Africa
Australian ‘special forces gathering intelligence in Africa’
Australian ‘special forces gathering intelligence in Africa’
Italian and British officials arrested a man in Sardinia and a woman in London who are suspected of planning to bomb a Milan synagogue. The man, a 20-year-old Moroccan, is thought to have been planning other attacks also.
Bedouins surround peacekeepers, some US, in Sinai
Top Hamas official visits Tehran
Pakistan – Indian guru wants Taliban to de-stress
Pakistan – Ruling coalition decides in principle to reopen NATO supply route
Afghan mission into final phases, says David Cameron
The Taliban killed six members of a tribal militia in a bombing in Bajaur and bombed a school in Nowshera. “Terrorists” killed a girl and wounded seven policemen in an attack in Peshawar.
The Taliban killed nine civilians in bombings in Kandahar and Helmand. Afghan troops killed seven Taliban fighters in Herat. US Marines were disarmed for a meeting with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The US Army sergeant who murdered 17 Afghan civilians has been flown out of the country.
Russia may give NATO a base for Afghan supply runs
Iraqiya List concerned about Iraqi, Iranian and Lebanese armed groups backing up Assad regime
Skeptics doubt US can be certain about Iran’s nuclear progress
Syrian army troops took control of the northwestern city of Idlib and began attacks on the southern city of Daarah. Saudi Arabia has closed its embassy. Russia said President Assad was too slow in making reforms.
A district court convicted Afghan citizen Haji Bagcho of drug and terrorism charges. From his base in Nangarhar province, he sold 20% of the world’s heroin in 2006, and provided cash, weapons, and supplies to the Taliban. Bagcho was arrested in Pakistan in 2009, turned over to Afghanistan, and extradited to the US.
A sergeant major said the Marines were disarmed because someone was “itchy,” while a general said it was done because Afghan troops were not allowed to carry weapons.
Yemeni Salafists formed a political party. President Hadi replaced the commanders of several key military units. Former President Saleh demanded that 10 of his political opponents go into exile along with him.
A Shabaab suicide bomber killed four people in an attack in the presidential palace compound in Mogadishu. Shabaab claimed the attack was carried out to take revenge “for the defilement & desecration” of Korans.
The “mastermind” of the kidnapping and murder of two Europeans died in custody. Police said that Ali Mohammed was the leader of a Boko Haram splinter group in Sokoto.
Panetta pledges security support for Helmand
Kandahar Killings Have Not Strained US-Afghan Partnership: NATO
Marines told to disarm before Panetta speech
Senators: US indirectly funding Syrian military
Norway to become more multicultural
Shabaab continues to be able to penetrate high-security areas in the Somali capital. At least four Somalis were killed in the attack.
Israeli Truce With Gaza Militants Takes Hold
Deadly Mosque Arson in Belgium Attributed to Sunni-Shiite Friction
Aboul Fotouh Is Unlikely Moderate in Egypt Election
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in surprise Afghan visit
Cyber-attack on BBC leads to suspicion of Iran’s involvement
Iran’s War in Gaza