CONFLICT & TERROR 08/10

American tourist killed in BeijingPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:36amA man attacked two American tourists, killing one and injuring the other, at an ancient landmark in Beijing on the first day of the Olympic Games on Saturday, then leapt to his death from the structure, state media reported. A Chinese man attacked the two Americans  a man and a woman and their Chinese tourist guide  around 12:20 p.m. on the second level of the Drum Tower, a popular tourist attraction in north Beijing, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Full Story

Outspoken Mexican general loses his Tijuana postPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:38amAn outspoken general who urged residents to call the Army when they witnessed a murder or drug deal in this crime-stricken border city was ousted Friday after repeatedly chastising police for being corrupt. As the army's top officer in northwest Mexico, Gen. Sergio Aponte Polito publicized a phone number to field the public's pleas for help, and on Sunday he gave the news media his latest 5,700-word bombshell letter complaining about bad cops. Full Story

Police: Top Nigerian development official arrestedPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:40amPolice on Friday arrested the head of a federal agency charged with developing Nigeria's impoverished southern oil region after allegations the man spent millions of dollars on a witch doctor in hopes vanquishing a rival. Full Story

Five accused of U.S. diplomat murder to begin trial: mediaPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:43amFive suspects will stand trial in Khartoum on August 17 accused of murdering U.S. diplomat John Granville and his driver, state media said on Friday. Granville, 33, and Abdelrahman Abbas Rahama, 39, were shot dead on New Year's Day in Khartoum in a rare attack on foreign nationals in Sudan. Full Story

Diplomats: Syria turned away IAEAPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:44amSyria has blocked a new visit by International Atomic Energy Agency experts seeking to follow up on intelligence that Damascus built a secret nuclear program built with the help of North Korea, diplomats told The Associated Press on Saturday. Full Story

Fingerprints now used to find drugs, explosivesPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:47amScientists have found ways to tease even more clues out of fingerprints' telltale marks  one in a string of developments that gives modern forensics even better ways to solve mysteries like the anthrax attacks or JonBenet Ramsey's murder. For example, if a person handled cocaine, explosives or other materials, there could be enough left in a fingerprint to identify them, says chemist R. Graham Cooks of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Full Story

Russia and Georgia Clash Over Separatist RegionPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:49amRussia conducted airstrikes on Georgian targets on Friday evening, escalating the conflict in a separatist area of Georgia that is shaping into a test of the power and military reach of an emboldened Kremlin. Earlier in the day, Russian troops and armored vehicles had rolled into South Ossetia, supporting the breakaway region in its bitter conflict with Georgia. Full Story

Close Musharraf Allies Say He Has No Plans to Resign Under PressurePosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:50amPresident Pervez Musharraf will stage a spirited defense against impeachment charges that the governing coalition is pursuing against him, and has no intention of resigning under pressure, his key allies said Friday. Full Story

With Fewer Terror Trials, Manhattan Court Quiets DownPosted
on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 5:52amThe courtroom was packed. Sketch artists were in place. Journalists and other spectators squeezed into seats. Marshals kept a watchful eye. The place was Federal District Court in Manhattan, where a Pakistani neuroscientist was to be arraigned on criminal charges on Tuesday. Government officials have said that the scientist, Aafia Siddiqui, was a Qaeda operative. Full Story

New deadly bomb attacks rock China's Muslim westPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 2:35amA series of bomb blasts followed by gunfire rocked a town in China's mainly Muslim northwestern region of Xinjiang Sunday leaving at least two people dead, state media said. Full Story

Russian forces bomb airfield near Tbilisi airportPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 2:36amRussian forces launched an airstrike against a military airfield near the Tbilisi International Airport early Sunday, despite international calls for Russia to stand down from the escalating conflict, Georgian officials told CNN. Full Story

Eight dead in Algeria car bombingPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 5:26amExplosives packed into a vehicle detonated outside a police station in northern Algeria, killing eight civilians and wounding eight others, the national radio said Sunday. Full Story

Georgia withdraws as Russia builds firepowerPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 5:31amGeorgia withdrew from the separatist region of South Ossetia on Sunday after new clashes with Russian forces as Moscow amassed its military firepower to overwhelm its neighbour. Full Story

Australian military says key Taliban commander capturedPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 7:01amAustralian soldiers have captured a key Taliban commander in southern Afghanistan, the military said Sunday. Full Story

Ukraine threatens to bar Russian warshipsPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 7:02amUkraine said on Sunday it reserved the right to temporarily bar Russian warships dispatched to the Georgian coast from returning to their Ukrainian base of Sevastopol. Full Story

Iraqi official: Iraq, U.S. 'on the brink' of security dealPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 8:46amIraq's foreign minister says negotiators are "on the brink" of reaching a long-term security pact with the United States that will decide the fate of American troops in Iraq. Full Story

Chinese activist detained on way to churchPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:02amSecurity agents detained a Christian activist Sunday who was on his way to a church service attended by President Bush and the man was being held at an undisclosed location, a relative said. Full Story

Troops continue advances despite heavy resistance: 7 LTTE bodies recovered - WelioyaPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:03amTroops of the 59 Division operating at the Welioya battlefront flanking the eastern Wanni territory, made further advances into LTTE positions Sunday (August 10) and have reportedly uncovered 7 male LTTE bodies following hours long intense fighting with LTTE. Full Story

Iran says it's ready to 'confront' new sanctionsPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:40amIran's official news agency is quoting a government spokesman as saying the country is "ready to confront sanctions" over its disputed nuclear program. Full Story

Assam on high alert as intelligence reports warn of terror strikesPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:41amA massive security alert was sounded across Assam Saturday with intelligence inputs hinting that militants, including Islamist terror groups like the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), were planning to strike ahead of Independence Day Aug 15, officials said. Full Story

Pakistan's spy agency supporting terrorism 'is not new' says KarzaiPosted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:42amAfghan President Hamid Karzai repeated allegations Sunday that Pakistan's secret service was supporting the Taliban and their terrorist allies in fight against Afghan and international forces in his country, saying, "it is not something new." Full Story

East Africa marks terror attacksPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:16amKenya and Tanzania are marking the 10th anniversary of the US embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam. More than 220 people were killed and 5,000 injured in the first major attack by al-Qaeda on US targets. Full Story

Israelis to join int'l project for terrorism-affected youthPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:19amFour Israeli teenagers whose lives have been forever altered by terrorism will meet with 45 youths from across the globe who are struggling to overcome similar experiences during a unique eight-day long international community-building experience. Project Common Bond is being launched this week by Tuesday's Children, a non-profit organization founded by friends and family of the victims of September 11th in partnership with other groups from all over the world, including the Koby Mandell Foundation in Israel. Full Story

MacKay: African mission crucialPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:21amDefence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Wednesday that Canada is sending a Halifax-based frigate to waters off the horn of Africa to stop pirates from attacking food shipments bound for Somalia. The navy has diverted HMCS Ville de Quebec, which left Halifax last month for a 5=-month NATO mission to the Mediterranean and Black seas. Full Story

Islamist group threatens attacks at China OlympicsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:47pmA little known Islamist group has threatened attacks against the Olympic Games in China and urged Muslims to keep away from any activities linked to its events, a U.S. based terrorism monitoring firm said on Thursday. Full Story

US military: Iranian-made munitions seized in IraqPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:48pmIraqi troops have seized Iranian-made rockets and mortars in Baghdad's Shiite slum of Sadr City, the US military said Wednesday. Full Story

Pakistan troops kill 25 Taliban in clashes: officialsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:50pmHundreds of Taliban militants attacked a Pakistani security post in a tribal zone bordering Afghanistan, sparking fierce clashes in which 25 rebels and a soldier died, officials said Thursday. Full Story

2 people killed, 7 wounded in Russian resortPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:53pmA device exploded Thursday on a beach in a Russian resort that will host the 2014 Winter Olympics, killing two people and wounding at least seven, officials said. Full Story

Up to 10 Georgians killed in clashes -- ministryPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:55pmUp to 10 Georgian peacekeepers and civilians were killed in clashes with separatists in breakaway South Ossetia on Thursday, the Georgian interior ministry said. Full Story

Pakistan coalition to move for Musharraf impeachmentPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:56pmPakistan's ruling coalition will move to impeach President Pervez Musharraf on charges of plunging the country into a political and economic crisis, party leaders said on Thursday. Full Story

Mauritania junta pledges polls but U.S. freezes aidPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:57pmLeaders of a military coup in Mauritania promised on Thursday to hold a free and transparent presidential election as soon as possible, but the United States suspended aid and demanded an immediate return to civilian rule. Full Story

Gitmo jury gives bin Laden driver 5 1/2 yearsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:58pmA military jury has sentenced Osama bin Laden's former driver to 5 1/2 years in prison for aiding terrorism, making him eligible for release in just six months. Salim Hamdan was acquitted of conspiracy in the first Guantanamo war crimes trial. Full Story

Israel's Livni boosted in Kadima leadership bidPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:27pmIsraeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won the the support of a minister close to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday, boosting her bid to lead the ruling Kadima party and possibly become premier. Full Story

US Intelligence Alleged to Have Evidence of Ties Between ISI and Pakistani MilitantsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:28pmThe Bush administration is pressing the new civilian government in Islamabad to bring Pakistans primary spy service under civilian control. Washington has been increasingly frustrated over what it believes to be collusion between at least some elements of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, or ISI, and Islamic militants. Full Story

Gaza militants warn Israel truce may end in 3 weeksPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:29pmGaza's Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) militant group on Thursday warned Israel that a truce between Israel and Hamas which went into effect on June 19 was in danger of collapse, saying it could end in three weeks. Full Story

Man allegedly threatens Obama assassinationPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 5:34pmA man is being held in Florida by federal authorities on charges of threatening to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Full Story

Afghan war death toll reaches 500Posted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 6:07pmThe deadliest three months for American forces in Afghanistan have pushed the U.S. death toll to at least 500, forcing a war long overshadowed by Iraq back into the headlines. Full Story

U.S. plans surveillance buildup in Iraq, AfghanistanPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 6:08pmThe Pentagon plans to spend $2.2 billion on a new fleet of spy planes and unmanned drones for Iraq and Afghanistan that would greatly enhance the ability of U.S. forces to track militants, officials said on Thursday. Full Story

Police arrests six LTTE rebels from Southern Indian state of Tamil NaduPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:33pmIn a major development, as many as six rebels of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were arrested by police Thursday in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Full Story
Israel to free about 150 Palestinian prisonersPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:33pmIsrael will release about 150 Palestinian prisoners, including perhaps a couple of prominent ones, at the end of this month as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, officials from both sides said after a meeting on Wednesday between Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel. Full Story

Georgia pounds breakaway capital, ceasefire endsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:48pmGeorgia pounded the capital of its breakaway South Ossetia province with heavy weapons on Thursday after a ceasefire broke down within hours and separatists said they were under siege. Full Story

Bush dedicates new massive US embassy in BeijingPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 8:55pmPresident Bush dedicated the massive new $434 million U.S. embassy in Beijing on Thursday, saying it is a symbol of deepening ties between the two trading partners and sometimes political rivals. Full Story

Iraqis: Deal close on plan for US troops to leavePosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:06pmIraq and the U.S. are near an agreement on all American combat troops leaving Iraq by October 2010, with the last soldiers out three years after that, two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press on Thursday. U.S. officials, however, insisted no dates had been agreed. Full Story

Soldiers wounded as Canada launches new facility in AfghanistanPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:08pmA firefight in southern Kandahar left six Canadian soldiers with minor injuries on Friday. Full Story

U.S. Lawmakers Take Aim at Homegrown Terrorist ThreatPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:09pmMany Americans believe that the threat of homegrown terrorism is gravest in Europe, but according to the U.S. government, in the last 18 months more than a half-dozen plots were thwarted right here at home. Full Story

Worldwide protests on eve of China OlympicsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:12pmPolice banned demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy in Paris on Thursday but critics of China's human rights record stepped up protests elsewhere in the world to mark the start of the Beijing Olympics. Full Story

SIMI still active through 50 frontsPosted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:30pmStudents Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is one of the 34 banned outfits in the country but around 50 of its fronts, which work as cover for the terrorist group, are carrying out their business as usual. Full Story

Bolivia divide widens with constitution votePosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 12:12pmBolivias presidents traditionally address the nation from the countrys elegant whitewashed judicial capital of Sucre on Independence Day. But Evo Morales, the radical leftist president who faces a recall vote this Sunday, was not welcome in Sucre this week. Full Story

Mexico president wants tougher punishments for kidnappersPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 12:13pmAmid broad outrage over the slaying of a 14-year-old kidnapping victim, Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Thursday urged Congress to toughen punishments for abductors to include life in prison. The proposal would make kidnapping in some cases subject to the harshest criminal sentence in Mexico, which formally abolished its long-dormant death penalty three years ago. Full Story

Hugo Chavez sends diesel shipment to ParaguayPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 12:20pm
Palestinian forces shut "Hamas fronts" in HebronPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:38pmPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces shut down four Islamic charities and two photocopying shops in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday for alleged ties to the rival Hamas faction, a security source said. Full Story

Sadr to disarm if U.S. withdraws on timetablePosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:39pmShi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr would dissolve his Mehdi Army militia if the United States starts withdrawing troops according to a set timetable, a spokesman said. Full Story

Car bomb in N. Iraq kills 18, wounds 25: policePosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:44pmA car bomb in a vegetable market in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar killed 18 people and wounded 25 on Friday, police said. Full Story
Russia bombs Georgian troops on offensive in rebel provincePosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:45pmRussian tanks and troops entered Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia province on Friday to repel a Georgian military offensive to reclaim the region amid fighting said to have left hundreds dead. Full Story

Gates endorses big expansion of Afghan armyPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 3:26pmU.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has endorsed a new five-year, $17 billion plan to increase the size of the Afghan army by about 50,000 troops. Full Story

Islamists Seize Provincial Capital Near Ethiopian BorderPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 4:27pmWitnesses in Somalia say Islamist insurgents have seized control of Hudur, the capital of the Bakool region. Full Story

British report identifies flu, not terrorism, as primary threatPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 4:28pmPandemic influenza, not terrorism, is the most serious risk for the British public, according to the first-ever British national threat assessment, published Friday. Full Story

Japanese police say Air China receives threat to OlympicsPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 4:30pmAir China received a threat Friday to bomb its aircraft and crash planes into the site of the Beijing Olympics, just hours before the opening ceremony, Tokyo airport police said. Full Story

El Salvador reduces Iraq troop numbersPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 4:47pmEl Salvador is again reducing its troop numbers in Iraq. Full Story

Bid to storm Chinese embassy foiledPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 6:54pmScores of Tibetans on Friday tried to storm the Chinese embassy as soon as Olympic Games got off in Beijing but their attempt was foiled by the police. Full Story

Kurdish rebels threaten more attacks in TurkeyPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 6:55pmKurdish rebels threatened on Friday to stage more attacks on economic targets in Turkey, days after claiming responsibility for a fire at a key oil pipeline, a pro-Kurdish news agency said. Full Story

Guinea Bissau 'foils coup plot'Posted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 7:42pmGuinea Bissau says it has foiled an attempt by the head of the country's navy to overthrow President Joao Bernardo Vieira. Full Story

Iraqi Cleric Al-Sadr Disarms Most Fighters, Creates Social Work UnitPosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 7:43pmAnti-U.S. Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr ordered most of his militiamen Friday to lay down their arms, and his spokesman said the young cleric might call off all resistance if the Americans accept a timetable to leave Iraq. Full Story

Mexican army takes lead fighting crimePosted on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 7:53pmIf you witness a murder or a drug deal in the crime-stricken border city of Tijuana, don't bother calling the police  call the Mexican army. Full Story

U.S. Lawmakers Take Aim at Homegrown Terrorist ThreatPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 12:59amMany Americans believe that the threat of homegrown terrorism is gravest in Europe, but according to the U.S. government, in the last 18 months more than a half-dozen plots were thwarted right here at home. Sen. Joe Lieberman says the threat is growing. "Bottom line: There is a threat of homegrown terror in America," he said. "It is not as great as in European cities, but it is growing and we have to take it seriously." Full Story

Judge reserves decision in terror plotPosted on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 1:11amThe fate of the first person tried in an alleged homegrown terrorist conspiracy to storm Parliament and bomb buildings in Canada rests with a judge after his trial ended Friday. Superior Court Justice John Sproat said he will give his verdict Sept. 25. The defendant, a Canadian, has not been identified because he was 17, a legal minor, at the time his 2006 arrest. Full Story

Iraqi Army Is Willing, but Not Ready, to FightPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 9:19amAhmed Mahmoud, a lieutenant in the Iraqi Army, lost one leg fighting the insurgency and says he would not quit his job even if he lost the other. He believes in his army. Full Story

IAEA official to visit Iran for nuclear talksPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:04amThe International Atomic Energy Agency says one of its top officials will travel to Iran on Thursday. IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire said Wednesday that deputy director general Olli Heinonen will fly to Tehran for talks with officials there. Full Story

Israel releases 5 prisoners in Hezbollah swapPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:06amIsrael released five Palestinian teenagers from jail Wednesday as part of a prisoner exchange agreement made with Lebanon's Hezbollah militia last month. Full Story

Kuwait FM blasts Iran threat to shut Gulf straitPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:07amKuwait's foreign minister says Iran's renewed threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf amount to a "punishment" of its Arab neighbors. Full Story

Beijing sees protests over Tibet and abortionPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:07amFour Western protesters were held after unfurling Tibetan independence banners in Beijing on Wednesday, and three Americans tested Olympic security measures by using central Tiananmen Square to decry abortion. Full Story

Lebanon-Syria summit set for Aug 13Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:07amLebanese President Michel Sleiman will visit Damascus next week for talks with Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, as the two neighbours move to establish diplomatic ties, an official said on Tuesday. Full Story

Fewer fatal accidents on Doha roadsPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:08amThe number of road accidents in the Matar Kadeem area has come down considerably after the implementation of the new traffic law, a senior official attached to the Traffic Department said yesterday. Full Story

Musharraf puts off China visit amid talks on ousterPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:39amPakistan's President Pervez Musharraf put off a visit to China, an official said on Wednesday, as opponents in the coalition government consulted over his possible impeachment. Full Story

Sri Lanka troops kill 42 rebels in northern battlesPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:41amSri Lankan troops killed 42 Tamil Tiger guerrillas in two days of fighting in the north of the island, the military said on Wednesday, pressing on with an offensive against rebel strongholds. Full Story

South Korea's Lee appoints new ministers, bypassing parliamentPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:45amSouth Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak on Wednesday appointed three new cabinet ministers, skipping the customary confirmation hearings amid a parliamentary deadlock. Full Story

Indian PM calls meeting to end Kashmir protestsPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:47amIndia's prime minister will hold an emergency meeting with political leaders on Wednesday to defuse a land row over a Hindu shrine in Kashmir which has sparked some of the state's worst religious riots in two decades. Full Story

Blast kills four in southwest Pakistani townPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:49amA bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded in a town in Pakistan's insurgency racked province of Baluchistan on Wednesday, killing four people, police said. Full Story

Thai military helicopter crashes in south, 6 deadPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:52amA Thai air force helicopter has crashed in the country's troubled south, killing all six aboard, an army spokesman said. It is the second military helicopter to go down in the region in less than two months. Full Story

E. Turkistan group 'behind' terror attackPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:57pmThe gun and explosives found at the site of Monday's attack that killed 16 policemen in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, point to the involvement of East Turkistan terrorists.

The Xinjiang public security authority said Tuesday the nine explosives and a gun, all homemade, found at the spot were similar to those seized by police from a training base of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in January last year. The ETIM reportedly uses the Internet to "teach" terrorists in China how to make explosives and carry out attacks. Full Story

Mexico businesses tighten security against drugsPosted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:59pmBusinesses in Mexico are tightening security against drug gangs that sneak narcotics into export shipments to the United States and have turned manufacturing centers on the U.S. border into battlegrounds. A vicious war between rival gangs and security forces has killed a record 1,900 people in Mexico so far this year. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.