Threat Matrix: May 2008

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

U.S. Wary Of Small Boat Terrorism

As boating season approaches, the Bush administration wants to enlist America's 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways.

According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, "The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al Qaeda's weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success."

While the United States has so far been spared this type of strike in its own waters, terrorists have used small boats to attack in other countries. Read More

	U.S. Confirms Somali Missile Strike
	Fight Al Qaeda's Plan, Not its Ideas
	FACTBOX: Major al Qaeda Leaders Killed or Captured

Threat Matrix:
May 2008

April 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

[MamaDearest]

I agree Cindy.

[Cindy]

“Imagine targeting a toy shop of all places...”

Targeting kids’ toys has been around awhile (ie balls, stuffed bears, etc.); but I think this may be a new one.

Thanks MamaDearest for the info.

[MamaDearest]

Islamist renegade arrested at airport on terror charges

He has also warned that thousands of young Muslims were preparing to unleash fresh 'terror atrocities' on Britain's streets. Following the 2007 Glasgow airport attack, he alleged on BBC2's Newsnight that 'most Muslims' believed terrorism gained them an admission to paradise and that 'anything that is not an Islamic way of life' was a legitimate target.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hassanbutt
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/butt
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/almuhajiroun/index
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/muhajiroun/index

#

Hassan Butt arrested.

Article snippet from your link in post no. 383:

“Hassan Butt, 27, who claims to have once been a spokesman for the banned group al-Muhajiroun, was arrested on Friday.”

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080511/NATION/35806017/1001

Page 1 of 2

“Digital gamers target disease”
By Amy Fagan
May 11, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Instead of pitting players against monsters, criminals or aliens, a new computer game enlists them in the real-life fight against other deadly enemies: diseases and viruses.

Gamers who play “Foldit,” a computer game developed by University of Washington scientists, will actually be protein folding, a process used to unlock the mysteries of human proteins, which help the body perform countless functions, from breaking down food to carrying oxygen in the blood, but also play roles in some diseases and viruses.”

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080509phoenix.htm

May 9, 2008

Smuggler linked to rollover that caused 10 deaths receives life sentence

PHOENIX - A convicted human smuggler from Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to life in prison today for causing a fatal rollover collision near Yuma, Ariz., nearly two years ago that claimed the lives of 10 people, including a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Adan Pineda-Doval, 22, appeared before U.S. District Judge Stephen M. McNamee who sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment on each of the 10 counts of transporting illegal aliens resulting in death. In addition, the Judge sentenced Pineda-Doval to 25 years for transporting illegal aliens and placing their lives in jeopardy, and two years for re-entering the United States after deportation. All of the sentences will be served concurrently.

Pineda-Doval was found guilty by a federal jury in October last year on federal charges for causing a deadly vehicle accident that occurred while he transporting 20 illegal aliens, including two pregnant women, to Los Angeles. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol (Yuma Sector), with assistance from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“This smuggler jeopardized human lives for personal profit. His ‘criminal business’ and personal greed resulted in the loss of ten lives here,” said Diane Humetewa, United States Attorney for Arizona. “I applaud the jury’s verdict and the law enforcement efforts that resulted in his conviction and the life sentence.”

“This sentence sends a resounding message to those in the human smuggling trade who cavalierly put people’s lives in harm’s way just to turn a profit,” said Troy Henley, acting special agent in charge for the ICE office of investigations in Phoenix. “ICE will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners here in Arizona to see that those individuals and organizations involved in this ruthless enterprise are made to pay for the suffering and loss of life they cause.”

The seats in the Chevrolet Suburban Pineda-Doval was driving had been removed and none of the passengers was wearing a seat belt. After being confronted by a Border Patrol agent who was patrolling a dirt road used to bypass the Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 95, Pineda-Doval refused to stop, despite pleas by his passengers. When another agent attempted to stop the vehicle using a tire deflation device, Pineda-Doval abruptly swerved, veered off the road, and swerved again in the opposite direction, causing the vehicle to roll and eject many of the occupants. Ten of the passengers died. Pineda-Doval was arrested after witnesses identified him as the driver.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

Yes, we watch Russia here, too.

“Is it me or is something going to give, soon?”

OPINION: There seems to be a lot more hot spots, hot heads and hot rhetoric worldwide.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/yemen/index?tab=articles

#

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=84417

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Yemen Movement Restrictions
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Middle East / N. Africa - Yemen
10 May 2008

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3541845,00.html

Qassam rocket lands near Sderot; no injuries reported
Published: 05.11.08, 14:20 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon landed in an open area near the southern town of Sderot.

There were no reports of injuries or damage. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/articlebr.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=91908

“Army deploys in north Lebanon as Beirut takeover ends”
By Agence France Presse (AFP)

Sunday, May 11, 2008
by Omar Ibrahim

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “TRIPOLI, Lebanon, May 11, 2008 (AFP) - Lebanese soldiers deployed in the northern city of Tripoli on Sunday after fierce battles between rival clans as the Hezbollah-led opposition handed over control of west Beirut to the army.

The Arab League was set to hold emergency talks in Egypt on the crisis amid regional Sunni Muslim fears about Shiite Iran’s influence in divided Lebanon.

A security official said fierce battles erupted overnight in Tripoli between Sunni supporters of the Western-backed government and members of an Alawite sect loyal to Hezbollah, which is backed by both Syria and Iran.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hamas/index?tab=articles

#

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1209627053144&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

May 11, 2008 8:35 | Updated May 11, 2008 9:59
“Hamas man killed in Gaza explosion”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A Hamas operative was killed on Sunday in an explosion along Gaza’s fence with Israel, the group said.

The Islamic group’s military wing says the member was killed, and another injured, during a “holy mission.” Such language is used when explosives meant for an attack on Israel explode prematurely.

Israel’s army said it was not operating in the area at the time of the explosion early Sunday.”

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

“Worldwide Caution”
January 17, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

[Cindy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7393443.stm

Page last updated at 02:32 GMT, Sunday, 11 May 2008 03:32 UK

“Gunmen kill top Mexican policemen”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Three top Mexican police officials have been shot dead in as many days while the country’s fight against drug-trafficking continues.
Assailants sprayed the car of the deputy police chief of the border city of Ciudad Juarez on Saturday, killing Juan Antonio Roman Garcia.

The head of Mexico City’s anti-kidnap unit was killed on Friday.

On Thursday, the director of national police operations against drug traffickers was shot dead.”

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

el Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Sun May 11 2008 04:57:42 GMT-0700 (PDT).

Mexico

April 14, 2008

[Cindy]

Correction - Post 396: “Travel Alert”

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

bttt

[Cindy]

http://israel.internet-haganah.com/

ISRAEL.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

Thanks to JusticeSeeker93 for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014450/posts

“On Israel 60th Birthday, Picnics And A Warning To Iran”
Israel News Agency / Google News ^ | May 11, 2008 | Joel Leyden
Posted on May 11, 2008 10:37:17 AM PDT by IsraelBeach