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West Palm Beach water system cleansing underway, but boil water order continues
South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | September 30, 2007 | Marc Freeman and Rhonda J. Miller
Posted on 10/01/2007 4:29:26 PM PDT by CounterCounterCulture
West Palm Beach water system cleansing underway, but boil water order continues
WEST PALM BEACH - Chlorine began flowing this morning to cleanse West Palm Beach’s contaminated water supply, and authorities are still searching for the source of the contamination that prompted a boil water order likely to last through Wednesday.
Affected water customers can help too: At 8 p.m. tonight, people should use plenty of water on long showers, car washes, and clothes washing.
“To flush the system in your house, basically,” said West Palm Beach spokesman Chase Scott.
The boil water alert Friday was for its 125,000 utilities customers who live in the city of West Palm Beach, as well as in the town of Palm Beach and the town of South Palm Beach on the barrier island. But residents across Palm Beach County who weren’t sure of the target area jammed city phone lines.
Water samples from the town of Palm Beach came back negative for contamination, but the boil water order remains in effect, Scott said today.
An elusive source of human or animal waste is to blame, said Assistant City Administrator Ken Rearden. Water from 13 sites tested positive for fecal coliform, total coliform and E. coli bacteria, which could be coming from sewage or bird droppings, Steve Schmidt, laboratory manager for West Palm Beach Public Utilities, said at a news conference Saturday at the water plant on Banyan Boulevard.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
[unknown url]
Violence smolders in Algeria
Associated Press
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
By AIDAN LEWIS, Associated Press Writer
The president escapes an apparent assassination attempt but nearly two
dozen others are killed. A suicide bombing by an al-Qaida affiliate
leaves at least 28 coast guard officers dead. A car bombing targets
European workers and their Algerian police escorts.
September delivered a string of spectacular setbacks to government
efforts to bring calm and prosperity to this oil- and gas-rich country.
Witnesses to the bloodiest years of Algeria’s insurgency are still
coming to terms with horrors of a decade ago even as new ones resurface.
The government’s unwillingness to examine the past and embark on reforms,
analysts say, is fueling the revived violence.
From their base in the Kabylia region just east of the capital Algiers,
isolated armed hardline Islamic groups have aligned with al-Qaida to
stage a comeback. Mostly they target local police or Algerian
authorities allied with U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, but they have threatened
French and Spanish interests, too.
Over the last year, violence has escalated with a series of bombings -
many of them suicide attacks, a new tactic in the country - against
state targets.
Algeria’s conflict began in 1992 after the army canceled the second
round of the country’s first-ever multiparty elections, stepping in to
prevent likely victory by the fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front,
commonly known by its French acronym, FIS.
Islamist armed groups turned to force to overthrow the government, with
up to 200,000 people killed in the ensuing violence.
Recent bombings have been claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa.
That was the name adopted in January after the remnants of Algeria’s
Islamic insurgency, the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC,
formally linked with al-Qaida.
Analysts say the group appears split between militants positioning
themselves within the context of global holy war and those still focused on
toppling the Algerian government.
“As the Algerianist Islamists have either given up or postponed their
mission, you’re left with only a group of extremely radical ‘jihadis’,”
said Geoff Porter, an analyst with Eurasia Group in New York.
But he said it was not clear that this jihadist faction was in control
of the group. “It’s hard to distinguish between the former targets of
the GSPC and the newer targets of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb,”
Porter said.
Over the summer the army has bombarded and burned forests believed to
harbor rebels. The crackdowns have been focused on Kabylia, which became
a haven for armed groups because of its mountains and forested
terrain.
Algerian authorities explain the new violence as a sign of weakened
rebel groups trying to raise their profile through attacks with a high
media impact. But despite the army’s efforts to eradicate them, militants
have continued to strike.
Observers say Algeria’s instability is rooted in a closed political
system influenced by a powerful military that has failed to address
problems of social and economic distress and corruption.
In Kabylia’s provincial capital of Tizi Ouzou, some residents are
afraid to inform on militants, after seeing those they had previously
informed on return home after an amnesty.
During the height of the insurgency in the 1990s, Kabylie was
relatively calm. Now, “our first problem is insecurity, terrorism. Our second is
unemployment,” said Djilali Arar, a 29-year-old with a small video
rental business in Tizi Ouzou.
Still, Algerians are quick to point out that the violence is nothing
like it was a decade ago.
Two years ago, Algerians overwhelmingly approved Bouteflika’s peace
charter, which offered a broad amnesty to former rebels and some
compensation to victims. The charter also blocks militant leaders from
participating in politics.
In recent months, former FIS politicians and even a former armed group
leader have been pushing to form a new party.
But authorities have repeatedly ruled out such an opening. Interior
Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said earlier this month that those who
talk about a return of the FIS “should not forget that the wound is
still wide open,” according to the Algerian daily El Watan.
The wound in neighborhoods that suffered massacres a decade ago is hard
to close.
The violence in the sleepy Algiers suburbs of Bentalha and Sidi Rais in
August and September 1997 was among the worst Algeria has seen.
Throats were slit, heads severed, bodies mutilated. Bentalha residents
recount how some 200 men dressed in black shot and hacked to death as
many as 400 people in a six-hour killing spree. Women and children were
not spared.
Residents say they are still angry that security services stationed
nearby did not immediately intervene. Other witnesses, often speaking from
abroad, have accused the security forces of complicity in the
massacres.
Algeria’s government says any abuses by security forces were carried
out by rogue elements. The country’s Charter for National Peace and
Reconciliation shields security forces from accusations over their role in
the conflict.
Some in Bentalha said they were uneasy now that former rebels have been
amnestied while the victims remain unclear about who exactly
perpetrated the massacre.
“They were Algerians, they spoke our language, that’s all we know,”
said Fouad Tlidjine, 32, who saw his father and one sister killed and two
other sisters abducted during the massacre.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
US Plans Sale of RAM Missiles to Egypt
Egypt - RIM-116B Block 1A Rolling Airframe Missiles
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; dated Sept. 28,
web-posted
Oct. 1, 2007)
[With thanks to www.defense-aerospace.com ]
WASHINGTON -— The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified
Congress of
a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of up to 139 RIM-116B Block
1A
Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) as well as associated equipment and
services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as
high as
$125 million.
The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of up to 139
RIM-116B
Block 1A Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) with MK-44 Guided Missile
Round
Packs, containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts,
publications
and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training
equipment,
U.S. Government, contractor engineering and logistics technical support
services, and other related elements of logistics support. The
estimated
cost is $125 million.
This proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a
friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force
for
political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale
is
consistent with these U.S. objectives and with the 1950 Treaty of
Mutual
Cooperation and Security.
This proposed sale of 139 MK-116B Block 1A RAM and MK-44 Guided
Missiles
Round Packs (GMRP) provides the weapons employed by the MK-31 RAM
Guided
Missile Weapons System (GMWS) included on the Egyptian Fast Missile
Craft
(FMC).
The RAM- GMWS and missile, when coupled with the MK-15B PHALANX
Close-In
Weapon System, provides the FMC and the Egyptian Navy with an effective
defense against helicopters, anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and small
surface
craft. This capability is critical for the FMC to effectively provide
security in the approaches to the Suez Canal and the Egyptian littoral.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Corporation, Tucson,
Arizona.
There are no offset agreements associated with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of
any
additional U. S. Government or contractor personnel in country.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result
of
this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean
that
the sale has been concluded.
-ends-
News Stories for gun at school
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BRUTAL SHOOTING CAUGHT ON TAPE Open this result in new window
The Jersey Journal - 5 minutes ago
County homicide detectives have recovered video footage that captures the brutal murder of a Jersey City man Sunday, including images of the gunman continuing to pump bullets into the victim after he was lying on his back in the street, officials said.
* 2.
HOLLY column Open this result in new window
Bridgeton News - 9 minutes ago
Good morning! Dill’s Crab & Oyster Bar will reopen Thursday at 4 p.m. and be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to closing. They want to thank everyone for their kindness in the tragic loss of their son.
* 3.
ATM fee a hefty price for kindness Open this result in new window
Everett Herald - 12 minutes ago
I did something last week that I knew was wrong, something I’d advise you never to repeat. It all started when a frazzled-looking fellow approached me outside a Marysville restaurant as I was heading in for dinner.
* 4.
Student, 12, expelled for threatening boy with BB gun Open this result in new window
The Athens News Courier - 14 minutes ago
A sixth-grader at Owens Elementary School has been expelled from Limestone County schools for one year for pointing a BB gun at another student’s head and threatening him.
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Northwest Herald - 25 minutes ago
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Independent Florida Alligator - 45 minutes ago
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Holmen Courier - 50 minutes ago
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High school violence alarms community Open this result in new window
Orion - 53 minutes ago
Shots rang from the Las Plumas High School band room in Oroville on Friday - a frightening reminder to Chico State staff and students that no campus is completely safe. Chico State officials kept their students informed by e-mail as the incident unfolded. Las Plumas teachers locked their classroom doors to protect the students and waited for an hour for police to resolve the standoff, said ...
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Trek to the top of the world Open this result in new window
Rapid City Journal - 59 minutes ago
In May, Dave Rasmussen climbed to the top of the world.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22514834-401,00.html#
Bali bombers’ sentences likely cut for Ramadan
By Cindy Wockner
October 02, 2007 01:00am
* Cuts likely due to end of Ramadan
* Announcement made on bombing second anniversary
TEN terrorists involved in the Bali bombings are all likely to get
sentence
cuts to celebrate the end of Ramadan, it was revealed yesterday.
As victims and families gathered in Bali late yesterday to commemorate
the
second anniversary of the second Bali bombings, which killed 20 people
including four Australians, the list of radicals responsible for the
carnage
and who have been earmarked for remissions was being made public.
The announcement was received as an insensitive blow by families of
those
killed and injured in both murderous attacks. Kerobokan Jail boss Ilham
Djaya said yesterday he had recommended that all 10 terrorists in his
jail
be given remissions of one month to one month and 15 days.
The controversial remissions are awarded for good behaviour and
humanitarian
acts such as blood donations and take the place of the parole systems
which
operate in Australia.
There is no provision for parole under Indonesia’s sentencing regime
which
delivers a straight sentence which can be reduced by remissions.
Del Ponte: SFOR Could Kill Karadzic
http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=85950
Del Ponte: SFOR Could Kill Karadzic
Karadzic knows that he is in danger, because if they (SFOR, NATO) find
him, he will not be transferred to the Hague alive, says del Ponte.
Joseph Stedul
Hina
On Monday, Banja Luka’s “Nezavisne Novine” (independent newspaper)
reported the first part of the stenograph of the official talks of the
prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Carla del Ponte from 2004, in Banja
Luka, with the president of Republika Srpska at that time, Dragan
Kalinic, in which Del Ponte warns that SFOR could kill Radovan
Karadzic.
“Since September 1999, Karadzic was in contact with our office. He
talked to us of his free will, but did not want it to look like he
turned himself in voluntarily, so I arranged for his arrest in
Switzerland, but then he changed his mind and did not want to turn
himself in”, said Carla del Ponte.
According to her words “NATO and SFOR will try to carry out an arrest
operation”.
“Karadzic knows that he is in danger, because if they (SFOR, NATO)
find him, he will not be taken back to the Hague alive”, said Carla
del Ponte.
Karadzic – HolBrook agreement
She then explained that she personally investigated the story of the
agreement between Karadzic and the American diplomat Richard Holbrook,
according to which it was promised that he would not be extradited to
the Hague, if in return he step down from the political stage.
Del Ponte said that she received “some evidence that it (the Karadzic
– Holbrook agreement) is true”.
“If this is true, then it only confirms the assumption even more, that
Karadzic was to killed”, added Carla del Ponte.
She, according to the stenograph, said that Karadzic needs to have the
possibility to defend himself in a normal court process, but not to
kill him.
She requested from Kalinic to convey the message to Karadzic, about
organizing his arrest in Switzerland, or in some other way, as she
said, without the involvement of SFOR.
Kalinic answered Del Ponte by saying that (conveying Karadzic’s
message), he had done that once before in cooperation with a former
American official responsible for war crimes, named Prosper, after
which he was exposed to direct threats by Karadzic’s family.
Rejecting Del Ponte’s request, Kalinic said that by sending a new
message, Karadzic’s life would be in danger.
“It would be little satisfaction for my family if one day you put a
candle on my grave”, said Kalinic to the Hague prosecutor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-001
QVC’s Recall Hotline: (800) 367-9444
Salton’s Recall Hotline: (800) 233-9054
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Salton Inc. and QVC Recall Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Cook’s Essential Electric Toasters
Units: About 5,200
Retailer: QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa.
Distributor: Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.
Hazard: The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite
items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received information that ten toasters
reportedly turned on spontaneously, including one incident of fire
damage to kitchen cabinets and two incidents of toaster covers burned.
No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the “Cook’s Essential” four-slice
wide
slot electric toasters model CET 401. These toasters are made of
stainless steel and measure 12 inches long, 13 inches wide and 8 inches
high. Each toaster has “Cook’s Essentials Classic Look Toaster, Model:
CET401” printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster.
Sold by: QVC through its television station, its Web page; its
toll-free
number, outlet, and its employee and Studio stores from January 2003
through June 2003 for between $63 and $69 plus about $8 for shipping
and
handling. Some recalled toasters may have been sold at various
retailers.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it,
and cut off the power cord where it enters the body of the toaster.
Consumers who return the power cord in the prepaid envelope that will
be
provided will receive a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a toaster from a QVC’s
television
program or at QVC.com were sent a package by mail containing
information
on how to receive a refund. Consumers who have not received the
information packet should call QVC at (800) 367-9444, from 7 a.m. to 1
a.m. ET, seven days a week or visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com.
Consumers who bought a toaster at a QVC outlet or retail store should
return the toaster at the store where it was purchased to receive a
full
refund. For all non-QVC purchases, contact Salton at (800) 233-9054
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the
firm’s Web site at www.esalton.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08001.html
********************************************************
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-002
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 440-0680
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Target Recalls Plush Boys Rattles Due to Choking Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Plush Boys Rattles
Units: About 82,000
Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Hazard: The recalled rattles can break open releasing the small beads
inside, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled rattles were sold in three styles: a white
baseball with red stitching, a brown football with white stitching, and
an orange basketball with black stitching. The tag sewn into the rattle
contains: “Reg. No. PA5706(CN), Distributed by Double Nice Co Ltd. 3f-2
No. 325, Wu Chuan Road, Taichung, Taiwan, Made in China.”
Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from March 2007 through
May 2007 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled rattles away from young
children immediately and return them to any Target store for a full
refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800)
440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit
the firm’s Web site at www.target.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08002.html
********************************************************
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-003
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 939-4836
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Honeywell Recalls Gas Valves Used in Decorative Fireplaces and Stoves
Due To Burn Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Gas Valves Used in Decorative Fireplaces and Stoves
Units: About 4,000
Manufacturer: Honeywell International Inc., of Morristown, N.J.
Hazard: The activation knob on the valve can be left in a position
between OFF and PILOT, which can cause the pilot gas to leak and
accumulate prior to burner ignition. This can pose the risk of thermal
burns to consumers when they light the pilot of the fireplace or stove.
Incidents/Injuries: Honeywell has received one report of gas
accumulating and combusting when the consumer lit the fireplace,
resulting in a minor injury when the hair in the back of the consumer’s
hand was singed.
Description and Models: This recall involves gas valves used in
liquid-propane-fueled decorative fireplaces and Franklin-type stoves.
These stoves and fireplaces have direct pressure relief vents via a
spring-loaded door. Fireplaces and stoves with a side or rear vent are
not included in this recall. The recalled valves were installed in
these
fireplaces and stoves.
Sold at: Honeywell sold the gas valves exclusively to original
equipment
manufacturers for use in fireplaces and stoves from April 2004 through
August 2007. Those manufacturers sold fireplaces and stoves at
retailers
nationwide.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact
Honeywell for information on how to receive a free inspection and
replacement valve.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honeywell at
(800)
939-4836 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the
firm’s web site at www.nvp-hearth.honeywell.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08003.html
Brisbane Qantas Workers Sidestep Security (back)
October 1, 2007
Qantas has employed casual staff to work at Brisbane airport without Australian Federal Police security clearances.
The airline has rushed to hire 60 extra staff from an outside agency for Qantas Flight Catering Ltd, which prepares food for its own and many other international airlines.
The Transport Workers Union, which says other staff have had to undergo full security clearance checks, has expressed major concerns about the risk of terrorist or criminal infiltration.
‘Under the present climate of terrorism around the world, I don’t think anybody should be working in the airline industry, particularly near food preparation, without first having full and thorough security checks,’ TWU state secretary Hughie Williams said.
Qantas says the casuals will work in the washing-up area at the airport catering facility to cope with the busy period before Christmas.
A former Qantas catering employee said this area was next to the room where food for passengers, pilots and crews was stored and loaded on to trays and airline trolleys.
‘There’s nothing to stop them walking from one area to another,’ he said. ‘There are already people from that agency working in the food areas.’
Australian National University terrorism expert Clive Williams said there should be security and criminal checks to clear any catering employee who prepared airline food or worked close to and had access to food preparation areas.
FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE
Source: www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,23483,22506862-27977,00.html?from=mostpop
TERRORISM RESPONSE
al-Qaeda Terrorist Arrested in Italy ; Targetted US Bases (back)
September 28, 2007
Italian police arrested a 35-year-old Iraqi man in Venice on Friday, accusing him of planning terrorist strikes in Iraq using ultralight helicopters bought in Italy .
Saber Fadhil Hussien, allegedly the head of an al-Qaeda cell, was arrested as he boarded a plane bound for Syria . Investigators said he was intending to meet a contact in the network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda leader in Iraq .
According to Venice prosecutors, who had been probing Hussien since the end of 2006, the suspect was a longstanding resident of Italy with a home and family in Padua , where he ran a pizza and kebab shop.
Investigators said he had already arranged to buy several light aircraft from a manufacturer in Italy , pretending that he wished to set up a dealership in the Middle East .
His plan was to send the helicopters to Iraq where they could be used by terrorists to attack international forces there. The aircraft can fly low enough to avoid radar and could transport up to 250 kg of explosives.
It is believed to be the first time terrorist groups in Iraq have considered using light aircraft to overcome the tight security surrounding international forces in the country.
Venice’s chief prosecutor Vittorio Borraccetti said Hussien had been providing logistical support for an al-Zarqawi cell in Iraq for some time, sending around 4,000 euros a month for the purchase of weapons and to recruit suicide bombers.
‘No terrorist act was planned against Italy ,’ Borraccetti said.
After Hussien’s arrest, police searched the homes of four Iraqis living in the Veneto region who are believed to be connected with him in some way.
Another Iraqi, an immigrant labourer living in Treviso , is also under investigation for terrorist activity because of his close relations with Hussien.
Thanks to wiretaps, investigators heard the two Iraqis voicing fiery support for al-Zarqawi-organised terrorist attacks on international forces in Iraq .
Hussien and his group were driven by a hatred of Iraq ‘s Shiite population and also, more recently, of Sunni tribes in the al-Anbar region of Iraq who oppose al-Qaeda, Borraccetti said.
‘The material gathered will be made available on the international network so as to aid the fight against terrorism,’ he added.
Source: www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=13360
TERROR ON TRIAL
‘Cyber Jihadist’ Trial Opens New Front in Anti-Terror Fight (back)
September 28, 2007
In the first case of its kind in Germany , a man went on trial this week in the northern city of Celle for posting al-Qaeda hate messages and audio and video recordings, by Osama bin Laden among others, in an Internet chartroom for Islamists.
The 36-year-old Iraqi-born Kurdish defendant, known as Ibrahim R., is accused of using the Internet as a ‘terror weapon’ and conducting his own ‘personal jihad on the computer.’
The defendant, who was under observation by security officials for a year and a half, also faces charges of attempting to recruit members and supporters for two terrorist networks, al-Qaeda and ‘al Qaeda in Iraq .’
Peter Ernst, the main prosecutor in the case, said the ‘main propaganda path for al-Qaeda is the Internet, where jihad is also carried out virtually.’
‘Virtual Supermarket for Terrorists’
Federal prosecutors said the defendant, who was arrested last October and has been jailed pending trial ever since, spent hours surfing the Internet and logged on in the chatroom under seven different pseudonyms.
FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE
Source: www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2800263,00.html