Truthout - All Articles

Fort Hood Shooter Acted Alone

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:17:15 -0500

Dozens of investigators at Fort Hood are building a psychological profile of the suspect, Nidal Malik Hasan, as they try to understand the motive. Belligerent fanaticism, deepening anger over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and fear about deployment may have played a role.

Fort Hood, Texas - Army investigators have ruled out a terror plot in the gruesome rampage at Fort Hood, saying that Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a veteran psychiatrist, acted alone in the shooting spree last Thursday.

Bank Failure Friday Fells Another "Healthy Bank" Bailout Recipient

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:26:41 -0500

San Francisco-based United Commercial Bank has become the first recipient of TARP bailout money to be shut down by the FDIC. Last year, regulators approved a $299 million taxpayer funded injection into the bank. That money, which was supposed to go to only “healthy banks,” is now gone.

Iraq's Election Date Set, US Withdrawal Reaffirmed

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:23:54 -0500

Following months of postponements and derailed votes, Iraq's Council of Representatives finally passed the law governing the country's parliamentary elections. With that barrier cleared, Iraq's electoral commission announced today that elections will be held on January 21.

The law's delayed passage provoked doubts that the US would keep its plans to end combat operations in Iraq by August 31, 2010. Its approval revives hope that the Obama administration will make good on its promise.

The Story Behind the Uruguayan Elections

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:19:50 -0500

The international headlines all read something to this effect, "In Uruguay: Ex-Guerrilla Fighter Headed for Runoff Vote in November." Attention-grabbing as it is, that headline doesn't do justice to the complex story behind this ex-guerrilla fighter being on the verge of becoming Uruguay's next president. This story intertwines plot lines of economic hardship's goad towards anger, social inequity's call to action, violence's inevitable escalation, democracy's

Is a Redo of Post-9/11 Paranoia the Best We Can Do?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:18:13 -0500

The USA Patriot Act, rushed into law by a panicky US Congress in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, gave law enforcement sweeping new powers, including broad surveillance powers to spy on innocent Americans. But it also stipulated that three of its more controversial provisions should expire at the end of next month unless reapproved by lawmakers.

Nigeria to Press First World on Climate Change

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:16:08 -0500

Monday 09 November 2009

Abuja, Nigeria - Eziuche Chinwe Ubani, a top Nigerian climate change official, has joined a growing chorus of African delegates who believe that developed countries must pledge cash to the continent to help it deal with the effects of global warming.

A Warm Day in Berlin

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:02:42 -0500

It was 20 years ago this month that the Berlin Wall finally fell, one of the last vestiges of the Cold War. But though it's long gone, I, and I'm sure many others, have not forgotten that Soviet-erected barrier which had stood for 28 years as a nearly impenetrable divider between the Soviet East and the West.

I especially remember the first time I saw the wall, just after it went up in 1961. The atmosphere was incredibly tense, a tension I and other reporters had found almost too acute to describe.

South Asian Generals on US Sojourns

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:46:34 -0500

The American public may have paid this little attention. But three prominent South Asian generals have just completed politically significant sojourns in the United States, raising dust and debates in this part of the world.

The former Pakistan president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, fueled at least two major debates during his 40-day lecture tour of the US from September 14. Former Bangladesh army chief Gen.

Palestinian President Abbas, Critical of Peace Process, Says Won't Seek Reelection

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:37:24 -0500

Jerusalem - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he's made up his mind once and for all: There will be elections in January – and he will not be a candidate in them.

Mr.

World's Citizens to Politicians: Get Serious on Global Warming Now!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:14:28 -0500

On September 26th, a new day dawned for global democracy.

On that date, nearly 4,000 people gathered in 38 countries spanning six continents to consider what should happen at the UN climate change negotiation this December in Copenhagen (COP15).