INTERNATIONAL SECURITY NEWS BRIEFS:
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Kidnapping in Tijuana: The New Normal 6/1/2011
Tijuana is facing a new trend in kidnapping. Unlike the wave of indiscriminate abductions for ransom that hit this Mexican city in 2008, this time the kidnappings seem more of a way of doing business. more...

Gibraltar fuel depot blast hurts 12 cruise passengers 6/1/2011
Twelve cruise ship passengers have been injured in an explosion and fire at the port of the British territory of Gibraltar, its government says. more...

Pentagon: Hack Attacks Can Be Act of War 6/1/2011
For the first time, the Pentagon has formally concluded that computer sabotage carried out by another nation can constitute an act of war that warrants a response of traditional military force, according to published media reports. more...

Thailand arrests American for alleged king insult  05/29/2011
Thai authorities said Friday they arrested an American citizen on charges he insulted the country's monarchy by posting a link on his blog four years ago to a banned book about the Southeast Asian nation's ailing king. more...

Volcanic ash cloud: latest travel advice 05/24/2011
Here is a summary of the flight disruption caused as a volcanic ash cloud spreads from Iceland to British airspace, causing a number of airlines to put scheduled departures on hold across Scotland and northern England. more...

Bomb warning received in London 05/16/2011
It has not been confirmed whether the bomb threat was linked to the earlier closure of the Mall A bomb warning has been received relating to central London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. more...

Bogota's La Candelaria waits for more police after hostel robberies 05/12/2011
The mayor of La Candelaria, Bogota's most touristy district, said Tuesday that her administration has requested increased police presence after a series of violent hostel robberies. more...

Explosion Hits Central Subway Station in Belarus 04/12/2011
 An explosion tore through a subway station near the office of the authoritarian president of Belarus during evening rush hour on Monday, killing at least two people and wounding numerous others, according to news agencies. more...  

Spain's airport unions call off strike 03/25/2011
Spanish airport workers have voted to call off 22 days of strike action, a spokesman from Spain's largest union CCOO said on Friday, averting disruption over peak holiday periods between April and August. more...

Burma earthquake: More than 60 killed
More than 60 people have died in a magnitude-6.8 earthquake in Burma which struck near the Lao and Thai borders. more...

'Spectacular' cyber attack hits French government 03/08/2011
The French finance ministry has shut down 10,000 computers after a "spectacular" cyber attack from hackers using Internet addresses in China, officials and reports said on Monday. more...

Thousands march against India's embattled government  February 25, 2011
At least 100,000 trade unionists marched through the Indian capital Wednesday in a protest against high food prices and unemployment, piling pressure on an administration under fire over corruption scandals. more...

China's Web police block US ambassador's name  February 25, 2011
China widened its Internet policing after online calls for protests like those that swept the Middle East, with social networking site LinkedIn and searches for the U.S. ambassador's name both blocked on Friday. more...

Mexico Spring Break Tourism Falls Amid Violence, Universal Says February 22, 2011
Western Hemisphere > Mexico > Acapulco; Western Hemisphere > Mexico > Mazatlan
Foreign tourism may fall as much as 88 percent in Acapulco this year as spring breakers cancel trips because of reports of violence, El Universal reported. more...

MULTINATIONALS KEEP EGYPT OFFICES SHUT, WORKERS HOME February 2, 2011
Multinational companies had no immediate plans to reopen Egyptian offices or bring back evacuated employees after President Hosni Mubarak's attempt to restore stability failed to placate protesters.

Murders Topped 11,500 in Mexico Last Year, Newspaper Says January 3, 2010
A total of 11,583 people were murdered in Mexico last year, making 2010 the worst year since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the country’s drug cartels shortly after taking office in December 2006, the Mexico City daily Reforma reported. more...

Mexican violence hitting America's salad bowl December 23, 2010
Western Hemisphere > Mexico > Nogales
U.S. importers of fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico say they are beginning to face losses from delays after U.S. quality inspectors pulled out of Mexico fearing escalating drug violence. more...

U.S. tightens air cargo security rules November 8, 2010
The U.S. has banned toner and ink cartridges that weigh more than a pound from checked and carry-on luggage. This ban, aimed at preventing a plot similar to the one foiled last month, also applies to some inbound international air cargo shipments. In addition, all cargo identified as high-risk will be subject to additional screening. The U.S. will continue to ban all air cargo shipments from Yemen, and it has also banned shipments from Somalia. The Air Transport Association issued a statement noting that U.S. air carriers "are in full compliance with the new TSA security requirements regarding printer and toner cartridges." CNN (11/8)

TSA faces growing criticism of passenger screening November 8, 2010
Travel groups are voicing increasing frustration with TSA passenger screening procedures, charging that longer delays, reduced privacy and embarrassing pat-downs have done little to increase security for the flying public. "The system is broken, it's extremely flawed and it's absurd that we all sit back and say we can't do anything about it," says Geoff Freeman of the U.S. Travel Association, which fears people will eventually stop flying rather than face the security gauntlet.

Mexican authorities seize 105 tons of marijuana October 19, 2010
Americas - Mexico  Mexican security forces seized at least 105 tons of U.S.-bound marijuana in the border city of Tijuana on Monday, by far the biggest pot bust in the country in recent years.  more...

US Considers Warning On Europeon Travel « WWJ AM - October 02, 2010
Oct 2, 2010 ... A European official briefed on the talks said the language in the ... The implications of a blanket “travel warning” for all of Europe could be big. ... While the government cannot stop people from traveling there or ...
wwj.cbslocal.com/2010/10/02/>us-considers-warning-on-europe on-travel/

Jumbo jet makes emergency landing minutes after Heathrow take off  - October 02, 2010
Telegraph.co.uk: A British Airways jumbo jet forced to make an emergency landing minutes after taking off from Heathrow airport.

Security tightened for red rally  September 16, 2010
East Asia / Pacific - Thailand  Bangkok city inspectors, or Thetsakit, will work with police in guarding about 40 locations in the capital when supporters of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship gather on Sunday. more...

Bangkok raises security to high alert after recent blasts September 03, 2010
BANGKOK : Thailand has put over 460 locations across Bangkok on high alert on Friday in response to a series of grenade attacks that have rattled nerves in a city still under emergency rule after deadly protests. Royal palaces, key government buildings, power plants and public transport will receive special protection from the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), the body set up to monitor security since unrest in April.

Alleged terrorism plot targeted Canada  August 27, 2010
Americas - Canada  Three Ontario men accused of taking part in a domestic terrorist plot and possessing plans and materials to create makeshift bombs had allegedly selected specific targets in Canada, sources told CBC News. more...

Turkey and Russia world's riskiest places to go online August 26, 2010
Turkey is the riskiest place in the world to surf the web, according to a recent survey conducted by security company AVG and reported by softpedia.com. more...

Eight Mexican Cops Arrested on Kidnapping Charges July 13, 2010
MEXICO CITY – Federal Police officers arrested eight municipal police officers in Tierra Blanca, a city in the Mexican Gulf state of Veracruz, on kidnapping and other charges, the Public Safety Secretariat said.
The officers were arrested at Tierra Blanca city hall “while roll call was taking place,” the secretariat said.

Drug war hits Mexico's richest city July 9, 2010
 Mexico's richest city, once a poster child for development with its high-rise office blocks and flourishing industries, is being gripped by drug war terror with rising violence forcing dozens of its factories to freeze investment.

Thai government extends state of emergency in Bangkok July 6, 2010
The Thai government has extended a state of emergency in 19 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, because of fears of renewed violence.  more...

What foreigners should do if detained July 4, 2010
Western experts traveling to Ukraine would do well to heed the following rules if detained by the authorities: Read more. . .

Pentagon considers sending carrier to Korea June 2, 2010
WASHINGTON The U.S. is considering dispatching the aircraft carrier George Washington to the waters where North Korea allegedly sank a South Korean warship, defense officials said Wednesday.

Thailand unrest 'under control' May 21, 2010
Thailand's PM says order has been restored in the country and calls for reconciliation after dozens die in political violence.

Based on US advisory, MHA issues terror alert to New Delhi April 22, 2010
The government alerted the Delhi police on the US advisory on possibility of terror attacks in the national capital and asked it to take necessary steps to strengthen security. more...

Thai protesters fortify camps in heart of Bangkok April 20, 2010
Thai protesters said Tuesday that they would fortify their sprawling encampment in Bangkok's upscale hotel-and-shopping district before venturing out to "wage a big war" to topple the government they decry as illegitimate

Navy ships to aid in ash response April 20, 2010
Royal Navy ships are drafted into the efforts to return stranded travellers to the UK as airspace restrictions are extended.

Stranded Britons face air chaos April 18, 2010
Thousands of Britons remain stranded around the world as UK flight restrictions continue due to Iceland's volcanic cloud.

Thailand's PM declares emergency April 7, 2010
Thailand's prime minister declares a state of emergency in Bangkok amid growing anti-government protests. In a televised address, Mr Abhisit said the move - which gives sweeping new powers to the security forces to tackle protesters - would help restore order. It comes hours after thousands of "red-shirt" protesters marched on parliament - forcing MPs to flee the building.

Santiago Bombs Worry Officials About Upcoming Young Combatants’ Day March 25, 2010
The second noise bomb to explode in less than 24 hours in Santiago went off in the central offices of the airline LAN in Las Condes Tuesday night.  Another bomb had exploded just hours earlier at a Banco de Chile office in the La Florida borough.
Although the local District Attorney’s Office says there is no proof of a connection between the two incidents, local officials are on alert in view of the upcoming Young Combatants’ Day (Dia del Joven Combatiente) “celebration” which will occur on Monday, March 29.

Thai anti-government protesters picket U.S. embassy March 17, 2010
Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters picketed the US embassy in Bangkok Wednesday, accusing American intelligence officials of bugging exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Massive earthquake strikes Chile February 27, 2010
A massive earthquake has hit central Chile and killed at least 122 people, though the toll is expected to rise. The 8.8 quake caused widespread damage, destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas, including the capital where a chemical plant caught fire. President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in affected areas and appealed for calm.

U.S. starts aid airdrops into Haiti January 19, 2010
The US military begins airdrops of food and water into Haiti, as aid efforts gather pace a week after the devastating earthquake. Some 14,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15,000 litres of water were dropped north-east of the capital, Port-au-Prince, the US said.

Security fears in quake-hit Haiti January 16, 2010
Security concerns rise in Haiti's capital as distribution problems continue to hamper the supply of aid to desperate quake survivors. Days after the quake devastated Port-au-Prince, killing tens of thousands, there are some reports of gangs preying on residents and looting. Officials say thousands of prisoners are unaccounted for after the main prison was destroyed. Relief has been arriving, but little has moved beyond the jammed airport.

Vietnam police tear gas, beat Catholics over cross: priest  January 7, 2010
HANOI (AFP) - Several Vietnamese Catholics were injured when police used electric prods and fired tear gas in a dispute over a crucifix, a priest said Thursday. . .He said parishioners had told him the police used electric prods, tear gas and stones against the crowd, two of whom were seriously injured and taken to Hanoi for treatment. . .The clash, as described by the priest, is one of the most serious incidents in a long-running series of church-state land disputes.

Third Western Yemen embassy shuts January 4, 2010
France follows the US and UK in shutting its Yemen embassy, after threats by a group linked to an alleged plane bomb plot.

U.S. toughens air screening rules January 4, 2010
Passengers flying to the US from or via 14 nations deemed a security risk face tougher screening, under new measures.

Volcanic ash disrupts Puerto Rican flights December 30, 2009
Caribbean air traffic is being snarled by a cloud of volcanic ash floating 10,000 feet above the island of Montserrat, forcing the cancellation of more than 60 flights in Puerto Rico. At least eight U.S. carriers have had their operations affected by the Soufriere volcano, which has been spewing ash for several weeks.

Full-body scanners could get boost from bombing incident December 29, 2009
Experts say full-body scanners could have detected the explosive smuggled aboard Northwest Flight 253, but privacy concerns have prevented deployment of the machines in Europe. That could change, however, as governments scramble to plug the hole that allowed Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to board the plane with explosive chemicals hidden under his clothes.

Father warned about 'jet bomber'  December 27, 2009
The father of a Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a transatlantic jet had warned US officials about his son's views.

Spain calls for blockade of Somali pirate ports November 11, 2009
Spain wants EU naval forces to blockade three Somali ports used to launch pirate attacks against ships in the Indian Ocean, Defence Minister Carme Chacon said Wednesday.

Pirates 'seize UK yacht couple'  October 28, 2009
A couple who have gone missing while sailing in the Seychelles are feared to have been seized by Somali pirates.

Terror groups gaining Western recruits October 19, 2009
German security services have been on high alert since last month, ... The agents provide guidance, money, travel routes and even letters of recommendation ...

Chinese ship hijacked in Indian Ocean: EU  October 19, 2009
East Asia / Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa - China, Seychelles  A Chinese bulk carrier was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on Monday, the EU's anti-piracy naval mission in the region reported, immediately launching an investigation into the incident.

Milan Bomber Had Accomplices, More Explosives - Police October 17, 2009
MILAN (Reuters) - The Libyan man who tried to bomb a Milan army barracks had suspected accomplices and the group had more explosives ready, police said on Tuesday.

U.S. troops aid Philippine rescue October 11, 2009
U.S. troops are drafted into Philippine relief operations, where some 600 people have died following two typhoons.

Cartels may target U.S. firms October 6, 2009
Americas - Mexico  American interests could become targets of Mexico's drug cartels as Washington deepens its involvement in the war against drugs south of the border, according to a leading global intelligence and security corporation. 

China number two in world for rabies deaths  East Asia / Pacific - China  September 28, 2009
BEIJING: China is second only to India worldwide in the number of people killed by rabies every year, the government reported, making the disease one of the nation's biggest public health threats. "China is one of the countries most severely affected by rabies, and in recent years the number of annual reported deaths from rabies has averaged around 2,400," the health ministry said in a statement on its website. "It is only inferior in number to India, and gives us the world's second-place ranking." The statement, issued to coincide with World Rabies Day on Monday, said rabies was among the top three infectious diseases in China.

China Bars Foreigners From Making Visits to Tibet  East Asia / Pacific - China  September 25, 2009
China has stopped issuing travel documents to foreigners seeking to visit Tibet, according to local tour operators, another indicator of the government’s skittishness over the coming anniversary of the Communist victory in 1949.

Australian attacked in Belgrade September 21, 2009
Europe - Serbia  An Australian tourist has become the second foreigner in four days to be attacked in Serbia's capital, Belgrade. 

U.S. Embassy in Honduras to stop issuing most visas August 26, 2009
Americas - Honduras  The United States will stop issuing most visas on Wednesday at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras because the current government is standing by its refusal to sign an accord that would bring back overthrown President Manuel Zelaya.

Russia detains ship 'hijackers'  August 18, 2009
The Russian navy arrests a group of eight people it says hijacked the Arctic Sea, the missing ship found off West Africa.

Beyoglu, a safe place to go? July 22, 2009
Europe - Turkey  After a German tourist was killed in broad daylight Monday morning on İstiklal, a crowded pedestrian street in Taksim, the question of safety in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu area has once again become the talk of the town.

Cartels now killing at will in Chihuahua July 16, 2009
Americas - Mexico  The recent killings of a mayor, anti-crime activists and federal police point to an uneasy shift in tactics by drug cartels as the violence continues at an unstoppable pace across Mexico, officials said 

Calderon's drug offensive stirs 'wasp nest' July 13, 2009
Americas - Mexico  In the baddest precinct of Mexico's most violent city, Jose Manuel Resendiz is the law.The army officer packs two pistols and a semiautomatic rifle as he patrols the Delicias district of Ciudad Juarez, the bullet-scarred border city that is the emblem of Mexico's drug-war mayhem.

Travelers Face Limit of $630 on New Goods July 10, 2009
Europe - Russia  Travelers might be restricted to bringing only 20,000 rubles ($630) worth of goods into Russia without paying customs duties under a government proposal aimed at bolstering crisis-hit customs revenues.

Hong Kong police investigate acid attacks June 9, 2009
East Asia / Pacific - Hong Kong, SAR  Hong Kongers ventured out unafraid Tuesday, as police searched for suspects behind a third acid attack that injured 24 people in one of the city's most densely populated shopping districts. Nearly 100 people have been injured in the assaults so far.

Deadly gun battle rocks Acapulco June 8, 2009
Americas - Mexico  Sixteen gunmen thought to be linked to drug cartels and two soldiers have been killed in clashes in the Mexican resort of Acapulco, officials say. 

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.

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...

UK plans comprehensive terror law March 22, 2009
Europe - United Kingdom  The UK is planning an updated anti-terror strategy aimed at tackling the immediate threat of terrorism and the longer-term causes of extremism.

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