CONFLICT & TERROR 01/08

MI5 chief - al-Qaida threat diminished, but not yet overPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 7:01amThe head of MI5 says today that the threat of an immediate attack in Britain by al-Qaida-inspired extremists has diminished because a string of successful prosecutions has had a "chilling" effect. Full Story

Residents: Hamas Militants Staged Attacks from Cover of UN SchoolPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 7:02amResidents of a Gaza neighborhood are confirming Israel's claim that Hamas militants had opened fire from the cover of a U.N. school where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge. Full Story

Measles is reviving in Europe, doctors warnPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 8:02amCases of measles have risen sharply in parts of Europe, reflecting the mobility of people carrying the disease and the failure to complete vaccination strategies among key communities, The Lancet reported on Wednesday. Full Story

Germany sees higher jobless totalPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 8:09amGermany saw its unemployment levels rise for the first time in nearly three years in December, according to government figures. Full Story

Greek interior minister survives Cabinet reshufflePosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 8:17amGreek's embattled leader reshuffled his Cabinet on Wednesday but retained his interior minister, who has been sharply criticized for the government's handling of riots across the nation last month. Full Story

Taliban's jihad proclamations represent their freedom of opinion: ISI ChiefPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 10:00amPakistan Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shujaa Pasha, who too is unwilling to apprehend the Taliban leadership after many claimed that Mullah Omar is in Quetta, has said that if the Taliban thinks that jihad is an obligation it is their freedom of opinion. Full Story

Nigerian pirates free nine crewPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 11:23amNine crew members of a French ship taken hostage at the weekend off the coast of Nigeria have been freed. The ship's owner - Bourbon - did not say how it had secured the release of the vessel. full story

All 'possibilities open' against IsraelPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:18pmHezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday "all possibilities" are open against Israel and warned the Jewish state's 2006 war with his party would resemble "a walk in the park" in the event of renewed conflict. Full Story

Move to delay election gathers steamPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:37pmKnesset members from across the political spectrum intensified speculation on Tuesday about whether the February 10 general election would have to be delayed due to Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Full Story

Deepening Israeli assault on Hamas divides Arab worldPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:38pmIsrael pressed deeper into Gaza Tuesday in its assault on Hamas. As the battle grew deadlier, calls for a cease-fire mounted as did outrage at Israel after two strikes outside United Nations schools killed at least 34 Gaza civilians. Full Story

West Bank support of Hamas: Deep but mutedPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:40pmFewer than 100 people showed up in the busy center of Nablus for a demonstration in solidarity with the suffering Palestinians of Gaza. There were a few Palestinian flags, and some posters that featured bombs with Jewish stars and dripping blood and demanded, "Where is the conscience of the world?" But when an organizer asked passers-by to join the rally, only a handful responded. Full Story

Al-Qaida No. 2 blames Obama for Gaza fightPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:42pmAl-Qaida's No. 2 leader lashed out at President-elect Barack Obama in a new audio message Tuesday, accusing him of not doing anything to stop Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to an intelligence monitoring center. Full Story

Iraq sends 30,000 troops to guard Karbala pilgrimsPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:43pmA female suicide bomber allegedly planning to blow herself up among Shiite pilgrims was arrested Wednesday in northern Iraq, as millions joined processions across the country to honor the martyrdom of one of their most revered saints, Iraqi police said. Full Story

Turkey holds suspicious Iran-Venezuela shipmentPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:51pmTurkey was holding a suspicious shipment bound for Venezuela from Iran because it contained lab equipment capable of producing explosives, a customs official said Tuesday. Full Story

Cholera situation under control, says SA's governmentPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 1:45pmThe cholera outbreak that began in December last year is under control, the Department of Health said. "The number of cholera cases both confirmed and suspected so far seem to be confined largely to two of the countrys nine provinces," said spokesman Fidel Hadebe. Full Story

Algeria thwarts suicide attacksPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 1:52pmAlgerian security services have thwarted a possible Sept. 11 terrorist attack in eastern Algeria, a security official and local media reported Thursday, as thousands of army troops and police conducted anti-terror sweeps throughout the North African country.

Several Algerian newspapers reported that a terrorist group was planning suicide bombings against a market, a police station and a security regional headquarters in the eastern town of El Oued near the border with Libya. Full Story

Western Algerian taxi drivers plan massive strikePosted on
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 1:56pmFour Algerian labour unions for taxi drivers decided Sunday (January 4th) in Oran to begin a 2-day strike on January 19th to protest permit shortages, and taxation issues, El Khabar reported. The strike, involving an estimated 25,000 drivers, will impact the western Algeria wilayas of Mascara, Mostaganem, Tlemcen, Ain Timouchent, Saida, Relizane and Sidi Bel Abbes. Full Story

Rockets Fired From Lebanon Into Northern IsraelPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:31amIsraels conflict with Hamas in Gaza threatened to broaden on Thursday as at least three rockets were fired into the north of Israel from Lebanon. Full Story

Israelis arrive in Egypt for cease-fire talksPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:32amIsraeli representatives arrived in Cairo Thursday for Egyptian-brokered talks on a cease-fire proposal after the U.N. Security Council failed to agree on action to end the escalating crisis in Gaza. Full Story

Ukrainian, Russian gas companies hold talksPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:33amThe heads of the Russian and Ukrainian gas companies held an unexpected meeting in Moscow early Thursday to discuss the dispute that has caused an energy crisis in Europe, but both sides said no breakthrough was reached. Full Story

Venezuela to keep sending free fuel to US poorPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:35amPresident Hugo Chavez will keep donating heating oil for poor American families in a costly decision that suggests the Venezuelan leader wants to keep to his pledges  and buttress his image  in spite of falling oil prices. Full Story

US releases $99 million of Mexico anti-drug moneyPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:36amThe United States has released another $99 million as part of an aid package to support Mexico's police and soldiers in their fight against drug cartels. Full Story

Tijuana wakes up to 7 deadPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:37amOvernight violence in Tijuana has claimed seven victims. City police say gunmen opened fire from several cars late Tuesday, killing a 22-year-old standing with his family outside his house. Full Story

Press groups condemn attack on Mexican TV studioPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:39amPress freedom groups are condemning an attack on a Mexican television station in the northern city of Monterrey. Masked gunmen opened fire and tossed a grenade at the Televisa network's studio as it aired a nightly newscast. The assailants left behind a message warning the station about its coverage of drug gangs. Full Story

7 Zimbabwe opposition members charged in bomb plotPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:40amSeven members of Zimbabwe's main opposition party were the first of dozens of jailed dissidents to be formally charged Wednesday, and they pleaded not guilty in a bombing plot. Full Story

Rebels rob oil company staff in southern NigeriaPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:41amArmed men robbed an offshore oil platform operated by a subsidiary of US oil giant ExxonMobile in southern Nigeria although the attack did not disrupt oil production, the company said Wednesday. Full Story
Kidnapped aid workers in Somalia releasedPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:42amTwo aid workers kidnapped from Ethiopia by Somali gunmen more than three months ago have been released in good health, their organization said. Full Story
Gunmen shoot dead govt official in Pakistani tribal areaPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:43amGunmen Thursday shot dead a government official in a tribal area in northwest Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan where Taliban militants are active, an official said. Full Story

China official urges education to stem terrorismPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:44amRocked by a fresh outbreak of anti-government violence, officials in China's far western Xinjiang region are urging expanded free education to staunch support for Islamic separatists. Full Story

UK: Doubts raised over measles targetPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 8:01amThe UK has been named as one of the worst countries in Europe for measles, with case levels dashing global hopes of eradicating the disease by 2010. The Lancet study says that in 2006-7 most of the 12,000 cases in Europe were found in the UK and four other nations. Full Story

Anti-Jewish Activities in Europe Rise After Gaza

IncursionPosted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 8:02amThe hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas are having repercussions for European Muslims and Jews. Countries throughout the continent are reporting an increase of anti-Jewish acts. Full Story

Banned Pak terror outfit Lashkar-e-Islam launches its websitePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:03amThe banned terrorist outfit, Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI) has launched its website to highlight the activities of the organization. (LeI) is led by Mangal Bagh in Khyber Agency, which was declared illegal in June 2007. Full Story

Pakistan opens NATO supply road in daytime: officialPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:04amPakistan Monday reopened during daytime hours a key northwest supply route for Western troops in Afghanistan, a local official said, as the army wrapped up an anti-militant drive in the area. Full Story

Taliban kill three 'US spies' in Pakistan: officialPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:04amTaliban militants executed three people in a restive Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border after accusing them of spying for the United States, officials said Monday. Full Story

Taliban consolidating grip on Quetta: Sanaullah BalochPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:05amBalochistan National Party (BNP) Information Secretary and former senator Sanaullah Baloch has disclosed that the supporters of Taliban have captured land worth Rs 2 billion in the eastern and western parts of Quetta with the covert support of the establishment in order to undermine the Baloch nationalist movement and promote Talibanisation in Balochistan. Full Story

Gazprom Dispute With Ukraine Entangles EuropePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:07amRussias gas price dispute with Ukraine escalated Tuesday, disrupting deliveries to the European Union in the midst of a bitter cold spell, with a number of countries reporting that gas supplies had been suspended or reduced, and Germany predicting a possible shortage. Full Story

Countries affected by Russia-Ukraine gas rowPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:08amFollowing are comments from European customers affected by the cut-off in gas supplies by Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom to its neighbour Ukraine over a pricing dispute: Full Story

Mumbai attacks backed by official Pakistan agencies: Indian PMPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:09amIndian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the Mumbai attacks had the support of "some official agencies" in Pakistan, in his strongest accusation yet against the neighbouring country. The premier also accused Islamabad of using terrorism as an "instrument of state policy" and said Pakistan had in the past also "encouraged and given sanctuary" to militants hostile to India. Full Story

Eurasia Group: Ukraine one of world's top risks in 2009Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:11amDirect military conflict with Russia is unlikely, but battles between Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yuschenko will continue to divide the government and complicate attempts to deal with the country's economic crisis, a consulting firm has said. Full Story

Pakistan says Mumbai proof not crediblePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:17amPakistan on Tuesday dismissed as "not credible" evidence provided by India to it on the Mumbai terror attacks, hours after a Presidential aide termed as "premature" local media reports that suggested the material given by New Delhi was insufficient. Full Story

Arson attack on French synagoguePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:34amAttackers rammed a burning car into a synagogue in the southern French city of Toulouse, officials have said. The car, packed with a petrol bomb, was set alight and then pushed into the synagogue door by a second car. Full Story

Venezuela cuts aid on heating oil to U.S. poorPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:52amVenezuela's national oil company is suspending a program that provides discounted heating oil to poor communities in the United States, as officials here struggle to find ways of preserving hard currency reserves amid a plunge in oil revenue. The move, announced Monday, halts one of President Hugo Chavez's most ambitious foreign aid projects - and one that allowed him to poke at the Bush administration, which had proposed a cut in funding for heating assistance to the poor.Full Story

British forces check report on Afghan civilian deathsPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:52amNATO's British forces were on Tuesday checking a report that some civilians were killed during an operation against the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, a spokesman said. Hundreds of Afghans were been killed in air strikes and raids by foreign troops last year, undermining public support for the presence of international forces and leading to a rift between President Hamid Karzai and his Western backers. Full Story

Huge landslide buries victimsPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:57amA massive landslide tore down the side of a mountain and buried a northern Guatemalan highway, killing at least 34 people and leaving rescue workers to dig for more victims. Guatemala's Vice President Rafael Espada said he feared the death toll could rise by at least a dozen more. At least 15 others were hurt.Full Story

Bachelet announces multimillion planPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:59amPresident Michelle Bachelet announced on Monday a package of 4,000 million U.S. dollars to mitigate the impact on Chile of the global economic crisis. The package includes an extraordinary investment of 700 million dollars in public works, tax cuts and bonuses in cash to the poorest families.Full Story

Cuba politics: Waiting for ObamaPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 8:01amIn the wake of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution on January 1st, President Razl Castro has made overtures to the USpresident-elect, Barack Obama. Seizing on Mr Obamas statements on the campaign trail that he would be willing to meet with Cuban officials and consider loosening sanctions, Mr Castro has repeated a recent offer to meet on neutral ground. However, though Mr Obama is likely to ease some of the restrictions on US-Cuba economic and family ties, a more substantial revamping of the USs trade and investment embargo on the island is not likely in the short term.Full Story

Argentine gov't accuses gas co of 'irregularities'Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 8:02amArgentina accused a major natural gas distributor of "serious irregularities" on Monday - a week after government officials said they may be forced to take over the company if its service falters.The possibility of a state takeover comes on the heels of President Cristina Fernandez's recent nationalization of more than $20 billion in private pension funds and the country's largest air carrier.Full Story

Mexico creates new courts against drug traffickingPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 8:04amMexico created special courts to act more quickly when the police ask for search warrants, rooted and interception of communications for the investigation of crime and combating drug trafficking. The six new courts are part of legal reforms aimed at reforming the judicial system in Mexico, a country experiencing a wave of crimes related to drug trafficking. Only in 2008, the number of killings related to drugs reached 5300, double that recorded a year earlier.Full Story

Rio police use war tactics against drug gangsPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 8:08amrom the school balcony, Marcos Cunha had an unobstructed view of Santa Marta, the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood that had been giving his fellow police officers so much trouble. Looming above him was the rocky peak that police once rappelled down to raid the shantytown. At eye level sat the bullet-pocked Church of the Nazarene, where drug dealers had fired at oncoming police on another day. And spread below him were the clustered shacks and tangled wires of this largely ungoverned place on a hillside of the capital.Full Story

Police in Israel grapple with a mafia gang warPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:38amDaylight bombings, bystander deaths and the occasional rocket attack have laid bare the shortcomings of Israel's formidable security apparatus in dealing with the crime wave. Full Story

Public Outrage Gives Iran's Hard-Liners a Political BoostPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:39amAs Israel gambles on a potentially messy ground invasion of Hamas-controlled Gaza, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also has a lot at stake in the outcome of the fighting. Mr. Ahmadinejad's history of criticizing Israel, and his recent condemnation of the Gaza assault, has helped to garner a measure of popular respect across the region. That comes as more moderate Arab states, especially Egypt, draw rebuke for failing to act forcefully enough to stop the violence. Full Story

Street battles break out in Gaza CityPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:40amTroops poured into the area and gun battles broke out at close quarters. Israel continued to defy international calls for a ceasefire with ground forces moving to seize fresh positions within the city limits. Full Story

Gazprom's Tactics Harsh But Its Logic SoundPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:41amThe Russian gas goliath's argument that the price it charges Ukraine must rise is a valid one, based on its own costs. Full Story

Israel sets key condition for ceasefirePosted on Tuesday,
January 6, 2009 at 9:41amIsrael on Tuesday set a key condition for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying it would not agree to a truce unless it included provisions to prevent Hamas from rearming. Full Story

Kurds Illegally Sell Oil Produced in Their RegionPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:42amIraqi Kurds claims of producing 100,000 barrels of foil a day are highly inflated, Oil Minister Hassan Shahristani said. Full Story

Lebanon tells Damascus it is time to begin border demarcationPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:43amLebanon has informed Damascus of its readiness to begin demarcating the border between the two countries, local radio broadcasters reported Tuesday. Full Story

Afghan cleric shot to death in mosquePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:44amTwo gunmen shot a Muslim cleric to death inside a mosque in southern Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday, while a NATO serviceman was killed elsewhere in the south. Full Story

Pro-Gaza Protesters in Cairo Turn Anti-MubarakPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:44amWhatever hope may have been growing over the relatively quiet weekend in the minds of state officials that street demonstrations in Cairo linking the Hosni Mubarak government with the Israeli offensive into Gaza would weaken were dispelled early and often Monday. Three separate protests, each organized by three distinct entities, revealed that Gaza is strong on Egyptian minds. Full Story

Parliamentary elections set for single day: June 7Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:44amLebanon will hold parliamentary elections on June 7, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday. "The Ministry of Interior announces the promulgation of a decree calling on voters to elect legislators," a statement said. It added that the vote would take place on Sunday June 7, rather than it being held on separate days for different regions, as has been the case in previous Lebanese elections. Full Story

Policeman killed defusing bomb in PakistanPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:48amA policeman was killed Tuesday in troubled northwest Pakistan while trying to defuse a remote-controlled bomb planted in a busy market, police said. Full Story

US-Pakistan military cooperation on the increase: WSJ reportPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:51amMilitary cooperation between Pakistan and the United States has increased recently as both try to eliminate militants destabilising the region, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The newspaper noted that this was a marked change from last years tense relations between the two countries. Full Story

Vice-mayor killed in southern PhilippinesPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:52amA vice-mayor has been shot dead in the southern Philippines, police said Tuesday, in what is believed to be the country's first political killing this year. Froilan Rufino, 50, was walking to his home in the town of President Quirino on the troubled island of Mindanao when gunmen shot him three times in the head late Monday, local police chief Senior Superintendent Benhur Mongao said. Full Story

GdF says Russian gas supply to France down 70 pctPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 12:27pmEurope's largest natural gas distributor, says deliveries of Russian natural gas via Ukraine to France fell over 70 percent Tuesday. Full Story
India outsourcing giant hit by billion-dollar fraud scandalPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:27amThe head of one of India's biggest outsourcing firms, Satyam Computer, resigned on Wednesday amid a scandal over a billion dollar fraud that sent company stocks into freefall. Full Story

Ukraine: Russia stops sending gas to EuropePosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:28amUkrainian officials said Wednesday that Russia had cut off all gas supplies through pipelines crossing Ukrainian territory, the latest move in a devastating pricing dispute between the two neighbors that has already left a number of countries without gas. Full Story

Transcript: Mumbai gunmen were commanded by phonePosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:28am"We have three foreigners, including women," the gunman said into the phone. The response was brutally simple: "Kill them." Gunshots then rang out inside the Mumbai hotel, followed by cheering that could be heard over the phone. Full Story

Gunmen attack TV station in northern MexicoPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:29amMasked gunmen opened fire and tossed a grenade at a Mexican television station as it aired its nightly newscast Tuesday, leaving behind a message warning the station about its coverage of drug gangs. Full Story

Egypt and France propose plan to end Gaza conflictPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:30amA cease-fire initiative Tuesday to halt the increasingly bloody Israeli offensive in Hamas-rule Gaza won support from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on rival sides to follow up on the proposal. Full Story

Report: Pakistan intel chief says no India warPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:32amPakistan's intelligence chief said there will not be war with India over the Mumbai attacks and emphasized terrorism  not India  was the greatest threat to the country, according to a rare interview. Full Story

Nine crew of French ship freed off NigeriaPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:33amThe nine crew members taken hostage with their vessel at the weekend off the coast of Nigeria have been released, the ship's owner Bourbon said Wednesday. Full Story

Sudan protesters call for attacks on Westerners: U.S.Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:33amSudanese protesters have called for attacks on Americans and other foreigners living in Khartoum during rallies against the Gaza offensive, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Full Story

Eight women, 32 militants said killed in Afghan clashesPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:34amCoalition soldiers killed 32 insurgents in an operation against a Taliban cell near the Afghan capital Kabul, the US military said Wednesday, as officials announced eight women had died in a rocket blast. Full Story

Israel to briefly halt Gaza ops to allow aidPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:35amThe Israeli military says it will briefly halt its operations in Gaza during the day to allow in humanitarian aid and fuel.Military spokesman Peter Lerner gave no specific time for the halt. But the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem says the military has informed it of a planned lull between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m local time. Full Story

Turk police detain around 30 in coup probe - agencyPosted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:38amTurkish police detained around 30 people on Wednesday in the latest operation in an investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow the government, state-run Anatolian news agency reported. Full Story

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill another 14 PalestiniansPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 9:48amIsraeli strikes on Gaza killed another 14 Palestinians, including five children, on Monday, the tenth day of Israel's massive offensive on the Hamas-run enclave, medics said. Full Story

Iran and Bahrain Officials Call for Oil as WeaponPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:02amAn Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander is calling on Islamic countries to use oil as a weapon to end the fighting in Gaza, echoing a similar call days earlier by lawmakers in Bahrain. Full Story

Ahead of Election, Irans Hard-Liners Crack DownPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:24amAs the race for Irans presidential election heats up, hard-liners are cracking down on activists who have supported reformist candidates in the past. Full Story

Government gets control of Sons of Iraq in DiyalaPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:29amhe U.S. military in a turbulent province northeast of Baghdad handed over control on Sunday of the Sons of Iraq, a predominantly Sunni group of former insurgents and tribesmen whose revolt against al-Qaida in Iraq significantly boosted security here. Full Story

Attacks Further Split Arab Rulers, PeoplePosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:31am"War on Gaza" was the description the satellite channel al-Jazeera gave for the Israeli ground invasion that began Saturday, a culmination of eight days of bombing that have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the crowded seaside strip. But across the Arab world, the struggle was as noteworthy for what was becoming a war at home. Full Story

Bomber Kills 40 at Shiite Shrine in BaghdadPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:35amA woman wearing an explosives belt packed with ball bearings blew herself up in Baghdad near one of Iraq's most sacred Shiite shrines, killing at least 40 people and wounding scores more in a devastating attack that shattered festive celebrations ahead of Shiite Islam's holiest day, Interior Ministry officials said. Full Story

Iran Tells Egypt it is Ready to Help Gaza WoundedPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:36amIran has told Egypt it is ready to treat people wounded in the Israeli assault on Gaza and is seeking permission to set up a field hospital nearby, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Monday. Full Story

In Iraq, the Day AfterPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:07amThe War, in a Sense, Is Over. But a New Struggle Begins As Citizens Ask the Inevitable Question: What Next? Full Story

Somali pirates free pair of European journalists held in mountain cavesPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:17pmThe Gulf of Aden, a busy shipping route which passes the lawless northern coast of Somalia, has become known in the past year as a terrifying redoubt populated by ruthless pirates -- gangs of young men who attack trade ships using skiffs with outboard motors, rocket-propelled grenades and grappling hooks. Full Story

French warship captures 19 Somali piratesPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:18pmA French warship captured 19 Somali pirates on Sunday when it came to the rescue of two cargo ships threatened in the Gulf of Aden, the office of President Nicolas Sarkozy said. The French naval vessel "Jean de Vienne" was on patrol off the Somali coast as part of a European Union anti-piracy force when it came to the rescue of a Croatian cargo vessel and a Panamanian ship crossing the Gulf of Aden. Full Story

U.S Homeland Security Department's disaster planningPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:21pmThe U.S Homeland Security Department has mandated ongoing precautionary measures to help protect the region in the wake of a natural or man-made catastrophe, said Jack Burns Hudson OEM Coordinator. Full Story

Effective cyber laws needed to aid e-commercePosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:23pmE-commerce has greatly enhanced global trade and international business by increasing suppliers responsiveness and efficiency. E-commerce has played a major role in bridging geographical and time barriers to trade. Thanks to the Internet and e-commerce, customers across a supply chain can now gain information about a suppliers products and services, they can place orders, they can track orders as is the case with Fedex, which allows customers track deliveries and e-commerce enables customers make payments by electronic funds transfer. Full Story

Guatemalan mudslide kills 34, injures 15Posted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:30pmA massive landslide tore down the side of a mountain and buried a northern Guatemalan highway, killing at least 34 people and leaving rescue workers to dig for more victims Monday. Guatemala's Vice President Rafael Espada said he feared the death toll could rise by at least a dozen more. At least 15 others were injured. Full Story

Pirates seize French ship off Nigeria, hold ninePosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:32pmPirates seized a ship belonging to French maritime services company Bourbon off the coast of Nigeria during the weekend and are holding nine crew members hostage, the company said Monday. "Bourbon confirms that the Bourbon Leda and its nine crew members (five Nigerians, two Ghanaians, one Cameroonian and one Indonesian) were seized off the coast of Nigeria during the night of Saturday January 3 to Sunday January 4," a statement said. Full Story

Blast damages fourth Western Canada gas well sitePosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:33pmPolice are investigating what appears to be the fourth bombing of an EnCana Corp natural gas facility in the Western Canadian province of British
Columbia, authorities said on Monday. Full Story

U.S. anti-kidnap expert's vanishing spins Mexico mysteryPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:40pmThe abduction of a U.S. anti-kidnap expert in northern Mexico last month remains a mystery with no clues to the man's whereabouts and no ransom demanded by his captors, police said on Monday. Full Story

Russia reduces gas flows to Europe via UkrainePosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:44pmRussia reduced gas flows to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, a measure it said was to stop its neighbor siphoning off fuel but which Kiev said could jeopardize supplies to European countries including Germany. Full Story

Chavez backs re-election for Venezuela politiciansPosted on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:54pmVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Monday that a constitutional referendum proposed for February to lift limits on presidential re-election will also include a measure to end similar limits for governors and mayors. Full Story

Gaza civilian toll rises; diplomats seek trucePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:28amIsrael ignored mounting international calls for a cease-fire and said it won't stop its crippling 10-day assault until "peace and tranquility" are achieved in southern Israeli towns in the line of Palestinian rocket fire. Full Story

Russian gas shipments to Balkans via Ukraine ceasePosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:28amTurkey, Romania, Greece and other Balkan nations reported a complete shut off of Russian gas shipped via Ukraine Tuesday, in a sharp escalation of a struggle over energy that threatens Europe as winter sets in. Full Story

Oil above $48 as investors eye Gaza conflict, OPECPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:29amOil prices remained above $48 a barrel Tuesday in Asia amid signs OPEC is implementing announced production cuts and as Israel's ground offensive in Gaza kept tensions high in the oil-rich Middle East. Full Story
Mumbai attacks backed by official Pakistan agencies: Indian

PMPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:30amIndian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the Mumbai attacks had the support of "some official agencies" in Pakistan, in his strongest accusation yet against the neighbouring country. Full Story

Member of Iraq president party killed in drive-byPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:31amIraqi police say gunmen have killed a member of President Jalal Talabani's political party in a drive-by shooting in the northern city of Kirkuk. Full Story

Nigerian pirates grab French shipPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:34amPirates have seized a ship owned by a French company off the Nigerian coast, taking nine crew members hostage. The company - Bourbon - said the captain had assured them that all crew members were unharmed. Full Story

Gunmen raid Sri Lanka TV stationPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:36amGunmen armed with grenades have ransacked offices of the largest private TV broadcaster in Sri Lanka. The attack near Colombo followed some criticism in state media of the MBC group's coverage of recent army gains against Tamil Tiger rebels. Full Story

Terrorists could use 'insect-based' biological weaponPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:39amJeffrey Lockwood, professor of entomology at Wyoming University and author of Six-legged Soldiers: Using Insects as Weapons of War, said such Rift Valley Fever or other diseases could be transported into a country by a terrorist with a suitcase. Full Story

Police investigate fourth B.C. pipeline blastPosted on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:41amRCMP are investigating a fourth attack on EnCana facilities in northeastern British Columbia, where wells and pipelines have proliferated in recent years as companies rushed to tap natural gas reserves. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.