THE actual figure of the US’ national debt is much higher than the official sum of $US13.4 trillion ($14.3 trillion) given by the Congressional Budget Office, according to analysts cited by the New York Post. “The Government is lying about the amount of debt. It is engaging in Enron accounting,” said Laurence Kotlikoff, an economist at Boston University and co-author of The Coming... 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairing a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sept. 5, 2010. Russian plans to go ahead with the delivery of P-800 anti-ship missiles to Syria is “problematic” for Israel, PM tells cabinet. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted on Sunday that despite intensive diplomacy, Israel had failed to dissuade Russia from selling advanced missiles to Syria. Speaking... 

Fredrik Reinfeldt Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt becomes first non-socialist to win re-election since the late 1970s. Sweden’s ruling centre-right coalition beat the Social Democrat opposition in yesterday’s election but failed to win an outright majority and the far-right Sweden Democrats won seats in parliament for the first time. Early results showed Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt’s... 

Where is MSNBC? The Inter-Press Sevice (IPS) is reporting that the head administrator of the Mexican Superintendency of Tax Administration, Raul Diaz, has confirmed that his government is building a wall in the state of Chiapas, along the Mexican/Guatemalan border. The official reason is to stop contraband from coming into Mexico, but as Diaz admitted: “It could also prevent the free passage of illegal... 

The P-800 Yakhont supersonic cruise missile. Remark by Russia defense minster comes amid reports that Israeli officials, including PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak, had reportedly warned arms could be used by Hezbollah. Russia plans to go ahead with its sale of advance anti-ship rockets, state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Russian Defense Minster Anatoly Serdyukov as saying on Friday, despite... 

Chinese hold anti-Japan protests over boat incident on sensitive political anniversary. Protesters in several cities across China marked a politically sensitive anniversary Saturday with anti-Japan chants and banners, as authorities tried to stop anger over a diplomatic spat between the Asian giants from getting out of control. As some chanted “Wipe out the Japanese devils!” and stamped... 

The groups have been emboldened by Christine O'Donnell's victory A British Tea Party campaign inspired by the electoral truimphs of the American movement is launching a series of challenges to the Coalition government. Activists are to hold a rally at next month’s Conservative party conference in Birmingham, at which criticisms of Coalition policies are expected to be aired. The organisers,... 

Japan’s new foreign minister has taken tough stance toward China on territorial dispute. A security expert and China hawk, Japan’s new foreign minister has already taken a tough stance toward Beijing amid escalating diplomatic tension over a territorial dispute between the two Asian giants. Seiji Maehara, the former transport minister and most prominent symbol of change in Prime Minister... 

Saab AT4 portable anti-tank missile. This is one of Saab’s anti-missile systems. The one sold to Saudi Arabia, Bill 2 is heavier. The Swedish defense contractor Saab sells advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia. This writes the daily newspaper Dagens Industri today. Saab does not want to comment on the issue. A secret affair since 2002 The Swedish Agency for Non-Proliferation and Export Controls (ISP)... 

An Islamic revolution akin to the one that swept through Iran in 1979 could easily take place in Sweden, claims the second highest ranking member of the far-right Sweden Democrats. “It can happen really fast,” said Sweden Democrat party secretary Björn Söder to the TT news agency. Söder is number two behind party leader Jimmie Åkesson on the Sweden Democrat party list. As party secretary,... 

Mr Berlusconi, whose comments in support of Mr Sarkozy follow his stated opposition to a multi-ethnic Italy. Italy’s conservative premier Silvio Berlusconi has given his full support to France’s controversial decision to forcibly repatriate thousands of Roma people to Eastern Europe. And in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, he appeared keen to exploit the row by calling... 

Bruno Rodriguez Cuba is offering a series of small but specific steps the administration of President Barack Obama can take to soften the United States’ 48-year-old trade embargo, including expanding flights and establishing ferry service between both countries and dropping bank bans that keep U.S. credit cards from working on the island. The 19 suggestions are a new – and perhaps conciliatory... 

Does America engage in massive and widespread violations of human rights? The Obama administration thinks so. That’s the takeaway of the “Report of the United States of America Submitted to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.” The introduction says it “gives a partial snapshot of the current human rights situation in the United States, including some of the areas where... 

An anti-tax, anti-government Tea Party has set up shop in Australia, inspired by the US-based movement that has turned the Republican Party upside down. The Australian T.E.A. Party (an acronym for Taxed Enough Already) will be targeting pre-selections across the country and heavily promotes its links to “our friends” in the United States. Reluctant spokesman David Goodridge – “just... 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday there is “no justification” for extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, firing the latest salvo in a brewing battle over taxes. The leading Democrat and Republican in the House dug in their heels on Thursday, but it will likely be the Senate that acts first on the tax legislation. Senate Democrats may bring up the measure the week of...