Judge Throws Out Rumsfeld Torture Suit

Reporter al-Zeidi leaves prison after tossing shoe at Bush last year

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi reporter who was locked up for throwing his shoes at George W. Bush says he was tortured in prison, the BBC reports. He was released today after nine months in a Baghdad jail, Reuters notes, and says he plans to identify those officials who tortured him. Relatives say he’s still scared for his life. “Today I am free again but my home is still a prison,” Muntadar al-Zaidi told reporters. More»

(NEWSER) - A Guantanamo inmate recently released to his native Afghanistan after almost 7 years of detention plans to sue the US for damages, the AP reports. Mohammed Jawad is considered one of the youngest prisoners held at the Cuban base—he claims he was 12 at the time he was captured, though the Justice Department maintains he was 17. “I was an innocent child when they put me in prison,” says Jawad, who claims he was tortured there. More»

In reversal, president says images would endanger US troops

(NEWSER) - President Obama has reversed position and will oppose the release of abuse photos of detainees in US custody, the Washington Post reports. "The publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals," said Obama, who insisted the similar abuse is no longer tolerated. "In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger." More»

Pentagon says Army is overstretched

(NEWSER) - The US Army wants you, and about 30,000 of your friends, if it's going to fight effectively in Afghanistan and Iraq and complete other missions around the world, reports the Washington Post. Increased demands are being made on troops in places like Africa, Korea, and cyberspace, and while the down economy is boosting recruiting efforts, officials say current growth plans are insufficient. More»

80 protesters arrested on 6th anniversary of first detainees

(NEWSER) - Four British citizens who spent over two years at Guantanamo Bay before being released without charge have been told they can't sue Pentagon officials, Reuters reports. The men brought the lawsuit over alleged torture, abuse, and violations of their religious rights. The US appeals court ruling yesterday said the defendants, including Donald Rumsfeld, had immunity because they were acting within their jobs; and religious protections don't apply to aliens held outside US territory. More»