chomsky

The US is vocal about its commitment to peace in Israel and the Palestinian territories — but its actions suggest otherwise. Continue

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'US Support for Israel Must Continue Forever,' says Biden

By GIL SHEFLER

He reiterated what he said was the Obama administration’s deep commitment to Israel’s security and to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Continue

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Billionaire Launches Campaign to Slash Social Security

By Jane Slaughter

It's hard to get your head around how rich Peterson is, and how many rich people there are in this country. But here's how to put their money in perspective, in relation to Social Security. Continue

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Our Banana Republic

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

We’ve reached a banana republic point where our inequality has become both economically unhealthy and morally repugnant. Continue

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Eight policemen, three NATO occuption force soldiers killed in Afghan attacks : Three foreign troops serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in two attacks by militants and a bombing in southern and eastern Afghanistan, the ISAF said Wednesday.
NATO says occupation troops may have killed 3 Afghan civilians: It said four Afghan civilians had been brought to a nearby ISAF base after the fighting and that three of them had subsequently died.
'US to stay in Afghanistan until 2014': Senior US officials have told McClatchy newspapers that the new policy will be made pubic soon during an upcoming conference of NATO countries in Lisbon.
Obama officials moving away from 2011 Afghan date: The Obama administration has decided to begin publicly walking away from what it once touted as key deadlines in the war in Afghanistan in an effort to de-emphasize President Barack Obama's pledge that he'd begin withdrawing U.S. forces in July 2011, administration and military officials have told McClatchy.
Canada 'to extend' Afghan mission: Canada considers keeping up to 1,000 soldiers in a non-combat role in Afghanistan beyond the 2011 pullout deadline.
US soldier on trial for Afghan murders: A US soldier accused of leading a murder squad that killed and allegedly mutilated Afghan civilians for sport, has appeared before court.
18 militants killed in Pakistan air strike: Helicopter gunships on Wednesday pounded rebel positions near the Afghan border in northwestern Pakistan, killing 18 militants, security officials said.
Pakistan concerns conveyed to US ambassador: Shocked by the US support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations’ Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan has conveyed its disappointment to the American ambassador here and told him the move could have serious repercussions for the conflict-ridden region and reform of the world body
Ten people killed, 27 injured in Iraq attacks : Ten people were killed and at least 27 injured on Wednesday in a series of attacks across Iraq, including targeted violence against Christians in the capital.
Christians targeted in Iraq attacks: A string of roadside bombs in Baghdad kills at least three people and leaves another 24 injured.
Bush rejects claims that Israel was behind Iraq war: Former US president says "those theories were false. I was sending our troops into combat to protect the American people.”
Iran slams Israeli war threats: Iran has lashed out at Israeli prime minister's comments that encourage the US to take military action against Tehran.
Iran plans to test own model of Russia S-300 missile: Medvedev banned delivery air defense system to Iran in September, saying it would violate expanded UN sanctions against the country imposed in June.
Harper will defend Israel 'whatever the cost' : "There are, after all, a lot more votes -- a lot more -- in being anti-Israeli than in taking a stand. But as long as I am prime minister, whether it is at the United Nations, the Francophonie or anywhere else, Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost."
Iran's Rights To Nuclear Non-Negotiable: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "We have repeatedly said that our (nuclear) rights are not negotiable ... We only hold talks to resolve international problems ... to help the establishment of peace," Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech in central town of Qazvin.
A Backdoor to War with Iran?: Some Members of Congress are trying to create a "backdoor" to war with Iran by pushing a resolution supporting Israel's "right" to launch a military attack on Iran.
Abbas seeks urgent Security Council meeting over East Jerusalem construction: Israel vows to continue East Jerusalem construction, despite row with U.S.; Netanyahu says Israel has 'never accepted restrictions' on building in Jerusalem, adding that there is 'no connection' between peace process and development in the capital.
Israel kidnaps Hamas lawmaker: Israeli forces have abducted the secretary general of the Palestinian parliament in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
'US World's Biggest Arms Seller' : The United States has topped the list of global arms sellers, with Israel, UAE and India purchasing the bulk of arms including fighter jets, says a think tank.
Multi-Billion-Dollar Arms Deals Could Haunt U.S.: The U.S. administration's decision last month to sell billions of dollars worth of weapons to potentially unstable Arab nations in the Gulf - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain - have triggered fears of possible risks to the United States, if history repeats itself.
Yemen mail bomb 'could have detonated over eastern US': Tests on a failed parcel bomb sent on a US-bound cargo flight last month show it could have been designed to detonate over the eastern US, say UK police.
Arrest in Yemen of Hassan Baoum sees thousands protest: Thousands of people demonstrated in south Yemen today, demanding the release of Hassan Baoum, the main leader of the southern opposition in the country, witnesses said.
Photos allege Sri Lanka massacre: Photographs obtained by Al Jazeera appear to show massacre of Tamils during final stages of Sri Lanka's civil war.
Pentagon calls mystery missile 'unexplained,' cannot rule out threat: THE Pentagon said a missile launch off the southern coast of California remained "unexplained" and that its mysterious origins meant that it was not possible to rule out any threat to the homeland.
US test fires secret missile off CA: The US has launched a missile off Southern California amid concerns that the country has been secretly developing advanced weapons to increase its military dominance
Former British intelligence chairman all but calls Bush liar, says waterboarding didn’t stop terror plots
Amnesty International wants Bush on trial over torture: The London-based Amnesty International (AI) has called for a criminal investigation into former US President George W. Bush's admission of torture.
Big Brother monitored tweets, too: Tracking the Twitter activity of law-abiding citizens was part of the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security’s intelligence surveillance program.
Irish bonds sink as Europe's debt fears grow: Anxiety over heavy government debts in Europe flared up again Wednesday, as investors questioned whether countries like Ireland, Greece or Portugal can cut their budget deficits without choking off desperately needed economic growth.
UK students protest university fees: Up to 50,000 students attempt to occupy ruling Conservative party's HQ in rally against plans to raise tuition fees.
Nearly 59 million lack health insurance: CDC: Nearly 59 million Americans went without health insurance coverage for at least part of 2010, many of them with conditions or diseases that needed treatment, federal health officials said on Tuesday.
Health Insurance Profits Soar, Dem Calls For Rebates: -- Health insurance profits are skyrocketing in 2010 compared to last year's returns and the outgoing chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees the companies is calling on them to return the profits to consumers in the form of premium reductions.
Obama panel urges deep US spending cuts, tax reform: A panel appointed by President Barack Obama recommended deep spending cuts and sweeping tax reforms Wednesday in a bid to slash US budget deficits by four trillion dollars over the next decade.
Slide in Home Prices Signals Trouble Ahead: IAS: , IAS says the data foreshadow "particularly difficult times ahead" for the housing market and for the U.S. economy.