CONFLICT & TERROR 02/04

Filipino rebels want investment for hostagesPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:44amMANILA, Philippines  Two al-Qaida-linked militants wanted by Washington have demanded education and development projects for impoverished Muslim communities in exchange for the freedom of three kidnapped Red Cross workers in the southern Philippines, an official said Thursday. Provincial Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla identified the two Abu Sayyaf commanders as Albader Parad and Abu Pula, whom she met Wednesday along with the three Red Cross workers in a jungle hide-out near Jolo Island's Indanan township. Full Story

UN visits boat people detained in ThailandPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:48amRANONG, Thailand  U.N. officials were allowed to meet Thursday with boat people detained by Thailand and interviewed a dozen migrants as young as 14 about their perilous journey and allegations they were abused. The meeting came after weeks of calls by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and rights groups for Thailand to provide access to the Rohingyas  members of a stateless Muslim ethnic group who fled persecution in Myanmar  and explain allegations that it forced out to sea as many as 1,000 migrants. Full Story

Pakistan says it arrests 3 alleged Indian agentsPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:56amLAHORE, Pakistan  Police arrested three men Thursday who they alleged carried out a deadly bombing in 2006 in Pakistan on the orders of India's intelligence agency, a top officer said. Lahore police chief Pervaiz Rathor told reporters the three Pakistanis had also been told to attack mosques as well as the virulently anti-Indian Muslim organization blamed for the terror attacks in Mumbai last November. Full Story

SKorea, Japanese nuclear envoys hold talksPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:58amSEOUL (AFP)  The top Japanese and South Korean nuclear negotiators held talks Thursday on ways to revive stalled six-nation disarmament negotiations with North Korea. Japan's Akitaka Saiki met his South Korean counterpart Kim Sook over lunch in Seoul and "had a wide-ranging exchange of opinions on the six-way talks," said foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-Young. Full Story

Philippine fireworks factory blast kills 6Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 9:29amMANILA, Philippines  A powerful explosion destroyed a fireworks factory and a nearby electronics plant south of Manila on Thursday, killing at least six people and injuring more than 40, officials said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately established, but police suspected it was an accident, regional police Chief Perfecto Palad said. Full Story

Japan hangs 4 convicted killersPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 9:36amTOKYOJapan hanged four convicted killers Thursday, amid criticism that the country's secretive and slow-moving justice system leaves inmates to languish on death row for decades. Japan, one of the few industrialized countries that still has capital punishment, has boosted the pace of executions in recent years. The country hanged 15 people last year -- the most since 1975 when 17 were executed, Justice Ministry official Katsuhisa Nagata said. Full Story

Nationwide French strike shuts trains, subwaysPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 9:50amHundreds of thousands of angry and fearful French workers mounted nationwide strikes and protests Thursday to demand President Nicolas Sarkozy do far more to fight the economic crisis. Full Story

Turkish PM admonishes Israel president over GazaPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 11:37pmTurkey's prime minister stalked off the stage at the World Economic Forum red-faced Thursday after reproaching Israel's president over the Gaza offensive by saying "You kill people." Full Story

Colorado man charged in threat on Obama, mallPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 11:38pmA 20-year-old southwestern Colorado man has been indicted on charges of threatening to kill President Obama and blow up the Mall of America in Bloomington. Full Story

'Increased attention' needed at Canada-U.S. borderPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 11:49pmAn immediate review of U.S. vulnerabilities along the border with Canada has been ordered by the new head of U.S. homeland security. Citing calls for "increased attention" to its northern border from members of Congress and domestic security experts, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has directed several of the department's offices and agencies to report to her on the state of protection. Full Story

Rail lines, bus systems show security shortfallsPosted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 11:49pmThe first federal evaluation of mass-transit security shows that more than 75% of the nation's major rail and bus systems aren't meeting Homeland Security guidelines. By contrast, 96% of airlines are complying with security requirements, according to a new report by the department. The report doesn't identify which rail and bus systems fell short. Full Story

Philippines says finds four new human Ebola casesPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:51amMANILA (Reuters)  Four more people in the Philippines have been discovered infected by the Ebola-Reston virus and the possibility of pig-to-human transmission cannot be dismissed, the government said Friday. It was not a major health risk, Health Secretary Francisco Duque told a news conference, adding that the government was however widening testing of people who might have been in contact with sick pigs at hog farms placed under quarantine since October 2008. Full Story

Mexico says Gulf cartel is most violent gangPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:09amMexican prosecutors said Thursday that the Gulf drug cartel and its Zeta hit men are the most violent of Mexico's gangs and account for the highest number of weapons seized. The Attorney General's Office says the two related gangs have "the biggest presence and activity in crime and violence." Full Story

No re-election for Uribe in ColombiaPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:11amPresident Alvaro Uribe's hometown newspaper reported Thursday that Colombia's immensely popular leader will not seek a third consecutive term in 2010 elections. "President Uribe is not running for a second re-election. El Colombiano is in a position to affirm that the president has already decided to step aside so new leaders can assume power," the Medellin newspaper reported. El Colombiano did not reveal its sources. Full Story

South American leaders join anti-Davos forumPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:12amSouth America's leading advocates of socialism got a hero's welcome from 100,000 activists at the mouth of the Amazon River Thursday as they demanded an overhaul of global capitalism.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the time has come for the world's leftists to "leave the trenches," propose solutions and "launch a political ideological offensive everywhere." Full Story

Afghan Presidential Election DelayedPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:17amAfghan officials said Thursday that they had decided to postpone the countrys presidential election until August, saying they needed more time to prepare. But the decision, which appeared to contravene Afghanistans Constitution, raised questions about the legitimacy of what could be President Hamid Karzais final months in office. Full Story

Taliban forbid tribesmen from cooperating with PakistanPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:23amSuspected Taliban have dropped pamphlets in the Pak-Afghan border area adjoining the South Waziristan tribal agency, asking the tribesmen not to cooperate with the Pakistani government, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday. Full Story

Mumbai attacks planned outside PakistanPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:26amPakistani investigators have completed the initial investigation of information regarding the Mumbai attacks, provided by India in a dossier on January 5, and found the attacks were not planned in Pakistan, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday. full story

Army will restore writ in Swat: COASPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:37amPakistan Army has the will and resolve to defeat terrorists, restore peace and establish the writ of the state in violence-hit areas, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani told troops during his visit to Swat on Wednesday. full story

Pakistan: 9 Held in Danish Embassy AttackPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:43amPakistan has arrested nine men suspected in a string of deadly bombings last year which devastated the Danish Embassy, killed an army general and wounded several FBI personnel, police said Thursday. full story

Sri Lanka rules out cease-fire with rebelsPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 10:20amCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka  Sri Lanka ruled out a cease-fire with Tamil Tiger rebels Friday despite reports of casualties among masses of civilians trapped in the northern war zone, as the military pushed ahead to recapture the last remaining territory from the insurgents. "We are determined not to have a cease-fire, and we are determined to eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka," Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told reporters. Full Story

Egypt attacks Iran and allies in Arab worldPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:29amEgypt aired its grievances against Iran, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and the Lebanese Shi'a group Hezbollah, saying they worked together in the fighting over Gaza to provoke conflict in the Middle East. Full Story

Blast hits oil pipeline in east YemenPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:29amSecurity officials say an explosion at a pipeline in eastern Yemen forced the authorities to halt the flow of oil. Full Story

Tight security before Iraq pollsPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:30amA full-scale security clampdown is being rolled out in Iraq ahead of regional elections this weekend. Full Story

Ahmadinejad will run for re-electionPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:31amAn adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he will run for re-election in June. Full Story

18-member gang arrested after murderPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:38amPolice arrested an 18-member gang for murder after one man was killed during a dispute over the sale of illegal alcohol. Full Story

Turkish leader hailed at home after Israel disputePosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 12:06pmTurkey's prime minister drew praise Friday from Hamas militants for confronting the Israeli president over civilian casualties and said "everybody should take sides," despite Turkish efforts to mediate in the Middle East. Full Story

ETA vows to fight on as it marks 50th anniversaryPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 12:07pmThe armed Basque separatist group ETA vowed Friday to keep fighting as it marked the 50th anniversary of its struggle to carve an independent state straddling northern Spain and southwestern France. Full Story

Protests against foreign workers spread in BritainPosted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 12:08pmWildcat strikes against foreign workers spread through oil refineries and other energy facilities in Britain on Friday, fuelled by fears of rising job cuts due to the global slowdown. Full Story

Brown meets China PM over financial crisisPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:50amChinese Premier Wen Jiabao vowed Monday urgent and coordinated action to avert a global economic "disaster," saying the world is all "in the same boat," as he neared the end of a five-nation European trip. Full Story

Nuclear workers walk out over foreign labourPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:51amWorkers at the Sellafield nuclear plant joined a series of wildcat strikes Monday at energy facilities in protest at the use of foreign contractors instead of unemployed Britons. Full Story

British police detain protesters during Wen visitPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:52amBritish police detained five pro-Tibet protesters who jumped over security barriers outside the Chinese Embassy in London during a visit by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. Full Story

Riot police fire tear gas at Greek farmersPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:53amRiot police fired tear gas at farmers Monday to prevent them from driving their tractors to the Greek capital as part of a protest demanding government financial help. Full Story

More Than 6 Killed by Shelling at a Sri Lanka HospitalPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:00amThree artillery shell attacks struck a Sri Lanka hospital overflowing with wounded patients Sunday night, the last of them hitting a ward of women and children, according to international agencies and health workers. At least six people died in the first two attacks and an unknown number in the last, with workers still counting the bodies on Monday. Full Story

Afghan Suicide Bomber Kills 18Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:03amA man wrapped in explosives walked into a compound filled with Afghan police officers Monday morning and detonated his payload, killing 21 officers and himself, the Interior Ministry said. The attacker struck in Tirin Kot, the capital of Oruzgan Province, a mountainous area where the governments authority is being contested by the Taliban. Full Story

US-funded program to arm Afghan groups beginsPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:09amA U.S.-funded program to train and arm community members in Afghanistan's most dangerous regions as a way to defend against the Taliban has begun, the country's interior minister said Saturday. Full Story

UN official kidnapped in PakistanPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:13amA senior official of the United Nations refugee agency, John Solecki, has been kidnapped in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, the UN has confirmed. Police said gunmen stopped his vehicle on his way to work, seizing him and killing his driver, a local man. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Full Story

Afghans Rally Against U.S. After Strike Kills TwoPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:25amHundreds of Afghans demonstrated Sunday against an overnight U.S. military raid that one villager said killed several civilians, the latest incident to stir up Afghan ire against foreign forces accused of killing bystanders. The American military said its forces killed two insurgents. Full Story

Seven Chechens Arrested in Austria in Connection with Murder of Ex-Kadyrov BodyguardPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:30amAgence France-Presse reported on January 28 that Austrian police had arrested seven suspects that day in connection with the murder of Umar Israilov in Vienna on January 13. Israilov, a 27-year-old former Chechen rebel who was subsequently forced to serve in Ramzan Kadyrovs security detail, later escaped to Europe and reportedly filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg accusing Kadyrov of torture. full story

Iraq vote turnout fails to meet expectationsPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:41amJust over half of the country's voters cast ballots in provincial elections, and turnout is as low as 40% in at least one province. Full Story

In Iraq's North, Vote Tallies To Define Loyalties, DisputesPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:42amFor the northern provinces of Iraq, the outcome of elections held Saturday will provide the first snapshot in decades of demographics and loyalties in areas that have become the subject of a visceral dispute between Arabs and Kurds. Full Story

Secular Parties and Premier Ahead in IraqPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:44amPrime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and several secular parties appeared to score significant gains in Iraqs provincial elections on Saturday, preliminary reports showed Sunday. Full Story

Israel's Key Election Issue: Did War End Too Soon?Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:48amJust over a week before Israel holds elections to choose a new government, the outcome of the war in the Gaza Strip has emerged as a central issue in the campaign, with the candidates sparring over whether the massive military operation went far enough. Full Story

43 civilians die in Taliban crossfirePosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:49amAt least 43 civilians were killed Sunday when they were caught in the crossfire between Pakistani forces and Taliban militants, a Pakistani military official said. Full Story

3 jailed in bribery and forgery casePosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:49amThree tradesmen have been jailed for bribing an employee of the Department of Economic Development (DED) with Dh400,000 to issue them a number of commercial licences without obtaining the security officials' approval. Full Story

UAE banks to tighten securityPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:50amBanks in the UAE will be asked to introduce chip and PIN technology to replace the existing magnetic strip-powered cards to reduce the risk of debit and credit card frauds, the UAE Central Bank said in a statement on Sunday. Full Story

Iranian police kill 10 drug smugglers in shootoutPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:51amIran's state television says police have killed 10 drug smugglers in a shootout near the Afghan border. Full Story

Banks in three states closed as mortgage losses mountPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:52amBanks in Florida, Maryland and Utah were closed Friday as regulators wrapped up the busiest month for failures since the housing slump began in 2006. Full Story

Iran's war of words against UAE 'unjustified'Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:52amThe escalation of Iran's war of words against the UAE was neither understandable nor justified, according to Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Full Story

Ministers may meet on currency pactPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:53amFinance ministers from Japan, China, South Korea and 10 Southeast Asian nations plan an unscheduled meeting next month to forge a pact to pool $120 billion (Dh440.4 billion) of foreign exchange reserves to help defend their currencies. Full Story

Iranian 'ship carrying arms detained in Cyprus'Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:54amCypriot authorities have detained an Iranian ship en route to Syria with a cargo of weapons, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday. Full Story

Khatami predicted to enter Iran presidential racePosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:58amA confidant to Iran's former president says Mohammad Khatami will challenge President Ahmadinejad now that another prominent moderate appears to have backed out. Full Story

Israeli airstrike kills Gaza militantPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:59amA missile from an Israeli aircraft struck a car traveling in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, killing a Palestinian militant and further straining a truce with the territory's Hamas rulers. Full Story

Residents flee Pakistani valley as PM vows peacePosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9:59amPakistan's prime minister promised a quick solution to the brutal insurgency in the country's former tourism haven Sunday, even as hundreds of residents fled toward newly opened relief camps. Full Story

Hariri : Elections to be held on time and without any obstructionPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:00amIn an interview with al-Mustaqbal daily on Monday, Future leader MP Saad Hariri said that the March 14 coalition assured that the upcoming parliamentary elections would be held on time and without obstruction. He confirmed that March 14 would run in the elections united, and it would ally with Culture Minister Tamam Salam in Beirut. Full Story

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader meets U.N. envoyPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:08amMyanmar's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and five senior members of her opposition party met with U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari at the state guesthouse on Monday, a party spokesman said. Following the meeting, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy demanded the release of their leader and U Tin Oo, the party's aging deputy chairman, said spokesman Nyan Win. The NLD also called for meetings between the opposition and the military junta that rules the country. Full Story

Japan's Mount Asama eruptsPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:10amJapan's Mount Asama erupted early Monday, sending a plume of light ash more than a mile into the sky and prompting emergency officials to restrict travel near it. Full Story

Police Union: Germany Needs More Protection Against TerrorismPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 3:12pmGermany's police trade union (GdP) has called for tougher measures to prevent terrorist attacks in the wake of a recent Internet video posted by an Islamist group warning of an attack on Germany. Full Story

Terror financing trial underway in MalmvPosted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 3:20pmSecurity was tight at a Malmv courthouse as proceedings began on Monday to determine whether or not donations to the Swedish chapter of a Palestinian foundation were being used to support Hamas. Full Story

Suicide bomb death toll rises to 21Posted on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 3:27pmA suicide bomber has killed at least 21 policemen and injured several others in the southern Afghan town of Tarin Kowt. full story
Police station in Athens attackedPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7:34amGunmen have attacked a police station in the Greek capital, Athens, causing some damage but no injuries. A police spokesman said shots were fired at the station in the suburb of Korydallos and that a hand grenade was thrown, but had failed to explode. Full Story

American Abducted in PakistanPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:25amPakistani police began hunting Monday for the kidnappers of John Solecki, the American U.N. official who was abducted in the southern Pakistani city of Quetta. full story

NATO says members may use Iran for Afghan suppliesPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:31amNATO would not oppose individual member nations making deals with Iran to supply their forces in Afghanistan as an alternative to using increasingly risky routes from Pakistan, the alliance's top military commander said Monday.full story

Jammu woman files rape complaint against four LeT guerrillasPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:34amIn the first incident of its kind, a woman from Jammu region has filed a complaint of rape against guerrillas of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit and identified one of the atatckers during a parade of the suspects, the police said here. Full Story
Pakistan to prosecute 125 for Mumbai attacksPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:38amThe government is planning to prosecute a group of as many as 125 terorists, who according to investigators, might be connected to the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November last year, ABC News reported on Monday. Full Story

70 killed as troops pound Taliban hideouts in SwatPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:41amThe military on Monday claimed it had killed 70 Taliban and injured several others during its assault on a village in Chaharbagh tehsil of Swat, a private TV channel reported. Full Story

Suspected Militant Attack Closes NATO Afghan RoutePosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:45amSuspected Islamic militants blew up a bridge in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, closing a crucial supply line for North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops in Afghanistan as the military reported killing 35 extremists in the region Full Story

Taliban violence spreads in Afghanistan: US reportPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:54amhe Pentagon said that insurgent violence was on the rise across Afghanistan and that international forces lacked the troops and resources to control the country's south. Full Stoyr

Venezuela's Chavez celebrates 10 years in powerPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 8:58amVenezuela's President Hugo Chavez marked 10 years in power on Monday, declaring a national holiday to celebrate as he seeks to win a referendum this month that could help him govern for another decade or more. Chavez, an ex-paratrooper who once led a failed coup before winning power at the ballot box, hosted Latin American allies at the anniversary ceremonies, burnishing his credentials as an inspiration for a wave of leftist governments in the region. Full Story

Brazil police occupy Sao Paulo slum after clashesPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:00amHundreds of riot police occupied one of Sao Paulo's biggest slums Tuesday following a night of clashes that injured at least three police officers and several residents. The officers were shot after bands of young men burned cars and tires in the streets of the Paraisopolis slum, Sao Paulo's public safety department said in a statement. Full Story

Top General Says Mexico Is Winning Drug Wars That Claim 15 Lives Every DayPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:02amDrug-related violence in Mexico has reached record numbers with an average of 15 people executed daily  and some 6,000 killed last year. As a result, a chorus of U.S. officials has been sounding alarm bells. Last month Mexico was cited as one of two countries that "bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse," according to a report by the U.S. Joint Forces Command on worldwide security threats. The other is Pakistan. Full Story

Mexico's peso weakens to record low, reboundsPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:06amMexico's peso dipped to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Monday before rebounding slightly. The currency slipped 2 percent to 14.57 before rising again to 14.47 by Monday evening Full Story

Chavez doubts U.S. can shake oil needsPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:10amVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he supported U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to find alternative energy sources but doesn't believe the United States can do it. "I don't know how he will achieve what he said he would," Chavez said in an exclusive 30-minute interview with CNN en Espanol's Patricia Janiot Monday night. "It's very difficult for the United States to diminish its use of oil." Full Story

Sri Lanka hospital shelled for fourth timePosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:16amThree people were killed and 10 wounded when a hospital treating victims of Sri Lanka's civil war was shelled for a fourth time in two days, the International Committee of the Red Cross told CNN Tuesday. Artillery shells slammed into the hospital in the northern district of Mullaittivu on Monday evening. Strikes on the hospital on Sunday -- including one that hit the pediatric ward -- left 11 people dead, including some children, according to an aid worker who spoke to witnesses. Full Story

Iraq's provincial elections show the power of the tribePosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:26amOn election day, Sheik Wahid Issawi held court in his mudheef, a tribal guesthouse tucked among the family's acres of date groves and rice fields. Relatives filed in, kissed his hand and cheek and asked his guidance on how to vote in Saturday's provincial elections. His answer was simple: Choose the list of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. Full Story

12 plead innocent to terror charges in JordanPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:26amTwelve suspects have pleaded not guilty to charges of plotting terrorist attacks on a Christian church and a cemetery in Jordan. Full Story

Concerns about job security of GCC nationalsPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:27amThe need of the hour is to strike a balance between the requirements of the job market while attempting to correct the demographic imbalance, a senior official has said. Full Story

Increasing Violence Against the Minorities in Provincial ElectionsPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:28amProvincial elections will be taking place in Iraq on 31st January and the Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) has warned of an increase in terror attacks above all against members of the ethnic and religious minorities in the north-Iraqi provinces of Mosul and Diala. Full Story

Israel must put forward a peace planPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:28amIf Israel fails to initiate a peace plan after the elections, "we'll get the Arab initiative," Foreign Minister and Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni said Monday during a keynote speech at the Herzliya Conference. Full Story

N Korea 'preparing missile test'Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:32amNorth Korea appears to be preparing to test-fire its longest range missile, apparently capable of hitting the US, a South Korean official and reports say. Satellite spy images reportedly showed a train loaded with a large cylindrical object, moving towards a missile launch site close to the Chinese border. Full Story

Afghanistan says Kabul suicide gang smashedPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:42amAfghanistan's intelligence agency said Tuesday it had smashed a Pakistani-led group behind six deadly suicide bombings in Kabul over the last two years, including blasts outside the German and US embassies. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) told reporters it rounded up 17 suspects, including a Pakistani alleged to be the ringleader, days after the January 17 suicide car bomb near the German embassy that killed five people. Full Story

Saudis issue overseas wanted listPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:49amSaudi Arabia has issued a list of 83 wanted militants living overseas, calling on them to return to their home country and resume normal life. Full Story

Woman arrested for recruiting female bombersPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:52amA woman suspected of recruiting more than 80 female suicide bombers has been arrested, the Iraqi military said Tuesday, dealing a major blow to one of the most effective forms of attacks in Iraq. Full Story

Toxic mix of unemployment and immigrationPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:53amImmigration and foreign workers, trade union rights, sharply rising unemployment, and the European Union add up to a toxic combination. Full Story

Rocket From Gaza Strikes Israeli CityPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 9:54amPalestinian militants fired one of their longer-range rockets from Gaza into the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon on Tuesday, the first since a tenuous truce took hold more than two weeks ago. Full Story

Snow could cost British economy millions: expertsPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 10:36amThe snow storms which paralysed Britain may have cost businesses already battling the credit crunch up to a billion pounds, experts said Tuesday -- and more blizzards could be still on their way. Full Story

Turkish pres warns on anti-Semitism, dismisses discriminationPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 11:23amPresident Abdullah Gul Tuesday warned the public not to engage in anti-Semitic activities, adding Turkeys Jewish population has lived in the country for hundreds of years and has the same rights as all citizens. Full Story

13 arrested in Spain for international crime linksPosted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 11:24amSpanish police arrested 13 people Tuesday on suspicion of links to organized crime and terrorism groups. Full Story

Panasonic to cut 15,000 jobsPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:26amPanasonic on Wednesday said it was shedding 15,000 jobs, the second mass layoff in Japan's electronics sector in less than a week, and the latest indication that Japanese companies, exporters in particular, are racing to cut costs in the face of evaporating demand. Full Story

Agreement to end strikes over foreign workers is on table, says union leaderPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:26amA union leader today dismissed reports saying that British workers could be offered half the jobs that have gone to Italian and Portuguese workers at the Lindsey oil refinery as part of a deal intended to end the dispute there over foreign labour. Full Story

China to double nuclear power plants in 10 yearsPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:27amChina intends to double the number of nuclear power plants in the next decade, The China Daily reported on Wednesday, citing government sources. Full Story

Iran insists satellite launch has no military aimPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:28amIran insisted on Wednesday that the launch of its first home-built satellite has no military aims, despite deep concerns in the West about the development. Full Story

BHP escapes fate of debt-strapped rivalsPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 6:29amBHP Billiton, the worlds biggest mining group, underlined the strength of its balance sheet compared with debt-strapped rivals on Wednesday when it said that cash flows of US$13.1bn in the opening half year had reduced gearing to less than 10 per cent. Full Story

Media group says 109 media workers killed in 2008Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:00amAt least 109 reporters and media workers were killed either intentionally or accidentally last year while on assignment, the International Federation of Journalists said Wednesday. Full Story

UK union rejects deal to end wildcat strikePosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:01amA union representing workers at a British refinery said Wednesday it had rejected a proposed deal to end a wildcat walkout over the hiring of foreign workers. Full Story

France, Germany Push for Closer Security Ties with USPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:04amThe leaders of France and Germany have called for closer European coordination with the US on security issues, saying the scope of cooperation needs to be broadened in light of pressing international challenges. Full Story

Accidental shooting outside US embassy in AthensPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:05amA private security guard was seriously injured Wednesday in an accidental shooting outside the U.S. embassy in Athens, authorities said. Full Story

Italy torn by racial strainsPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:23amItaly has been transformed in recent decades from a nation of emigrants to a target country for mass immigration. The change has brought severe political and social tensions. In the first of a series of pieces on Italy and its immigrants, Aidan Lewis looks at the impact on the Roma (Gypsy) community. Full Story

Sri Lanka hospital closes after shells hitPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:08amThe last functioning hospital in the northern Sri Lanka war zone has closed in the face of fighting between troops and Tamil rebels, U.N. officials say. Pudukkudiyiruppu Hospital in Sri Lanka's Vanni region, which has been struck by artillery shells nine times in four days, closed Wednesday as medical staff evacuated patients in the middle of ongoing hostilities, CNN reported. Full Story

More Muslim boat people accuse Thai army of abusePosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:09amTwo Rohingya boat people found off Indonesia this week made more allegations of abuse by the Thai army, saying on Wednesday they were rounded up and beaten before being cast adrift in rickety, engineless boats. Full Story

North Korea may test-fire missile toward Japan-mediaPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:13amNorth Korea may be preparing to use the site of its previous ballistic missile launches on the east coast to fire its longest range missile, possibly towards Japan, news reports said on Wednesday. The missile reports follow threats directed at Seoul and Washington, which analysts said are meant to intimidate conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and grab the attention of new U.S. President Barack Obama. Full Story

'Dozens dead' in S Lanka fightingPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:21amThe United Nations says that 52 civilians have been killed in the past day of fighting in Sri Lanka. A UN spokesman also said that cluster bombs had hit a hospital, which has been subject to several attacks. The military denies responsibility for the attacks. There has been no comment from the Tamil Tiger rebels. Full Story

Taliban to use Swat for fresh assault in AfghanistanPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:27amWith a large part of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province now in the hands of pro-Taliban militants, they are preparing to use it as their base for a fresh offensive against NATO forces in Afghanistan. A new battle is likely to begin in April when the winter snow melts in the Afghan mountains and the Pakistani leadership faces a new power struggle as it seeks to reinforce its grip on the government. Full Story

Kyrgyzstan moves to shut US basePosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:28amKyrgyzstan's government has submitted a decree to parliament for the closure of a key US air base in the Central Asian state, Kyrgyz officials say. The move was prompted by popular disapproval of the base, government spokesman Aibek Sultangaziyev said. Full Story

Two schools blown up in BajaurPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:39amSuspected Taliban destroyed two government boys schools in Salarzai tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Tuesday morning. Full Story
Pakistan: Trucks torched along US supply linePosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:50amAssailants torched 10 trucks stranded in Pakistan by the bombing of a key bridge on the main supply route for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday. Full Story

Taliban kidnap 30 Pakistani policemenPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 10:02amTaliban militants kidnapped 30 Pakistani policemen after a punishing day-long siege, in an embarrassing blow Wednesday for the army battling to win back control of the Swat valley. Full Story

Kyrgyzstan to close U.S. base used to supply AfghanistanPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 10:13amIn a setback to the escalating U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan , the president of Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday that his government will shut down the American air base in his country. Full Story

Afghanistan says foreign fighters coming from IraqPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 10:15amWith the reduction of violence in Iraq, foreign militants were now flooding into Afghanistan to join Taliban insurgents battling Afghan and international troops, the Afghan defence minister said on Wednesday.Full Story

Turkey urged to prosecute anti-Semitic actsPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 12:08pmTurkey's main Jewish group urged the state Wednesday to prosecute what it called anti-Semitic acts linked to Israel's offensive in Gaza. Full Story

Greek arsonists attack police, car dealershipPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 12:44pmAuthorities in Greece say a police station and a luxury car dealership in Athens were targeted in overnight arson attacks, causing damage but no injuries. Full Story

Russia announces military initiatives in EurasiaPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 1:44pmThree international military initiatives have been announced in the Kremlin over the past two days, one of them involving an important Central Asian air base used to support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. These developments appear to represent an attempt to increase Russian influence in the Eurasia region. Full Story

US plan to arm militias scares some in AfghanistanPosted on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 1:50pmA U.S.-backed plan to create militias and give them guns to fight the Taliban is drawing criticism from local authorities in areas where the first units are being rolled out, raising questions as to whether the effort can succeed in Afghanistan. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.