CONFLICT & TERROR 10/02

Ukraine PM says ready to revive pro-West coalitionPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:11amUkrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said on Wednesday that she would accept any conditions to salvage the former Soviet state's pro-Western coalition. Full Story

Pakistan names new intelligence chiefPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:11amIn a move that could herald changes in Pakistan's approach toward Islamic militants, the government Tuesday named a new chief of its powerful intelligence agency. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the director-general of military operations, was appointed head of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, which has worked closely with the CIA and other U.S. intelligence groups. Full Story

Japan opposition leader calls for snap electionPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:12amDemocratic Party leader Ichiro Ozawa, charging the ruling party had lost its ability to govern after two premiers quit in a year, called on Wednesday for an early election to seek the people's will. Full Story

Al Qaeda says it was behind Algeria bombingPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:14amAl Qaeda's north Africa wing said it was behind a deadly suicide bombing in Algeria on Sunday, according to a statement posted on the Internet on Wednesday. A car bomb exploded in the Takdemt district near the coastal town of Dellys, 100 km (62 miles) east of Algiers, on Sunday, killing three people and wounding six. Full Story

French police clash with youthsPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:16amA French police officer was shot and wounded during clashes with youths that broke out after a teenager was killed in a car crash while fleeing the police, the authorities said Tuesday. Full Story

Islam convert gets 35 years in plot to attack mallPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8:44amA one-time admirer of Osama bin Laden who plotted a hand-grenade attack at an Illinois mall jammed with Christmas shoppers  and tried to trade two stereo speakers for the weapons  was sentenced to 35 years in prison Tuesday. Full Story

Olmert says peace requires Israeli withdrawalsPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:05amIsrael will have to give up virtually all of the West Bank and east Jerusalem if it wants peace with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a farewell interview published Monday. Olmert, who began talks with the Palestinians and Syria during his soon-to-end term, also said Israel would have to leave the Golan Heights in order to obtain peace with Syria. Full Story

Iran to set up TV station in BoliviaPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:07amA senior Iranian diplomat has said that Iran plans to set up a TV station in Bolivia. Hojjatollah Soltani added that negotiations to conclude an agreement by the two sides' news institutes are underway. Full Story

Iraq forces gain more control, but lose more livesPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:08amThe number of Iraqi security forces killed in September rose by nearly a third to 159 compared with the same period last year, Associated Press figures showed Tuesday. U.S. troop deaths for the same period fell by nearly 40 percent to 25.

The figures are a sign that U.S. military is increasingly relying on the Iraqis, including U.S.-allied Sunni fighters, to take the lead in operations so they can assume responsibility for their own security and let the Americans eventually withdraw. Full Story

Iraq taking control of anti-Qaeda fighters from US forcesPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:09amIraq began taking control of 100,000 Sunni Arab anti-Qaeda fighters from US forces on Wednesday, amid concerns that many in the militia credited with curbing the bloodshed in the country will be neglected. The transfer of responsibility and payments for all "Sons of Iraq" begins with 54,000 men in the province of Baghdad. Full Story

Iraq remains 'locked in conflict'Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:10amThe US defence department says the fundamental character of the conflict in Iraq remains unchanged, despite dramatic security improvements there. In its quarterly report to Congress, it said Iraq remained locked in a communal struggle for power and resources. Full Story

Lebanon bombing death toll risesPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:11amSecurity sources in north Lebanon say two more people have died of their wounds from Monday's bomb explosion. The deaths take the number of those killed in the incident to seven. It is not clear who carried out the attack, which targeted an army bus in Tripoli. Full Story

Gaza's useful mercenariesPosted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 9:11amDespite the exhaustion apparent on his face, the young officer made a point of shaking hands with his soldiers and thanking them for their efforts. It had been a long night of clashes and incredibly harsh conditions. For over 11 hours last Tuesday night, this officer and his rapid response soldiers had pursued members of the Daghmash family that lives in Al-Sabra, a southwest neighbourhood of Gaza City. Full Story

Suicide bombers kill 12 at Baghdad mosquesPosted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 2:38amSuicide bombers struck two Shi'ite mosques in Baghdad on Thursday as worshippers marked the end of the Ramadan fasting month, killing 12 people and wounding 31, police said. Full Story

UN raises Pakistan security level after hotel bombPosted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:45amThe United Nations raised its security level for the Pakistani capital after the Sept. 20 truck bombing of Islamabad's Marriott Hotel, U.N. officials said Thursday. Full Story

Maritime security group says Somali piracy soaringPosted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:46amA Danish intelligence company specializing in maritime security says there was a dramatic increase in the number of seamen held by Somali pirates in September. Full Story

Pirates off Somalia get $18-30 million ransoms: reportPosted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:47amPiracy in the Gulf of Aden has cost shippers between $18-30 million so far this year in ransoms and is threatening global business, British think-tank Chatham House said on Thursday. Full Story

U.S. raids hurt terrorism fight: Pakistan ministerPosted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:48amU.S. military raids against militants inside Pakistan threaten to hurt progress being made against them by Pakistani forces and are an intrusion on Pakistan's sovereignty, the country's new foreign minister said on Wednesday. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.