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Thursday, May 10, 2012

The secret agent who challenged Al Qaeda


He is a hero. A spy movie hero of the twentieth century propelled the twenty-first. His identity, nationality, age ... nothing is out of this double agent who infiltrated Al Qaeda in Yemen on behalf of Saudi and services foiled an attack against a plane to the United States. The scenario worthy of a Hollywood movie of the time of the Cold War, made the headlines across the Atlantic. And for good reason: while the anti-terrorism agencies, the White House and the FBI had been content to welcome the failure of a planned attack marked the Yemeni branch of Al Qaeda, that the explosive device was in possession of the FBI and no "airliner" or "no American or ally" had been endangered, the media finally revealed some elements of the covert operation. A Saudi officer, infiltrated within Al Qaeda, would have a few weeks ago volunteered for a suicide mission, before fleeing with the bomb and put it back in its case officers in Saudi Arabia. This attempt to re-release of the attack "to slip trapped" in 2009 by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was to mark the first anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden, May 2. But it is indeed an informant services Saudis that foiled the suicide mission, says "Los Angeles Times". According to the "New York Times", this agent has also supplied information "crucial" that enabled the U.S. to eliminate services, Sunday evening, a major contributor to AQAP. The Yemeni Fahd al-Quso, who was wanted for the attack against the USS Cole off Aden in 2000, was killed during an air raid on Sunday night in eastern Yemen. It is actually not the first time that the Saudi intelligence can thwart anti-American attacks. Already in October 2010, it is thanks to information from those services that bombs, hidden in printers in the United States sent a cargo plane, were intercepted in the UK and Dubai. According to the "New York Times", the success of this operation was kept secret for some time because of possible retaliation even against the officer and his family. But they are now safely out of Yemen, probably in Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. daily. And taken off to bomb the AQAP is being analyzed in the local FBI in Quantico, Virginia. An operation which the Obama administration must success, as the "Washington Post", the deployment of new resources in the region, both in terms of spies, listening material as armed drones.

The Israeli parliament approves the largest coalition of the country's history


The Israeli parliament approved on Wednesday by 71 votes in favor to 23 against the agreement of the Government of National Unity signed between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , and the opposition leader, Shaul Mofaz , Kadima training. The agreement prevents the advancement of the presidential elections, scheduled for SeptemberThis agreement puts Netanyahu at the head of one of the largest coalitions of government in the history of Israel (which has 94 seats out of 120) and seventh unity government since statehood in 1948. In the vote, of the 26 MPs in the opposition, which after the agreement has been completely reduced and neutralized, 23 voted against and the rest have ausentado. Tambien have left the debating chamber two members of Kadima: Shlomo Mula and Magali Wahabe , because he disagreed with the decision of its leader Under the agreement, Shaul Mofaz, becomes deputy prime minister and minister without portfolio and sit on the forum of key ministers and the security cabinet, which currently has 15 members. Under the agreement, the Kadima will have important positions in government , including the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Economic Affairs.

The early elections

The agreement also involves the suspension of the presidential elections to advance the Israeli prime minister himself announced at a convention with his party in early April. Thus, Netanayahu may terminate its mandate and will have to wait a year and a half to hold the next presidential elections. Meanwhile, Mofaz, the defense minister and opposition leader shorter history of the country after taking over the leadership of Kadima and a half months ago, prevents loss of weight in the political arena to the polls predicted he and his party in a case early elections. The agreement between Netanyahu and Mofaz also contemplates the relaunch of the peace process with the Palestinians , a guarantee to vote for the national budget for next year and a new text to replace the controversial "Such a law" which exempts military service for Orthodox religious Jews and against which the Supreme Court has ruled.

Netanyahu's political juggling

Netanyahu has made ​​the Kadima party founded by Ariel Sharon after leaving the Likud and, ultimately, an offshoot of the more moderate wing of it, return to the fold of his former fellow soldiers , on the trip multiplying its parliamentary support. Boasting of their ability to juggle political and using the main weakness of the opposition , to which all the polls predicted a resounding crash in the next elections, the prime minister has managed to form a coalition that ranges from extreme right to the center political. Now, this government is composed of representatives of the nationalist parties Likud, Israel and the Jewish Covenant Beteinu-NRP, the center-right Atzmaut (Independence) and Kadima, and Shas and the ultra-Orthodox Judaism Kingdom of the Bible. Netanyahu had decided a week ago early elections next September at the risk of fracture who presented with its main coalition partner, the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic party "Shas" and the ultra-nationalist "Israel Beitenu" Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The agreement will form the government that the two forces most votes in Israel is unique also become head of the opposition to the Labour Party leader, Shely Yajimovich, with only 8 members.

Drama based on demonstration flight: with 44 passengers disappears Russian Superjet

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft of the type had disappeared from the radar screen, a spokesman for the airline consortium OAK confirmed on Wednesday in Moscow. The radio connection with the machine was broken during the test near the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, it said.A Russian aviation expert said there was little hope for a happy ending.On board, eight Russians and 36 representatives of Indonesian airlines were.According to data from Jakarta, it was, however, by 40 Indonesians.Thus were up to 48 passengers on board passenger aircraft.

Manufacturers had to contend with engine problems

Endowed with Western technology is the first Superjet 100 airliner, which was developed in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow has ambitious plans with the machine.So shall the developed in cooperation with Boeing and European companies in the world market Superjet make the industry giant Bombardier of Canada and Embraer of Brazil competition.Just a short civil division had the fighter manufacturer Sukhoi official authorization in the European Union receive.However, engine problems delayed the delivery of the plane so far.The demonstration flight, he should be presented to potential buyers.The jet appears not again, this would be a setback for the Russian aviation industry.

The worst is feared

The aircraft was on a demonstration tour of six Asian countries. Currently, the worst is feared.The machine is still missing."We are still looking for it," said the head of the Indonesian Civil Aviation Authority, Herry Bakti Singoyudha in Jakarta."We do not know what happened." The plane had disappeared in the area of ​​about 2200 meters high volcano Salak from the radar screen, he added. Shortly before the crew had asked to be allowed to reduce the flying height.A spokesman for the Russian aerospace consortium OAK in Moscow confirmed that the wireless connection is torn down with the machine during the test.

Kofi Annan warns of civil war


Syria's international mediator Kofi Annan has appealed to the international community not to let the country slide into civil war.Although the military had its activities somewhat limited, but is not the level of violence is still unacceptable, the former UN secretary general said on Tuesday in Geneva. Annan, who briefed the Security Council by video on the situation in Syria, warned strongly against a possible failure of the brokered by him peace plan: "If he is unsuccessful and a civil war breaks, it would affect not only Syria but would have enormous implications for the entire region . "According to the Red Cross, the fighting in some parts of the character of a civil war.The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jakob Kellenberger, said that the violence in Homs and Iblib have met during the three criteria of his organization for such a conflict: intensity, duration and degree of organization of the rebels.However, this is not true of the whole country, he told Reuters.The division is of legal significance, because arising under international law in a civil war for both parties to certain obligations. Kellenberger also asked for greater support for the work of the ICRC in Syria.The number of needy people there have grown very strong, he told reporters.This is not only a consequence of the fighting but also the isolation of the country by the international sanctions.


U.S. wants to strengthen rebels

The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice announced that her government would strengthen support for the rebels.However, this still does not consider including aid for the killing of opponents. Her Russian counterpart on the other hand sees a positive development in Syria: "The matter is moving in the right direction," said Vitaly Churkin.There were still many obstacles to overcome but they were.in Syria has been raging for 14 months, an uprising against President Bashar el Assad.This according to United Nations estimates more than 9,000 people have died.A ceasefire between the rebels and the government has not kept pace.The ongoing fighting has stoked fears of a nationwide outbreak of civil war.


According to data from the petroleum industry for four weeks is no more diesel in Syrian ports have been delivered. Were recorded in March While up to nine deliveries with about 30 000 tonnes of fuel were arrived in April, just two months to start.Affected are not only imports from countries like Russia, but also from Iran.A supplier based in Morocco underlined the EU sanctions as a reason to stop trading.Why this is obviously extended to supplies from Iran, was initially unclear.Although Syria encourages oil and has two refineries.However, it can not meet its own demand for fuel.

South Sudan accuses Khartoum, bombing continues

The army of South Sudan has accused Sudan of having again bombed its territory, violating the UN resolution which calls on Khartoum and Juba to cease hostilities'. '' The Republic of Sudan has bombed at random areas inhabited by civilians,'' said a military spokesman in Juba, Kella Kueth, stating that yesterday Antonov bombers and fighter jets have been seen in the Upper Nile, of ' Unit 'and the Bahr el Ghazal.