Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Thread Thirty-One (Index)

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The Threat Matrix

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the judge and get informed!

Home grown Islamists may hit US: FBI chief
Full Story

WASHINGTON -- The United States could be attacked by "home grown" Islamist terror groups, the FBI's chief has warned.

FBI Director Robert Mueller told the London Financial Times newspaper in an interview published Thursday that the United States could face attacks from "home-grown terrorism" very similar to the July 7 bombings in London that killed 52 people and wounded another 700, Mueller said.

When asked if the United States could face such attacks from "home-grown groups", Mueller answered emphatically: "Absolutely, it could," the Financial Times said.

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat."

TM Terrorism Handbook

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"Code Red Implications:
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From Tm'er and Freeper ~MamaDearest~

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Washington campground closed due to e-coli

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has closed the popular Dougan Falls Campground in the Yacolt State Forest in Skamania County. The campground is closed until further notice as precautionary measure to protect public health.

Today, during a routine periodic water quality testing procedure, DNR found e-coli bacteria in the water from one of three spigots in the campground. No e-coli was detected in water from the other two spigots. No illness has been reported by people using the area.

Cause cited for school illnesses in Jacksonville

Onslow County health officials finally know why there was an unusually high number of absences at Dixon Elementary School recently.

In a news release Friday, Health Director George O'Daniel blamed it on an outbreak of the Norwalk virus. The highly contagious virus can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms usually last only one or two days.

Shaking off illness may get tougher with age

The younger adult mouse bounced back from their infection in 24 hours. The older rats were still acting pretty sickly at that point, the study shows.

"As expected, young adults showed signs of improvement eight hours after [infection] and fully recovered by the next day, but the aged animals were still 50% to 60% depressed," says researcher Rodney Johnson, PhD, MS, in a news release.

Pillows can harbor harmful fungi

This fungus commonly invades the lungs and sinuses and can worsen asthma. It is also known to cause infection in leukaemia and bone marrow transplant patients.

The team also found pillows which contained fungi as diverse as bread and vine moulds. Some also had fungi which would usually be found on damp walls.

Dutch arrest 7 terror suspects

The suspects, six men and a woman, were arrested in The Hague, Amsterdam and nearby Almere, the national prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The main suspect according to the authorities is 19-year-old Samir Azzouz, who in April this year was acquitted of charges of planning terrorist attacks because of insufficient evidence. The prosecution has appealed against the ruling.

"Information of the AIVD intelligence service showed that (Azzouz) was trying to get automatic firearms and explosives.

Islamic extremists attack Catholics reciting rosary

The men forced the marian prayer to stop immediately, threatening to burn the place down. They forced all those present including the Ketua Lingkungan (informal parish leader - ed. note) to sign a declaration that they will not hold any more rosary gatherings in houses in the area.

Americans should fast Muslim cleric urges

By fasting on that Friday, (October 21), I mean total abstinence from food, tobacco, drink and intimacy from dawn to dusk. By observing this single contemplative day during Ramadan, I believe people of all faiths can, together, help to make real God/Allah's holy plan for His creation."

AQ exploits blue-eyed Muslim converts

It's striking, the number of converts engaged in terrorist activities," said Michael Taarnby, a researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies who has studied the recruitment and radicalization of Islamist militants.

York workers watch jobs leave for Mexico

Today at noon, nearly all of the 125 workers at York will lose their jobs. CDE, the South Carolina company that bought York in February 2004, will move operations to a factory in Mexicali, Mexico. York is the latest in a series of manufacturers, including the makers of toothbrush bristles, snowshoes and furniture, to leave Vermont for countries such as Mexico and China.

South American, Mexican workers flood New Orleans

Lured by jobs paying $15 to $17 an hour, the Spanish-speaking day laborers have flooded into New Orleans to haul out debris, clear downed trees and install drywall as rebuilding takes hold. Specialized roofers can make $300 a day.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1502886/posts

World's hedge funds face crisis as Refco suspends trading
The Guardian (UK) ^ | Oct 14, 2005 | Jill Treanor

Posted on 10/14/2005 11:30:39 PM PDT by Travis McGee

World's hedge funds face crisis as Refco suspends trading

· Leading global broker admits 'liquidity problem'

· Billions of pounds could be tied up in frozen deals

Jill Treanor

Friday October 14, 2005

A crisis in the world's hedge fund industry was in prospect last night after one of the world's largest derivatives brokers was forced to freeze trades potentially worth billions of pounds.

The move by Refco, which acts for many leading speculative investors both on Wall Street and in the City, followed the discovery of accounts irregularities at the firm earlier this week and the issue of fraud charges against its former chief executive Phillip Bennett.

Mr Bennett has been charged with defrauding investors by using a hedge fund to hide $430m (£250m) of debts owed to the firm. A British banker who has lived in the US since 1978, Mr Bennett has been released on bail of $50m secured on a house in New Jersey, a Park Avenue penthouse apartment, $5m in cash and funds raised by six co-signers of the bail bond.

The implications of the 15-day trading moratorium on the company's Refco Capital Markets subsidiary may be felt across the world financial system, depending upon the size of the funds caught up inside Refco and the types of institutions which are unable to remove their money from the operation. By locking the clients in, Refco, which has debts of $642m, is preventing a possible mass exodus of funds which could further jeopardise its trading position. While the company gave no details of the size of the funds it had tied up in its capital markets arm, it described the operation as representing a "material portion" of its business.

The rest of the article linked HERE.

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=trinidad

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Thanks to Jet Jaguar for starting this thread:
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1502890/posts
Explosion Outside Popular Nightclub in Trinidad's Capital Wounds Six
AP ^ | Oct 14, 2005 | Kerry-Ann Hamilton

Posted on 10/15/2005 12:16:03 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - An explosion wounded at least six people outside of a popular nightclub in Trinidad's capital on Friday, police said.

Five people were rushed to a nearby hospital, while a sixth person with cuts and burns on both arms, was treated at the scene.

One of the wounded was in serious condition, police said.

The explosion happened at 7:05 p.m. on a sidewalk outside of a popular club in the St. James section of the city, where the main streets are lined with bars and clubs.

Police cordoned off the scene of the explosion after hundreds of onlookers began gathering. Authorities were unsure if the explosion was caused by a bomb.

The explosion comes just days after the expiration of a U.S. Embassy advisory warning American citizens to avoid the downtown area of the capital from Oct. 9 to Oct. 12.

Friday night's explosion follows a series of bombings that have all occurred around the same time of the month.

The bombings began July 11, when an explosion in a trash bin on a busy downtown street injured 14 people - including a woman whose foot was amputated as a result of her injuries from the blast.

A second went off in a pile of trash bags on Aug. 11 and the third exploded in a trash bin behind a fast-food restaurant on Sept. 10. No one was injured in either incident.

Trinidad's government, which has not announced any arrests in the bombings, said it has increased security in the capital but has not urged its citizens to avoid the downtown.

(kah-jhe)

AP-ES-10-14-05 2106EDT

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1502884/posts

Man beheaded, two shot dead
AFP ^ | October 14, 2005

Posted on 10/14/2005 11:25:44 PM PDT by Mount Athos

An elderly Buddhist man has been beheaded and two other Buddhist men shot dead by suspected Islamic insurgents in separate attacks in Thailand's southern provinces, police said today.

The grisly death of 66-year-old Song Fangpetch, whose headless body was found early this morning in Pattani province's Mayo district, brings to 15 the number of people decapitated in 21 months of unrest.

Song was attacked while taking his cattle to a field in nearby Panare district and a note left on his body, police said.

"He was slashed with a sharp knife probably at 6:00 am and people found his body at 7:00 am," Colonel Wanchai Piemsomboon superintendent of Mayo police said.

"We also found note written in Thai saying 'as long as you continue to kill innocent people, we will kill your innocent people'."

"We are searching for his head now," Colonel Wanchai added.

In neighbouring Narathiwat province this morning, two gunmen on a motorcycle shot Saroj Sopin, 43, twice as he rode his motorcycle through his village in Sungai Padi district.

Saroj worked for the provincial electricity authority whose staff are often targeted by Islamic militants, Colonel Term Inthasara, superintendent of Sungai Padi said.

Separately, Nathawut Sujit, 46, a fruit trader from Bangkok, was shot dead yesterday evening in Salo village of Ruso district in Narathiwat province by two suspected Islamic gunmen while he was buying fruit, police said.

Nearly 1000 people have been killed since January 2004 in increasingly deadly unrest in Thailand's Muslim-majority south along the Malaysian border.

Analysts and authorities say the almost daily shootings, bombings and arson attacks in the southern provinces are a result of a mix of Islamic separatists, organised criminals and local corruption.

While Thailand is mainly Buddhist, most of the population in the southern provinces are ethnic Malay, who feel a close affinity to Malays in neighbouring Malaysia.

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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_peru.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Oct 15 2005 01:39:13 GMT-0700.

PERU

October 14, 2005

This Public Announcement is being released to alert U.S. citizens residing in or traveling through Cuzco, Peru that they may be inconvenienced by upcoming strikes by coca growers (cocaleros).

Coca growers in Cuzco have called for a “series of actions" from October 18 through about October 20, 2005. Previous calls for strikes by cocaleros in Cuzco have resulted in widespread disruption of ground transportation and closure of the airport. On one recent occasion a group of foreign tourists was involuntarily held captive for several hours by strikers. The Department of State advises travelers who intend to be in Cuzco on the planned strike dates that they may be inconvenienced by the possible closure of the airport, by the unavailability of transportation to or from the airport and by possible blockages of roads in and around Cuzco. The Department of State also cautions travelers to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and to maintain heightened vigilance in public areas.

Additional travel information is available in the State Department's consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Americans living or traveling in Peru are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Guatemala. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-434-3000 during business hours ( 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ), or 51-1-618-2935 for after-hours emergencies. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cuzco is located in the Binational Center (Instituto Cultural Peruana Norte Americano, ICPNA) at Avenida Tullumayo 125; telephone 51-84-24-5102.

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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051049.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 14, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-49

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. SOLDIERS FIND, DISABLE CAR BOMB THANKS TO IRAQI TIP

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found and disabled a car bomb in western Rashid thanks to a tip from a group of Iraqi citizens Oct. 12.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Combat Brigade Team were on patrol in the neighborhood of Risalah when they were flagged down by a group of Iraqis who reported a suspicious vehicle nearby.

An explosive ordnance disposal team was dispatched to the site and safely detonated the car bomb before it could be used by terrorists.

Upon investigation the car bomb was determined to be made from seven 122-millimeter artillery rounds, four 130-millimeter artillery rounds and a propane tank filled with homemade explosives.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051050.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 14, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-50

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INSURGENT ATTACK KILLS AND WOUNDS DETAINESS

Ar Ramadi, Iraq – Insurgents attacked a convoy carrying detainees outside ar Ramadi the night of Oct. 11, killing three detainees and wounding seven.

The Coalition force convoy was transporting detainees to a regional detention facility when the convoy was attacked by two improvised explosive devices and small arms fire. The small arms fire ceased when additional coalition forces arrived on the scene.

Three U.S. Army Soldiers attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), were also wounded in the attack. All the wounded were treated at a nearby coalition medical facility.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051051.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 14, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-51

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TASK FORCE BAGHDAD SOLDIERS CATCH BOMBERS IN THE ACT

TAJI, Iraq – While conducting a combat patrol in north Baghdad, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers caught two roadside bombers in the act of placing an improvised explosive device Oct. 10.

The patrol of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division Soldiers immediately sealed off the area and captured both terrorists before they could trigger the bomb.

The two terrorists were taken into custody for questioning, and an explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the bomb.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.
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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2005/20051014_3054.html

Coalition Forces Foil Terrorist Attack on Polling Station

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2005 – A Task Force Baghdad unit patrolling in southern Baghdad immediately responded to a terrorist mortar attack on a polling site Oct. 13 by returning fire to drive the terrorists away, military officials reported today.
The soldiers from 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, also provided medical care to two Iraqi civilians, including one child, who suffered minor injuries when the terrorist rounds detonated, officials said.

"I am not surprised that the terrorists would target the innocent people of Iraq," said Maj. Liston Edge, an operations officer for the 48th Brigade Combat Team. "I am just proud that we are able to provide support to their security forces in such an efficient way."

Also on Oct. 13, an Iraqi Army platoon captured a suspected terrorist leader during a raid against a terrorist safe house in eastern Baghdad.

The terror suspect was wanted for planting three roadside bombs near a mosque, and is thought to have planned other attacks against civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition Forces, officials said. The suspect also is believed to have used his home as an operations center for terrorist activity in Zafaraniya and Diyala.

"(The Iraqi soldiers) are getting very good at these raids," said Maj. Terry Cook, a U.S. Army officer who works with the Iraqi army. "The entire operation lasted less then 30 minutes."

Iraqi army troops and coalition forces responded Oct. 13 to a report of a car bomb and netted two suspects with a significant amount of cash instead in Hit. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, and coalition forces received a tip from locals on a possible car bomb located near a mosque. The vehicle was searched and cleared, and troops had begun searching other vehicles in the area when two men were seen leaving a nearby house.

Troops searched the men and their car and found 3,930,750 Iraqi dinar in their possession. The cash equals about $2,650 in U.S. currency. The individuals were detained for further questioning by authorities.

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi police found and seized a weapons cache Oct. 13 near Kut. The cache contained six 60 mm mortar mines, two anti-aircraft rocket systems, more than 50 pounds of TNT, 20 condensers, two night-vision devices, some detonation cord and a 12-volt battery. The items were delivered to a nearby civil defense station for later disposal.

Coalition aircraft flew 62 close-air-support and armed-reconnaissance sorties Oct. 13 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Air Force F-15s and F-16s, U.S. Navy F-14s, and Royal Air Force GR-4s provided close air support to coalition troops near Basrah, Fallujah, Mansuriyah and Mosul.

Thirteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

(Compiled from Task Force Baghdad and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

Related Site:
U.S. Central Command Air Forces

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