Afghanistan - US investigates Taliban corpse abuse

Published on Jan 12, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The US military is investigating a video showing what appears to be troops urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

The footage of what seems to be US marines has been uploaded to several sites including videosharing site Youtube.

The film could be another blow for America after previous scandals like the abuses at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison in 2004 and the recent conviction of 11 soldiers for running what became known as a 'kill squad', murdering unarmed Afghan civilians.

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Uploaded by CraigBoehman on Jan 11, 2012

I read about this story from the Mother Jones piece listed here. They mention the user "semperfilonevoice", which is the same Youtube profile from which I downloaded the footage and subsequently uploaded to my own profile (keeping same title).

Needless to say, the footage is disturbing, disgusting, and will be a black eye to American foreign policy.

How many more reasons do we need to end the war in Afghanistan?

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2012/01/marines-allegedly-urinate-afghans

USA - Apparent Tornado Slams Rutherford and Burke counties N.C., Family Rescued

Published on Jan 12, 2012 by AssociatedPress

An apparent tornado ripped through Rutherford and Burke counties in western North Carolina, damaging dozens of buildings and a mobile home park, National Weather Service officials said Wednesday. (Jan. 12)

Cuba - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad goes west as sanctions hit home

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met Cuba's President Raul Castro as the Iranian leader continued his drive to rally support amid growing tensions over his country's nuclear programme.

The visit was overshadowed by the killing of a nuclear scientist in a car bomb attack that Iran has blamed on Israel and the US.

The trip was an occasion to strengthen already strong economic and political ties. Cuba, like the other countries on Ahmadinejad's Latin American tour - Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador - have endorsed Tehran's right to develop nuclear power.

Syria - French reporter killed in Homs

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ A French reporter has become the first Western journalist to have died in the ongoing unrest in Syria. Gilles Jacquier, who worked for France 2 Television, was among several people reported killed during violence in the restive city of Homs.

The circumstances have not been confirmed but a witness said the casualties were caused by rocket-propelled grenades fired during a rally by supporters of President Bashar al-Assad. Another European reporter was said to have been injured.

Germany - Prosecutor Shot Dead in Dachau Courtroom

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by AssociatedPress

A defendant facing an administrative trial shot and killed the prosecutor inside the courtroom, German authorities said Wednesday. They said the defendant smuggled the gun into the courtroom. (Jan. 11)

Haiti - Progress Slow Two Years After Quake

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by AssociatedPress

Almost two years on from Haiti's devastating earthquake, government buildings, churches and homes across the country are still in urgent need of reconstruction. (Jan. 11)

USA - Divers Search Icy River for Missing Maine Child

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by AssociatedPress

Divers searched a half-mile stretch of Maine's icy Kennebec River on Wednesday for any sign of a 20-month-old toddler who has been missing for more than three weeks. (Jan. 11)

USA - Hummingbird a Rare Sight in Chicago Winter

Published on Jan 11, 2012 by AssociatedPress

They call her 'Rufous,' named for the type of hummingbird she is. But why in the world did she come to the Chicago area in winter? (Jan. 11)