30 killed in attack on Nigeria market: medic, witness

” Suspected Nigerian Islamists opened fire and set off bombs at a market in the northeastern city of Maiduguri on Monday, killing at least 30 people, a medic and a witness said.
Gunmen believed to be members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram stormed the fish section of Baga market and sprayed stallholders and vendors with bullets, traders said, reporting that women and children were among the dead.”

Source: AFP: 30 killed in attack on Nigeria market: medic, witness

The ‘lone wolf’ — the unknowable face of terror

“The arrest of a 29-year-old Moroccan living illegally in the United States has focused attention again on the danger posed by “lone-wolf” terrorists.
Amine El Khalifi has been charged with plotting to carry out a bombing on the U.S. Capitol and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against federal property.”

Source: The ‘lone wolf’ — the unknowable face of terror – CNN.com

Hezbollah Attack on U.S. Cited as Possibility by Napolitano

“U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she is concerned that Iran-backed Hezbollah will attempt a terrorist attack on American soil.

The Homeland Security Department last week held a conference call with Jewish groups “who have been the intended targets in the past,” Napolitano said today in testimony before the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee.”

(Source: Hezbollah Attack on U.S. Cited as Possibility by Napolitano.)

Woman killed in bomb blast in Istanbul

“Turkey’s state-run television says a woman was killed when a bomb she was carrying went off in Istanbul.

TRT television says police found the woman’s body on a street in Istanbul’s Sancaktepe neighborhood late on Thursday, shortly after residents reported an explosion.”

Source: THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Report: woman killed in bomb blast in Istanbul

Police strike threatens Rio carnival crime wave

“Brazilian police
went on strike in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, risking a surge in
crime just days before the beach city’s famed carnival
celebrations.

Salvador, Brazil’s third largest city, has already been hit
by a crime wave since police walked off the job there last week.
The Rio strike is likely to force the government to send in
thousands of army troops, as it did in Salvador.”

(Source: Police strike threatens Rio carnival crime wave – chicagotribune.com.)

Security official killed in Yemen

“A senior Yemeni security official was shot dead Thursday evening in Yemen’s southern restive province of Lahj in an attack probably carried out by al-Qaida militants, a provincial police official told Xinhua.”

(Source: Security official killed in Yemen|Middle East|chinadaily.com.cn.)

Mexico travel warning issued by U.S. State Department

“Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day.  The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality.  Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico.  The TCOs themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity.  As a result, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere.  U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery. ”

(Source: Mexico.)

Canada unveils terrorism strategy

“Public Safety Minister Vic Toews unveiled Canada’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy Thursday, which includes response plans to major attacks and strategies for de-radicalizing homegrown terrorists and “lone wolf” attackers.”

(Source: Ottawa unveils terrorism strategy.)

Afghan private security handover looking messy

“The push by Afghanistan’s president to nationalize legions of private security guards before the end of March is encouraging corruption and jeopardizing multibillion-dollar aid projects, according to companies trying to make the switch.”

(Source: The Associated Press: Afghan private security handover looking messy.)

Somali Militants Join al-Qaida

“In one bold move, al-Qaida incorporated al-Shabab, one of the world’s most assertive extremist groups, thereby expanding its reach out of tribal Pakistan and bolstering its dwindling ranks. Expect the growing U.S. shadow war in Somalia to heat up in response — and U.S. citizens who’ve joined Shabab are likely to be first in the crosshairs.”

(Source: Legion of Doom: Somali Militants Join al-Qaida | Danger Room | Wired.com.)