South Korea's Ban Ki Moon has assumed his position as UN Secretary General. He and we face a number of global crises in 2007. Not least among these are the crises of nuclear proliferation and the growing number of crises related to natural resources, often influenced by global climate change. A key example of this is the expanding crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. Reports of this, the conflicts in East Africa and the Middle East, separatist attacks in Assam that killed at least 55 people this weekend, and a range of topics from climate change to Saddam Hussein's life and last writings (in Recommended Reading) are all covered in this issue. Also note that we have released two new Special Reports, "The Interconnected Century: Critical Security Issues" and "Trends in Terrorism 2006"

3. AML/CFT Monitor

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. Purchase a subscription at our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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AML/CFT Incidents/Cases
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A suspected narco-terrorist attack took place on Monday, when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attacked and killed four civilians, including two community leaders.
http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=N02326988

In St Maarten, Coleen Novia Wattley was convicted of money laundering related to false money orders and travelers checks. Her friend was acquitted for lack of evidence.
http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/j193/Money193.html

Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram reported that Palestinian Prime Minister brought $20 million into Gaza, although unprecedented security measures at the Rafah crossing were designed to ensure he did not carry money or weapons.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/810060.html

ADB Swiss SA executive Alexandre de Basseville and his Los Angeles, California associate Bruno Cavelier d'Esclavelles have been sentenced to 20 and 15 years in prison respectively, and forfeiture in connection with international money laundering and weapons trafficking through Hollywood film connections.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/200-7402r.htm

Fawaz Damra, former imam at Ohio's Islamic Centre of Cleveland, was convicted in June 2004 of concealing his ties to Islamic Jihad when he applied for US citizenship in 1994 and of raising funds for terrorist organizations. He has now been deported to the West Bank.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/54CA79B1-4D5F-420D-8334-717766704FAC.htm

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania judge's son, Lee Mazur Jr., has been charged with conspiracy and money laundering related to bank fraud.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/10681900/detail.html

Another Pennsylvania resident, Richard Smallacombe, has admitted his guilt in a money laundering scheme related to organized crime.
http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17668780&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=571464&rfi=6

The World Diamond Council is concerned that diamonds form Zimbabwe are making their way into the black market.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/01/07/d70107051677.htm
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AML/CFT Legislation and Regulation
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This article describes what the Kimberley Process does and does not do.
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=16459

The EU has taken over the 2007 chairmanship of the Kimberley Process.
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released "Denmark: Detailed Assessment of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism". The report finds that Denmark has a solid AML/CFT framework, including a new law that creates a legal framework to address FATF standards and the Third EU Directive, but it remains a work in progress. Denmark has well-established legal systems, and most financial institutions have well-established internal procedures. Increased supervision and reporting is recommended. Denmark is not a major international financial center and has a low level or organized crime or corruption, although geographically it can serve as a transit country. Danish society does include some groups that sympathize with or have relations with groups or organizations associated with terrorist activities, which creates potential for fundraising and recruitment.
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=20202.0

Italy's Interior Minister is concerned with sources of financing for religious buildings and mosques. He is considering setting up a foundation, similar to the French system, which would monitor foreign funding. Some foreign charities have been accused of using contributions in support of extremist groups.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/6235451.stm
http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200701051305-1061-RT1-CRO-0-NF51&page=0&id=agionline-eng.arab

Sri Lanka's Central Bank plans to expand the Financial Investigations Unit and enhance measures to address AML/CFT, pyramid schemes, and other financial frauds.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070107/FinancialTimes/ft309.html

Finding that the US administration plans to provide at least $86.4 million to strengthen Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' security force, while maintaining a ban against the elected Hamas government, senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri accused the US of financing a revolt against the government that is contributing towards civil war.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/809845.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6325314,00.html

The Bank of England has designated Shazad Khuram Ali under the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006.
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/news/2007/001.htm

The US Treasury designated three Syrian entities, the Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technology (HIAST), the Electronics Institute, and the National Standards and Calibration Laboratory (NSCL) as supporters of Syrian WMD proliferation.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp216.htm
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AML/CFT Modalities
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Lucien Chauvin describes a program to help Peruvian farmers raise an endangered species of fish rather than coca.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0104/p05s01-woam.html

4. Emerging Threat Monitor

For detailed analysis, background information and source documents consider subscribing. Subscriptions to Emerging Threat Monitor can be purchased at our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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ETM Corruption and Transnational Crime
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An appeal court in Chile dropped fraud charges against the widow, daughter, and daughter-in-law of the late former military ruler General Augusto Pinochet. Charges remain pending against other children and an associate.

A Fiji vote-rigging scam is under investigation by an Australian conman.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/a-conman-a-pm-and-an-island-sting/2007/01/02/1167500123234.html
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=51231

German prosecutors have been investigating a corruption scandal at Volkswagen regarding whether managers and members of its employee council received illegal privileges, such as lavish foreign trips. This week Hans-Jurgen Uhl has been charged. after his parliamentary immunity was lifted. The Social Democrat Member of Parliament was charged in connection with his time as a senior member of Volkswagen's employee council. He is the second to be charged, after personnel chief Peter Hartz.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/04/business/vw.php

Siemens is being investigated for potential involvement in fraud associated with Iraq's oil for food program.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/03/business/EU_FIN_COM_Germany_Siemens_Iraq.php

Indonesia is pointing to bribery and corruption as ways for companies to bypass safety requirements for transportation systems. The government has promised to take steps to address this and other issues following a series of high-profile disasters.

Israel's Tax Authority director Jackie Matza and his predecessor, Eitan Rub, were arrested on suspicion of bribery and fraud.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/808628.html

The Daily Nation reports on rampant corruption in Kenya's heavy commercial road transportation sector.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=88841

BDO Stoy Hayward released its annual report regarding fraud in the UK. Key findings include:
* Reported business fraud is up almost 40 per cent by value to GBP1.37 billion (from just under GBP1 billion in 2005) and the number of reported frauds worth over GBP50,000 rose by a third to 295.
* There has been a consistent fall in sentence length since 2003, particularly for frauds worth less than GBP1 million. However, there has been a toughening of sentences for larger frauds costing above £1 million.
* Greed and the desire for a lavish lifestyle continue to be the main cause of fraud, accounting for 54 per cent of cases in 2006 (where a cause was cited).
* Fraud continues to be a man’s game, with about 82 per cent of frauds, including virtually all frauds above GBP1 million committed by men.
* A very significant cause of the increase is the rise of high value ‘VAT carousel frauds’, with nine cases prosecuted in 2006 costing the Exchequer £372 million. Several of these were in the Midlands, causing the dramatic rise in fraud value in that region.
* Reported fraud in the UK has increased in value by 314 per cent (from £313 million) since 2003, when BDO Stoy Hayward started its FraudTrack analysis.
http://www.bdo.co.uk/fraudtrack

The new Democratic-majority US Congress has set ethics at the top of their agenda.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/washington/04cong.html

Among these topics is the issue of CEO pay, including the recent example of Home Depot CEO Robert Nardelli. He was ousted for poor performance, with a $210 million exit package.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0104/p01s01-wmgn.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/01/03/home.depot.reut/index.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/04/business/web.0104depot.php
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ETM Economies and Financial Systems
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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) calls on Eurozone countries to take advantage of economic recovery to cut deficits and increase competition in labor markets.
http://www.oecd.org/document/40/0,2340,en_2649_201185_37849384_1_1_1_1,00.html

Bank of Israel deputy governor Zvi Eckstein is developing a plan to drastically reduce foreign workers in Israel, which he says cause social, economic, and cultural damage to the country.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/810087.html

This is in marked contrast to a paper from the Bank of England, which finds no harm from immigrant labor.
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/speeches/2007/speech297.pdf

Slovenia has adopted the Euro as its currency. It is the first former communist country to do so, and the first of the ten EU members that joined in 2004 to meet the economic requirements necessary to adopt the single currency. Slovenia is now the 13th country in the euro zone.
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/6&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

The explosions in Thailand are expected to further harm investor confidence and the economy, including the travel and tourism trade.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8MCICT80.htm
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/01/business/AS_FIN_Thailand_Financial_Fallout.php
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ETM Environment and Climate Change
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The transition from an ice age to an ice-free planet 300 million years ago was highly unstable, marked by dips and rises in carbon dioxide, extreme swings in climate and drastic effects on tropical vegetation. University of California Davis researchers used atmospheric carbon dioxide records from preserved soils to develop a model of what happened during the shift from an ice age, but these findings do not apply directly to global warming today.
http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=7994

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has lifted a ban on the sale of caviar by allowing five countries bordering the Caspian Sea to resume fishing, excluding beluga, in limited quantities.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=498&ArticleID=5478&l=en
http://www.cites.org

In Canada, warm weather has forces the province of Ontario's largest ski resort, Blue Mountain, to close. 1.300 workers have been let go. Similar problems are affecting ski resorts across the Northern Hemisphere.
http://www.thestar.com/article/168483

On 1 January the EU End of Life Vehicles directive that disposes of old cars at no charge has come into force. This scheme has been put in place to expand recycling, and will apply to electrical and electronic goods later this year. The directive also reduces harmful materials including lead and mercury in newly manufactured models.
http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2000/l_269/l_26920001021en00340042.pdf
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/elvehicledir.htm

Norwegian Prime Minister Jen Stoltenberg announced in his New Year address that the government would purchase emissions credits to offset government employees' travel abroad.
http://odin.dep.no/smk/norsk/aktuelt/pressesenter/pressem/0/dok-bn.html

A consortium of environmental organizations warns that urgent action is required to avoid wiping out Scotland's marine life within 50 years. Reducing refuse is also essential.
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=26872007
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=33742007

Lack of water at India's Bharatpur bird sanctuary has led to a drastic fall in the migratory bird population.
http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/20336.html

Three months after the 2006 war with Israel, the Lebanese cannot swim in the sea, harvest crops, hike through the woods, drink water or breathe the air without worrying about the environmental impacts of the 34-day conflict. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=78233

Swiss Re has offered each of its employees a rebate of up to CHF 5000 ($4000) for committing to reducing her or his personal carbon footprint.
http://www.swissre.com/

"Smoke, Mirrors and Hot Air: How ExxonMobil Uses Big Tobacco's Tactics to 'Manufacture Uncertainty' on Climate Change" is a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists. It describes how ExxonMobil has funneled nearly $16 million between 1998 and 2005 to a network of 43 advocacy organizations that seek to confuse the public on global warming science. Using the disinformation tactics of the tobacco industry, the report documents how the company has:
* Raised doubts about even the most indisputable scientific evidence
* Funded an array of front organizations to create the appearance of a broad platform for a tight-knit group of vocal climate change contrarians who misrepresent peer-reviewed scientific findings
* Attempted to portray its opposition to action as a positive quest for "sound science" rather than business self-interest
* Used its access to the Bush administration to block federal policies and shape government communications on global warming
http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/ExxonMobil-GlobalWarming-tobacco.html

British climate change minister Ian Pearson criticized UK and US airlines of irresponsibility over reduction of carbon emissions under the EU proposal to cut aircraft emissions. In an interview with the Guardian, Pearson called Ryanair "the irresponsible face of capitalism", said the attitude of major US airlines was "a disgrace", and that British Airways was "only just abut playing ball".
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1983331,00.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/05/britain.ryanair.ap/index.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/06/nryanair06.xml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6233019.stm

The UK Meteorological Office predicts that 2007 will be the warmest year yet.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2007/pr20070104.html

The Earth Policy Institute warns against unintended consequences following a vast expansion in demand for grain to fuel cars.
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update63.htm
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ETM Human Rights
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Violence against aid workers reached its highest level in a decade in 2006, due to escalating conflicts in Darfur, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. New York University's Center on International Cooperation (CIC) and Britain's Overseas Development Institute report 90 major incidents in 2006, compared with 72 in 2005 and 66 in 2004
http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/116732737067.htm

22 UN peacekeepers and civilian staff were also killed.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02289814.htm

2006 was the deadliest year for reporters since scores died during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Reporters Without Borders says at least 81 reporters and 322 media staff were killed. The International Federation of Journalists reports a total of 155 murders. Most of the deaths took place in Iraq.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20286
http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=4534&Language=EN

Ryanair has taken legal action against France's new labor decree, saying it is designed to discourage foreign airlines.
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=07&month=jan&story=gen-en-030107

Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi announced plans to campaign in the UN for a global ban on the death penalty.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L022516.htm

A legislative panel in the US state of New Jersey has called for an end to the death penalty, in favor of life sentences.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03death.html

Somali factions are beginning to conscript increasing numbers of children.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=56884
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ETM Infectious Diseases
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A new mathematical model suggests that rapid detection combined with aggressive education can dramatically curtail outbreaks of emerging infectious disease such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
http://www.uga.edu/news/artman/publish/070103Rapid_reponse_curtialing_disease_outbreak.shtml

The new head of the World Health Organization, Margaret FC Chan, has warned that avian influenza remains a global threat that must be taken seriously. Although there was a lull in infections in recent months, cases have picked up in the last few weeks.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/05/who.chief.ap/

New infections of the deadly H5N1 strain have been confirmed in Hong Kong and Vietnam. Another human case has been confirmed in Indonesia: the country's 75th.
http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

The outbreak in Vietnam presents a particular public health threat due to the combination of cooler weather and the upcoming Tet festival.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6233283.stm

Cornell University researchers find that the H5N2 virus can be eliminated through standard wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. Because H5N1 requires a high-level biosafety facility, the related virus, which does not infect humans, was used as a surrogate to test how likely infections could spread through water.
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan07/H5N2.kr.html

The January issue of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) association's e-Journal features an article about pandemic flu preparedness, which emphasizes planning as the key to survival.
http://www.cpcusociety.org/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/3267/folder/58869/CPCUeJournalJan07article.pdf

Prompt investigation of tuberculosis symptoms may be an effective way to control TB in high HIV prevalence populations, in turn helping to control transmission.
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0040022

At least 60 Kenyans have died of Rift Valley Fever. The government will begin livestock vaccinations to attempt to stem further spread, and has taken steps to inform pastoralists of infection control procedures.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=88830

The Public Library of Science is launching PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
http://www.plosntds.org/
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ETM Legal Systems
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An Australian survey of jurors found that most of them did not know what verdict they had just delivered in a case, with only six of 25 correctly stated. Jurors said that the use of prerecorded video evidence was useful, and trials generally fair. Barristers expressed concern over the findings, which they tie to increased complexity of legislation.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/CJB102.pdf/$file/CJB102.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/barristers-alarmed-by-jurors-confusion/2007/01/02/1167500125074.html

UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston, has called for Iraq to stop executions and overhaul its judicial system to comply with international law, following glaring flaws in Saddam Hussein's trial.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/771742A22EA6FE2EC125725800678C7D?opendocument

Kenyan barristers have rejected police proposals to allow confessions made in custody to be admissible in court.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=88839

South Africa is releasing death-row prisoners who completed a mandatory 20-year-term of the life sentences put in place after the death penalty was abolished in 1995. Releasing these inmates, rather than petty criminals, has proven controversial. Additional prisoners may be released to help reduce overcrowding.
http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/crime1justice/0,2172,141118,00.html
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=294936
http://allafrica.com/stories/200701050189.html

US Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts says that lagging federal judges' salaries threaten the court system.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/publicinfo/year-end/2006year-endreport.pdf
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-judges1jan01,0,2808079.story
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ETM Natural Resources
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Argentina and Chile have approved extraction of gold from the Pascua Lama mountain on their border. The mining puts at risk glacial waters that supply drinking and irrigation for the communities in the valley below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6214939.stm
http://www.barrick.com/Default.aspx?SectionID=bc4a30a5-5fbd-43d5-ac2f-efbd784058f6&LanguageId=1

Mongolia is in no hurry to approve plans for massive copper and gold mining.
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=8584

Romanian environmentalists are objecting to plans for an open pit gold mine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/business/worldbusiness/03gold.html

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ETM Populations
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In Australia, the Aboriginal Githabul tribe has won joint control of the rainforests in New South Wales, which is listed as a World Heritage site. The historic land-sharing agreement recognizes the historic rights of Aborigines and their traditional activities, including hunting protected native species. The Githabul people hope that jobs and economic stability will follow.
http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20999226-7583,00.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/native-title-deal-after-11-years/2007/01/02/1167500125111.html
http://www.nit.com.au/

As part of China's effort to move closer to gender equality, Henan Province has banned the sale of abortion drugs.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-01/03/content_773642.htm

Life for India's forgotten forest tribes is described in this feature from Reuters reporter Rupam Jain Nair:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL254638.htm

Japan's birth rate rose slightly for the first time in six years, with a fertility rate of 1.29 compared to the record low of 1.26 in 2005. A rate of 2.1 is necessary to prevent a population drop. The Health Ministry predicts a fall in 2007 and a continued downward trend that could see the population fall by as much as 30 percent in the next 50 years, with a doubling of the population over 65 years of age.
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070101p2a00m0na015000c.html
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ETM Social Responsibility
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Social Funds lists the five top socially responsible investing news stories of 2006:
* Green investing booms,
* Microfinance pioneer wins Nobel Peace Prize
* Shareowner democracy increases
* Resolutions receive record votes
* UN launches Principles of Responsible Investment
http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2197.html

CSRWire reports its top Corporate Social Responsibility news of 2006.
http://www.csrwire.com/PressRelease.php?id=7173
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ETM Technology
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Plastic Logic has announced plans to build the world's first plastic electronics factory. Using plastic instead of silicon could reduce the price of electronic circuitry by as much as 90 percent.
http://www.plasticlogic.com/

Imperial College London researchers working on diseases of the poor, have found a way potentially to bypass patents by altering the molecular structure, in this case, of an existing Hepatitis C drug.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,1981199,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6224601.stm
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos has released the first images of a private space craft being developed by his company, Blue Origin.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/060705_blue_origin.html
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ETM Weapons (WMD, Proliferation)
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The Institute for National Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University said in its annual report that Iran, which Israel considers its most serious threat, will possess nuclear weapons unless military action is taken against it, and Israel could carry out such an attack
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/808677.html

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised an "historic slap" to the West if they use force against Iran's nuclear program.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78121

Here are two stories that discuss the history of the Polonium-210 and the Russian intelligence investigation in the case of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. The third article describes production of the substance.
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-polonium1jan01,0,222076.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-spies2jan02,0,3297838.story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/06/AR2007010601491.html

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) has released a new report, "Shipments of Weapons-Usable Plutonium in the Commercial Nuclear Industry". It finds that "approximately 100 commercial shipments of unirradiated plutonium take place per year, or one shipment every several days.... These 100 shipments contain in total about 25 tons of unirradiated plutonium. With eight kilograms of unirradiated plutonium enough to make a nuclear weapon, these shipments contain enough weapon-usable plutonium for about 3,100 nuclear weapons". The report proceeds to discuss the risk this presents throughout the supply chain.
http://www.isis-online.org/global_stocks/end2003/plutonium_shipments.pdf.

Popular Mechanics discusses North Korea's biochemical threat.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4208958.html

Australia is attempting to track missing rocket launchers stolen during transit from the US manufacturer and after delivery.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/search-continues-for-other-missing-weapons/2007/01/05/1167777279269.html

Israel is now the world's third largest defense exporter, just behind the US and Russia. Sales in 2006 exceeded $4.4 billion. Three-quarters was sold to foreign militaries, and the largest customer was India, with $1.5 billion, followed by $1 billion to the US and $800 million in Europe.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467639780&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Russia (the world's second largest weapons supplier) will deliver anti-aircraft missiles to Iran and Syria as scheduled.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78122

5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor

Critical Infrastructure Monitor gives you the background and analysis missing from these news briefings. Subscriptions can be purchased from our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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CIM Agriculture and Food
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EU rules improving the quality of life for animals in transport have entered into force.
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/2&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070105b.htm

The Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers Union, Applied Research Forum and Forum for the Future, Defra and others have launched a new project to communicate climate change to farmers, growers and land owners, and highlight the economic opportunities, not just the environment threats.
http://www.ofc.org.uk/
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/farm-0103.htm
http://www.climatechallenge.gov.uk/whats_being_done/projects/forumforfuture/default.aspx
http://www.cla.org.uk/News%20and%20Press/News_Releases/Planning/Planning/6213.htm/

A massive increase in the demand for grain to fuel vehicles is likely to lead to huge increases in the prices of corn and other grains, threatening food security, and hurting poor countries.
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update63.htm (press release)
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update63_data.htm (data)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N04164425.htm
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CIM Banking and Finance
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US federal financial regulators issued a final statement on the complex structured finance activities of financial institutions. It describes the types of internal controls and risk management procedures that should help financial institutions identify, manage, and address the heightened legal and reputational risks that may arise from certain complex structured finance transactions (CSFTs).
http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2007-1a.pdf
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CIM Commercial Facilities
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The International Council of Shopping Centers and the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University have developed the first standardized anti-terrorism curriculum written for the estimated 20,000 mall security guards in the US.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/AR2007010201094.html
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CIM Cybersecurity
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A cross-scripting vulnerability in Adobe Reader requires a software upgrade.
http://events.ccc.de/congress/2006/Fahrplan/events/1602.en.html
http://secunia.com/advisories/23483
http://www.disenchant.ch/blog/hacking-with-browser-plugins/34
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/815960

New Year greetings proved a handy way to spread malicious software, notably spam worms.
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32drefv.html
http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2005/01/va_wurmarkd.html

A patch has been released for a critical vulnerability in OpenOffice.org
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2007-0001.html
http://secunia.com/advisories/23612/
http://www.openoffice.org/

The "Month of Apple Bugs" project is reporting a flaw a day. A buffer overflow vulnerability in QuickTime affects both Mac OS X and Windows computers, and worth taking precautions to avoid. Patches are also coming out.
http://projects.info-pull.com/moab/index.html
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/442497
http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=1993
http://landonf.bikemonkey.org/code/macosx

Washington Post reporter Stuart Krebs reveals that exploits for critical unpatched flaws in Internet Explorer meant it was unsafe for any user for 284 days in 2006. For at least 98 days no patches were available for flaws actively exploited to steal personal data. In contrast to these multiple overlapping periods of vulnerability, Firefox users were exposed to actively exploited critical, unpatched flaws for only nine days in 2006.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2007/01/internet_explorer_unsafe_for_2.html

Phishers are beginning to replace HTML with Flash to try to bypass anti-phishing tools.
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/archive-012007.html#00001066
http://www.antiphishing.org/

The theft last November of a computer from an Ohio healthcare contractor has exposed sensitive data of tens of thousands of patients in five healthcare firms across five states.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9007199

The Electronic Privacy Information Center has released its 2006 Privacy Year in Review.
http://www.epic.org/alert/EPIC_Alert_yir2006.html

University of Cambridge researchers hacked a chip and pin terminal and used it to play Tetris. You can see it being played on YouTube.
http://www.lightbluetouchpaper.org/2006/12/24/chip-pin-terminal-playing-tetris

Researchers hare released proof-of-concept code to exploit vulnerabilities in phones running Windows mobile versions.
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/archive-122006.html#00001064

Issues with electronic voting persist, including the decertification of Ciber Inc. (like Diebold, a significant contributor to the Republican party.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/washington/04voting.html
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9007005&source=NLT_PM&nlid=8
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9006988&source=NLT_PM&nlid=8
http://www.wijvertrouwenstemcomputersniet.nl/English
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CIM Dams and Bridges
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India has completed construction of the controversial Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada River.
http://www.sardarsarovardam.org/
http://www.narmada.org/
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CIM Defense Industrial Base
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Laws are beginning to catch up with military contractors.
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,121592,00.html

"Technology Collection Trends in the U.S. Defense Industry" is a report from the US Defense Security Service that finds increased levels of foreign spy activity to obtain military technology.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/200-9819r.htm
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CIM Emergency Services
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In New South Wales, Australian, opposition politicians have called for ambulances to be fitted with GPS, to avoid officers bringing in their own devices. Only 45 of the state's 11000 ambulances are fitted with GPS.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/coalition-says-satellite-mapping-a-matter-of-urgency-for-ambos/2007/01/06/1167777325499.html

A major bus crash in the UK revealed issues with emergency response. Although it was a mass casualty incident, response systems automatically classify most road accidents as a class B emergency, which is not life threatening. Staff cannot override this system, which delayed the response.
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=20992007

Following a successful pilot in Edinburgh, the National Health Service plans to direct ambulance calls to the NHS 24 helpline, reserving 999 ambulance calls for urgent cases.
http://www.nhs24.com/html/content/default.asp?page=s20
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6233721.stm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released scorecard assessments of interoperable communications capabilities in 75 urban and metropolitan areas nationwide. Interoperable communications involve policies, technology and training that enable law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services from multiple jurisdictions in a common community to effectively communicate within one hour of an incident. Key findings include:
* Policies for interoperable communications are now in place in all 75 urban and metropolitan areas.
* Regular testing and exercises are needed to effectively link disparate systems and facilitate communications between multi-jurisdictional responders (including state and federal).
* Cooperation among first responders in the field is strong, but formalized governance (leadership and strategic planning) across regions is not as advanced.
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1167843848098.shtm
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CIM Energy
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Soaring summer temperatures in Argentina combined with price caps on electricity are putting crippling pressure on the electrical power grid.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ca9b1290-9a93-11db-bbd2-0000779e2340,_i_rssPage=8fa2c9cc-2f77-11da-8b51-00000e2511c8.html

Belarus has agreed to double its payments to Russian gas monopoly Gazprom to $100 per thousand cubic meters, a reduction from the $105 originally demanded.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6221835.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/12/31/gas.belarus.russia.ap/index.html
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/3&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

To compensate for the increase, Belarus has imposed a $45 per ton transit fee on Russian oil pumped through Belarus pipelines to Europe. Russia, in turn, has stopped sugar imports.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,457776,00.html
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8MDRVHG0.htm

China's CITIC Group has completed its acquisition of the Karazhanbasmunai unit of Canada's Nations Energy, which operates this oilfield in western Kazakhstan.
http://www.nationsenergyltd.com/

Following a gas crunch in Iran due to cold weather, supplies to Turkey were cut off. Turkey has sufficient supplies to compensate, and supplies from Russia increased.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=63074

Ukraine is still suffering the aftereffects of Russian cuts last year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6222355.stm

RWE npower has decided not to move forward with conversion from petroleum to palm oil.
http://www.npowermediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=960&NewsAreaID=2

Demand for biofuels is likely to lead to huge increases in the prices of corn and other grains, which would harm poor countries.
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update63.htm
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CIM Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
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"Shipments of Weapons-Usable Plutonium in the Commercial Nuclear Industry", a new report from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) discusses supply chain risks of proliferation.
http://www.isis-online.org/global_stocks/end2003/plutonium_shipments.pdf.

Australia and China have ratified their Nuclear Transfer and Nuclear Cooperation agreements, which means exports of Australian uranium to China can begin in early February.
http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2007/fa001_07.html

India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of nuclear facilities in accordance with an agreement not to attack each other's installations.
http://meaindia.nic.in/
http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/02/stories/2006010214400100.htm

US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman has dismissed Linton Brooks, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, because of repeated security breaches at weapons facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/04/nuclear.dismissal/index.html
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2007-01-05T000105Z_01_N04207452_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-USA-NUCLEAR.xml
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CIM Postal and Shipping
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In December, US President Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which enhanced the right not to have first-class mail searched without a judge's approval. In a signing statement, Bush said he would construe an exception to allow searches as necessary:
"The executive branch shall construe subsection 404(c) of title 39, as enacted by subsection 1010(e) of the Act, which provides for opening of an item of a class of mail otherwise sealed against inspection, in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence collection."
http://www.nydailynews.com/01-04-2007/news/story/485535p-408789c.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-01-04-mail-inspection_x.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070104.html

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offers this account of the 1989 mail bomb murders:
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/dec06/vanpac122606.htm
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CIM Public Health and Healthcare
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More than 200 million children in the developing world are failing to reach their intellectual and educational potential, but research shows that relatively simple programs, like providing basic toys, would tackle these problems effectively.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03199824.htm

Nancy Trejos describes how "Iraq's Woes Are Adding Major Risks to Childbirth".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301666.html

Following reports that circumcision used with other infection control measures can reduce risk of HIV infection Ugandan men have been taking this step in record numbers.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/news/news01022.php

The CACI/TNS HealthAcorn Report reviews the health of the British population geographically. It finds that eight of the ten least healthy places in the UK are in south Wales, and its post-industrial heritage. The Isles of Scilly are the healthiest. There is a trend towards inner cities replacing former industrial towns as the unhealthiest places.
http://www.caci.co.uk/acorn/healthacorn.asp
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/health/6225695.stm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=425880&in_page_id=1774

There may also be a risk of fake drugs making their way into the health supply chain.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2119070.ece

British think tank Reform released "NHS Reform: The Empire Strikes Back". It calls 2007 a make or break year for England's National Health Service. It says that in 2006 the traditional monopoly reasserted itself to delay progress, and the long term costs of manpower and infrastructure have not been addressed.
http://www.reform.co.uk/website/pressroom/news.aspx?o=27
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CIM Telecommunications
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Disruptions to internet links on the first day back to work after an earthquake damaged fiber optic cables in the Pacific caused serious but manageable problems. Hong Kong's telecommunication authority OFTA assumed emergency powers as repairs continued, and asked for limits on non-essential activities, particularly those requiring international connections or large bandwidth. As the Pacific Telecommunications Council reported, "the earthquake and aftershocks jolted Asia for hours but the telecommunications disruptions may reverberate for weeks". They added that "The disaster highlights the vulnerability of international telecommunications in a global economy that has grown dependent on real-time communications. It also raises the stakes for $500 million in planned investments in new transpacific undersea cables."
http://www.ptc07news.org/more.php?id=8_0_2_0_M
http://www.ptc07news.org/more.php?id=11_0_4_0_M
http://www.ofta.gov.hk/en/press_rel/2007/Jan_2007_r4.html
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS_FLASH010220072217_23.htm

BT has connected its 10 millionth broadband internet user. They had targeted half this number by the end of 2006, and have wildly exceeded this.
http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/Showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=93b996af-c537-4e63-8865-87cf7b77d122
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CIM Transportation
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Coordinating a plethora of new aviation security measures will be one of the challenges of 2007.
http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2007/01/02/Navigation/177/211287/Forecasts+2007+Terrorist+incidents+have+forced+new+security+measures,+but+regulations+must+be.html

Airlines are a major source of carbon emissions and their unwillingness to act drew condemnation from UK climate change minister Ian Pearson, who warned airlines to take climate change seriously. Discussing Ryanair, he said, " When it comes to climate change, Ryanair are not just the unacceptable face of capitalism, they are the irresponsible face of capitalism. [CEO] O'Leary just seems to take pride in refusing to recognize that climate change is a genuine problem". American airlines, "... just seem to be saying they don't want anything to do with the trading scheme, and that they will take the EU to court if transatlantic flights are included. It is completely irresponsible."
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1983331,00.html

The US Federal Aviation Administration has extended war risk insurance coverage to 31 August 2007.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/insurance_program/ext_coverage/

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the final rule for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which requires background checks before workers are granted unescorted access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. TWIC will now be phased in over 20 months, reflecting that the original implementation timetable was impractical.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_01032007.shtm

Saudi Arabia will implement mandatory cargo and freight scans from May.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=90666&d=6&m=1&y=2007

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that dieting and other passenger illnesses are the third leading cause of subway delays, after track work and signal problems.
http://www.amny.com/news/health/ny-nydiet035037967jan03,0,3145710.story
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CIM Water
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Standard wastewater and drinking water treatment systems are likely to prevent H5N1 avian influenza transmission.
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan07/H5N2.kr.html

Australia's continued drought has led to a range of water strategies, including restricted use, recycled water even for drinking, and desalination.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/scorchedearth/tourists-welcomed-with-water-warning/2007/01/02/1167500125119.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/scorchedearth/plan-to-add-treated-effluent-to-aquifer/2007/01/02/1167500125125.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/scorchedearth/nsw-goes-against-flow-on-water/2007/01/02/1167500125064.html

6. Disaster Reduction Monitor

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. Disaster Reduction Monitor subscriptions and other titles can be purchased here:
TAMNI Publications

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DRM Incidents
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Last weekend the Senopati Nusantara ferry sank in the Java Sea. Its captain and some 220 of the 600 passengers on board have been rescued. Most of the others probably perished in the high seas, although some may yet be found on outlying islands.

An Adam Air Boeing 737 disappeared in Indonesian waters near Sulawesi. The plane carried 102 people. The plane was lost on Monday, and has not been found. Given this, there are unlikely to be any survivors.

A cold spell in Bangladesh has left more than 100 dead in the past five days.

An outbreak of Rift Valley Fever that has killed at least 60 people in Kenya's Northeastern Province is spreading south, despite livestock infection control measures.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=56918

A bus carrying about 100 passengers crashed and its natural gas cylinder caught fire southeast of the Bangladesh capital Shaka. Up to 70 people were killed.

Mudslides in Brazil killed at least 31 people.

In Democratic Republic of Congo, a diamond pit collapsed after heavy rains. At least 13 miners were killed.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, a passenger bus plunged into a gorge, killing at least 13, and injuring more than 40, of whom at least 16 were in critical condition.

Severe winter storms in the central US have contributed to 12 deaths, most road accidents, and left thousands without electricity. The states of Kansas and New Mexico declared a state of emergency following the second severe storm within two weeks, dumping up to 35 inches of snow across the region. Efforts are under way to ensure that cattle are provided food, since their grazing land is inaccessible.

The London-to-Aberdeen express bus overturned, leaving two dead and many injured, including several that suffered traumatic amputations.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6229719.stm
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=20992007
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DRM Response and Recovery
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Survivors of the Indonesian passenger ferry sinking told their stories:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/01/03/ferry.survivors.ap/index.html

New guidelines without force of law and poor planning have led post-Katrina reconstruction efforts to make the same mistakes that had left homes vulnerable before.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301593.html
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DRM Risks
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The nature of wildfires changes as private homes and communities push closer to remote public lands. As the cost of the fires grows, there is a dispute among government authorities over who should pay.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/us/03fire.html

Turkey lies on a major earthquake fault, where 90 quakes with a magnitude above 5 have occurred since 1903. Substandard buildings will likely make the next large quake a major disaster, with deaths in excess of 100,000, and devastating property damage.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1299879.htm

7. Recommended Reading

Following the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, this week's recommendations focus on his life.

We start with biographical coverage:
Said K. Aburish , "Saddam Hussein : The Politics of Revenge" (Bloomsbury, 2000) is a detailed, authoritative biography by a journalist and Iraqi government consultant.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saddam/readings/stones.html
http://www.islamonline.net/english/ArtCulture/2001/07/article15.shtml

Out of the Ashes: The Resurrection of Saddam Hussein by Andrew Cockburn and Patrick Cockburn (HarperCollins 2000) is half background on Hussein's rise to power, and half the US attempts to overthrow its former ally. It is painful but essential reading.
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060929831/Out_of_the_Ashes/index.aspx
http://www.casi.org.uk/discuss/1999/msg00313.html
http://www.politicalreviewnet.com/polrev/reviews/MEPO/R_1061_1924_005_20642.asp
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19990701fabook1213/andrew-patrick-cockburn/out-of-the-ashes-the-resurrection-of-saddam-hussein.html

Efraim Karsh "Saddam Hussein: A Political Biography" (Brassey's, 1991)
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/878
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19911201fabook6961/efraim-karsh-inari-rautsi/saddam-hussein-a-political-biography.html
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/humanities/medstu/ek.html

"The Saddam Hussein Reader", edited by Turi Munthe, is a collection of essays and excerpts from leading writers on Iraq. (Thunder's Mouth Press, 2002)
http://www.pgw.com/catalog/search.asp?ISBN=1560254289

Finally, Shiva Balaghi's "Saddam Hussein: A Biography" (Greenwood, 2005), is an excellent history, aimed at High School students.
http://www.bloomsbury.com/BookCatalog/ProductItem.asp?S=1&sku=1113161
http://www.greenwood.com/books/printFlyer.aspx?sku=GR3077

Here are links to transcripts of sample speeches and interviews:
Transcript of Saddam Hussein's speech to Iraqis, 3 September 1996
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9609/03/saddam.transcript/
Televised address by the Iraqi president to mark the 82nd anniversary of the establishment of the country's army, 6 January 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,869642,00.html
CBS 60 Minutes Interview, 24 February 2003
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/26/60II/main542151.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/26/60II/main542152.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/26/60II/main542155.shtml
Excerpts from National Address 24 March 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,920868,00.html
Messages read by Information Minister Saeed al-Sahaf, April 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,927647,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,929779,00.html
Translation of a letter to the Iraqi people, 30 April 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,946805,00.html
Court Hearing 1 July 2004
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20462-2004Jul1.html

Although most of Saddam Hussein's writings were political in nature, he is also responsible for five novels.
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/1947
http://activistsreader.com/articles%20folder/lost-in-translation.html

"Zabiba and the King" is an allegorical love story, in which the US is portrayed as a cruel and violent husband, compared to the love between the king and a beautiful commoner. A play based on the novel was performed in Baghdad, as was a musical, and it has been translated into several languages.
http://virtualbookworm.com/store/product.php?productid=16956&cat=0&page=1
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article47730.ece

"The Fortified Castle", a/k/a "Steadfast Ediface", a/k/a "Impregnable Fortress" is in another bodice ripper.
http://www.worldpress.org/Mideast/487.cfm
http://www.reason.com/news/show/28465.html

"Men and the City" is about the Ba'ath party
http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=6171

"Begone, Demons", a/k/a "Devil's Dance", a/k/a "Get Out, You Damned One" is also an allegorical novel, written shortly before the invasion. The book was published - and banned - in Jordan. The ban turned it into a bestseller.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/12/17/wbook17.xml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-1675968,00.html
http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=2108
http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=8815
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP50903

"The Great Awakening"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1254716,00.html

And finally, in his final days Saddam Hussein turned to poetry. These are believed among his last written words:
"The enemies forced strangers into our sea
And he who serves them will be made to weep.
Here we unveil our chests to the wolves
And will not tremble before the beast."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/world/middleeast/04stext.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/world/middleeast/04saddam.html

8. Asset Management Network News

TAMNI has released two new Special Reports. "The Interconnected Century: Critical Security Issues" describes the ways in which individuals, governments, and businesses rely for their very survival on networks, both explicit and informal. It raises the issues of how these networks interact, and provides examples of practical ways to address risks and opportunities in each sector of the critical infrastructure.

"Trends in Terrorism 2006" provides statistical summaries and analysis of the trends in attacks, tactics, facilities, geographic distribution and other areas for 2006. It includes quantitative comparison over time, and compares these to trends over the past 40 years, and how they compare to natural disasters. This year has expanded to include a chronology of major incidents.

People who purchase a subscription to one of the Asset Management Network Monitors receive related Special Reports at no additional charge. If you purchase one of our premium subscription services between now and 31 January, ten percent of the purchase price will be donated to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
http://secure.netsolhost.com/573566.585211/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=TP