AlterNet.org: World News

Vancouver's Games Will Be the Gayest Olympics Ever

Vanessa Richmond, AlterNet — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:01 PST

With the opening of Olympic Pride Houses and more openly gay atheletes than ever, and Olympics are finally coming out of the closet.

The Bizarre Terror Conviction of Pakistani Scientist Aafia Siddiqui, And Why There's a Good Chance She's Innocent

Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now! — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:00:01 PST

Human rights groups say that Siddiqui, who has been found guilty of attempted murder, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani officials in 2003 and tortured at the behest of the U.S.

Ahmadinejad Hints at Possible Prisoner Exchange for 3 U.S. Hikers; State Department: "We're Not Interested"

Omid Memarian, IPS News — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:00:01 PST

Six months after three U.S. citizens mistakenly crossed the Iran-Iraq border, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran could be willing to exchange them for Iranians imprisoned in the U.S.

Beer Battles: Workers in Belgium Take on Brewing Giant

Benjamin Dangl, AlterNet — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:01 PST

Employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev blocked roads, kidnapped managers and handed out free beer in an effort to make their voices heard.

White "Savior-Afflicted" Christians, Black Haitian Babies: This Won't End Well

Devona Walker, AlterNet — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:01 PST

Would the Baptists accused of taking Haitian kids out of the country illegally have tried to pull this off in a predominantly white country? Doubtful.

Meet the Protest Groups at the Vancouver Olympics

Geoff Dembicki, The Tyee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:00:01 PST

What will happen on downtown streets when home-grown activists, civil society crusaders, out-of-town idealists and native naysayers meet $900 million worth of security?

Top Intel Officer: U.S. May Kill Americans Abroad

John Byrne, Raw Story — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:01 PST

Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair announced Wednesday that the U.S. may target its own citizens for death if it believes they are associated with terrorist groups.

Westerners Who Condemn So-Called "Honor Killings" Must Confront Gender Violence Within Their Own Culture

Anna Momigliano, The Nation — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:00:01 PST

To consider honor killings in Muslim communities a crime unto itself overlooks the patriarchal roots of much of the intimate partner violence against women in the Western world.

Army Interrogator Discharged For Being Gay: John McCain "So Out Of Touch With Modern Military"

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:01 PST

In a historic move, Pentagon brass have called for an end to "don't ask, don't tell." Why are politicians like John McCain trying to keep it in place?

Obama Religious Adviser Wants President to Speak Against Ugandan 'Kill the Gays' Bill at Prayer Breakfast

Adele M. Stan, AlterNet — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:01 PST

At a press conference where a gay Ugandan was too frightened to show his face to the media, a member of Obama's religion council and other clergy threw down the gauntlet.

Whatever Happened to the Neoconsâ€™ Grand Schemes to Control Iraqâ€™s Oil?

Michael Schwartz, Tomdispatch.com — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:00:01 PST

Dick Cheney thought the US occupation would see a quadrupling of Iraq's capacity to pump oil, and a privatization of its production. Not quite.

Haitians Under U.S. Treatment Are Often Separated From Families

Sheri Fink, ProPublica — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:00:01 PST

The U.S. has brought medical services to thousands of Haitians. But a bureaucratic tangle has left some struggling to find loved ones who were taken away for treatment.

Don't Call It a "Defense" Budget

Norman Solomon, AlterNet — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:01 PST

The new budget from the White House will push U.S. military spending well above $2 billion a day. Foreclosing the future of our country should not be confused with defending it.

Disturbing Report Uncovers Torture, Indiscriminate Killing of Afghan Civilians Under Obama

Mohammed A. Salih, IPS News — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:01 PST

An investigative report by Anand Gopal paints a gruesome picture of surprise night raids by U.S. forces, as well as the killing and random detention of civilians.

Blackwater's Youngest Victim

Jeremy Scahill, The Nation — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:01 PST

Nine-year-old Ali Kinani died from a gunshot wound to the head in the Nisour Square massacre. His father may be the one man standing between Blackwater and total impunity.

Under Obama in Afghanistan, U.S. Conducts Night Raids, Runs Hidden Detention Centers

Anand Gopal, Tomdispatch.com — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:00:01 PST

Violent night raids and killings in Afghanistan have become official U.S. policy under Obama.

Imagine Haiti with Radiation Sickness and Burns: Why We Must Disarm

Linda Gunter, AlterNet — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:00:01 PST

If we wish never to see a "nuclear Haiti," nuclear abolition must happen and it is up to all of us to maintain the pressure on our leadership until it does.

Bill Moyers: Haiti's Problems Are Rooted in Its Colonial Legacy

Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers Journal — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:01 PST

Despite what Pat Robertson and David Brooks tell you, Haiti's devastation is the product of Western domination -- not regressive social norms or Satanism.

Former Gitmo Prisoner Moazzem Begg: Guantanamo Was Even Worse Than I Realized

Moazzam Begg, Comment Is Free — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:01 PST

From a cover-up over prisoners' deaths to the torture of Shaker Aamer, the real story of GuantÃ¡namo is beginning to emerge.

Must-Watch TV Makes Bad Journalism: Media Failures in Haiti Coverage

Robert Jensen, AlterNet — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:00:01 PST

We're seeing it live an upfront with Haiti: TV news routinely falls into the trap of emphasizing visually compelling and dramatic stories at the expense of crucial information.