US Senator ‘detained’ by TSA at Nashville airport

Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul’s press secretary Moira Bagley tweeted on Monday that Transportation Security Administration officials were detaining her boss in Nashville, Tenn.

“Just got a call from @senrandpaul,” Bagley tweeted at about 10 a.m. on Monday. “He’s currently being detained by TSA in Nashville.” (more…)

“Mixed bag” for U.S. Muslims since Sept. 11

“Yes, it’s easy to be a Muslim in America as far as religious freedom, but there’s a sense of being under greater scrutiny.”

Earthquake-damaged Washington Monument closes indefinitely

Visitors to one of the capital’s most iconic monuments — the Washington Monument — are out of luck: The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that was centered in Virginia on Tuesday and rocked the East Coast from the Carolinas on up to Boston and beyond also caused lasting damage to the world’s tallest obelisk. (more…)

Missouri: Tornado toll climbs to 116; at least 4 killed at hospital

A massive tornado that tore a 6-mile path across southwestern Missouri in the US killed at least 116 people as it slammed into the city of Joplin, ripping into a hospital, crushing cars like soda cans and leaving a forest of splintered tree trunks behind where entire neighborhoods once stood. (more…)

Clinton makes first visit to post-Mubarak Egypt

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday began the highest-level visit to Egypt by a U.S. official since an uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak, for decades a close ally of Washington. (more…)

US elections: Republicans Win Control of House

Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and Democrats managed to retain their majority in the Senate following months of voter discontent over the economy and government policy.

Based on the results of key races, Republicans were almost certain to capture the House, and several TV networks projected the party would win control. (more…)

Lebanese terror suspect arrested in Chicago

A man accused of placing a backpack that he thought contained a bomb near Chicago’s Wrigley Field was “not the traditional bad guy,” his attorney said Tuesday. (more…)

U.S. plans to attack 2 ME countries says Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the United States and Israel plan to attack two countries in the Middle East as part of a conspiracy to apply pressure on Iran.

“We have precise information that the Americans have devised a plot, according to which they seek to launch a psychological war on Iran,” (more…)

US grants are unconditional, says Lebanon Justice minister

Lebanon Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar told LBC TV on Friday that he would reject any condition placed on his ministry in exchange for US grants, adding that these grants were unconditional.

An institute for legal studies was opened in Beirut earlier this week, which Najjar said was funded by the US. (more…)

Iranian nuclear scientist on his way home

An Iranian nuclear scientist who disappeared a year ago was on his way home to Tehran on Wednesday from the United States, ending a bizarre and mysterious intelligence drama.

Shahram Amiri said in an interview aired Wednesday on Iranian state TV that he was (more…)