CONFLICT & TERROR 06/12

British MPs vote on controversial terrorism law
Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7:51am
British lawmakers plan to vote Wednesday on a counter-terrorism bill which includes a controversial provision allowing authorities to hold terrorism suspects without charging them for up to six weeks. Civil liberty groups and others staunchly oppose raising the current limit of 28 days to 42, saying the measure is unjust and unnecessary. The government says the measures are needed to tackle the threat from terrorism and they would only be used in exceptional cases. Full Story

Militants kill woman "U.S. spy" in PakistanPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7:55amMilitants in Pakistan executed a woman after accusing her of being a spy for the U.S. and a prostitute, and said others would face the same fate, a government official and villagers said on Wednesday. It was the first time that a woman had been killed in northwest Pakistan after being accused of spying although militants have killed many men they accused of helping U.S. forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. Full Story

Four civilians, several rebels killed in Afghan raid: US forcesPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 8:11amThree women and a child were killed along with several militants in an attack by US-led forces on a rebel compound in eastern Afghanistan, the force said on Wednesday. The incident happened on Tuesday when the US-led coalition which ousted the Taliban from government in late 2001 targeted a hideout in Paktika province from the ground and the air, it said in a statement. Full Story

Taiwan delegation arrives in Beijing for talks on flightsPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 8:17amA Taiwanese delegation arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks on expanding charter flights between Taiwan and China  the first formal discussions between the sides since 1999. The 19-member Taiwanese team is being led by Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the quasi-governmental Straits Exchange Foundation, and includes two vice Cabinet ministers  the highest-ranking Taiwanese officials ever to participate in bilateral talks. Full Story

Brown under fire over 42-day planPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:02amDavid Cameron accused Gordon Brown of making "so many concessions" in his bid to win the terror detention limit vote the legislation was now "unworkable". He said the PM's case for extending the limit from 28 to 42 days would be stronger if it had the backing of the police and security services. Full Story

EU to act over UK budget deficitPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:14amThe European Commission is to start disciplinary proceedings against the UK for breaching its economic rules. It says Britain's budget deficit, the gap between its spending and its revenues, is growing too large. Full Story

Wife of 21 July plotter convictedPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:16amThe wife of a man who tried to bomb a Tube station has been convicted of failing to tell police about his plan. The Old Bailey was told Yeshi Girma, of Stockwell, south London, knew of her husband Hussain Osman's plot to bomb Shepherd's Bush station in July 2005. Full Story

Anti-war campaigners plan protest march during US president's UK visitPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:22amAnti-war campaigners say they will ignore police cordons and march outside British government buildings on Sunday to protest U.S. President George W. Bush's UK visit. The Stop the War Coalition said Tuesday that its supporters will start their protest outside Parliament in central London, then move to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's nearby residence at Downing Street. Full Story

Terror charge duo appear in courtPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:25amTwo men have appeared in court charged with supporting terrorism overseas. Musse Said Yusuf, 31, of Leicester, is accused of owning terrorist videos and running a website that published terrorist literature. Full Story

Protesters continue wrecking havoc in SpainPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:30amSpanish hauliers continued protests against high fuel prices Wednesday, clogging traffic for the third day while the government was trying to negotiate an end to the strike. A lorry driver was taken to hospital with serious burns after his vehicle began burning in San Isidro near Alicante. The man had been sleeping in the cabin. Several other trucks also burned out. Police were investigating whether strikers had set them on fire. Full Story

Al-Qaeda suspect being deportedPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:33amThe first man with suspected links to al-Qaeda to be convicted of terrorist charges in Northern Ireland is being deported back to Algeria. Officials of the Border and Immigration Agency collected Abbas Boutrab from Maghaberry Prison on Tuesday afternoon. Full Story

Gates warns of consequences for states providing terrorists nuclear bombPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:36amUS Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Tuesday of catastrophic consequences for any state that provided nuclear weapons used in a terrorist attack on the United States. Full Story

Feds arrest 3 in weapons raidsPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:37amA Clearfield County man who gave undercover federal agents explicit instructions on how to make what he called bean can grenades has been arrested on weapons charges. Full Story

Israeli officials say Syria talks resume next weekPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:46amIndirect peace negotiations between Israel and Syria will resume next week, Israeli officials said late Tuesday. Full Story

Two dead in Europe fuel protestsPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:15amTwo lorry drivers have been killed in fuel protests in Spain and Portugal as the hauliers' strike continues. One was killed in the Spanish city of Granada when he was run over by a van trying to drive through a picket line. Full Story

Security cabinet rules out Gaza opPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:27amThe long-delayed decision whether to accept an Egyptian-brokered cease fire with Hamas or step up military operations against the Gaza Strip came before the security cabinet on Wednesday, and despite reports that a majority of ministers favored tough military action, the decision was to give the cease fire talks more time. Full Story

Police arrest gang of five trying to sell counterfeit dollarsPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:39amPolice have arrested a gang of five men for planning to circulate a large amount of counterfeit US dollars and trying to sell it. Full Story

80,000 protest US beef in South KoreaPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 11:13amTens of thousands of activists rallied overnight and into Wednesday in the largest demonstration yet against the planned resumption of US beef imports, failing to be placated by the South Korean Cabinet's offer to resign. Full Story

Diplomat: US faces competition in Latin AmericaPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 11:19amThe State Department's top diplomat for Latin America said Tuesday that Washington is interested in avoiding conflict with the region and instead favors partnership and patience to strengthen relations. Full Story

Chavez revokes Venezuela spy lawPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 11:19amVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez has revoked a law that made sweeping changes to the intelligence services. Mr Chavez said he recognised he had made errors when proclaiming the law by decree, adding that it breached the country's constitution. Full Story

Finland and Estonia ratify EU treaty before Irish votePosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 11:54amFinnish and Estonian lawmakers overwhelmingly ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty on Wednesday  a day before a national referendum in Ireland could determine the fate of the charter. The Finnish Parliament voted 151-27 in favor of the treaty, which was negotiated after voters in France and the Netherlands rejected the European Constitution in referendums in 2005. Full Story

Indian police, villagers clash near eastern steel plant, injuring 15Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:46pmPolice used batons and tear gas to disperse angry villagers trying to storm a steel plant in eastern India in a protest over land compensation, officials said Wednesday. Five villagers and 10 officers were reported injured. Full Story

Afghan officials: 31 killed in airstrikesPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:47pmOfficials says 31 people died in airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan. Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary says most of the 31 people were foreign fighters. But Khalid Farooqi, a lawmaker from Paktika, says at least nine civilians were killed. Full Story

Japanese leader suffers unprecedented no-confidence motion in parliamentPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:57pmJapan's upper house of parliament approved an unprecedented no-confidence motion against embattled Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday, embarrassing his troubled government but not posing an immediate threat to his tenure. Full Story

Hong Kong culls all live poultry in markets after bird flu outbreakPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:57pmHong Kong said on Wednesday it would slaughter all live poultry in markets and shops around the city following a fresh outbreak of bird flu. Full Story

Tigers destroy Lankan navy outpostPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:57pmTamil Tiger rebels attacked and destroyed a navy outpost in north-western Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least three sailors and losing four fighters of their own, a navy spokesman said. Full Story

Four hurt in Meghalaya temple blastPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:58pmFour persons, including three girls, were injured on Wednesday in an explosion at a Durga Temple at Nartiang in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills district, police said. Full Story

Utilities vulnerable to hackers, experts sayPosted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 4:09pmAttackers could gain control of water treatment plants, natural gas pipelines and other critical utilities because of a vulnerability in the software that runs some of those facilities, security researchers reported Wednesday. Full Story

Report: SKorea Cabinet offers to resignPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 6:27amA news report says South Korea's entire Cabinet has offered to resign following the public uproar over the planned resumption of U.S. beef imports. Full Story

Spanish police arrest 8 suspected members of radical Islamic cellPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 6:28amPolice arrested eight suspected members of an Islamic extremist cell that allegedly aided groups linked to al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday. Full Story

US and EU 'to issue Iran warning'Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 7:54amUS President George W Bush is holding talks with EU leaders in Slovenia, at the start of what is expected to be his last tour of Europe while in office. They are set to supplement UN sanctions with "additional measures" to pressure Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, according to a draft joint statement. Full Story

Shortages bite in Spanish strikePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 7:55amA growing number of petrol stations in Spain are running out of fuel, as lorry drivers continue to blockade major cities in a protest over diesel prices. With the strike in its second day, worried motorists cleaned garages out of fuel, and some food markets have also started running out of produce. Full Story

MI5 chief clarifies 42-day stancePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 7:57amThe head of the security service MI5 has clarified its position on government plans to seek powers to detain terror suspects for 42 days. Following controversy over MI5's failure to back the plans, Jonathan Evans said MI5 was not the appropriate body to advise on detention limits. Full Story

Defying U.S., EU nears deal ending Cuban sanctionsPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 8:02amEuropean Union states are nearing agreement on ending sanctions on Cuba in defiance of U.S. calls for continued pressure for democratic reform on the communist island, diplomats said on Tuesday. Closed-door talks on the move are continuing as EU leaders host President George W. Bush for a farewell summit in Slovenia. EU foreign ministers could endorse the step at a meeting in Luxembourg next Monday, the envoys said. Full Story

Pakistan at the mercy of marching lawyersPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 8:43amPakistan is engulfed in its own version of the Long March, and just as that pivotal event changed the face of China in the mid-1930s, Pakistan's political landscape could be significantly altered, as could that of its neighbor Afghanistan. Thousands of black-suited lawyers gathered in Karachi on Monday for the beginning of a country-wide protest that is scheduled to finish outside parliament in the capital Islamabad on Thursday. Full Story

Key leaders of failed 2003 mutiny plead guilty in PhilippinesPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 8:46amEleven key leaders of a failed 2003 mutiny against Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday changed their not-guilty pleas to guilty before a court martial. Defence counsel Edgardo Abaya said four of the 11 junior officers met with armed forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Alexander Yano before they reversed their plea at a scheduled hearing. Full Story

North Korea says committed to fighting terrorismPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 8:56amNorth Korea Tuesday stressed its opposition to all forms of terrorism, describing such attacks as a threat to human life and international stability. A statement from the communist state appeared to pave the way for its removal from a US list of state sponsors of terrorism, in return for Pyongyang's efforts to shut down its nuclear weapons programme. Full Story

U.S. to erect more "virtual" border fencesPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:12amU.S. officials announced plans for more high-tech border fencing and rules making it harder for federal contractors to hire illegal workers, but said on Monday it would take another three years to declare victory in immigration control. Full Story

Severed head, threatening note found outside Mexico news officePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:12amA note threatening a Mexican journalist was found outside the office of a newspaper in southern Mexico on Monday, two days after someone left a severed head there. Tabasco state Attorney General Gustavo Rosario said the letter was directed at Juan Padilla, editor of El Correo de Tabasco, which recently carried reports about migrant smuggling and kidnapping in the area. Full Story

Britain to announce by year-end that it will withdraw all UK troops from IraqPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:07amBritain's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that no final decision is imminent on withdrawing all remaining British troops from Iraq, as the BBC reported that the government would outline pullout plans by the end of the year. Full Story

IDF air strike kills three Hamas operativesPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:10amWith a decision on a military operation in the Gaza Strip potentially only hours away, the violence in southern Israel showed no signs of relief as the IDF reportedly killed three Hamas operatives in an air strike which followed an intense mortar shell barrage on Tuesday. Full Story

Parents of captive Israeli soldier get letterPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:13amThe parents of an Israeli soldier who is being held by Hamas-allied militants received a letter from him Monday, delivered by representatives of former President Jimmy Carter. Full Story

Iran vows 'painful response' if Israel attacksPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:16amIran's defense minister warned of a "painful response" if Israel attacks Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported Monday. Full Story

Gulf Ministers offer proposal to tackle expat labourPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:18amA recommendation to "adjust" the situation of all expatriates working in the Gulf within two years will be submitted to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit next November, the GCC labour ministers have agreed. Full Story

FBI's name check system criticizedPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:27amThe FBI's name check program relies on outdated technology and employs workers with limited training, raising concerns about the government's ability to assess national security threats, according to the Justice Department's watchdog inspector general. Full Story

Colombian city, once violent, now very livablePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:28amThe Santo Domingo Savio barrio here was once considered perhaps the most violent neighborhood in all of Latin America. Police entered the hillside neighborhood only when they had overwhelming numbers. Full Story

Blasts in Kabul were controlled - officialPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:48amTwo explosions heard in the Afghan capital on Tuesday were controlled detonations carried out by munitions experts inside the presidential palace, an official said. Full Story

Muslim militants kidnap Philippine television crew: policePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:48amPolice and military were scouring the strife-torn southern Philippine island of Jolo Tuesday for a prominent television journalist and her crew kidnapped by Muslim extremists. Full Story

Policeman killed, set alight in ThailandPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:48amSuspected separatists have killed three people in the Thai south, including a senior police officer whose body was set on fire in front of his frantic wife, police say. Full Story

Terror vote 'will be very tight'Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 12:12pmHome Office minister Tony McNulty has said the result of Wednesday's crunch vote on extending terror detention to 42 days is looking "very, very tight". His comments to the BBC came after Cabinet ministers were told "there was still more to do" to win the vote. Full Story

Bomb suspect 'may be in Republic'Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 12:14pmA man accused of involvement in a bomb attack who failed to turn up in court may be living in the Republic of Ireland, a judge has been told. Gary Jones, 41, of Castlekeel in Newry, denies charges of causing an explosion and of possessing the improvised device with intent to endanger life. Full Story

Final push in Ireland's knife-edge EU poll battlePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:18pmIreland risks bringing the European Union "to a halt" if it rejects a disputed new EU treaty this week, Prime Minister Brian Cowen warned Tuesday ahead of a crunch referendum watched anxiously in Europe. The comment came as supporters and opponents of the Lisbon treaty made a final push for votes ahead of an eve-of-poll ban on campaigning for the plebiscite, which could deal a devastating blow to the 27-nation bloc. Full Story

Two killed as army foils infiltration bidPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:24pmArmy foiled yet another infiltration bid and killed two terrorists along the Line of Control at Keran in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Monday. This was the second infiltration bid across the LoC near Keran in the last 10 days. Full Story

S. Korean Cabinet Offers to Quit After Beef ProtestsPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:24pmSouth Koreas entire cabinet offered to resign on Tuesday as President Lee Myung-bak struggled to find a breakthrough in the biggest political crisis to face his young government, one set off by fears that an agreement to reopen markets to American beef could expose the public to mad cow disease. Full Story

North Korea says it's opposed to terrorism in bid for removal from U.S. blacklistPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:25pmNorth Korea reasserted its opposition to terrorism Tuesday in an apparent attempt to bolster its bid for removal from a U.S. blacklist, as an American diplomat traveled to Pyongyang to help push the country's nuclear disarmament. Full Story

Muslim sect banned by Indonesian government braces itself for troublePosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:25pmNearly a hundred police officers guarded the road leading to this quiet, well-kept village in West Java on Tuesday, to protect residents from possible attacks by hard-line Muslims. Full Story

Violence erupts in Orissa steel plant, 15 injuredPosted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:25pmAt least 15 people, including five security personnel, were injured when police used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse villagers who tried to damage construction work inside a private steel company in Orissa's Dhenkanal district on Tuesday. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.