Muslims in America increasingly alienated as hatred grows in Bible belt

 

An opponent of the proposed Muslim centre and mosque near the former World Trade Centre in New York. Photograph: Peter Foley/EPA
Safaa Fathy was as surprised to discover that she is at the heart of a plot against America as she was to hear that her small Tennessee town is a focus of hate in the Muslim world.

Medal of Honor to be awarded to living service member for first time since Vietnam

Salvatore Giunta is to be presented with the Medal of Honor, the highest US military award for valour
The award will be received by Sgt Salvatore Giunta, a rifle team leader in Afghanistan who braved heavy Taliban fire at close quarters to tend to three injured fellow soldiers.

Sgt Giunta, 25, from Hiawatha, Iowa, has said that “I didn’t run through fire to do anything heroic or brave......

Iran settles dispute with British Museum over Cyrus Cylinder

The 2,500-year-old Cyrus Cylinder
Iran cut ties with the British Museum in February over its failure to lend the Cyrus Cylinder, linked to the Persian ruler’s 6th century BC conquest of Babylon.

France 'carrying out racial holocaust' claims Castro

He said that strong protests in France were “essential” to counter the expulsions, “especially when at the same time millionaires are limiting the rights to retirement and reducing employment opportunities”, referring to recent plans to raise the retirement age in France from 60 to 62.

Iran cancels plans to release American hiker Sarah Shourd

American hikers Shane Bauer, left, Sarah Shourd, center, and Josh Fattal, sit at the Esteghlal Hotel in Tehran
The Iranian Culture Ministry had earlier said one of the three hikers would be released to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, but had not confirmed the identity.

Toddler whose heart stopped for an hour makes 'miracle' recovery

Gore Otteson was without a heartbeat for between 50 to 55 minutes after he wandered away from the family holiday cabin and ended up face down in an irrigation ditch
Gore Otteson was without a heartbeat for between 50 to 55 minutes after he wandered away from the family holiday cabin and ended up face down in an irrigation ditch. His parents were ....

Chanel boutique opening in Soho, New York

As New York Fashion Week opened, Karl Lagerfeld played host to the city's fashionable finest for the launch of the new Chanel store.
Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld shares a moment with German actress Diane Kruger

England ease to victory against Pakistan as Steven Davies stars with bat

Good times: England's Stuart Broad celebrates dismissing Pakistan's Umar Akmal
Photo: ACTION IMAGES
They even managed to fell a giant, though even that proved too easy with Mohammad Irfan, Pakistan’s 7ft pace bowler, injuring himself while trying to bowl during England’s innings.

Defence spending: thousands of troops to be cut

 

The cuts will lead to a substantial reduction in the size of the Army
The cuts, which are part of the strategic defence review, will lead to a substantial reduction in the size of the Army, which will also have to give up many of its tanks and armoured vehicles. Soldiers could also be ordered to serve longer on the front line in Afghanistan, and be given less time to recuperate between tours.

China's UN diplomat in drunken rant against Americans

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang
The outburst by Sha Zukang at a retreat for top UN officials in the Austrian ski resort of Alpbach left senior UN officials cringing in embarrassment as others tried to convince him to put down the microphone, according to Washington-based