Thursday, 3 March 2011
Gunman Kills Two U.S. Airmen, Wounds Two at Frankfurt Airport
Gunman Kills Two U.S. Airmen, Wounds Two at Frankfurt Airport: "A man armed with a handgun fatally shot two American airmen and wounded two others aboard a bus picking up U.S. military personnel at Frankfurt Airport yesterday, U.S. and German authorities said.
A suspect, described as a 21-year-old from Kosovo, was arrested nearby, Andre Sturmeit, a Frankfurt police spokesman, said at a news conference at the airport, Europe’s third- busiest. Police haven’t determined a motive for the attack, he said.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama said the U.S. will work with German authorities and “will spare no effort in learning how this outrageous act took place.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking to reporters in Berlin, said the government will do “whatever is needed to determine what happened” in the “terrible event.”
The attack may have started with an altercation outside the Air Force bus and then moved inside, said Manfred Fuellhardt, a Frankfurt police spokesman."
A suspect, described as a 21-year-old from Kosovo, was arrested nearby, Andre Sturmeit, a Frankfurt police spokesman, said at a news conference at the airport, Europe’s third- busiest. Police haven’t determined a motive for the attack, he said.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama said the U.S. will work with German authorities and “will spare no effort in learning how this outrageous act took place.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking to reporters in Berlin, said the government will do “whatever is needed to determine what happened” in the “terrible event.”
The attack may have started with an altercation outside the Air Force bus and then moved inside, said Manfred Fuellhardt, a Frankfurt police spokesman."
Petraeus apologises for air strike in Afghanistan
Petraeus apologises for air strike in Afghanistan The commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan made a rare apology yesterday for an air strike that killed nine civilians after Afghan law makers warned a spike in such raids was hampering efforts to end the war against the Taliban.
US army General David Petraeus
ordered all military commanders and attack helicopter crews to be re-briefed on the rules for carrying out air raids after a spate of recent civilian casualty"
US army General David Petraeus ordered all military commanders and attack helicopter crews to be re-briefed on the rules for carrying out air raids after a spate of recent civilian casualty"
David Cameron's secret Libya crisis talks with Tony Blair
David Cameron's secret Libya crisis talks with Tony Blair
"David Cameron has been secretly consulting Tony Blair about Libya despite publicly criticising his links with Colonel Gaddafi.Senior officials say the Prime Minister has held at least two conversations in the past fortnight with the former Labour premier, now a Middle East peace envoy.
Mr Cameron has consulted Mr Blair about the Libyan dictator’s state of mind and sought advice about how to make him quit."
US Army to charge Bradley Manning with 'aiding the enemy'
US Army to charge Bradley Manning
with 'aiding the enemy' "The US Army has announced it is to charge Private Bradley Manning with 'aiding the enemy' – which can carry the death penalty – and 21 further offences of illegally disclosing classified information, after an investigation lasting seven months.
The 22 new charges are in addition to the 12 counts of leaking classified information and computer fraud that Manning already faces over material said to be related to the WikiLeaks disclosures – and for which he has been held in military custody since May last year.
The army's charge sheet states that Manning did 'knowingly give intelligence to the enemy, through indirect means,' in violation of article 104 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, known as 'aiding the enemy'."
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
An inseparable pair: dog collapses and dies after army handler is killed
An inseparable pair: dog collapses and dies after army handler is killed "Colleagues said army dog handler Liam Tasker was inseparable from his spaniel,
Theo, and so it was to the end. When Lance Corporal Tasker was shot dead in southern Afghanistan, his dog survived the shooting only to suffer a fatal heart attack when it returned to the British base at Camp Bastion.Tasker, 26, was on patrol north of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand province on Tuesday with the spaniel, which was trained to search for arms and explosives, when they were caught in gunfire. He died from his injuries.
He was described as having a 'natural empathy with dogs'. His successful operations 'undoubtedly saved many lives', the Ministry of Defence said. The army has about 400 dogs trained to sniff out explosives and weapons but the ministry declined to say how many were deployed in Afghanistan.
Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Tasker joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps after starting his career as a vehicle mechanic. A member of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, he was attached to 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Afghanistan."
Battle for Bregga could mark start of real war in Libya | World news
'They arrived in 60-70 Toyota trucks,' said Wais Werfali, 40, who works in a nearby ammonia production plant. 'They have set up a perimeter and are using families from the area as human shields.'
By sunset, the battle had been joined by rebels streaming down from the city of Ajdabiya. A decisive phase in this war for control of eastern Libya had begun.
At least six people were killed in skirmishes that appeared to intensify throughout the afternoon and dozens more were wounded.
Most were rushed to an ill-equipped medical clinic at the centre of this low-set concrete town, where overwrought staff did the best they could to tend to battle wounds that were clearly not in the family medicine handbook."
Motive unclear in killing of two US airmen at Frankfurt airport
Motive unclear in killing of two US airmen at Frankfurt airport "German police say it's too early to determine if today's shooting that killed two US airmen and wounded two others was an act of Islamist terrorism."
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DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder
Saturday, 19 February 2011
David Cameron abandons Brits hurt abroad in terrorist atrocities -
David Cameron
abandons Brits hurt abroad in terrorist atrocities - mirror.co.uk: "THE abandonment of victims of terrorism abroad is a cruel betrayal which stains David Cameron’s good name.Tourists maimed and murdered on foreign travels by gunmen and suicide bombers will get no help from this Con-servative regime.
I understand Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has dropped Labour plans to compensate those targeted because they carry a British passport.
Insurance companies refuse to cough-up for acts of terrorism overseas which saves them money but leaves the wounded and families of the dead struggling to cope.
People such as film-maker Will Pike, destined to spend his years in a wheelchair as a paraplegic after the 2008 Mumbai atrocity.
His spine was irredeemably damaged when sheets, curtains and towels knotted together to escape the Taj Mahal Hotel gave way, sending him plummeting to the ground.
Had it happened in the UK he might be entitled to as much as £5million to rebuild his life and pay for care."
Feb1811 anti terrorism,anti-terrorism bill which provides that those found guilty of terrorism be sentenced to death.
anti-terrorism bill which provides that those found guilty of terrorism be sentenced to death.
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Feb1811 anti terrorism: "The Senate yesterday passed into law an anti-terrorism bill which provides that those found guilty of terrorism be sentenced to death
. With capital punishment becoming largely unpopular around the world, the punishment prescribed for the crime is likely to generate a lot of controversy, analysts say. President Goodluck Jonathan had on Wednesday sent a letter to the leadership of the National Assembly urging members to pass both the anti-terrorism and money laundering bills. It was the third time the president was writing the assembly over the bills. The version passed by the Senate will be harmonised with that being debated in the House of Representatives and will only become an act of the National Assembly after it has been signed by the president.Members at the House of Reps are midway into the third reading of the bill and are likely to pass it next week. Considering the interest of the presidency in ensuring a quick passage, a clean copy of the law may be signed by Mr Jonathan before the expiration of the current term."
Islamic terrorists lose jail battle
Islamic terrorists l
ose jail battle: "The segregation of two high-profile Islamic terrorist prisoners accused of intimidating and bullying other prisoners over matters of faith has been upheld as lawful by the High Court.Ricin plot conspirator Kamel Bourgass and 'liquid bomber' Tanvir Hussain both claimed their human rights were violated when they were put in segregation units for extended periods.
But Mr Justice Irwin, sitting in London on Friday, rejected their claims that they had been treated unlawfully and unfairly.
The judge said the procedures adopted to place them in, and keep them in, segregation did not breach their common law rights, or their rights under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to fair treatment.
In both cases, segregation followed allegations that the men were trying to influence and dictate the beliefs of other prisoners. They denied the accusations.
Prison authorities considered it was necessary to separate them from other inmates 'for good order and discipline'.
The judge said Bourgass was accused of attempting to exert control over other prisoners, especially fellow Muslims whom he 'pressurised' to attend prayers."
Afghan leader says U.S. bases depend on neighbors | Reuters
Afghan leader says U.S. bases depend on neighbors | Reuters: "Russia has urged the United States not to establish long-term military bases in Afghanistan
, suggesting that even discussing the subject could undermine peace efforts and anger Afghanistan's neighbors.Often-uneasy ties between Afghanistan's government and its main Western backers have become even more tense of late over a bank corruption scandal, a ban on private security contractors, election fraud and decision by the Afghan government to take over the running of women's shelters.
That deteriorating relationship comes at the same time as Russia tries to increase its influence in Afghanistan, where Soviet troops fought a disastrous Cold War conflict that was followed by civil war in Afghanistan and contributed to the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991."
Al-Qaida operative gets 34 months in Gitmo trial
Al-Qaida operative gets 34 months in Gitmo trial: "A Guantanamo Bay prisoner
who helped run an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan will serve less than three years in prison under a plea deal that requires him to testify against other suspected terrorists, the U.S. military said Friday.A war crimes court at the U.S. base in Cuba formally sentenced Noor Uthman Muhammed to 14 years in confinement but the Pentagon will suspend all but 34 months of the sentence under the pretrial agreement, said Army Lt. Col. Tanya Bradsher, a military spokeswoman.
Noor, as the prisoner is known, pleaded guilty Tuesday to providing material support to al-Qaida and conspiracy as part of a plea deal that spared him the possibility of a life sentence if convicted at trial."
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Night raid in Mirabad
THE mission for Australian special forces troops is clear: hunt down and kill or capture "high value" enemy targets.
And for the first time since they arrived in Afghanistan in October 2001, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal how these elite, lethal troops deal with Taliban commanders and bomb-makers.
And for the first time since they arrived in Afghanistan in October 2001, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal how these elite, lethal troops deal with Taliban commanders and bomb-makers.
Deadly Day Around Afghanistan, as Attacks Kill 18
Deadly Day Around Afghanistan, as Attacks Kill 18 - NYTimes.com: "Attacks in four parts of the country left at least 18 people dead on Friday, including four NATO service members, four Afghan police officers
and 10 civilians, signaling the tenaciousness of the insurgency even through the winter.The most lethal episode occurred in the southeast province of Khost, on the edge of the provincial capital of the same name, where a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives near a police checkpoint in a crowded shopping area.
The blast killed one police officer and 10 civilians, said Amir Badshah, the director of the public hospital in Khost. He said that 39 people were wounded, including five women critically."
Afghanistan is being stifled by military operations
Afghanistan is being stifled by military operations | Mark Curtis | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Five years after Britain deployed forces to Helmand 
province in Afghanistan it is becoming clear that British and US policies in the country are not helping but setting back development prospects.Although more children now go to school and health services have improved, it is remarkable how little Afghanistan has progressed, given that it is the world's most aid-dependent country, with 90% of its budget financed by donors. One in five children die before the age of five and one in eight women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
There are few signs that donor support is improving. Hundreds of millions of dollars are wasted while up to 80% of donations return to donor countries in corporate profits or consultants' salaries.
Aid itself has become militarised. Nato's use of the military to deliver much of the aid – essentially as part of its counterinsurgency strategy – turns aid personal and projects into targets for the insurgents. It doesn't help that CIA agents also use aid teams as cover to gather intelligence. Unicef has reported that military operations are making more than 40% of the country inaccessible to humanitarian workers for extended periods. Thus military operations, far from paving the way for development, are undermining it."
Afghan sweep seizes weapons, drugs
Afghan sweep seizes weapons, drugs: "A large-scale military sweep in southern Afghanistan i
nvolving Canadian troops has yielded the seizure of massive weapons caches hidden in fields around a tactically crucial region in Kandahar province.The goal of the five-day operation, planned and led by the Afghan National Army with support from Canada's Royal 22nd Regiment 'Van Doos' battle group and an American company, was to find weapons and capture Taliban militants just arriving in the region.
In doing so, the coalition of 2,200 soldiers hopes to take some steam out of an upcoming spring fighting season. The mission is aimed at reducing fighting during the eventual handover of the Panjwaii district to U.S. forces this summer."
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan blast
BBC News - UK soldier killed in Afghanistan blast: "A soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The MoD said he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Monday while on an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed.
Earlier, the MoD announced that two British soldiers had died in a fire at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan"
The MoD said he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Monday while on an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed.
Earlier, the MoD announced that two British soldiers had died in a fire at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan"
Sunday, 13 February 2011
UK photographer injured in Afghanistan bomb blast
UK photographer injured in Afghanistan bomb blast | Travel and Car Hire news from CarRentals: "British photographer Giles Duley has suffered serious injuries in a bombing in Afghanistan.
The 39 year-old photographer, who was born in London, was travelling with US soldiers in the Kandahar
region of Afghanistan on Monday when the bomb blast struck. He was later taken to a UN hospital where he underwent several amputations. He has since been flown to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital to undergo another surgery.
According to Giles’ brother David, the photographer has lost both of his legs, one above the knee and one below, as well as his left arm, which had been severed just above the elbow. He added however that Giles hadn’t experienced any internal injuries and was in good spirits and was surprising those around him with humour and resilience."
The 39 year-old photographer, who was born in London, was travelling with US soldiers in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan on Monday when the bomb blast struck. He was later taken to a UN hospital where he underwent several amputations. He has since been flown to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital to undergo another surgery.According to Giles’ brother David, the photographer has lost both of his legs, one above the knee and one below, as well as his left arm, which had been severed just above the elbow. He added however that Giles hadn’t experienced any internal injuries and was in good spirits and was surprising those around him with humour and resilience."
Commanders to change bomb disposal tactics
Commanders to change bomb disposal 
tactics - Telegraph: "Rather than removing bombs from the ground without blowing them up, so that they can be forensically analysed, more devices will now be simply destroyed in situ. Senior officers believe the new tactic will be quicker and safer.All six bomb disposal operators killed in Helmand since 2006 have died while attempting to remove improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the ground so that they could be examined by intelligence staff – a process known as 'exploitation'.
The current tactics are based on trying to achieve a balance between destroying bombs in order to allow greater freedom of movement for troops, and gathering intelligence to target the Taliban networks which build and plant IEDs.
All information gleaned from analysing the components of an IED, such as the switch or pressure plate, the configuration of the power pack, together with any DNA evidence is fed into a Nato intelligence database.
The information can then be used to either capture and prosecute those responsible or, as is more often the case, allow the special forces to target the insurgents in a strike operation."
NATO: 740 trainers still needed for Afghan forces
NATO
: 740 trainers still needed for Afghan forces: "More nations are pledging support, yet NATO still faces a shortage of 740 trainers needed to get Afghan soldiers and policemen ready to take the lead in securing their nation, the coalition's top training official says.Needed most are 290 police trainers, including those to work in new training centers opening in Afghanistan this year, U.S. Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, the commander of NATO's training mission, told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday."
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