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CONTENTS:

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

1. World
2. Africa
3. Americas
4. Asia Pacific
5. Europe
6. Middle East
7. South Asia
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
9. Finance
10 Human Rights
11. Law and Legal Issues
12. Transportation
13. Weapons of Mass Destruction
14. Recently Published

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Less Lethal Weapons

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

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1. World

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) issued a new report entitled "2005 Report on the World Social Situation:

The Inequality Predicament". It warns of increasing "violence associated with national and international acts of terrorism" that result from stark economic and social inequalities and competition over scarce resources. Economic asymmetry is found within countries as well as between them. The 1 billion people living in the developed world own 80 percent of the world's domestic product. The remaining 20 percent is shared by the 5 billion people in developing countries. Inequality of income translates into inequality of access to basic services, society, political influence and other critical areas of life.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/rwss/rwss.htm

Meanwhile, less than a month before the UN's global summit, the US has introduced more than 750 amendments to the 40-page draft agreement, including eliminating provisions regarding climate change and nuclear disarmament. Crisis negotiations are under way to attempt to salvage the meeting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/24/AR2005082402321.html

BMO Financial Group has issued a report that reviews the severe economic impact of an influenza pandemic. It warns "the economic and societal effects of a pandemic, even a moderate one, are so severe that businesses and consumers need to join the medical and scientific community in creating a crisis prevention and management plan. Investors and business leaders must be aware of the risks and factor them into their strategic planning".
http://www2.bmo.com/bmo/files/news%20release/4/1/Avian%20Flu.pdf
http://www.bmonesbittburns.com/economics/reports/20050823/sr20050823.pdf

French terrorism investigator Jean-Louis Bruguiere told the Financial Times that al Qaeda is preparing an attack on a large financial center in Asia. Targets such as Tokyo or Sydney would be symbolically important, but even places like Singapore could be vulnerable.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/33cb0c4c-15a8-11da-8085-00000e2511c8.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1447205.htm
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/8/26/business/20050826110313&sec=business
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a.7A2_IZYT.A&refer=top_world_news

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2. Africa

Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen were listed as possible safe havens for insurgents leaving Iraq once it is stable. US Major-General Douglas Lute predicted that the "vast ungoverned spaces" of the Horn of Africa would present the "path of least resistance".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4185596.stm
http://www.centcom.mil/

Algerian security forces report an attack against about a dozen hikers. Six were killed, five kidnapped and released, and one woman remains a hostage. Islamic militants were blamed for the attack.

Burundi Forces for the Defense of Democracy leader Pierre Nkurunziza has become the country's first democratically chosen leader since 1993, following his inauguration as the new President.

Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) national army has formed a 4th brigade composed of 3,200 former RCD rebels. Rwandan Hutu rebels with the FDLR in DRC have been given a deadline of 30 September to disarm or face severe consequences. UN peacekeepers are conducting operations in support of these goals, primarily underway in the eastern region. Meanwhile, additional troops have been deployed to support voter registration efforts.

Six members of the new rebel group called the Congolese Revolutionary Movement were told to leave DRC or face prosecution. After the deadline was reached, Uganda named them persona non grata and undertook to expel the men. They had planned to use Uganda to launch their movement.

Eritrea has asked USAID to stop operating in the country and has confiscated 120 aid vehicles owned by the UN and other agencies.
http://www.usaid.gov/
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmee/

Ethiopia completed voting in 30 seats where there had been complaints of irregularities and in the Somali region. Although last Sunday's elections were largely peaceful, European election monitors said they failed to meet international standards, including the way evidence of irregularities had been dismissed and evidence of ballots sold on the black market, as well as human rights abuses. The government has accused the observer's of contributing to post-election violence in which about 40 people were killed.
http://www.electionsethiopia.org/
http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/publication.php?Main_Page_Number=1893
http://www.oromoliberationfront.org/EU_observers.htm
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/ethiopia/index.htm

In southern and eastern Ethiopia communal clashes between the Oromo and Somali over cattle and grazing land have left at least 73 people dead between March and June this year, and forced more than 85,000 to leave their homes.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48776

Ivory Coast's former army chief of staff called for President Gbagbo's removal and warned of a coup if he remained in power. New Forces rebel leader Guillaume Soro welcomed his comments and said that presidential elections scheduled for 30 October will not take place, and that on that date "the New Forces will do what they have to do". Regional and international mediators are attempting to salvage the situation.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48771

Kenya has published a new constitution intended to prevent abuse of power. A referendum will be held later this year.

Mauritania's former President Maaouiya Ould Taya has been offered asylum in Qatar. He had been ousted in a coup earlier this year, but the African Union and international parties no longer insisted he be reinstated.

Somalia's catastrophic level of daily violence and brutality is the focus of a weeklong report from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors Without border).
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=DCE47CA2-E018-0C72-09DA1799321C94C7&component=toolkit.article&method=full_html

Sudan has asked the UN mission for logistical support with the investigation into the helicopter crash that killed former SPLM leader and Vice president John Garang.

Uganda has opened an investigation into the use of HIV/AIDS grants following the Global Fund's determination there had been serious mismanagement of funds resulting in their suspending all grants to Uganda.

Zimbabwe's Operation Murambatsvina (Drive out the rubbish) has been graphically depicted in secret footage released by Amnesty International.
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAFR460262005

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3. Americas

Brazilian officials met with Scotland Yard to address concerns over the shooting by British police of an innocent Brazilian citizen. The three officials also met the family attorney, a relative, the coroner, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). (IPCC is investigating the incident and expects to report by year-end.) They said they did not believe there has been a cover-up but that someone should be held accountable. Their findings will be presented to the Brazilian government.

Canada has begun naval warship patrols in the far north to assert territorial sovereignty in what it considers its Arctic territory, which is disputed with Denmark. Global warming could open the area to shipping for the first time, creating a potential economic issue.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar continued hearings last week that included testimony from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and affiliated officials who indicated that there were cases in which information was shared with the US without following safeguards procedures. RCMP officer Rick Flewelling testified he had no idea that the US would deport Arar to Syria.
http://www.ararcommission.ca/eng/index.htm
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/arar/index.html

Chilean authorities have taken control of Colonia Dignidad, a secretive religious community founded by former Nazi Paul Schaefer, who is accused of charges including use of the facility as an investigation and torture center under the Pinochet dictatorship. Some 300 people, including abused children, who had been kept against their will have been freed and investigations continue.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has acknowledged efforts the Roman Catholic church has made in working with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and has agreed the church can mediate with FARC in discussing a possible ceasefire. FARC rebels are accused in the shooting death of 13 coca harvesters and their cook in Antioquia state. United Self Defense Forces (AUC) paramilitary commanders have turned control of the Santa Fe de Ralito safe haven over to Colombian police and 300 bodyguards have surrendered their weapons.

Ecuador's government and oil companies have reached agreement with protestors to invest more in local communities, ending the crisis that had paralyzed the oil industry.

Haiti recalled its charge d'affaires from the Dominican Republic to hold consultations after three Haitians were beaten and burned to death there.

The US National Incident Management System (NIMS) must be implemented in good faith by October 1 in order to continue to receive grants. Two requirements, for interoperability and use of plain language instead of codes, have generated debate among local and state agencies.
http://www.fema.gov/nims/
http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2005_8_26.html#4FB3DC8F

US TV evangelist Pat Robertson called for the US to assassinate Venezuelan President Chavez, leading to international condemnation and outrage. Robertson is a close friend of US President Bush, who said that these were "inappropriate" remarks of a private citizen. Robertson has apologized and his attempts to meet with President Chavez have been rejected.

Venezuela has signed an agreement with Jamaica to provide oil at preferred rates under the Petrocaribe initiative to help provide energy to poor countries. Venezuela is the world's 5th largest producer of oil. Anti-Chavez protestors clashed with supporters in Caracas: six were injured.

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4. Asia Pacific

Australian Prime Minister Howard hosted a summit of moderate Muslim groups, helping to elicit a coordinated counter-terrorism response. This was reflected in a Statement of Principles:
http://www.pm.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_Release1524.html.
Radicals were excluded from the conference, leading to warnings that their exclusion could lead to greater disaffection.

Cambodia's main opposition party, the Sam Rainsy Party, has ended its 6-month boycott and rejoined parliament.

Indonesian troops have begun withdrawing from Aceh province in accordance with the 15 August peace accord. One rebel turned farmer was killed by an unidentified gunman, in the first such incident since the agreement. In Ambon, Maluku, an explosion in a market injured nine people. There have been a number of arrests. The area has been previously the scene of widespread Christian-Muslim violence.

Japan's Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate reportedly has appointed a new leader, Kenichi Shinoda. Yamaguchi-gumi is believed to control almost half of the Japanese gangster community.

In the southern Philippines a bomb on board a ferry exploded, injuring at least 30 people. Similar attacks have been attributed to Abu Sayyaf but no group yet has claimed responsibility.

Thailand's parliament has endorsed a decree giving Prime Minister Thaksin extensive emergency powers.

In Tonga, a civil servant's strike of several weeks has grown increasingly acrimonious and is having a negative impact on an already precarious economy. One of the historic residences of the king was burned down, but any possible connection is not determined. Unrest has spread to the Tongan community in Auckland, and New Zealand has said it will send a negotiator to mediate between the 3,000 employees and the government, which had awarded its senior officials with pay increases of up to 80 percent in July, precipitating the protest.

Uzbekistan's Senate has approved the decision to evict US forces from the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) airbase.

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5. Europe

Ireland's Justice Minister said that even if the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is disarmed and disbanded it couldn't be a legal organization until it alters its treasonable constitution.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=3273165&p=3z73y8x&n=3273257&x=#
The Minister also said that both Colombia and the US had contacted him regarding the three IRA members wanted in Colombia to serve a 17-year prison term for training FARC rebels.

The Italian Red Cross has revealed that they treated four Iraqi insurgents to help secure the release to two aid workers held hostage for three weeks last year.

In Russia's North Caucasus two explosions have injured the Ingushetia Prime Minister Ibragim Malsagov and killed his driver. Two others were injured. In Dagestan an explosion derailed a passenger train. Security officials responding were fired upon, injuring one.

British intelligence agencies lowered the terrorist threat from "critical" to "severe general".

The British Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, has published a list of indicative behaviors that will form the basis for excluding or deporting any non-UK citizen from the UK:

The Observer has revealed a 2004 memorandum to Downing Street in which a senior official warned that the Iraq war was fuelling the anger of British Muslims.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1558066,00.html

Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan who was banned from taking up a teaching post in the US at Notre Dame University, has accepted a position at Oxford University.

The Darley Oaks Farm in Staffordshire has stopped breeding guinea pigs that were used for medical research. The hope the decision will end six years of intimidation by animal rights activists and lead to the return of a relative's remains that had been stolen from a churchyard.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1557966,00.html

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6. Middle East

Cartoons in Arab media have begun to reflect concern over the rising problem of Islamic terrorist. See this review by A. Dankowitz of MEMRI, "Reformist Cartoons".
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=IA23505

Egyptian police investigating terrorist attacks in Sinai have detained more than 500. A landmine that blew up during the operation injured three police, while two explosions the nest day killed two policemen. It was unclear if the devices were remnants or newly planted. The election campaign is underway, and the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood has urged its supporters to vote, not boycott, the elections.

Egypt and Israel have reached agreement for Egypt to patrol the southern Gaza border, pending parliamentary approval.

Gaza's evacuation has been completed, as well as that of certain settlements in the West Bank. There were about 8,500 settlers in Gaza. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, there are 450,000 settlers. Three major threats remain. First, is the Palestinian economy. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) "Annual Report on Assistance to the Palestinian People" finds: In 2004 gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 1 per cent to a level 15 per cent below that of 1999. Over the five-year period 1999-2004, real per capita gross national income (GNI) contracted by 33 per cent. One third of the labor force was unemployed at the end of 2004 and some 61 per cent of households were living below the poverty line of $350 per month. Over the past five years, estimated opportunity loss of GDP was around $6.4 billion, equivalent to 140 per cent of the size of the economy prior to 2000 and capital losses were estimated at some $3.5 billion, or 30 per cent of pre-2000 West Bank and Gaza capital stock. The confiscation and leveling of Palestinian lands by Israel has led to agricultural land loss in the West Bank and Gaza in 2004 of around 260 sq km, representing 15 per cent of the cultivated area in 2003.
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Webflyer.asp?docID=6169&intItemID=2068&lang=1
The second threat is posed by Israel's plans to construct further barriers and greatly increase the settler population in the West Bank. So far this year Jewish settlements have grown by more than 12,000 to 246,000 despite the Gaza withdrawal. Third, Hamas has claimed credit for the withdrawal and says it proves its tactics have been successful and will be used until Israel is eliminated. Combined with Israeli terrorist threats, the prospect for peace is slim.

Iran's parliament has approved 17 of 21 cabinet ministers proposed by new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In Iraq, sectarian violence has increased and added to the ongoing deadly insurgency. Prospects for a political solution are dim as the Sunni minority has rejected the final draft constitution that was approved by Shias and Kurds. There have been large demonstrations and the Sunnis have asked for intervention by the Arab League and UN. The final draft has been presented to parliament and will be followed by a scheduled October referendum, which is likely to end in defeat for its adoption.

Israel has suffered the first suicide attack since the Gaza pullout. It took place at a bus station in Beersheba. Ten people were injured, including two guards who were critically hurt. The attack by Islamic Jihad was called revenge for the deaths of five Palestinians in a West Bank raid earlier in the week.

Jordan has asked Iraq to arrest the men suspected in last week's rocket attack in Aqaba port, which has been connected to Al Qaeda in Iraq.

In Beirut, Lebanon, a bomb blast in the Christian suburb of Zalka injured at eight people. The target and responsibility for the explosion were unknown, but the series of bombings since last February's assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri has damaged the economy. The UN team investigating Hariri's death has accused Syria of withholding documents and shielding witnesses. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has urged all sides to cooperate in the investigation

In the West Bank Israeli troops evicted residents of two settlements in the north, completing the planned evacuation. Israeli troops operating in Tulkarm refugee camp killed five Palestinians including one member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, one from Islamic Jihad, and three unarmed teenagers. A Palestinian man stabbed and wounded an Israeli policeman in Hebron, near the tomb of Abraham.

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7. South Asia

Afghanistan continues preparations for September elections and has asked for additional security to ensure the process will be kept on track in the face of escalating violence against candidates, election workers, and others. The US military reports that this month more than 40 suspected militants were killed in Kunar and another 65 in Zabul provinces. The death toll for US soldiers has been the highest since 2001. This August at least 13 have died and 66 were killed so far this year, more than a third of the 197 total since 2001. A BBC investigation finds that foreign militants linked to al Qaeda and with experience in Iraq are training Afghan insurgents in new tactics including kidnapping and suicide bombings.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4177372.stm

Bangladesh police have focused on the Islamic radicals in connection with the more than 400 bombs last week that killed two and injured more than 100. One senior official with Jamaate Ulamaye Islam group has been arrested and the leader of the banned Islamic group Jamatul Mujahideen, Abdur Rahman, is being sought as one of the main suspects.

In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, civil rights activist K Kanakachari was killed in apparent retaliation against the death of Congress Party leader and nine others by Maoist rebels earlier this month. The Narsa Cobra group claimed responsibility and threatened to kill prominent Maoists and their supporters, such as Mr. Kanakachari.

Andhra Pradesh is on alert following Home Ministry warnings of a massive escalation in Naxalite violence.

The Indian army launched operations against the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in which five rebels have died, including an ULFA leader Ritu Bora. Four security forces have been injured.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, clashes on August 20 between militants and security forces led to the death of a senior Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Uttam Singh ("Saifullah") and four other militants. On August 26, a series of grenade attacks on Indian security forces have injured 14, including two paramilitaries. Responsibility is unknown.

Nepal's Maoist rebels set a landmine explosion that killed four policemen and injured another four. At the end of the week, rebels defending roadblocks killed five security forces then blew up six bus passengers who were trying to move the roadblocks. The Maoists have said they will allow visits by the families of 60 government soldiers captured three weeks ago. Nepal's supreme court has begun a hearing on a petition to reinstate parliament.

In Pakistan, election violence left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured.

Sri Lanka has names Anura Bandaranaike, brother of the president, as the new foreign minister, replacing the assassinated Lakshman Kadirgamar. The Supreme Court has ruled that President Chandrika Kumaratunga's term ends in December, opening the way for elections. She had argued she was entitled to a third term because she had called an early election in 1999.

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8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) reports increased use of screenscrapers and sophisticated keylogging Trojans in place of phishing attacks via spam. More sophisticated attacks help neutralize existing counter-phishing techniques.
http://www.antiphishing.org/APWG_Phishing_Activity_Report_Jul_05.pdf

The Sunbelt Software security firm discovered an identity theft ring that used keylogging to steal data harvested from data stored by Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, affecting some 30,000 people. The central server was shut down but the technique and data have been redistributed. Criminal investigations are underway.
http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/fix-for-srvssa-keylogger.html
http://research.sunbelt-software.com/ssaclean.cfm

The Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, US, has notified more than 33,000 personnel of a security breach that may have exposed their personal information.
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/pubaffairs/release/2005/08/AMS.htm

University of Cambridge researchers warn that poor printing on security labels used to disguise PINs or passwords can allow easy access to the data, simply by using bright lights at an angle.
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/mkb23/research/PIN-Mailer.pdf Pin Mailer vulnerability report

Finnish police have arrested the head of data security at the Helsinki branch of GE Money in connection with a conspiracy to transfer online banking funds, apparently in the mistaken belief that an insecure wireless network would hide their tracks.
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/article/1101980633083
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/article/1101980643795

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) describes two ways to improve security of handheld devices.
http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistir/index.html

Germany has launched a national information security strategy, including establishing a computer emergency center.
http://www.bmi.bund.de/cln_012/nn_122688/Internet/Content/Nachrichten/Pressemitteilungen/2005/08/Nationaler__Plan__zum__Schutz__der__Informationsinfrastrukturen.html (in German)

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9. Finance

The US banking regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has made supervision a new priority, following such serious lapses as those connected with Riggs Bank last year. American Banker reports that a pilot program involving independent money laundering risk assessments risk exposure could be implemented in the next few weeks.
http://www.americanbanker.com/article.html?id=20050818GPCUEW08 (subscription)

Indian separatist rebels with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) are reportedly making pornographic films to finance their campaign.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4190570.stm

Iraqi government spokesman Laith Kubba has accused Saddam Hussein's family members in Jordan of financing the Iraqi insurgency.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/22/news/saddam.php

"Operation Royal Charm" in New Jersey and "Operation Smoking Dragon" in Los Angeles, California were joint law enforcement actions in the US that broke up a major international smuggling operation tied to several undisclosed Asian nations.
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2005/August/05_crm_426.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/publicaffairs/NJ_Press/files/royal0822_r.htm

Somalia's increasing reliance on khat, a natural amphetamine derived from the leaves of the Catha edulis plant, poses another threat to stabilization. Organized crime, including police and customs officers, are involved in the lucrative trade, which is also harming the social, economic, and environmental infrastructures.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4145400.stm
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article307638.ece
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=46907

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10. Human Rights

World Water Week is an annual global meeting held in Stockholm. This year the UN contributed a new report on actions taken in organizing activities of the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life". This effort focuses on the importance of water for sustainable development, coordinating local, regional and international activities.
http://www.worldwaterweek.org/
http://www.unesco.org/water/

A new report from child aid group Plan finds that 80 percent of the 400 million children in India are severely deprived and that in Asia overall, nearly half of the 1.3 billion children are denied basic needs. "Growing Up in Asia" calls for increased spending on poverty reduction and reduction in the agricultural subsidies of rich countries.
http://www.plan-international.org/wherewework/asia/growing/

China has made sexual harassment and domestic violence illegal.

Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold, will visit Ukraine to investigate claims that newborn babies are disappearing in mysterious circumstances.
http://www.coe.int/

UN Commission on Human Rights' special rapporteur on questions relevant to torture, Manfred Nowak, called on the UK not to deport anybody under new anti-terrorism laws to a country where there is a risk of torture or ill-treatment. He warned that the proposed assurances were not an adequate guarantee and circumvented Britain's treaty obligations. British officials have dismissed this criticism.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=15513&Cr=UK&Cr1=
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/9A54333D23E8CB81C1257065007323C7?opendocument

August 25 marked the International Day for the Remembrance of Slavery and its Abolition.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=15518&Cr=UNESCO&Cr1=Slavetrade

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11. Law and Legal Issues

Shoko Asahara, founder of the Aum Shrinrikyo cult responsible for the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness to stand trial on appeal.

Abdelmajid Bouchar was arrested in Serbia last week, and Spanish authorities are asking for his extradition on suspicion of involvement in the March 2004 Madrid train bombings.

Farid Essebar and Atilla Ekici were arrested in Morocco and Turkey, respectively, in connection with the Zotob worm that affected more than 100 companies, including several large media firms.

Khellaf Hamam was expelled from France and repatriated to Algeria. He had been previously convicted of training and recruiting youths for jihad.

Ahmad Hasan was found guilty of taking part in and planning last year's Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta. Prosecutors have asked that he be sentenced to death.

Javed Khan, a non-commissioned officer in the Indian army, will be tried for passing troop deployment information to Pakistan. His father and six others are also accused in a conspiracy that officials suggest is indicative of increasing numbers of incidents in which lower ranking soldiers sell information for money.

Moulana Fariduddin Masud, a senior member of Jamaate Ulamaye Islam, was arrested in Bangladesh in connection with last week's wave of more than 400 bombs.

Edwin William Murphy has been charged in Northern Ireland with membership in the Ulster Volunteer Force. He denies the charge.

Mohammed Nasheed, leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, has been charged with terrorism and sedition for inciting violence against the president.

Hussain Osman, ("Hamdi Issac") will appeal an Italian court's ruling that he can be extradited to the UK in connection with the failed 21 July bombings. His attorney argues that he could not receive a fair trial in the UK.

The Republic of Sudan can be sued by the families of victims of the USS Cole , in which 17 sailors died in October 2000. US District Judge Robert Doumar ruled that there was sufficient evidence to pursue a case that alleges Sudan provided material support including financing and safe haven for the al Qaeda members who carried out the attack.

Eric Rudolph, already sentenced to life in prison for anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality attacks, has been sentenced to four more life terms without parole for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing that killed one and injured 111. A plea agreement eliminated capital punishment in exchange for details of an explosives cache.

Mohammed Hassan Abdullah al-Sihly has been arrested in Jordan in connection with planning last week's rocket attacks launched from the port of Aqaba.

Alex Rusli ("Irwan Irwan", "Edwin Sanjaya Jo") has been charged in Australia. Raids by the Identity Crime Task Force uncovered dozens of forged identity documents linked to an Asian criminal syndicate.
http://www.afp.gov.au/afp/page/Media/2005/mr050816cssfraud.pdf

Simangaliso Patrick Simelane, head of Crime Intelligence Services at a Soweto police station, has gone on trial over the alleged torture of four members of the Landless People's Movement who had demonstrated during elections in 2004.

Kasim Wali was arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of bombing the Mardika Market in Ambon. Following information provided, Lulu Kalderan ("Dulah") and Sarmin Makeang ("Aden") were also arrested. They are believed linked to the militant Mujahidin Ambon group.

Atamnia Yacine was arrested in Thailand when he was found with some 180 French and Spanish passports. Britain has issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of forgery and money laundering.

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12. Transportation

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has begun implementing a security screening system for airport workers.
http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/media/np.htm
http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=45d2c64f-e3fa-475b-bcfe-cd6d1f0195d2

The Transportation Security Administration's advisory panel recommendations into loosening some passenger security measures has been criticized by Families of September 11, the Association of Flight Attendants, and others who warn of complacency nearly four years after the attacks.
http://www.afanet.org/default.asp?id=632
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/tsa_allows_weapons_onboard
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/24/AR2005082402094.html

Australian ports in New South Wales, including Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla will receive enhanced security measures including new equipment and 24-hour patrols, financed by new port fees. Mandatory identity cards and automated ship identification are also under consideration.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/port-charges-to-pay-for-security/2005/08/23/1124562863790.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/iemma-to-spend-234m-on-maritime-security/2005/08/23/1124562843097.html
http://www.sydneyports.com.au/home.asp

The latest Weekly Piracy Report reiterated the Alert for Somalia's East and NE coast:
"Seventeen incidents have been reported since 15.03.05. Heavily armed pirates are now attacking ships further away from the coast. The most recent incident took place 120 nm off the eastern coast. Ships are advised to keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast."
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Members of the Asian Shipowners Forum, seeing insurance premiums rise, continue to reject the Joint War Committee risk listing of the Malacca Straits as a war zone.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=152009
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=151589

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13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

An independent investigation has verified that traces of bomb-grade uranium came from contaminated equipment that had been supplied by Pakistan and was not evidence of Iranian nuclear weapons activity. The US has rejected the finding. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf confirmed that nuclear scientist AQ Khan supplied North Korea with centrifuges for uranium enrichment, including their designs, but had not provided North Korea with bomb-making expertise. The EU has called off talks with Iran scheduled for August 31 since it resumed uranium conversion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201447.html
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-08-23T135250Z_01_MOL349921_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAN-NUCLEAR-FRANCE.xml
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mokhtari22aug22,0,5962963.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/2005/prn200511.html

The Nunn-Lugar Scorecard reports that Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakstan are nuclear-free and there is continued progress in weapons reduction. http://lugar.senate.gov/nunnlugar/scorecard.html

Times of London reporter Steve Boggan visited Porton Down to see how prepared the UK is to deal with a WMD attack. He finds that such an attack is inevitable, but unlikely to cause mass casualties.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3,00.html

The US Department of Homeland Security is beginning requirements analysis for a possible replacement of the Plum Island biological and agricultural defense facility.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4752

Note articles on bioterrorist surveillance in Emerging Infectious Diseases:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no09/05-0981.htm

Bhutan has joined the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The UN report on "Assistance to States for curbing illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them" finds that regional activities and improved collaboration have helped pave the way for action to implement the UN accord to curb this trade. Regional efforts in Burundi offered a case in point.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/60/161

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14. Recently Published

Cherie Burns, "The Great Hurricane: 1938", Atlantic Monthly

William C. Davis, "The Pirates Laffite: The Treacherous World of the Corsairs of the Gulf", Harcourt

John Gittings, "The Changing Face of China: From Mao to Market", Oxford University Press

James Goodman, "Blackout", North Point Press

John Gribbin, "Fellowship: The Story of a Revolution" Penguin/Allen Lane

Jill Lepore, "New York Burning: Liberty, Slavery, and Conspiracy in Eighteenth-Century Manhattan", Knopf

Howard M. Sacher, "A History of Jews in the Modern World", Knopf

James Salazar, "Legion of the Lost: The True Experience of an American in the French Foreign Legion", Berkley Caliber

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FEATURE ARTICLE: Less Lethal Weapons

Increasing numbers of terrorist and other attacks occur in urban settings where the use of lethal force can have widespread consequences for the safety of the general public as well as first responders. A range of less lethal tactics and weapons are available or in development, but their use has also raised questions of safety and security, particularly since the number of fatalities associated with these weapons has been increasing.

In addition to physical restraint, there are a number of technologies that have been in use for some time and whose use and consequences are well understood. These include stun or concussion grenades, smoke, acoustic devices, electromagnetic waves, net and bola entanglement systems, and glue, foam and grease. Such devices cause brief disorientation or incapacitation, or restrict movement, with no long-term damage.

A number of other devices have been developed but their application, results and consequences are not yet well understood. These include:

Tasers are powered with batteries that release compressed air to power electric cable darts that, when they touch the subject, releases a large electrical charge that temporarily confuses the suspect's nervous system. More than 70 deaths in the US and nine in Canada have been associated with use of the Taser. These have been tied to secondary health conditions, including use of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, or underlying heart problems. A Canadian investigation identified the possibility of respiratory impairment during restraint or in connection with multiple or prolonged shocks. They also note that body weight and size has an impact on the effect of electrical currents. Pregnancy should also be considered a possible risk factor. In addition, secondary injuries from falls and so forth need to be considered before using such devices.

A number of organizations have weighed in with guidelines for deployment of Tasers and similar electrical devices. The International Association of Chiefs of Police offers a 9-step strategy:

Among law enforcement users, mandatory training is given a high priority, including training in recognition and response of medically significant behavior. Monitoring of use is also critically important. Tasers do not leave obvious traces and could be abused in treatment of suspects or prisoners. Devices with usage tracking are readily available. Monitoring and reporting requires the same strict level of accountability as use of firearms.

Risk/benefit analysis applied to less lethal weapons requires knowledge of their effectiveness, attendant health risks, public safety, and user safety (law enforcement, military, security). New technologies like Tasers have not been fully investigated and data does not support widespread use at this time. In the UK, only authorized firearms officers are allowed to use Tasers, which are treated as dangerous weapons not appropriate for everyday use. Canada classifies the Taser as an Intermediate Weapon with limited use based on the degree of threat. Law enforcement organizations in the US states of Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin have issued specific guidelines for use of these weapons. Private security firms should not deploy these technologies without a similar level of training and due diligence.Further

Reading:

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