US Rescinds Party Invite to Iran Envoys

Investigators identify 13-month assassination effort

(NEWSER) - A string of assassination plots against diplomats across several countries amounted to a coordinated campaign, with each case linked to Iran. US officials were among those targeted, American and Middle Eastern authorities say: Would-be assassins linked to Iran plotted to kill diplomats at the US Embassy in Azerbaijan. Investigators have tied every case in the 13-month campaign to Iran-supported Hezbollah members or militants working from inside Iran, the Washington Post reports. More»

Three easy tips for a tasty—and eco-friendly—Fourth

(NEWSER) - With 10% to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions coming from food, why not make this year’s Fourth of July cookout a green opportunity? In the New York Times , Brian Palmer offers some tips:

• Don’t boil your potatoes—cube and pan-fry them. That method takes less than a third of the energy, requires just 10 minutes to cook, and often tastes better.

Bellevue, Iowa, 4th of July celebration ends in bloodshed

(NEWSER) - Two horses pulling a buggy in the Fourth of July parade through the streets of Bellevue, Iowa, got loose and rampaged through the crowd yesterday morning, injuring 23 people and killing the 60-year-old wife of the carriage driver. Thirteen of the victims are children, reports the Telegraph Herald of Dubuque. One of the horses apparently rubbed the bridle off the other, which left the driver unable to control them. More»

Tourism crisis, danger of fire dampen celebrations

(NEWSER) - Fourth of July celebrations will be scaled down in many Gulf Coast towns, where the BP oil spill and cleanup effort are taking a big bite out of holiday fun. Cash-strapped governments dealing with the tourism bust have canceled fireworks displays, and some have moved their pyrotechnics inland because of fears the oily water could catch fire, reports the Miami Herald . Meanwhile, some fireworks barges are busy with the cleanup. More»

Tear gas, beatings mark 30th anniversary of US Embassy takeover

(AP) - Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons and fired tear gas today on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies in Tehran to mark the 30th anniversary of the US Embassy takeover. While pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to America" outside the former embassy, opposition marchers nearby cried "death to the dictator." Security forces swept through several hundred demonstrators in the city center, clubbing, kicking, and slapping protesters. More»