INTERNATIONAL SECURITY NEWS BRIEFS:
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A look at world's deadliest air disasters June 2, 2009

French plane lost in ocean storm June 1, 2009
An Air France airliner carrying 228 people from Brazil to Paris vanishes over the Atlantic after a possible lightning strike.

Venezuela seizes US pasta company  May 18, 2009
Venezuelan officials accompanied by soldiers have seized "temporary" control of a US-owned pasta producer.
Venezuela says the plant, owned by the big US firm Cargill, had violated regulations on price controls intended to guarantee cheap food for the poor.
Swine flu: HK quarantines hundreds at hotel May 2, 2009
East Asia / Pacific - China  Hundreds of tourists and employees were under quarantine in a downtown Hong Kong hotel Saturday after a Mexican guest tested positive for swine flu. With the outbreak on its doorstep, China suspended direct flights from the Latin American country.

Thai troops crack down on protesters April 13, 2009
East Asia / Pacific - Thailand  Thai soldiers fired volleys of shots in the air to disperse protesters blocking key roads in Bangkok Monday, as the first show of force by the government since declaring emergency rule left 74 wounded.

Ship Captain Rescued From Somali Pirates Sunday, April 12, 2009 
American sea Captain Richard Phillips was safely rescued Sunday from four Somali pirates, who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a U.S. intelligence official said.

Thai protests cancel Asian summit April 11, 2009 
A summit of Asian leaders in Thailand is cancelled after anti-government protesters break into the venue.

Northern India tourist area hit by quake April 9, 2009
NEW DELHI, April 9 (UPI) -- A tourist district in northern India was hit by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake Thursday, injuring three people and damaging a number of buildings, officials said.

Massive Bangkok Protest Planned for April 8, 2009
On April 7, 2009, the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok issued the following Warden Message: This warden message alerts U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that perhaps as many as 100,000 or more protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or the “red shirts’) will congregate tomorrow, April 8, at Government House.Click here for full report

Powerful Italian quake kills many April 6, 2009
At least 90 people are believed dead and tens of thousands homeless after an earthquake strikes L'Aquila in central Italy.

Government warns of growing terrorism threat March 30, 2009
The government warned of a growing terrorist risk from chemical, biological and radiological weapons Tuesday and pinpointed al Qaeda in Pakistan as a key threat as it revamped its national security strategy. The government also said its updated counter-terrorism policy would focus efforts on trying to prevent young Muslims from being radicalised by violent Islamists, and involve ordinary Britons in tackling the threat.

In Drug War, Mexico Fights Cartel and Itself March 30, 2009
REYNOSA, Mexico — An army convoy on the hunt for traffickers rolled out of its base recently in this border town under the control of the Gulf Cartel — and an ominous voice crackled over a two-way radio frequency to announce just that.

B.C., Mexico team up to fight gangs March 24, 2009
British Columbia and Mexico plan to co-ordinate their fight against multinational gangs smuggling drugs across borders, B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal said Monday.  more...

70,000 Asian children in sex tourism--NGO March 17, 2009
More than 70,000 children across Asia are being used by sex tourists, mainly in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, an independent expert said Thursday.

Project to get elephants off the mean streets of Bangkok March 13, 2009
The Nation - Thailand's English news
In honour of National Thai Elephant Day yesterday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced a new project aimed at reducing the number of elephants on Bangkok streets.

Violent spillover from Mexico is focus of House hearing March 12, 2009
CNN International - USA
In recent weeks, the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Germany have issued alerts about travel to Mexico. "The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of

US report highlights human rights problems in Bulgaria February 25, 2009
Sofia Echo - Sofia,Bulgaria
During 2008 there was an increase in ransom kidnappings involving wealthy .... Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Western Europe. ...

On 02-19-2009, the U.S. Embassy was notified that there were reports on Stockholm Radio P4 regarding possible threats to American interests.  A reporter on the radio apparently stated that individuals were passing out leaflets in Ronna, Södertälje encouraging the public to make Molotov Cocktails and use them on shops selling American products.  

Deadly Australian bushfires flare February 23, 2009
East Asia / Pacific - Australia  More Australian residents have been forced to flee their homes as renewed bushfires destroyed at least one house and injured three firefighters.

Hundreds turn out to protest gang violence in Metro Vancouver February 23, 2009
Americas - Canada  Hundreds of people, including politicians and police, showed up at a rally in a suburb of Vancouver to protest gang violence in Metro Vancouver.

British, French nuclear subs collide in Atlantic February 16, 2009
Europe - France, United Kingdom  Nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided deep under the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, causing damage to both vessels but releasing no radioactivity, a British official said Monday.

France's role in Holocaust legally recognized February 16, 2009
The Times of India
PARIS: France's top judicial body on Monday formally recognized the nation's role in deporting Jews to Nazi death camps during the Holocaust - but effectively ruled out any more reparations for the deportees or their families.

This Travel Alert is being updated to warn Americans about heightened security concerns in and around the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf...

Plane crash in NY state kills 50 February 13, 2009
Fifty people have died after a US passenger plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York state. The Continental Connection flight 3407 was five minutes from Buffalo airport when it came down at 2210 (0310 GMT). Officials said there were no survivors from the 45 passengers and four crew on board the flight from Newark. One person on the ground also died.

Mexican drug violence spills over into the U.S. February 10, 2009
The Gulf Cartel, based in Matamoros just south of the Texas border, is one of the most ruthless of the Mexican organizations that deal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin. "He was shackled to a wall and one suspect had an AK-47. ... But El Paso remains one of America's safest cities, something Cuthbertson said is probably a result of the huge law enforcement presence in town, including thousands of Border Patrol and customs agents. ...
SignOnSanDiego.com - http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/

6.0 quake rumbles in Peru February 9, 2009
A significant earthquake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, occurred Monday near the coast of northern Peru, quake monitors said.The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor took place at 9:09 a.m. at a depth of 6.2 miles. Its epicenter was 95 miles west of Chiclayo, 470 miles northwest of Lima and 475 miles south-southwest of Quito, Ecuador.CNN and Sky News said there were no immediate reports ...

Over 200 Americans killed in Mexico since '04 February 9, 2009
Americas - Mexico  More than 200 American citizens have been killed since 2004 in Mexico's escalating wave of violence, amounting to the highest number of unnatural deaths in any foreign country outside military combat zones, according to the U.S. State Department.

Mexico sends more police to airport after assaults February 8, 2009
MEXICO CITY – Mexico has assigned 100 more federal police officers to the capital's airport following a series of assaults on travelers who exchanged money. Five of the victims have been foreigners, including a French scientist who was killed.

Doc's Talk: Gazans Tell How Hamas Used Them As Human Shields
By GS Don Morris, Ph.D.
iii) A correspondent for Italy 's Corriere della Sera talked to Gazans about rocket fire from the roofs of private houses and about Hamas operatives who sought shelter in a hospital. 3. In an article which appeared on ... In addition, during Operation Cast Lead, terrorists hid in hospitals and operated from within them, correctly assuming that the Israeli security forces would not enter medical institutions and would abstain from attacking hospitals. The New York Times ...
Doc's Talk - http://docstalk.blogspot.com/

Who do pirates call to get their cash? January 29, 2009
Last year alone pirate gangs were paid an estimated £35m from holding scores of ships and hundreds of crew members to ransom. But securing their release is ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7847351.stm

Japan sends ships to fight Somali pirates January 28, 2009
Japan on Wednesday ordered its ships to join the international fight against pirates off the shores of Somalia a move that has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers who fear it could draw the country into military operations prohibited by its pacifist constitution.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-01-28-japan-somalia-piracy_N.htm?csp=34

French strike to cause severe travel disruption January 28, 2009
Europe - France  International and domestic air and rail travel will be severely disrupted in France on Thursday due to a nationwide strike to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, officials warned.
http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/local_news/French-strike-to-cause-severe-travel-disruption_49046.html

Maoists torch 11 cement trucks January 23, 2009
South / Central Asia - India
As many as 11 cement-laden trucks were set ablaze in Rohtas district and a mobile tower was blown up in Gaya by Naxalites early on Thursday during a bandh called by CPI(Maoist).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Maoists_torch_11_cement_trucks/articleshow/4020032.cms

Namibia: Old Mutual Warns Against '419' Scams January 23, 2009
E-mails that have been circulating recently purport that certain individuals have received policy payouts from Old Mutual London worth millions of pounds, and that they are awaiting the transfer of funds to them.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200901230588.html

Thailand refuses to grant access to Myanmar boat people January 23, 2009
Thailand's prime minister Wednesday refused to grant UN experts access to 126 boat people from Myanmar, following allegations that the Thai army had left them to die on the open seas.
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=845418&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_world&cate_rss=WORLD_eng 

Al Qaeda figure calls for attacks on Britain January 22, 2009
Europe - United Kingdom  A prominent leader of al Qaeda called for attacks in Western countries particularly Britain in retaliation for Israel's offensive in Gaza, arguing that London was behind the creation of the Jewish state.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090122/wl_nm/us_qaeda_britain_threat;_ylt=AiuTAK3MewsC590aeptWmgV0bBAF

3 heads found in ice box in northern Mexico January 21, 2009
Americas - Mexico  Prosecutors say three heads were found in an ice box south of Ciudad Juarez, which lies across from El Paso, Texas. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090121/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_violence;_ylt=AsPvPCWkRY2xFcc2M8xy8U63IxIF

The Road to the Horizon: The 2009 Human Rights Watch Report is out. January 18, 2009
Succumbing to competing interests and credibility problems of their own making, they have let themselves be outmaneuvered and sidelined in UN venues such as the Security Council and the Human Rights Council, and in the policy debates ...
http://www.theroadtothehorizon.org/2009/01/2009-human-rights-watch-report-is-out.html

Women Against Shariah: Islamic rebels kidnap Red Cross workers in ...
Most were freed after payment of ransom but three were beheaded, including an American, and an American missionary was killed in a shootout between the kidnappers and the army. The Abu Sayyaf has also been blamed for the bombing of a ...
Women Against Shariah - http://womenagainstshariah.blogspot.com/

Dutch seek Somali pirates' extradition from Denmark January 15, 2009
AFP via Yahoo! News
The Netherlands has asked Denmark to extradite five pirates detained by the Danish navy in the Gulf of Aden while attacking a Dutch cargo vessel, the Dutch government said Thursday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090115/wl_africa_afp/somaliapiracyshippingnetherlandsdenmark_20090115175206

2001 terror plot crushed in Bangkok Jan. 14, 2009
Bangkok Post - Thailand's English news
Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists planned to steal a plane at the Bangkok airport at Don Mueang and crash it into the Changi Airport but the plan was broken up when Thai authorities discovered key details.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asian/135861/2001-terror-plot-crushed-in-bangkok

World’s top 5 murder capitals January 08, 2009
Americas, East Asia / Pacific, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa - Papua New Guinea, Russia, South Africa, Venezuela
 The Washington DC-based Foreign Policy publication, in its edition last September, lists Port Moresby alongside Caracas (Venezuela), Cape Town (South Africa), New Orleans (USA) and Moscow (Russia) as cities where you have a very good chance of getting murdered. The Foreign Policy website (www.foreignpolicy.com), on which the listing is still available, says when it comes to brutal, homicidal violence, these five cities stand in a class of their own.
http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5748&change=71&changeown=79&Itemid=26

FBI warns of cyber attack threat January 07, 2009
Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
Cyber attacks pose the greatest threat to the United States after nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction - and they are increasingly hard to prevent, FBI experts say. . .
Evan Kohlmann, an investigator with Global Terror Alert, based in Washington, said websites and social networking tools already allow underground Islamist ...
http://news.smh.com.au/world/fbi-warns-of-cyber-attack-threat-20090107-7bot.html

Argentina's Deadly Yellow Fever Outbreak Spurs Mass Vaccination Jan.6, 2009
Americas - Argentina  Argentina is mass-vaccinating people against yellow fever amid concern its first deadly outbreak of the disease in 42 years may spread from jungle areas to cities.
 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aKbfIEUciQ9M

Caracas named 'murder capital of world' January 02, 2009
Americas - Venezuela  At least 510 people were killed in Caracas, Venezuela, in December, giving support to a recent report that called the city the murder capital of the world.

9 Muslim Passengers Removed From Jet January 02, 2009
Others on Flight Say a Remark Was 'Suspicious'
Officials ordered nine Muslim passengers, including three young children, off an AirTran flight headed to Orlando from Reagan National Airport yesterday afternoon after two other passengers overheard what they thought was a suspicious remark.

Bali tourists on alert for high waves from cyclone Billy December 29, 2008
"The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has warned all tourists visiting Bali to stay alert because cyclone Billy may be bearing waves up to 3-and-a-half meters high to the southern coastline. kompas.com reports."

Coffee bar explosion injures one in Kunming December 24, 2008
East Asia / Pacific - China  A man was seriously injured on Wednesday in an explosion at a coffee bar here in southwest China's Yunnan Province, police and witnesses said.

Brazil flooding subsides after stranding motorists December 24, 2008
Americas - Brazil  Traffic returned to normal Tuesday in the industrial city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, a day after flooding from a strong rainstorm stranded hundreds of motorists.

Pirates release Yemeni cargo ship December 03, 2008
Somali pirates have freed a Yemeni cargo ship captured 10 days ago without a ransom, says a minister.

Thai airport protests called off December 02, 2008
Thai anti-government protesters agree to end their occupation of Bangkok's airports, letting thousands of tourists leave.

East Asia / Pacific - Japan
Japan rocked by major earthquake July 16, 2007
An earthquake has struck central Japan, killing at least seven people, flattening buildings and triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant. Hundreds of people were injured when the 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the Niigata area.

Europe - Italy
U.S. Embassy warns tourists of Naples waste  July 10, 2007
The US embassy in Rome has warned American tourists that they may face health risks if they travel to Naples, because of the city's rubbish crisis. The streets of the southern Italian city have been strewn with rotting waste since May.

Europe - Germany, Greece
Greek jet makes emergency landing   April 23, 2007
A Greek aircraft carrying MEPs has made an emergency landing in Germany's Munich airport following a bomb threat, German and Greek officials have said.

Europe - Russia
Lockdown for foreigners at Moscow school April 19, 2007
A leading Moscow university ordered its foreign students on Thursday to remain in their dormitories for the next three days because of fears of ethnic violence before Adolf Hitler's birthday this weekend, students said.

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Sub-Saharan Africa - Tanzania
Tourists attacked in Tanzania  Mar. 22, 2007
Nairobi - Two US tourists and their Tanzanian guide were shot and wounded by robbers in northern Tanzania. 

East Asia / Pacific - Philippines
Cargo ships sinks in Philippines Mar. 21, 2007
A cargo ship sank in the northern Philippines on Wednesday, leaving one crewman dead and five missing, the coast guard said. Thirteen others were rescued. The Panamanian-registered ship MV Unicorn Ace sank about 80 miles off Curimao in Ilocos Norte province, which is about 250 miles north of Manila, said Amado Lorenzana, a coast guard officer.

East Asia / Pacific - China
Security tight in China riot town Mar. 15, 2007
Zhushan City, China: Security is tight in a town in central China following riots that involved as many as 20,000 people.

Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria
Lagos Carjacking Highlights Increased Risk Mar. 6, 2007
An employee of an American organization and her personal driver were victims of a carjacking outside her Lagos office compound. She reported being told by the carjackers that they were going to kill her, and that they knew she was American.

Americas, East Asia / Pacific, Middle East / N. Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa - Canada, China, Egypt, Kenya, Somalia
Canadian Passport Has No Shield Mar. 2, 2007
The lure of "home'' is powerful. But a Canadian passport is no guarantee that citizens won't come to grief when they venture into perilous realms.

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Europe - United Kingdom
Terror threat to Britain worst since 9/11 Feb. 26, 2007
London, Britain: The threat of a terrorist attack in Britain by home-grown Islamists is at its highest since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a newspaper said, citing a secret government report.

Europe - Germany
Couple suspected of threatening to derail trains Feb. 24, 2007
Berlin, Germany: To the relief of the German railways, a couple who threatened over a two-week period to derail trains have been arrested on extortion charges, police in Berlin said Thursday.

Sub-Saharan Africa - Guinea
Guinea Airport Situation Feb. 14, 2007
This warden message is being issued to update American citizens regarding information on Air France flights out of Guinea. A flight left Guinea for Paris yesterday. We believe Air France will try to operate flights to Paris starting Thursday, February 15 to Sunday February 19, 2007.

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South / Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Earthquake Preparedness Feb. 13, 2007
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan would like to remind American Citizens that Kyrgyzstan is located in a seismically-active zone.

East Asia / Pacific - Philippines
Hundreds flee as clashes erupt in Philippine south Feb. 12, 2007
MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) - Hundreds of people have fled a village in the southern Philippines after troops stormed a Muslim rebel base, hunting for dozens of prisoners who escaped from jail earlier this month, the rebels and officials said on Monday.

East Asia / Pacific - China
Buddhist beheaded in Thai south Feb. 9, 2007
A 72-year-old Buddhist rice miller was beheaded in Thailand's rebellious Muslim south on Thursday in an apparent retaliation for a bomb attack on a village tea shop owned by Muslims, police said.

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Oil workers targeted as Nigeria violence grows Feb. 5, 2007
Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Thousands of foreign workers and their families have left Africa's top oil producer since a faceless new militant group launched unprecedented attacks about a year ago on the places where they work, live and relax.

Sub-Saharan Africa - Cameroon
Safety and Security
Cameroon Carjackers Target Toyota SUVs 1/31/07
U.S. Embassy employees have been briefed on the frequency of carjackings involving high-end Toyota sport utility vehicles to include the Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado

Europe - Netherlands
North Sea Airborne Chemical Danger 1/30/07
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam issued this warning to U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in the Netherlands that the Consulate has been informed that a ship fire west of Amsterdam is releasing large amounts of Hydrogen-Cyanide and Carbon-Monoxide into the air, which is blowing east towards Amsterdam and north towards Beverwijk and Zaanstad.

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East Asia / Pacific - Australia
Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes off Australia's Macquarie Island
SYDNEY, Australia (AP): A magnitude 6.7 earthquake rocked the coast of Australia's remote Macquarie Island Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. 

United Kingdom plans for tougher immigration controls.
Britain: The government says its long-term aim is to be able to identify everyone entering and leaving Britain. It will also make ID cards compulsory for foreign nationals.

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