CONFLICT & TERROR ROUNDUP PART 1

Italy: Five arrested for "bomb-making" plans Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 5:26pm

Italy's telecommunications police have arrested five people in the southern city of Catania for distributing bomb-making instructions on Internet websites. Full Story

Obama Plans to Send 4,000 Troops to Train Afghans Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:41am

President Barack Obama plans to send 4,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in an effort to confront the threat posed by the Taliban and al-Qaeda there and in neighboring Pakistan, administration officials said. Obama is set to unveil his new strategy for the eight-year- old conflict in Afghanistan tomorrow. The goal is to disrupt, weaken and ultimately destroy havens and support for al-Qaeda, whose leaders, including Osama bin Laden, are now in Pakistan and plotting new attacks against the U.S., the officials, who briefed reporters on the plan, said. Full Story

Afghan intel chief: Pakistan spies support Taliban Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:41am

Afghanistan's intelligence chief accused Pakistan's spy agency of helping Taliban militants carry out attacks in his country, highlighting one of the biggest challenges facing the Obama administration as it prepared Thursday to launch a new strategy for the Afghan conflict. Full Story

Saudi Arabia: Senior al-Qaeda Leader Surrenders Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:42am

Senior al-Qaeda leader Fahad al-Ruwaily returned to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday voluntarily and turned himself in, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki. Al-Ruwaily was on a list of the kingdom's 85 most wanted terrorists living abroad. Full Story

Roadside-bomb menace shifting to Afghanistan Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:43am

The latest attacks killed 10 civilians and injured three Australian soldiers, underscoring the dangers facing U.S. troops, whose presence will soon grow. Full Story

Pakistani region where the brutal Taleban have taken control Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:52am

The Taleban are back in charge, and this time in Pakistan. In Mingora only 110 miles northwest of Islamabad, the capital, these hooded enforcers are the law, patrolling the streets and meting out summary justice. Full Story

Russia Considers Major Troop Withdrawal in Chechnya Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:53am

Russia is reported considering the withdrawal of more than 20,000 Interior Ministry troops from Chechnya and an effective end to a state of war in the Caucasus republic. The move may be linked to financial problems caused by the global economic crisis. Full Story

US general: American forces may not leave key Iraqi cities Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:10am

The US withdrawal from Iraq is under way. Some troops are preparing to go home and others have pulled back from outposts to bases. But the planned pullback of American soldiers from all Iraqi cities by the end of June will probably not be fully met. Full Story

Bomb strikes mosque in Pakistan Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:11am

A bomb has exploded at a mosque in the town of Jamrud in the Khyber agency in north-west Pakistan, officials say. Initial reports say that three people have been killed and about 40 wounded in the explosion. However, the death toll is expected to rise. Full Story

Ahead of G-20 summit, Britons alerted to 'dirty bomb' risk Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:12am

After decades of campaigns by Irish Republicans and, most recently, Islamist militants, Britons have become used to the daily threat of terrorism. But in a warning that the stakes have been raised  and just days before world leaders gather here for the Group of 20 meeting  a warning was given this week that a so-called dirty bomb on a British city is more likely than ever. Full Story

Kyrgyz opposition stages protests against president Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:13am

Kyrgyzstan's opposition staged nationwide protests on Friday against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, accusing him of failing to implement economic reforms and of strong-arming rivals ahead of a July presidential poll. Full Story

Japan says ready to shoot down N.Korea missile Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:14am

Japan on Friday gave its military the green light to shoot down any incoming North Korean rocket, with tensions high ahead of a planned launch that the US and allies say will be an illegal missile test. Full Story

US official: talks on Kyrgyzstan base continue Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:15am

A senior U.S. official said Friday that negotiations are continuing with Kyrgyzstan over a key American air base that the Central Asian country has ordered U.S. forces to leave this year. The base provides support for military operations in Afghanistan and its potential closure poses a challenge to President Barack Obama's plan to send up to 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan this year to fight surging Taliban and al-Qaida violence. Full Story

Army mulls 'Afghanistan troop surge' Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:16am

The head of the army has earmarked extra troops to send to Afghanistan, The Times reported on Friday, as US President Barack Obama prepared to unveil a new strategy for the war there. Full Story

Thai troops 'cross into Cambodia 'Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:25am

Thai soldiers have reportedly entered Cambodia near a disputed temple where the two sides briefly exchanged fire last year. A spokesman for Cambodia's government said that about 100 troops had crossed the border. A Thai border commander denied there had been any troop movements and said there had been no increase in tension. Full Story

China says Tibet video is 'a lie 'Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:28am

China says video footage that purportedly shows Chinese security personnel violently beating Tibetans last year is "a lie". The video apparently shows protesters being beaten with sticks, and kicked and choked by China's security forces. The Tibetan government-in-exile says the footage shows China's "brutality". But a Chinese government official said many of the images and voices in the video had been pieced together from different sources. Full Story

New Zealand company hires hacker Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:32am

A top New Zealand telecommunications company has hired a teenager who admitted to taking part in an international cyber-crime network. TelstraClear said former hacker Owen Thor Walker was advising corporate customers on internet crime. Mr Walker had been at the centre of a criminal network that infiltrated more than a million computers globally. Full Story

India editor shot dead by gunmen Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:48am

Unidentified gunmen have shot dead the editor of a newspaper in India's north-eastern Assam state, police say. Anil Mazumder, editor of the Assamese daily Aji (Today), was attacked by armed men when he was returning home in the state capital, Guwahati, they said. Full Story

UK 'in Afghanistan for long term 'Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:53am

British forces may be in Afghanistan for another five years while civilians could stay more than 20 years, the new UK ambassador to Afghanistan has said. Mark Sedwill, who will take up his post next week, told BBC Radio 5 Live the Afghan army and police should be strong enough in five years to take over. Full Story

Bomb Kills 9 Civilians in Afghanistan Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 10:02am

An explosive device ripped through a minibus on Wednesday, killing nine civilians and wounding seven others on a road frequently using by security forces and international troops in eastern Afghanistan, the police said. Full Story

'Threat Of Britons Trained By Al Qaeda 'Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 12:46pm

Pakistan has monitored more than 20 Britons believed to have spent time with radical militant groups and then returned to the UK, Sky News has learned. Full Story

G20 anarchists plan wave of strikes against Canary Wharf and BT Tower Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 4:03pm

An anarchist group is planning to "switch off the lights" at some of London's most iconic buildings, including Canary Wharf and the BT Tower, in the run up to the G20 summit in the capital next week, The Daily Telegraph has learned.Full Story

U.S. shares blame for Mexico drug violence, Clinton says Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:34am

In candid comments aimed at reassuring a sensitive neighbor, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton accepted Wednesday that the United States shares blame for Mexico's drug violence, and promised more equipment and support to help the country's war against traffickers. Clinton said the U.S. has a duty to help since it is a major consumer of illicit drugs and a key supplier of weapons smuggled to cartel hit men.Full Story

Mexican drug cartel hoped playing U.S. informant would safeguard future Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:37am

As part of his job with one of Mexico's most feared drug cartels, Guillermo Eduardo Rammrez-Peyro presided over at least five murders, including one where he held down the victim's legs while a henchman and two police officers bashed his skull with a shovel.Rammrez-Peyro, a U.S. government informant, tape-recorded the 2003 murder at the so-called ''House of Death'' in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, providing proof for what he thought would ultimately earn him safe haven in the United States.Full Story

U.S. oil contracts studied suspend operations in Venezuela Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:39am

"A March 23, four of eleven wells in land drilling in Venezuela were stopping.''The rest are still active, said the spokesman for H & P, Late John Paul, in an email sent to AFP. The Venezuelan state oil owed to the company, which specializes in providing material extraction, about $ 100 million in late January, according to their data. The firm explained that PDVSA has paid less than 1% of their debt so far this year, H & P.Full Stroy

Mexico nabs one of 'most-wanted' traffickers Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:42am

Soldiers captured one of Mexico's most-wanted smugglers, a man accused of controlling the flow of drugs through the northern city of Monterrey for the powerful Beltran-Leyva cartel, the Mexican army said Wednesday. The announcement came just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Mexico for a two-day visit to discuss security issues and U.S. support for Mexico's battle against the drug cartels.Full Story

Venezuelan Opposition Strike a Failure Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:44am

The Socialist Workers's Front of Venezuela (FTS) termed an absolute failure the attempted education strike in the country, where responsibility and conscience of teachers prevailed. In remarks to Venezolana de Television, FTS member William Lozada stressed that the opposition strike was a real failure because school activities are developing normally.Full Story

Ex-Argentine President Charged With Fraud Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:45am

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem has been charged with fraud in connection with a contract awarded to a local subsidiary of a French defense company. Mr. Menem's government awarded a concession to electronics firm Thales Spectrum in the 1990s to oversee the South American country's broadcast frequencies. But the contract was canceled by Mr. Menem's successor, Nestor Kirchner, after allegations of irregularities surfaced.Full Story

In Canada, 2 Oil Giants Said Near Merger Deal Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:48am

Suncor Energy is in advanced talks to acquire Petro-Canada in a stock-based deal worth $15 billion, people familiar with the talks said on Sunday. If successful, the merger would combine two of the largest operators in the Canadian oils sands, which have high production costs and have become a target of environmental groups. An agreement is expected to be announced on Monday.Full Story

UK charity probed over Bangladesh 'bomb factory 'Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 8:55am

British and Bangladeshi authorities on Thursday probed allegations that a charity was linked to a huge cache of weapons and bomb-making equipment found in a religious school in Bangladesh. Full Story

Belfast judge orders alleged IRA dissidents freed Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 8:56am

Northern Ireland's senior judge ordered the immediate release Wednesday of six suspected IRA dissidents being interrogated over recent killings of soldiers and police, ruling that their 11-day detention was illegal. Full Story

French strikers hold 3M exec hostage amid talks Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 8:57am

Striking French workers for U.S. manufacturer 3M held their boss hostage amid labor talks Wednesday at a plant south of Paris, as anger over layoffs and cutbacks mounted around the country. Full Story

Sarkozy visits Congolese leader Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 9:00am

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss ways of securing peace in the troubled east of the country. Mr Sarkozy, who is joined by French ministers and businessmen, has held talks with President Joseph Kabila. Full Story

U.S. agents to be sent to Mexican border to bolster war on drugs
Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:14am

An epidemic of drug-related violence that has claimed thousands of lives in northern Mexico and begun to spill over into U.S. border cities has once again thrust Mexico into the first tier of President Barack Obama's security concerns. The administration announced Tuesday that it is sending more federal agents and high-tech equipment to the U.S.-Mexican border in an attempt to blunt violence in both countries. One aim is to staunch the flow of U.S. weapons into Mexico, which Mexican officials say is fueling the drug wars.Full Story

Interpol announced visit to the country Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:28am

The last time the agency visited Colombia confirmed that the files from the computer of Raul Reyes were not altered. The secretary general of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Ronald Kenneth Noble, will visit Colombia on Thursday.Full Story

Residential mortgage portfolio grew 2.3% Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:53am

During the fourth quarter of last year, the entities that finance housing in the country closed with a balance of total capital of 18.96 billion pesos, representing an increase of 2.3%, according to the Dane. The balance of total capital, 6.8 billion dollars were earmarked to finance VIS (social housing) and a No VIS 12.10 billion, an increase in funding of 2.8% and VIS VIS No 2 %.Full Story

The Bank disbursed U.S. $ 18.000 million to avoid the crisis Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:55am

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) disbursed U.S. $ 18,000 million in loans this year to overcome the global crisis, convinced also that the incorporation of China into the body reaches the best time for Latin America. This was said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno, in a press conference in Medellin, where the preliminaries begin on Wednesday at the Board of Governors, which will run until March 31.Full Story

Home of ex-Royal Bank of Scotland chief vandalized Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:57am

Vandals attacked the home of former Royal Bank of Scotland head Fred Goodwin early Wednesday, smashing windows at the house of the ex-CEO whose 700,000 pound ($1.2 million) annual pension has prompted public outrage. Full Story

Ex-Sinn Fein politician charged with killing cop Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:58am

A former Sinn Fein councilman was arraigned Wednesday on charges of murdering a Northern Ireland policeman and a senior judge ordered police to free or charge six other suspected Irish Republican Army dissidents held over recent killings. Full Story

Czech government loses no-confidence vote Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:59am

The Czech government collapsed Tuesday after losing a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the economic crisis. Full Story

Vaccine scare threatens health in Ukraine Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8:59am

A widespread scare about vaccine side effects in Ukraine has led to a sharp drop in immunizations that could result in disease outbreaks spreading beyond the former Soviet republic, international and local health officials say. Full Story

U.S. Weighs Sharif as Partner in Pakistan Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:00am

The opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, sealed his place as the most popular politician in Pakistan this month when he defied his house detention and led a triumphant protest that forced the government to restore the countrys chief justice. Full Story

Moodys defends Mexico rating Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:05am

Mexico is not about to become a failed state as a result of escalating drugs-related violence and is in no immediate danger of losing investment grade status, Moodys Investors Service said on Tuesday. The ratings agency said: Despite heightened anxiety about the escalation of violence and organised crime activity, Mexico does not fit the general profile of countries identified as failed states.Full Story

Pakistan: Local militant leader threatens to quash Swat peace deal Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:06am

A local militant in northwest Pakistan's troubled Swat district, Maulana Sufi Mohammad, has threatened to withdraw from the historic peace accord recently signed with the provincial government. Mohammad says he is unhappy at what he calls the slow pace of implementation of the accord. Full Story

Japanese exports plunge nearly 50% Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:06am

Japan's exports nearly halved last month, the biggest decline on record, as car shipments to the US and Europe plummeted. Exports tumbled by 49.4%, the sharpest decline since Japan's ministry of finance began compiling trade figures in 1980. Japan's carmakers have been among the hardest hit by the global downturn. Shipments of cars plunged 64%, with those to the US down 71%. Overall exports to the US fell by 58%. Full Story

Al Qaeda-trained Britons return from Pakistan Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:09am

More than 20 Britons who have trained in al Qaeda terror camps inside Pakistan have returned to Britain, according to Pakistani intelligence. Full Story

Taliban warn against cellular service in Waziristan Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:11am

The Taliban on Tuesday warned the government to stop expanding its mobile telephone network in Waziristan, claiming it would be used to spy on them. Full Story

SBP asks banks not to open accounts of members of banned organisations Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:12am

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a list of members of banned outfits and ordered all banks to scrutinise the list before opening accounts or transferring money, sources told Daily Times on Tuesday. Full Story

No operation in Khyber Agency likely, says govt Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:14am

The government has contradicted the rumors that it was planning an operation in Khyber Agency on Tuesday. A FATA Secretariat statement said a wrong impression was being created by some circles that the government was planning an operation in some parts of tribal areas. Full Story

Militants warn of fresh attacks in Kashmir Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:15amA hardline Pakistan-based Islamist militant group warned Wednesday of fresh attacks against Indian troops, as the army said a "large number" of guerrillas were poised to infiltrate Kashmir. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.