Saturday, March 28, 2009

CONFLICT & TERROR ROUNDUP PART 2

YouTube Blocked in China, Google Says Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:16am

Google said Tuesday that its YouTube video-sharing Web site had been blocked in China. Google said it did not know why the site had been blocked, but a report by the official Xinhua news agency of China on Tuesday said that supporters of the Dalai Lama had fabricated a video that appeared to show Chinese police officers brutally beating Tibetans after riots last year in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. Full Story

Kashmir on alert amid fears of militant incursion Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:16am

Areas in Jammu and Kashmir bordering Pakistan have been put on 'highest alert' after reports that militants are getting together to penetrate into India ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, says the state's police chief. Full Story

People, money needed to watch Afghanistan spending Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:17am

The investigator overseeing spending for Afghanistan's reconstruction says he needs more people and money to ensure that the $32 billion the U.S. has committed for improvement projects is being spent properly. Full Story

Obama to unveil Afghanistan strategy on Friday Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:19am

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to announce the results of his review of Afghanistan policy on Friday, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. Full Story

N. Korea Warns Over Stalled Talks Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:20am

North Korea said Tuesday that if the United States pushed for United Nations sanctions against it after its planned satellite launching, that would spell a definitive end to the stalled six-nation talks on ending its nuclear weapons program. North Korea says it will launch a satellite between April 4 and 8. The United States, Japan and South Korea consider the launching tantamount to a missile test and have all warned that they would try to punish what they called a provocative move in the United Nations Security Council. Full Story

Spain to withdraw Kosovo troops Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 12:39pm

The Spanish government has confirmed it will withdraw most of its 600 troops from Kosovo by the end of this summer. Full Story

Iraqi leader gives PKK ultimatum Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 12:39pm

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has told Kurdish guerrillas using northern Iraq as a base for attacks on Turkey to lay down their arms or leave the territory. He was speaking alongside his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, who is the first Turkish head of state to visit Iraq for more than 30 years. Full Story

Colombia Orders Return of Stolen Farmland Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:32pm

As with so many crimes of war, what happened here in the dense, humid jungles of northwestern Colombia more than a decade ago might easily have been forgotten. Illegal militias forced hundreds of poor black farmers off their land, which politically connected businessmen then seized and turned into lucrative palm oil plantations.Full Story

Mexico: Alleged drug trafficker arrested Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:37pm

An alleged drug trafficker suspected of an attack on a U.S. consulate and killing Mexican soldiers has been arrested, Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced Friday, according to the state news agency. Sigifredo Najera Talamantes, also known as El Canicon, is also suspected of attacks on a television station in Monterrey in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, Notimex agency said.Full Story

Chavez cuts budget over oil price Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:38pm

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has unveiled a series of measures to offset falling oil revenues that account for about 50% of the national budget. He proposed to cut the 2009 budget by 6.7% and increase sales taxes.Full Story

Drug cartels raise the stakes on human smuggling Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:42pm

Mexican drug cartels and their vast network of associates have branched out from their traditional business of narcotics trafficking and are now playing a central role in the multibillion-dollar-a-year business of illegal immigrant smuggling, U.S. law enforcement officials and other experts say. The business of smuggling humans across the Mexican border has always been brisk, with many thousands coming across every year.Full Story

Mexico urges US to stick to trade deal Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:43pm

Mexico has called for full liberalisation of the US transport sector to resolve an escalating trade dispute between Washington and its southern neighbour. Beatriz Leycegui, under-secretary for international trade at the economy ministry, told the Financial Times: We expect them to open up the sector completely, which is what they are obliged to do. Full Story

U.S. plans to boost civilian aid to Pakistan Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:08am

The Obama administration plans to dramatically increase civilian aid to Pakistan as part of its new strategy on Afghanistan and the surrounding region, hoping the overture will lead to more effective steps by the Pakistani military to shut down insurgent sanctuaries, U.S. officials said. Full Story

Troops destroy militant hideouts in Uch district Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:09am

Troops on Monday destroyed two hideouts in Balochistan that were being used by militants and outlaws, officials said. A large quantity of weapons, rockets, explosives and communication equipment were found at the secret hideouts, a paramilitary spokesman said. The arms cache was destroyed, he added. Full Story

Celluar company launches service in S WaziristanPosted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:11amPakistans largest cellular company will launch its service in the Taliban-infested South Waziristan Agency from today (Tuesday), residents and officials said on Monday. Full Story

Pak intelligence warns of terror attacks; security beefed up Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:12am

Security was tightened across Pakistan on Tuesday following an intelligence warning that Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud had sent 20 foreign militants, most of them Uzbeks, to carry out terror strikes in major cities. Full Story

Kasabs trial begins, tells court he is Pakistani Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:14am

Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving suspect captured by Indian police during the Mumbai attacks, on Monday told an Indian court he was from Pakistan and would accept a court-appointed lawyer to defend him. Full Story

Western officials in plot to dilute powers of President Karzai Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:18am

The West is considering a plan to undermine President Karzai of Afghanistan by forcing him to install a powerful chief of staff to run the Government, diplomats say. Full Story

U.S. wants Afghanistan exit strategy Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:19am

The United States said on Monday it had found an encouraging symmetry of views with its NATO and EU allies after outlining a strategy review meant to end a stalemate in Afghanistan. Full Story

Coalition forces in Afghanistan should fight drug trafficking - Russian drug service head Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:22am

The issue of the continued deployment of coalition forces in Afghanistan should be contingent on their duties and competence in destroying drug crops and drug laboratories, Russian Federal Drug Control Service Chairman Viktor Ivanov said at the meeting of the heads of anti-drug agencies of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries in Moscow on Tuesday. Full Story

N.Ireland teen charged with dissident IRA killing Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:22am

A Northern Ireland teenager charged with the dissident IRA killing of a policeman had an assault rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition  and refused to say a word to his interrogators during 13 days of questioning, a detective testified Tuesday at the defendant's first court appearance. Full Story

Foreign Service Jobs in Afghanistan to Grow Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:25am

The State Department will significantly expand its presence in regional capitals in western and northern Afghanistan in coming months, part of the Obama administration's plans for a "surge" in civilians going to the country. Full Story

UK: 2 charged with Columbine anniversary bomb plot Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:25am

British prosecutors say they've charged two teens with plotting to bomb a school on the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School killings in the United States. Full Story

Georgian police arrest 10 opposition activists Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:26am

Georgian police arrested 10 opposition activists on suspicion of illegally buying firearms, authorities said. Opposition leaders, however, accused police of planting weapons at the homes of some of the activists so they could be arrested. Full Story

Scandals Cloud Succession in Newly Unsure Malaysia Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:35am

A slew of political scandals gripping Malaysia and a transfer of power fraught with uncertainty have shaken the elite here, with exquisitely poor timing. As a major trading nation, Malaysia has been slammed by the global downturn. Its exports have collapsed by nearly one-third, and current projections show that its economy will shrink by as much as 5 percent this year. Full Story

China Urges New Money Reserve to Replace Dollar Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:39am

In another indication that China is growing increasingly concerned about holding huge dollar reserves, the head of its central bank has called for the eventual creation of a new international currency reserve to replace the dollar. In a paper released Monday, Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the Peoples Bank of China, said a new currency reserve system controlled by the International Monetary Fund could prove more stable and economically viable. Full Story

Terrorism Recruiting Manual Worries Authorities Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:40am

For months now, counterterrorism officials have seen signs that al-Qaida has been looking for new and innovative ways to recruit terrorists, including a new manual that has surfaced on the Internet. Full Story

Chicagoan charged with threatening Jewish school Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:41am

A 24-year-old Chicago man was charged Friday with threatening to set off explosives near Jewish schools in the metropolitan area if Israel didn't halt military actions in Gaza. Full Story

UK: Threat of dirty bombs 'increased' Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:51am

There is an increased risk terrorists could get hold of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons to attack the UK, the Home Office has said. The assessment comes as Home Secretary Jacqui Smith unveiled a new UK strategy to tackle an evolved terrorist threat. Full Story

Japanese opposition aide charged Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 9:56am

An aide to Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa has been charged with violating a political funds law, Japanese media has reported. Kyodo news agency said the aide, 47-year-old Takanori Okubo, appeared to be denying the charges. Full Story

S Korea-EU talks yield trade deal Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:06am

South Korea says it has reached a provisional free trade agreement with the European Union after nearly two years of negotiations. A South Korean trade official said the two sides had agreed on almost all outstanding issues. The free trade agreement has been described as an important step at a time of rising protectionism amid the world economic slowdown. Full Story

Fierce gun fight rages in Kashmir Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:08am

The Indian army says 16 militants have been killed in an ongoing gun battle with security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir. Eight soldiers have also died in the fire fight, which has entered its fifth day in Shamsabari, the army said. Full Story

China to buy more U.S. debt Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:10am

China, holder of nearly $1 trillion in U.S. debt, will keep buying Treasuries, but will keep a close eye on their value just the same, a Chinese government official said. "Investing in U.S. Treasury bonds is an important component of China's foreign currency reserve investments," said Hu Xiaolian, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China. "We are naturally relatively concerned with the safety and profitability of U.S. government bonds." Full Story

Poll: 60pct in UK unconvinced about Afghan mission Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:32am

Most Britons don't buy their government's argument for keeping a military presence in Afghanistan, a poll published Monday shows. Full Story

UN warns of rising demand for clean water Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:33am

Worldwide demand for water is rising just as access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains inadequate in much of the developing world, the United Nations said Monday, calling for better management to alleviate water shortages. Full Story

Serbia seeks IMF emergency loan Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:33am

Serbia has begun talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to agree an emergency loan worth up to 2bn euros (#1.8bn). The money will be used primarily to strengthen the country's hard currency reserves and stabilise the local currency - the Serbian dinar. Full Story

Outlook for Swiss economy worsens Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:34am

Switzerland's economy will shrink 2.2% this year, its government has said, a much deeper recession than forecast. The Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) had previously forecast an 0.8% drop in gross domestic product (GDP). Full Story

Chavez offers Russia use of base Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:35am

Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, says he has offered Moscow the use of an airfield off its Caribbean coast for Russian strategic long-range bombers. But Mr Chavez denied there would be discussions on building any permanent base on the island of La Orchila. Full Story

Germany to Work With US to Boost Security Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:37am

Germany and the US signed a new agreement on Monday to cooperate closely on scientific and technological research aimed at boosting security without infringing on personal freedoms. Full Story

Russia announces rearmament plan Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:47am

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said Moscow will begin a comprehensive military rearmament from 2011. Mr Medvedev said the primary task would be to "increase the combat readiness of [Russia's] forces, first of all our strategic nuclear forces". Full Story

Bomb lobbed at police station in China's west Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:21amAssailants threw a bomb into a newly built police station in a Tibetan area in western China, a police official said Tuesday, the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's escape into exile in India after Chinese troops crushed a Tibetan revolt. No injuries were reported. The incident came amid heightened tensions and security during a volatile month that also included the one-year anniversary of anti-government riots March 14 in Lhasa, Tibet's regional capital. Full Story

Reinstatement of Pakistans Chief Justice Ends a Crisis, but It Might Lead to Another Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:23am

The reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry culminated a two-year struggle by Pakistans lawyers to safeguard an independent judiciary, highlighted by long processions, sometimes violent clashes, and the repeated arrest and detentions of the leaders of the movement. Full Story

Pakistani Political Crisis Jeopardizes U.S. Regional Strategy Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:29am

Pakistan's ongoing political crisis, the Obama administration's first real-time foreign policy emergency, threatens to upend a new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy before it leaves the White House drawing board. Full Story

Pakistan suicide bomber kills 14 Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:32am

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a restaurant in Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi, killing 14 people and wounding 18 others, police said on Tuesday. Full Story

Nigeria: 15,000 Jobs Threatened in Oil Industry Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:33am

Insecurity and the cost of doing business are driving more oil firms out of Nigeria, along with 15,000 jobs being relocated to Angola and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea. (Full Story)

American U.N. official kidnapped in Pakistan said sick Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:34am

The United Nations is very concerned about the health of an American U.N. official kidnapped in Pakistan last month and wants him released as soon as possible, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Full Story

As Pakistan Restores Judges, Taliban in Swat Sends Some Home Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:36am

Taliban guerillas in Pakistans Swat Valley replaced judges appointed by the government with Islamic religious courts, undermining the judiciary hours after the nations chief justice won back his job. Full Story

Islamic law judges start work in Pakistan valley Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:39am

Judges trained in Islamic law began reviewing cases Tuesday in a northwest Pakistani region where the government has alarmed the West by agreeing to impose religious rule to make peace with the Taliban. Full Story

China concerned by Korea tensions Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:47am

China says it is concerned by growing tensions on the Korean peninsula over North Korea's planned rocket launch. North Korea's premier is in Beijing for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao - with the test-fire expected to top the agenda. Full Story

Trusting the Taliban Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:50am

The Obama administration is expected to unveil the results of its interagency review of U.S. policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan later this week, and certainly before the March 31 international conference on Afghanistan that will be held in The Hague. Full Story

7 Afghan militants killed in US raid Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:51am

U.S.-led coalition troops killed seven militants and detained three others during a raid on a bomb-making cell in southern Afghanistan, where insurgents earlier killed an Australian soldier, officials said Tuesday. Full Story

Tendulkar kidnap plot: HUJI militant confessed to their plan Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:53am

Delhi Police on Tuesday told a court here that three Pakistan-based militants had confessed that they conspired to kidnap cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for securing the release of two jailed HUJI terrorists. Full Story

Heavy fighting in north Sri Lanka Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:56am

Intense fighting is going on between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in north-eastern Sri Lanka. The military says at least 36 rebels have been killed in ferocious battles in Mullaitivu district on Monday. Full Story

Sri Lanka plays hardball with IMF Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 9:59am

Sri Lanka will not accept any conditions on a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the island's president has said. "We will not pawn or sell our motherland to obtain any monetary aid," said Mahinda Rajapaksa. Full Story

China Gains Key Assets In Spate of Purchases Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:01am

Chinese companies have been on a shopping spree in the past month, snapping up tens of billions of dollars' worth of key assets in Iran, Brazil, Russia, Venezuela, Australia and France in a global fire sale set off by the financial crisis. The deals have allowed China to lock up supplies of oil, minerals, metals and other strategic natural resources it needs to continue to fuel its growth. Full Story

North Korean premier arrives in China Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:06am

North Korea Premier Kim Yong-Il arrived in China on Tuesday for a five-day visit that coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties between the two countries, state media said. The visit is the first for Kim, who was elected in 2007. Full Story

London police launch counter-terrorism PR campaign Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 11:23am

London police launched a new counter-terrorism publicity campaign on Monday, calling on residents of the capital to keep their ears and eyes open for anything suspicious and to report it. Full Story

Two held over Heathrow 'trespass' Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 8:57am

Two people have been arrested after attempting to gain "unlawful access" to the airfield at Heathrow airport. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the incident at the west London airport began at about 1000 GMT. Full Story

#60,000 awarded to terror suspect Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 8:58am

The Metropolitan Police has agreed to pay #60,000 damages to a man it arrested during an anti-terror raid. The High Court heard that Babar Ahmad was subjected to "serious gratuitous prolonged unjustified violence" and "religious abuse" after his arrest. Full Story

Afghanistan wants larger role in terror fight Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 8:59am

Afghanistan called on Tuesday for more international help to develop its fledgling and embattled security forces so that it can take on a larger role in "the fight against terrorism". Full Story

9 militants, 4 cops killed in Afghanistan Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:00am

Nine militants and four Afghan police personnel were killed in encounters in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday. Full Story

Taliban demands release of 210 militants Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:04am

The Pakistani Taliban in the restive Swat valley today demanded the release of 210 militant prisoners immediately as part of a peace deal signed with authorities in the North West Frontier Province. Full Story
Pakistan: attack stops traffic on NATO supply line Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:06am

Two men on a motorcycle threw a bomb at a truck carrying an excavating machine to NATO troops in Afghanistan, halting traffic Wednesday along a supply route through Pakistan's southwest, officials said. Full Story

U.S. Weighs Taliban Strike Into Pakistan Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:07am

President Obama and his national security advisers are considering expanding the American covert war in Pakistan far beyond the unruly tribal areas to strike at a different center of Taliban power in Baluchistan, where top Taliban leaders are orchestrating attacks into southern Afghanistan. Full Story

Pakistan dismisses report US may widen covert war Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:08am

Pakistan dismissed as speculation a US newspaper report on Wednesday that Washington is considering whether to expand its covert war in Pakistan beyond tribal areas on the Afghan border. Full Story

Afghanistan: Border police gain new skills from Italian task force Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:09am

Afghan customs officials have successfully completed a training course sponsored by the Italian government designed to stop the movement of drugs and illegal immigrants in Afghanistan. The course run by the Italian finance police or Guardia di Finanza in the western province of Herat was conducted under the auspices of Task Force 'Grifo'. Full Story

The Afghanistan seldom seen Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:12am

Cameraman Ronald Nobu Sakamoto put together three videos from footage taken in Afghanistan while traveling with Pratap Chatterjee just after the American invasion in 2002 and again in November 2008. Full Story

In U.S., More Optimism About Iraq, Less About Afghanistan Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:14am

A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds growing concern about the war in Afghanistan at the same time that Americans' optimism about Iraq is growing or holding steady. Full Story

Rebels threaten to behead ICRC worker in Philippines Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:19am

The leader of an Islamist rebel group which kidnapped three Red Cross officers in the southern Philippines threatened on Wednesday to behead one of the European hostages if troops did not stop pursuing them. Philippine marines exchanged gunfire with Abu Sayyaf rebels on Tuesday. The military said up to nine people, including three soldiers, were killed and dozens wounded but it said the fighting was not an attempt to free the hostages. Full Story

Russia Signaling Interest in Deal on Iran, Analysts Say Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:34am

As President Obama seeks to recast relations with Russia and persuade it to help contain Iran's nuclear ambitions, he must win over leaders who are deeply suspicious of U.S. intentions and who have long been reluctant to damage what they consider a strategic partnership with Iran. But the Kremlin has indicated it is willing to explore a deal with Washington, and analysts say it may be more open to new sanctions against Iran than expected. Full Story

Singapore PM warns over economy Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:38am

Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that his country faces its worst economic crisis since World War II. Exports from Singapore are falling at their fastest rate since records began, down 24% last month on 2008 figures, and down 35% in January. Ministers are predicting that Singapore's trade-dependent economy will contract by up to 10% this year. Full Story

Medvedev Pushes Plan to Remake Russian Military Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:39am

President Dmitry Medvedev vowed Tuesday to press ahead with an ambitious overhaul of Russia's armed forces despite the nation's economic problems and vocal opposition from within the military. Medvedev promised weapons upgrades but also endorsed organizational changes that will cut the officer corps by more than half, or as many as 200,000 positions. Full Story

Bin Laden rallies Somali militants in Web message Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8:49am

Al-Qaida's chief Osama bin Laden urged Somali militants to overthrow the country's new president in a new Web audiotape posted Thursday, trying to torpedo a new push for peace in a lawless African nation where many fear al-Qaida is gaining a foothold. Full Story

Officials: oil-rich Azerbaijan scraps term limits Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8:51am

Election officials in Azerbaijan said Thursday that citizens overwhelmingly voted to scrap presidential term limits in the oil-rich country courted by Russia and the West. Full Story

Suspect in alleged NY plot released in Lebanon Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:14pm

A Lebanese man arrested three years ago on terrorism charges for allegedly plotting to blow up New York City commuter tunnels has been released on bail, Lebanese officials said Tuesday. The case was said to have been an al-Qaida plot involving Assem Hammoud and seven other people. Full Story

Neo-Nazi Threat Growing Despite NPD Cash Woes Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:15pm

Germany's far-right National Democratic Party may be on the brink of financial collapse, but the neo-Nazi scene is alive and kicking. And, experts warn, it is becoming more dangerous. Full Story

US ports fear security deadline could hit trade Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:16pm

Some of America's largest ports have warned they may not meet an April 15 government deadline to screen key workers for terrorist links, imperiling the flow of US trade. Full Story

TSA: More gate searches in store for fliers Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:17pm

A new, more aggressive effort by airport screeners aims to halt randomly selected passengers for a security check just before they step onto their departing plane, according to a government memo obtained by USA TODAY. Full Story

Two Men Charged With Terrorism in Germany Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:21pm

Two men with alleged ties to a radical Islamic group have been charged with terrorism, German prosecutors said. Investigators said the accused had connections to a man who planned to bomb US interests in Germany. Full Story

Two Arrested in Germany on Kosovo Espionage Charges Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:22pm

A German has been charged with espionage for allegedly passing on classified government information to organized crime and state contacts in Macedonia and Kosovo, federal prosecutors in Germany have said. Full Story

Officials link Kabul attackers to Pakistan Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:27pm

The suicide bombers who stormed the Afghan Justice Ministry and a prison department building in the capital last month were trained in Pakistan's lawless border region, according to Afghan intelligence officials. Full Story

Civilians to Join Afghan Buildup Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:28pm

A civilian "surge" of hundreds of additional U.S. officials in Afghanistan would accompany the already approved increase in U.S. troop levels there under a new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy being completed at the White House, according to administration officials. Full Story

U.S. mulls counter-insurgency push in Afghanistan Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:29pm

U.S. President Barack Obama's aides are weighing a range of options to shift policy in Afghanistan, including a full-scale counter-insurgency push to protect civilians nationwide, officials said on Wednesday. Full Story

Taliban to help ensure security for Orakzai doctors Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:30pm

Taliban in Orakzai Agency on Wednesday agreed to cooperate with the political administration to allow doctors at the agencys hospitals to perform their duties, officials said. The officials told Daily Times that the agreement emerged in a meeting attended by the agencys Tehreek-e-Taliban leader Maulana Abdul Lateef and tribal elders including agency councillor Shahid Orakzai and surgeon Dr Ishaq Bangash. Full Story

Pakistan Says U.S. Should Review Baluchistan Strikes Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:31pm

Pakistans government urged the Obama administration to reconsider a plan to expand strikes by drones in the tribal regions to include targets in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. Full Story

Guantanamo Detainees May Be Released in U.S. Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:32pm

Attorney General Eric Holder said some detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, may end up being released in the U.S. as the Obama administration works with foreign allies to resettle some of the prisoners. Full Story

Can Afghanistan Support a Beefed Up Military? Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 9:32am

Unlike some of his predecessors, Defense Secretary Robert Gates declines to bluff when he doesn't know the answer. When he was asked on Wednesday about the best strategy for the war in Afghanistan, he shrugged. "Unlike Iraq and some of the other problems, this is an area where I've been somewhat uncertain in my own mind what the right path forward is," he said with weapons-grade candor rarely heard from the Pentagon podium. Full Story

Forty militants killed in Afghanistan: officials Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 9:34am

Afghan and US authorities said Friday troops killed 40 militants in some of the heaviest fighting this year in Afghanistan, which is gripped by mounting Taliban insurgent violence. Full Story

U.S. Courts Former Warlords in Its Bid for Afghan Stability Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 9:34am

Gov. Gul Agha Shirzai, a semiliterate former warlord, has an autocratic style, a reputation for doling out government contracts to family and friends, and a personal fortune allegedly amassed via corruption and the opium trade. Full Story

French unions vow to keep up pressure Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 11:37am

France's trade unions vowed to escalate opposition to President Nicolas Sarkozy after mobilising as many as 3m people yesterday in strikes and protests against his economic policy and reforms. Full Story

Gunman shoots BB gun near French school, 10 hurt Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 11:44am

A gunman armed with a BB gun shot at people Friday near a nursery school in the French city of Lyon, injuring 10 adults but no children, authorities said. Full Story

Afghan clerics urge Saudi-led talks with Taliban Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 2:48pm

Afghanistan's top Muslim clerics urged President Hamid Karzai today to push ahead with a proposal for talks with the Taliban that would be mediated by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. Full Story

Crowds march against Naples mafia Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 8:54pm

Thousands of Italians have marched through Naples in one of the largest anti-mafia protests of recent years. Police said 100,000 people gathered for the protest, held annually on the first day of spring. Full Story

New video shows Briton kidnapped in Iraq in 2007 Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 8:55pm

The British Embassy said Sunday it had received a new video showing one of five Britons taken hostage nearly two years ago allegedly by Shiite extremists that the U.S. believes are backed by Iran. Full Story

Pakistan sends Mumbai attack DNA data to Interpol Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 8:56pm

Pakistan has provided Interpol with DNA profiles of suspected terrorists linked to the Mumbai attacks, the international police agency said Sunday. Full Story

FedEx plane crashes, explodes on landing in Tokyo Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 9:02pm

A FedEx Corp cargo plane caught in a gust of wind crashed and burst into flames as it landed at Narita international airport on Monday, closing the main runway at the busy gateway to Tokyo. Full Story

Australian bikers beat rival to death in airport: police Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 9:04pm

Members of an Australian motorcycle gang bludgeoned a rival to death in Sydney airport on Sunday as horrified passengers looked on, police said. Witnesses said the bikers beat the man with metal crowd control bollards as he lay on the ground in the check-in area. Full Story

Two more militant hideouts destroyed in Bara Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:06am

Military operation against militant hideouts in Bara continued on second day with the demolition of two important centers of a local militant organization, sources said. Full Story

Taliban order NGOs to leave Swat Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:08am

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday ordered all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to immediately leave Swat. Full Story

Girls school blown up in Mardan Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:10am

Unidentified men blew up a girls school in Mardan on Sunday. According to police sources, the men planted explosives near Government Girls High School Hattian, located near the residence of NWFP senior minister Rahim Dad Khan. Full Story

U.S. Kills 5 Afghans in Raid on House Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:17amA predawn raid by United States Special Forces that killed five people on Sunday has produced sharply conflicting accounts from the American military and local Afghan officials as to whether the dead were civilians or militants, resurrecting a sore point that has troubled the American-led war here. Full Story

Thousands getting terror training in UK Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:20am

Thousands of UK workers are being trained to help respond to a future terror attack as part of an updated counter-terror strategy, ministers say. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said shop and hotel workers would be among 60,000 people able to deal with an incident. Full Story

NATO: Taliban commander among 10 killed in strike Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:22am

NATO killed a senior Taliban commander and nine other suspected militants in southern Afghanistan, while the coalition and its Afghan allies suffered an equal number of deaths in separate attacks in the same area, officials said Monday. Full Story

Mumbai gunman tells court that he is from Pakistan Posted on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:22am

The only gunman charged in last year's terror attacks in Mumbai told an Indian court Monday, the first day of court proceedings, that he would agree to a government-provided lawyer and also repeated that he was a Pakistani national. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc.

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