AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - February 5, 2006
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, February 5, 2006
TEXT:
Interpol usually reserves Orange Notices for urgent warnings of bombs and disguised weapons. But Friday's escape of 23 dangerous prisoners, including at least 13 convicted al Qaeda terrorists, some involved in the attacks on the USS Cole and the Limburg garnered the personal intervention of Secretary General Ronald Noble. He said, "Al Qaeda terrorists have been deemed a serious threat to the entire world community by the UN Security Council, by Interpol and by a wide range of countries. Their escape cannot be considered an internal problem for Yemen alone". Other stories covered this week include:
* The crisis over cartoons in Denmark (Political Risk Monitor),
* An indictment against three people accused of financing Hamas attacks (AML/CFT Monitor)
* The referral of Iran to the UN Security Council (Emerging Threat Monitor)
* The problem of corruption in public health systems (Critical Infrastructure Monitor) and
* Ferry tragedies in Egypt and Indonesia (Disaster Reduction Monitor).
On a different note, to all of our readers in East Asia, Happy New Year!
1. Global Terrorism Monitor
2. Political Risk Monitor
3. AML/CFT Monitor
4. Emerging Threat Monitor
5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor
6. Disaster Reduction Monitor
7. Recommended Reading
8. Asset Management Network News
The Global Terrorism Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, email info@tamni.com.
Ethiopian student protests against government fraud led by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) have led to mass arrests of ethnic Oromos. This is among the findings of a new Amnesty International report that has been denied by the government.
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/16780.shtml
In the Kenyan port of Mombasa, ten Somalis arrested by the US navy last week were charged with piracy. The Indian crew, kidnapped off the coast of Somalia, have been freed and identified their attackers.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has freed four foreign oil workers held hostage for nearly three weeks. A regional government spokesman denied that any of MEND's demands for prisoner release or compensation had been met. Despite denials, kidnappings in the region are generally settled through ransom payments.
Sierra Leone's Special Court for crimes against humanity has opened proceedings against Samuel Hinga Norman, a civil war militia leader with the Civil Defense Forces (CDF). Another 12 people have also been indicted. With former Liberian President Charles Taylor living in exile and Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel leader Foday Sankoh dead, Norman is the highest-profile defendant. The 66-year old high chief of Kamajor hunters in the south faces eight charges including unlawful killings, use of child soldiers, looting, burning, and terrorizing civilians.
http://www.sc-sl.org/norman.html
Violence in Sudan's Darfur region is deteriorating as widespread violence rises. The African Union peacekeeping mission says that the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) is responsible for attacks in January against government forces and civilians that led to government-backed Janjaweed militia reprisals. This week, rebels in Darfur attacked a town in the south: 18 were killed and 50 injured.
Peace talks were disrupted when three members of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a rebel group, attacked and beat a couple in their hotel room after they had resigned from JEM and joined a rival faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA).
The UN Security Council is considering taking control of the peacekeeping force from the AU, which is running out of funds to pay for the mission.
Canadian-Lebanese dual national Naji Antoice Abi Khalil has been sentenced to five years in prison in a US court for providing material support to the designated terrorist organization Hezbollah.
The US Congress has extended provisions of the USA Patriot Act due to expire last Friday until 10 March, to continue negotiations. The Bush administration wants to make all provisions permanent, while others want better protection of civil liberties.
Security has been increased in connection with the US football "Super Bowl", which takes place today, in Detroit Michigan. Among the measures being taken is Operation Noble Eagle in which the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will use Canadian and US personnel to defend the airspace.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2006/20060203_4106.html
http://www.customs.treas.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/superbowl_2006.xml
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48559
Indonesian police report that most wanted terrorist Noordin Mohammad Top has left Jemaah Islamiah and is now claiming to lead a new group, the Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad (Organization for the Base of Jihad), operating in several Asian countries. The Malaysian national is wanted for multiple attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 Bali bombings.
Philippine troops fought New People's Army (NP) rebels north of Manila. After several hours of fighting, at least 18 NPA were killed.
UK government plans to allow a policeman to decide that internet information could be related to terrorism were defeated in the House of Lords, which wants to ensure judicial supervision prior to action. The Lords also reviewed Lord Carlile of Berriew's report on the operation of control orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005. While endorsing their use, he made a number of recommendations for improved operation, and questioned the use of indefinite detentions. He also cited a continued threat, including a real and present danger of suicide bombings.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060202/debtext/60202-10.htm#60202-10_head0
Northern Ireland's Independent Monitoring Commission presented its eighth report to the Irish and UK governments. They say there were reports that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had held on to some weapons, possibly for protection, and is still gathering intelligence, but overall is moving in the right direction. The IRA denies holding on to any weapons. Both Ireland and the UK agree there is now a framework for further political progress.
http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/publications.cfm?id=30
http://www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=12734
In Gaza, Israeli forces launched a helicopter attack on a Fatah building used by al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, killing three people and injuring five.
On 1 February, a suicide bomber targeting Iraqi civilians looking for work, killed at least eight and injured more than 30.
A 15-year-old Lebanese shepherd was killed by Israeli troops inside Lebanon. The incident is under investigation, but has already exacerbated border tensions.
Al Qaeda is suspected in an explosion detonated outside a Lebanese army barracks that injured one soldier. A person who claimed to represent al Qaeda had set a deadline, which had passed, for release of its imprisoned members.
In the West Bank Israeli forces continued raids, including one near Jenin that killed Nidal Abu-Saada. He was a leader of Islamic Jihad in the northern West Bank. A second militant was also killed and an Israeli policeman was seriously injured.
Interpol has issued an Orange Notice to warn international police of the urgent danger presented by the escape of 23 prisoners in Yemen, including at least 13 convicted al Qaeda, some involved in the 2000 and 2002 attacks on the USS Cole and the French Limburg.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2006/PR200602.asp
Yemen must not provide names, photos, fingerprints and other details so Red Notices (International Wanted Persons Notices) can be prepared for each of the escapees. Mr. Noble warned that "Unless Interpol Red Notices are issued urgently for these fugitives and unless the world community commits itself to tracking them down, they will be able to travel internationally, to elude detection and to engage in future terrorist activity".
The National Socialist of Nagaland has extended its ceasefire by six months despite poor progress in talks between the separatists and the federal government.
In Indian-administered Kashmir, three separate clashes late last Sunday night killed three militants and a policeman. Two were suspected Hizbul Mujahideen separatists.
Nepal's Maoist rebels marked the anniversary of the King's seizure of power with multiple attacks. The most serious was in Tansen, where at least seven police, four rebels, and four soldiers were killed.
In Pakistan's Balochistan province armed tribal militants fired more than 200 rockets at a military base, injuring one, and blew up a gas pipeline and other property. Another attack today involved a bus bombing that killed at least 12 and injured a similar number. No one claimed responsibility.
Sri Lankan aid group, the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) reported that two of its kidnapped aid workers were released but eight are still missing. The kidnapping of two groups of workers on Monday and Tuesday was blamed on paramilitaries, and has put further strain on the ceasefire. The government denies abductions occurred. Ceasefire monitors are investigations, but rising violence has hampered many aid workers.
The Political Risk Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, email info@tamni.com.
Chad's parliament has voted to defer legislative elections scheduled this year along with the presidential election. Instead they agreed to extend their terms by a year, postponing the legislative election to 2007. The same parliament voted in favor of constitutional changes that allow President Idriss Deby, whose party has a parliamentary majority, to tun for a third term.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had brought a case against Rwanda to the International Court of Justice. They accused Rwanda of armed aggression, mass killings, attacks on women, abduction, and looting that had followed their 2003 invasion and occupation while they conducted anti-rebel operations. In a similar case last year, Uganda was ordered to pay compensation, but Uganda had accepted ICJ jurisdiction and Rwanda did not. Now, ICJ determined it could not rule on DRC's case.
http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2006/ipresscom_2006-04_crw_20060203.htm
Djibouti has joined the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Ivory Coast youth militia leader Charles Ble Goude, associated with President Gbagbo, says they will take to the streets unless there is a clear disarmament plan within two weeks. Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny has resumed talks with international mediators. Coude is one of three people identified by a group of UN Security Council members as encouraging violence and harming peace efforts. He, his associate Eugene Djue and a New Forces commander, Fofie Koukou, may face UN sanctions.
Lesotho's Foreign Minister Monyane Moleleki was shot and wounded last Sunday in an attack believed to be politically motivated.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has told all officials of the former transitional government to stay inside the country pending completion of an audit and investigations into allegations of corrupt sales of public property. In another anti-corruption measure, she has dismissed a number of finance ministry officials, saying the ministry's corrupt practices were an international embarrassment.
Malawi has achieved its first corruption conviction under President Bingu wa Mutharika's anti-corruption campaign, launched in 2004. Yusuf Mwawa, the former minister of education, was found guilty of four counts of fraud and corruption.
Republic of Congo has banned soldiers from wearing military fatigues or carrying weapons in public. Military reforms are a priority for the country.
South African President Thabo Mbeki gave his state of the nation address at the opening of parliament. Focusing on poverty reduction and infrastructure improvements, he also said that he would review the land policy of "willing-seller, willing-buyer".
http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2006/06020310531001.htm
Uganda's Constitutional Court has ruled that the High Court and the General Court Martial are on an equal footing, overturning a decision that the military court was subordinate to the civilian. The judges also ruled that terrorism charges against opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and 22 co-defendants couldn't be tried in a military court but only in the high court.
http://www.judicature.go.ug/
Costa Rica votes in presidential elections on Sunday, 5 February. Opinion polls suggest an easy win for former President and Nobel Prize winner Oscar Arias.
The US Department of Defense has released its Quadrennial Review, addressing what it calls the "long war" and describes what it must do for the next 20 years to defeat rogue powers, terrorists, and non-state threats. The report will be presented to Congress next week. The 2006 military budget is $440 billion, excluding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The cost of the war in Iraq currently exceeds $1 billion per week.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused US naval attache John Correa of spying and ordered his expulsion. In retaliation, the US Department of State has ordered Jeny Figueredo Frias, chief of staff to the Venezuelan ambassador in Washington, to leave.
The International Crisis Group released a new report on relations between China and Korea:
"China’s influence on North Korea is more than it is willing to admit but far less than outsiders tend to believe. Although it shares the international community’s denuclearisation goal, it has its own concept of how to achieve it. It will not tolerate erratic and dangerous behaviour if it poses a risk of conflict but neither will it endorse or implement policies that it believes will create instability or threaten its influence in both Pyongyang and Seoul. The advantages afforded by China’s close relationship with the North can only be harnessed if better assessments of its priorities and limitations are integrated into international strategies. Waiting for China to compel North Korean compliance will only give Pyongyang more time to develop its nuclear arsenal."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3920&l=1
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is riding out a storm of protest following objections to his Family's participation in a $1.9 billion deal to sell their controlling interest in the Shin Corp telecommunications conglomerate to Singapore's state-owned investment firm.
Denmark's diplomatic crisis with virtually the entire Muslim world has turned into a serious security problem. The crisis began after a series of cartoons was published in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, including one of the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban. The cartoons were printed last September, and a few weeks later Muslim ambassadors complained to the Danish Prime Minister. Reacting to the complaints, other publications, beginning in Norway, then in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, began to reprint the cartoons. Muslim anger began to grow, and Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador. Boycotts of Danish goods began, forcing hundreds of layoffs. One firm, Arla Foods, reports losses of some $1.5 million per day. Danes have been warned against traveling to Muslim countries, there have been anti-Danish demonstrations, threats against Danish interests and individuals, and several ambassadors have been recalled. When France Soir reproduced the cartoons, claiming the right to caricature religious figures as part of a secular society, the editor was promptly dismissed. The offices of Jyllands-Posten were evacuated - twice - following bomb threats despite their apology. French and Danish flags were burned in Pakistan and the Palestinians and other protests, some violent, took place around the world from Afghanistan to the UK. Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen has attempted to ease the situation in an interview with Arabic satellite television station Al Arabiya. Other world leaders have come out to emphasize that freedom of expression cannot impinge on freedom of religion and respect for others' beliefs. Yesterday, Syrians attacked the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus. Today, the Danish embassy in Beirut is burning.
http://www.jp.dk/meninger/ncartikel:aid=3527646
http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3531216/ (in Danish)
http://www.jp.dk/indland/artikel:aid=3530562:fid=11146/ (in Danish)
http://denmark.dk/portal/page?_pageid=374,610577&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&ic_itemid=916003
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/698
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4668714.stm
http://www.arlafoods.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1701092,00.html
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/0,5538,12380,00.html (photos)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4671204.stm (photos)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4674570.stm (World leaders react)
Georgia and the breakaway Abkhazia region met under the auspices of the Group of Friends (UN Secretary General, Germany, France, Russia, UK, and UK) to discuss the peace process. The joint Georgian-Abkhazian delegation discussed confidence-building measures, the need for tangible results, and assistance for more than 200,000 displaced persons.
Kosovo's slow progress and increased violence is raising concern at the UN interim administration. The latest Security Council report called for substantive progress in implementing the eight agreed targets, ensure those responsible for recent ethnic violence be brought to justice, and encourage participatory democracy.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2006/45
Check out our special coverage of the Palestinian elections. It includes key documents and a link to our coverage of Hamas, where you can find information about the group, including the new indictment on terrorist financing charges, and biographies of some of the members.
http://www.politicalriskmonitor.com/2006/01/PRM2902.shtml
Iran's nuclear program has been referred to the UN Security Council following agreement by 27 of the 35 members of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) governing board. Iran says it will continue discussions on a Russian compromise proposal in which uranium would be enriched in and by Russia, but has also suspended voluntary cooperation with IAEA, including abrogating the additional protocol that permits short-term inspections. Iran also plans to end its voluntary suspension of large-scale uranium enrichment.
Israeli troops clashed with demonstrators opposed to the evacuation of the illegal Amona settlement and destruction of the nine homes built there. The West Bank fighting, similar to that seen during the evacuation of Gaza, injured at least 200 people, including more than 60 members of security forces.
Lebanon supports an international tribunal to try those charged with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8624.doc.htm
1 February marks one year since Nepal's King Gyanendra's dissolution of government and seizure of absolute power. On the anniversary, he claimed that his actions had put down the Maoist insurgency and that it was limited to sporadic criminal activity. The resumption of major attacks, following the Maoist decision not to renew their unilateral ceasefire, belies the King's words. He also said that parliamentary elections would be held by April 2007. Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-democracy activists have been arrested.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=64260 http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=64288
The International Crisis group addresses this occasion in their report, "Nepal: Electing Chaos":
"Nepal risks political collapse and increased human suffering unless the royal government calls off the 8 February municipal elections and cooperates in a broad-based peace process. King Gyanendra is inviting confrontation by forcing through polls which will not be free, fair or credible. Filling local posts with palace placemen will not bring peace closer. The conflict remains soluble, however. The political parties must settle internal differences and develop a clear agenda, and the Maoists must offer a concrete plan for disarmament and commit to a new ceasefire. The international community should show the King he does not have a blank cheque to turn the political clock back a generation by placing targeted sanctions on his family and key officials and reviewing aid funnelled through the government." http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3921&l=1
Pakistan's independent Human Rights Commission, an independent body, released its annual report. They found little progress in human rights, assaults against press freedom, and increased vulnerability among the weak because of poverty and lack of opportunity. Less democracy and transparency increasingly excludes people from public policy decisions.
http://www.hrcp-web.org/
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's Independence Day speech addressed the conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels ahead of forthcoming peace talks. He said, "This country is one that belongs to all Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and other peoples to whom this is home. We cannot solve this problem by dividing this country. That will only lead to aggravating the crisis.... [W]e should bear well in our minds that if we are to stop the increasing flow of blood through war we should shed more and more sweat in the cause of peace."
http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200602/20060204president_at_independence_day.htm
The AML/CFT Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, email info@tamni.com.
Suriname's Minister of Trade and Industry, Siegfried Gilds, resigned as an investigation into alleged money laundering and other criminal activities connected with a property deal is under way.
Xu Chaofan, Xu Guojun, and their wives have been charged with 15 counts of racketeering, money laundering and fraud. The two former Bank of China managers allegedly laundered Bank of China money through Hong Kong, Canada, and the US. A jury in Las Vegas returned the indictment.
http://www.amlcftmonitor.com/2006/02/AML0501.shtml
Irish police, cooperating with those in Northern Ireland, raided propertied in Dublin and Meath as part of an investigation into suspected Irish Republican Army (IRA) money laundering. They suspect that the criminal proceeds of the Northern Bank robbery in December 2004 were laundered through property purchases in the Dublin area. A file of information is being provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
About GBP 700,000 in assets of accused fuel smugglers Damien John McGleenan and Neil Vallely have been seized in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, following orders of the High Court in Belfast.
http://www.assetsrecovery.gov.uk/
ABN Amro chairman Rijkman Groenink presented 2005 corporate results, including fines from Dutch and US regulators for failing to comply with AML regulations and international sanctions against Libya and Iran. He does not believe that criminal charges will be forthcoming.
http://www.abnamro.com/pressroom/releases/2006/2006-01-31-en.jsp
UN envoy to Liberia, Alan Doss, met with officials from the Kimberley Process diamond certification scheme to push forward with efforts to engage Liberia in Kimberley certification and get sanctions lifted so that this important source of revenue becomes available.
The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) has published new risk-based guidance for AML/CFT that focuses on senior management to:
* allow firms to focus their resources on the minority of customers who represent a higher risk
* reduce the documentation needed to verify the identity of non-personal customers
* simplify the document requirements by which most individuals have to 'prove' their identity
* encourage wider use of electronic means of verification of identity
* reduce unnecessary duplication of identity checks
* provide additional guidance, tailored to particular business areas, to take account of special features in a number of sectors
http://www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=362&a=6759
Britain's Financial Services Authority (FSA) confirmed they will proceed to streamline AML requirements.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2006/008.shtml
FSA also published its 2006-7 business plan, whose priorities include supervision in line with risk, new enforcement in line with recommendations from last year, education, and various other measures.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2006/009.shtml
This month, Britain's Office of Fair Trading is running a public campaign to "Stamp Out Scams".
http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Scams/default.htm
A UN Office on Drugs and Crime in West Africa mission to Guinea Bissau reported that drug trafficking gangs shipping South American narcotics to Europe are using the tiny West African nation as a transit center, drawn by the cash-strapped government’s lack of capacity to tackle the problem. Mission head Antonio Mazzitelli, found that , "Guinea Bissau does not have the capacity to monitor its borders". Ranked 172 of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Index, the government has no money, no coast guard, no police cars, and no boats for patrolling national waters where scattered tiny islands make a haven for smugglers. The prison service is also totally inadequate.
The Emerging Threat Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email info@tamni.com.
Two research studies with important implications for bioterrorism threat mitigation appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Researchers at the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that hybrid laboratory antibodies derived from chimpanzees and humans may help prevent some of the serious complications connected with smallpox vaccination or even protect against the disease. Researchers at Southwestern Medical Center completed the first human clinical trial of a ricin vaccine, with results indicating that the vaccine is safe and effective.
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2006/hybrid.htm
http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept37389/files/271161.html
http://www.pnas.org/ (subscription)
The National Academies with the National Research Council have released "Globalization, Biosecurity, and the Future of the Life Sciences". They say, "Biomedical advances have made it possible to identify and manipulate features of living organisms in useful ways -- leading to improvements in public health, agriculture, and other areas. The globalization of scientific and technical expertise also means that many scientists and other individuals around the world are generating breakthroughs in the life sciences and related technologies. However, coordinated global efforts are needed to reduce the growing risk that new advances in these areas will be used to make novel biological weapons or misused by careless groups and individuals...." The report goes on to recommend multidisciplinary measures to identify and mitigate such dangers over the next five to 10 years.
http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309100321?OpenDocument
The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held intensive meetings over the weekend to review a draft resolution on Iran's nuclear programs. This follows requests from France, Germany and the UK following Iran's breaking of IAEA seals on equipment used to produce uranium last month. After a session on Saturday, 27 of the 35 members supported the resolution to refer Iran's nuclear program to the Security Council. Iran says it will continue discussions on a Russian compromise proposal in which uranium would be enriched in and by Russia, but has suspended voluntary cooperation with IAEA, including the additional protocol that permits short-term inspections, and its voluntary suspension of large-scale uranium enrichment. Russia and Iran will resume talks on 16 February and IAEA's next report is due in March.
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/IaeaIran/index.shtml
A coalition of 211 institutional investors with assets of $31 trillion under management is requesting 1,800 of the largest public companies in the world to disclose greenhouse gas emissions relevant to their investments.
http://www.cdproject.net/press_release.asp
The official findings from the February 2005 Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change conference have been released. The report finds that the impact of rising concentrations of greenhouse gases may be more serious than previously understood, including the melting of the Greenland ice sheet, which would raise sea levels by seven meters over a thousand years. A two degree temperature rise would also seriously harm agriculture and lead to massive displacement of people both from flooding and desertification.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2006/pr20060130.html
A new BBC World Service report undertaken by GlobaScan and the University of Maryland reports that Iran is most widely viewed as a negative world influence, with the US in second place. Japan and Europe are viewed positively.
http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbcpoll06-3.html
5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor
The Critical Infrastructure Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email info@tamni.com.
Several thousand credit card numbers were hacked from the Rhode Island state government web site.
http://www.ri.gov/security/
The Council of Better Business Bureaus released the 2006 Identity Fraud Survey. The report identifies ten key points:
1. The number of adult victims of identity fraud has declined marginally between 2003 and 2006, from 10.1 million people to 8.9 million people, in the United States.
2. The average fraud amount per case has increased from $5,249 to $6,383, over 2 years. As a result, the total one-year cost of identity fraud in the United States has remained relatively flat between 2003 and 2006, increasing from $53.2 billion to $56.6 billion.
3. The vast majority of identity fraud victims (68 percent) incur no out-of-pocket expenses. This points out that businesses are victims of fraud as well.
4. Victims are spending more time to resolve identity fraud cases, which has increased from 33 hours in 2003 to 40 hours in 2006.
5. Most data compromise - 90 percent - takes place through traditional offline channels and not via the Internet, when the victim can identify the source of data compromise.
6. Lost or stolen wallets, checkbooks or credit cards continue to be the primary source of personal information theft when the victim can identify the source of data compromise. (30 percent)
7. Almost half (47 percent) of all identity theft is perpetrated by friends, neighbors, in-home employees, family members or relatives - someone known - when the victim can identify the perpetrator of data compromise.**
8. Nearly 70 percent of consumers are shredding documents, so that trash as a source of data compromise is now less than 1 percent.
9. The 65+ demographic age group has the smallest rate of identity fraud victims (2.3 percent).
10. The 35-44 demographic age group has the highest average fraud amount ($9,435).
The report also clarifies common misperceptions and offers identity safety tips.
http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=651
McAfee, Inc., Symantec Corp., Trend Micro, Inc., ICSA Labs, and Thompson Cyber Security Labs have formed a spyware testing initiative to collaborate on common names and new tools to combat the rising threat of spyware.
http://www.spywaretesting.org
Italy now requires internet cafes to register, ask clients for identification, and maintain copies of the identification records. Switzerland and several Asian countries also require some form of registration or identification.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology )NIST) issued "Biometric Data Specification for Personal Identity Verification" describing how to store biometric information on new identity cards required for federal employees and contractors from October 2006.
http://csrc.nist.gov/piv-program/index.html.
Ontario, Canada is holding public consultations on the energy supply to review capacity, transmission and generation, conservation, and infrastructure. Energy Minister Donna Cansfield urged people to purchase solar panels and other alternative power sources then sell it to the electrical grid. Currently small producers don't get paid for their contributions.
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=english.news&body=yes&news_id=119
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1138920612576&call_pageid=968332188774
The US Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on "Consolidation in the Energy Industry: Raising Prices at the Pump?" Record profits - including Exxon Mobil becoming the most profitable company in US history - have led to questions about government oversight and reduced regulations, the country's reliance on oil, corporate investment in oil and gas sources and alternatives, the impact of industry consolidation on competition, and similar questions.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=1743
The Dutch Postcode Lottery is working with the UN refugee organization UNHCR to help Bhutanese refugees in Nepal build solar ovens to replace wood for cooking, thereby reducing deforestation, carbon dioxide emissions, and use of expensive kerosene.
http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=43e3319d4
The Energy Efficiency 21 project has helped Eastern European countries, who with six percent of world population produce 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, to identify energy saving projects, their costs and benefits. A capacity building project will begin this year.
http://www.unece.org/press/pr2006/06ireedd_p01e.htm
* Public health budgets become subverted by unethical officials for private use.
* Hospitals function as self-service stores for illicit enrichment, with unclear procurement of equipment and supplies and ghost employees on the payroll.
* Health workers demand fees for services that should be free. In Bulgaria, as in much of South East Europe, doctors frequently accept small informal payments or gifts for medical treatment. This can be anything from between US $10 – US $50 and in some cases can rise to US $1,100.
* In the Philippines, a 10 per cent increase in the extortion of bribes by medical personnel was shown to reduce the rate of child immunization by up to 20 per cent.
* In Cambodia, certain health indicators have worsened partly because of direct embezzlement of public health funds and despite increased health aid. In contrast, in the United Kingdom tighter control mechanisms have reduced losses to corruption by US $300 million since 1999.
* In Costa Rica, nearly 20 percent of a US $40 million international loan for health equipment wandered into private pockets.
http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases/2006/2006_02_01_gcr_2006
The Lebanese Parliament met with the government to discuss questions on the healthcare sector. The government denied accusations of corruption and mismanagement, and denied allegations of large numbers of illegal pharmaceutical laboratories.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=21929
World Cancer Day was marked on 3 February. The World Health Organization announced a goal of reducing the annual death toll by two percent per year. In 2005, 7.6 million people died of cancer, and unless action is taken, 84 million deaths are projected over the next decade. More than 70 percent of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where the resources for prevention, diagnosis and treatment are limited or nonexistent. Tobacco use accounts for 1.5 million cancer deaths per year. It is estimated that over 40 percent of all cancer can be prevented, but increased use of tobacco and obesity, as well as environmental carcinogens and infections from Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma viruses have contributed to increased cancer cases.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr06/en/index.html
Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan are the last four countries that continue to have indigenous transmission of polio, which is well on the way to being eradicated.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr05/en/index.html
The US National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to four scientific research teams to contribute to an international network addressing threats of infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemic influenza.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/feb2006/nigms-01.htm
The Disaster Reduction Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email info@tamni.com.
An overcrowded ferry in eastern Indonesia sank following engine trouble and high waves that capsized the vessel. The passenger manifest listed 102 passengers and crew, but at least 113 people were rescued. Others are believed missing or dead.
Huge crowds attended the first anniversary recording of a television game show in a sports stadium in Manila, the Philippines capital. Crowds outside started pushing for entry and a chance for cash prizes when a stampede erupted, leaving more than 70 dead and over 300 injured.
Heavy rains in Bolivia have triggered floods and mudslides that have left at least 13 dead, and more than 30,000 affected.
Chemical tanker Ece collided with the bulk carrier General Grot-Rowecki, which had multiple safety deficiencies in inspections at several ports. The Ece was carrying 10,000 tons of phosphoric acid, which is believed to pose no long-term risk, but it has begun leaking from the 80 tons of fuel oil on board, which poses a serious threat to marine life.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-newsroom/mcga-press-releases/mcga_-_newsroom_-_28-january-2011.htm
http://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/ (in French)
An avalanche in Tajikistan killed 18 and injured 12. High mountains cover more than 90 percent of the country. Last year, natural disasters killed 47 and caused $33 million in damages.
The BBC's Horizon program reviews the forensic investigation into the Hurricane Katrina disaster to find out what went wrong and why, and to speak with the scientists who are now confronting the real possibility that New Orleans may be the first of many cities worldwide to face extinction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/orleans.shtml
Four Nairobi city employees have been charged with negligence over the 23 January building collapse that killed 14 and injured more than 100 people. The owner, designer, contractor, and supervisor of the construction project have been charged in absentia with manslaughter. Kenya has few building regulations, and many construction projects are fraught with corruption.
A new report from a group of aid agencies, "Tsunami Response - a Human Rights Assessment", studied 95 tsunami-affected towns and villages in five countries. They found extensive evidence of forced relocation in favor of commercial development. Other concerns were raised regarding poor housing, unemployment, treatment of women, and magnified discrimination.
http://www.actionaid.org/index.asp?page_id=368
NATO has concluded its earthquake relief operation in Pakistan.
http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2006/p06-009e.htm
Food crises in Africa are not isolated disasters but instead reflect systemic problems. See special coverage on Africa's Food Crisis from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/africa/2006/africa_food_crisis/default.stm
A new Risk Insurance Management Society (RIMS) survey finds that, driven by last year's catastrophe losses, property insurance premiums have increased up to 33 percent, with a median rise of eight percent.
http://www.insurance-business-review.com/article_feature.asp?guid=E26E969D-8A47-46D1-B222-277D289B37C7
http://www.rims.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Products_and_Services/Benchmark_Survey/About/Benchmark_Survey_-_About_.htm
Bangladesh's Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) finds, in a recent study, that erosion along the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River has rendered a million people homeless over the last 30 years.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/01/31/d6013101011.htm
Philippe Sands is a practicing lawyer and professor of international law at University College, London. Last year he published "Lawless World", which revealed doubts regarding the legality of the invasion of Iraq. In a new edition released last week, additional memoranda seen by Professor Sands reveals the decision by US President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair to invade Iraq prior to obtaining legal advice, even without a second UN resolution and whether or not weapons were found. The British government has always insisted that military action was a measure of last resort, but these memos provide evidence of very different intentions, including deceptive and provocative actions. These new findings echo reports in former Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer's memoirs.
http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,0_0141017996,00.html
http://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/WhoWeAre_Members_PhilippeSandsQC.aspx
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=40638872
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,1700881,00.html).
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=1661
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0203/dailyUpdate.html
8. Asset Management Network News
Check out our special coverage of the Palestinian elections. It includes key documents and a link to our coverage of Hamas, where you can find information about the group, including the new indictment on terrorist financing charges, and biographies of some of the members.
http://www.politicalriskmonitor.com/2006/01/PRM2902.shtml
We now have available two new Special Reports on disaster reduction and defining terrorism. These reports are free to subscribers or $25 to non-subscribers. Email for more information or to place an order.
Email info@tamni.com for details about the new products, publications, and information about services, including custom research.
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