February 2008

Report Concerning Ricin Incident in Las Vegas, NV (Video)

AP (Video) Report Concerning Ricin Incident in Las Vegas, NV

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A police news conference is scheduled for later today (Friday) in Las Vegas.

Stop back at Emergency.Blog for more on this developing story...

Major Disturbance Report at Edison H.S. in Miami

11:00 CST - 29 Feb 2008

Major Disturbance at Florida High School

MIAMI FL: According to fragmentary reports from emergency service sources, a major disturbance is taking place today at Edison high school in Miami. Numerous police units and ambulances have reportedly been dispatched to the scene. The number and severity of any injuries is not presently known. It is also being reported that some police officers may have been injured in the incident. Reports from the scene show dozens of police cars outside the school, which is located at 6161 5th court in Miami.

Edison High School is on lockdown after what is being called "a large fight" broke out on campus Friday morning. A number of students are also believed to have been arrested in this incident and press reports say that as many as fifty (50) police units may be on the scene. Several students were seen being led from the school in flexi-cuffs by police. Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this emerging story...

Additional reference:

CBS4, can be found at: http://cbs4.com/local/disturbance.miami.edison.2.665835.html

NBC6, can be found at:http://www.nbc6.net/news/15449352/detail.html

Hazardous Material Incident in Vegas; Possible Ricin

00:30 CST - 29 Feb 2008

Hazardous Material Incident in Vegas; Possible Ricin Involvement

LAS VEGAS, NV: Early and largely unconfirmed reports coming in to EmergencyNet News sayd that a major investigation is underway at this hour in regard to a hazardous materials incident at the Extended Stay America Motel in the vicinity of Valley View and Flamingo in Las Vegas.

According to emergency service and media reports, Clark County Fire, Homeland Security, Metro Police and 92nd Civil Support Group with the Nevada National Guard have all been dispatched to an incident involving a substance believed to be "ricin." It is believed that additional federal agents are also being dispatched to this incident. Few other details are officially verified at the time of this report.

Watch Emergency.Blog for more on this still developing story...

Additional reference: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/

Background: Ricin

Ricin is a plant toxin that is 30 times more potent than the nerve agent VX by weight and is readily obtainable by extraction from common castor beans. Castor beans, which grow on a common ornamental plant, can be processed by terrorists using crude equipment and common chemicals to produce the toxin ricin.

1. There is no treatment for ricin poisoning after it has entered the bloodstream. Victims start to show symptoms within hours to days after exposure, depending on the dosage and route of administration.
   
2. Terrorists have looked at delivering ricin in foods and as a contact poison, although we have no scientific data currently indicates that ricin can penetrate intact skin.
   
3. Ricin will remain stable in foods as long as they are not heated, and it will have few indicators because it does not have a strong taste and is off-white in color
   
   -- Source: Terrorist CBRN: Materials and Effects, CIA report, can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/pdf/CBRN_threat.pdf

Summary & Index of Selected Terror Events of the Early 21st Century

webposted February, 2008

Summary & Index of Selected Terror Events of the Early 21st Century

Initial reports, references, links, and background data

Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2008/terr_summary08.htm

Five Injured in Waukegan Mall Explosion

February 29, 2008

5 hurt in explosion at Waukegan mall

WAUKEGAN, IL: Five people were injured Thursday afternoon as an explosion blew out three adjacent stores in a business district in north suburban Waukegan at Grand and Lewis Avenues, authorities said. "It appears to be a gas explosion at this time," said Waukegan police Chief Bill Biang.

The five injured have been transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, but there are no details on their conditions. All five of the injured were inside Cleopatra's Unisex Hair Salon, in the 1900 block of Grand Avenue, said Dan Young, deputy fire chief of the Waukegan Fire Department.

The Fire Department responded to the call shortly after noon when a police officer driving by the strip of shops and businesses witnessed the explosion, Young said.

"It lifted the roof off of the building, then set it down. Then the walls collapsed inside," Young said. Fire crews were on the scene Thursday afternoon making sure the buildings were safe to re-enter. They have not heard any specific reports of people unaccounted for, Young said...

-- Source/continues at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/
chi-waukegan-explosion-webfeb29,1,6867855.story

7 people shot, including 5 juveniles, in South Los Angeles

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Seven shot at South L.A. bus stop

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two suspects shot seven people in a crowd at a bus stop near Central and Vernon Avenues Wednesday. Five juveniles were among those shot. The shooting happened at approximately 3:15 p.m. PST

George Washington Carver Middle School has been locked down in response to the incidents.

There are reportedly two locations in question: the intersection of Vernon and Central Avenues, near George Washington Carver Middle School; and the intersection of Wadsworth and Central Avenues.

The L.A. City Fire Dept. was on scene treating the gunshot victims. The injuries are described as minor. Two people have been transported to the hospital to be treated for their wounds...

-- Source: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local&id=5986315

Summary of and Review of Some Major School Shootings

26 Feb 2008

Summary of and Review of Some Major School Shootings

Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2008/school_shooting_summary08.htm

(Includes Columbine and some selected other school incidents)

Bosnian Serb rioters try to storm U.S. consulate

26 Feb 2008

Bosnian Serb rioters try to storm U.S. consulate
Protest against Kosovo independence turns violent in Bosnia-Herzegovina

MSNBC News Services

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Police fired tear gas at Bosnian Serb rioters Tuesday to prevent them from storming the building of the U.S. consulate after protests against Kosovo?s independence.

A group split away from the almost 10,000 peaceful protesters in Banja Luka and headed toward the consulate, breaking shop windows and throwing stones at police who blocked the streets leading to the building with armored vehicles.

A rain of stones poured down on police before officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several officers were seen limping. Police were also seen detaining several demonstrators as they withdrew to a nearby park...

Article continues at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23351136/

Serbia: US 'culprit' in Kosovo violence

Sat Feb 23, 4:23 PM ET

Serbia: US 'culprit' in Kosovo violence

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, KOSOVO: Serbia's hard-line leaders on Saturday called the U.S. "the main culprit" in the violence that has broken out since Kosovo declared independence.

Several thousand Serbs chanting "Kosovo is Serbia!" and "Russia, Vladimir Putin!" protested peacefully in the ethnically divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica, the sixth day of demonstrations against Kosovo's break with Serbia. Russia backs Serbia's fierce resistance to Kosovo's secession.

On Thursday night, protesters in the Serbian capital Belgrade set fire to the U.S. embassy, angered by Washington's recognition of Kosovo. The U.S. and the European Union responded by demanding Serbia protect foreign embassies.

"The United States is the main culprit ... for all those violent acts," Serbia's Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic said in Belgrade.

Other Serbian leaders have called for calm after the riots. But an aide to hard-line Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said any future violence also will be blamed on the U.S.

"If the United States sticks to its present position that the fake state of Kosovo exists ... all responsibility in the future will be on the United States," Kostunica adviser Branislav Ristivojevic said in a statement.

The comments were an indication that Serbia is drifting further from the West and more toward ally Russia...

-- Source/continues: Yahoo/AP, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080223/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo

[The views expressed above are those of the author and/or publisher and do not necessarily represent those of ERRI, EmergencyNet News, or Emergency.Blog. They are presented to give our readers alternative viewpoints from around the world and to encourage discussion and further study of important topics.]

Attack/Fire at U.S. Embassy in Belgrade (Video)

U.S. Embassy Attacked in Serbia

EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Report

21 Feb 2008 - 12:20 CST

U.S. Embassy Attacked in Serbia

BELGRADE, SERBIA: EmergencyNet News is receiving early and largely unconfirmed reports about unrest and an arson attack in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. According to eyewitnesses, entry into the embassy building was made by protestors and a fire may have been set in the building. Troops and police were seen on the street in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy. Other unrest was noted outside the building and teargas has reported been fired at the protestors.

It is not presently known if U.S. embassy personnel suffered any injuries, as it is believed that the embassy was placed at minimum staffing since the 17th of February. Only security personnel and Marine guards were thought to be in the compound at the time of the protest.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack strongly urged the Serbian government to protect the U.S. Embassy. He said the U.S. ambassador was at his home and was in contact with U.S. officials.

There are also unverified reports of damage and protests at other countries' embassies in Belgrade.

Events and details are dynamic and confusing at the time of this report. There were previous protests outside the embassy, after the United States recognized the new country of Kosovo (see previous reports this blog). Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this emerging story...

Additional Reference:

Serbian Protesters Break into US Embassy in Belgrade

By VOA News, 21 February 2008

Can be found at: http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-21-voa22.cfm

Fidel Castro announces retirement

Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 07:42 GMT

Fidel Castro announces retirement

Cuba's ailing leader, Fidel Castro has announced he will not return to the presidency in a letter published by official Communist Party paper.

In a statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper he said: "To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honour in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept ... the position of president of council of state and commander-in-chief."

Mr. Castro handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery, and has not been seen in public since. The 81-year-old has ruled Cuba since leading a communist revolution in 1959.

In December, Mr. Castro indicated that he could possibly step down in favor of a younger generation.

-- Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7252109.stm

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Damascus, Syria: Crossroads For Terrorism

Kosovo declares independence

Kosovo declares independence

By Dan Bilefsky Published: February 17, 2008

PRISTINA, KOSOVO: As some 30,000 ethnic Albanians swarmed through the streets, Kosovo's leader on Sunday declared independence from Serbia in a ceremony intended to cap a long and bloody struggle for national self-determination.

The proclamation of what hopes to be Europe's newest country - a decade after a civil war that killed 10,000 people and after years of limbo under United Nations administration - marks the final dismemberment of the former Yugoslavia 17 years after its dissolution began.

It brings to a climax a showdown between the West, which argues that Slobodan Milosevic's brutal subjugation of Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians negated Serbia's moral and legal claim to rule the territory, and Belgrade and its ally Moscow, which counter that Kosovo's independence is a reckless breach of international law that will spur other secessionist movements across the world

Ethnic Albanians from as far away as America streamed into Pristina this weekend, braving freezing temperatures and heavy snow, to dance in frenzied jubilation. Beating drums, waving Albanian flags and throwing firecrackers, they chanted "Independence! Independence! We are free at last!"

-- Source/story continues at: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/17kosovo3.php

Serbs stone U.S. embassy after Kosovo breakaway

By Ellie Tzortzi

February 17, 2008

BELGRADE: Angry Serbs stoned the U.S. embassy in Belgrade to protest at Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday, smashing windows before riot police appeared to regain the upper hand.

"Kosovo is the heart of Serbia," many shouted as up to 2,000 demonstrators, mostly young men, surrounded the embassy, which was guarded by more than 500 police in full riot gear.

Washington has strongly backed Kosovo's bid for independence.

Protesters chanting patriotic songs ripped up paving stones and prised concrete and tiles from nearby buildings to throw them at the police along with bottles, firecrackers and flares. The area was thick with smoke.

"Kill and hang them until there's no Albanians left!" cried some of the protesters.

Several police were taken away injured to a nearby ambulance, before police charged the demonstrators to chase them away from embassy, succeeding in dispersing most of the crowd. Several windows were smashed in the building, where no lights were on.

Police detained several people. Some protesters were seen, hurt and bleeding.

-- Source: Reuters, can be found at: http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/
articles/2008/02/17/serbs_stone_us_embassy_after_kosovo_breakaway/

Previous Reference:

Conflict in Kosovo (series of reports)

Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/1999/kosopage.htm

FBI warns of possible Hezbollah revenge in U.S.

February 16, 2008

FBI warns of possible Hezbollah revenge in U.S.

State and local law enforcement receive an intelligence bulletin to watch for retaliation by the Lebanese militia group, which has vowed to avenge the death of its leader.

By Josh Meyer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- The FBI and Department of Homeland Security sent a bulletin Friday to state and local law enforcement authorities advising them to watch for potential retaliatory strikes by Hezbollah, one day after the Lebanese militia group vowed to avenge the death of a top commander by attacking Israeli and Jewish targets around the world.

"While retaliation in the U.S. homeland is unlikely, Hezbollah has demonstrated a capability to respond outside the Middle East to similar events in the past," said the intelligence bulletin sent to about 18,000 state and local law enforcement officials late Friday afternoon.

The FBI also said it was intensifying its domestic intelligence-gathering efforts to identify any potential Hezbollah threats in the United States in the aftermath of Tuesday's car-bomb assassination of Imad Mughniyah in Syria.

On Wednesday, the FBI sent a confidential internal bulletin to its 101 Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the country warning of the possible domestic consequences of Mughniyah's killing. As part of that effort, FBI officials at headquarters told the bureau's field offices and multiagency task forces to increase monitoring and surveillance of suspected Hezbollah operatives and to conduct fresh interviews with sources and informants about the U.S.-designated terrorist group, according to two FBI officials.

U.S. authorities have long described Hezbollah as the "A-Team" of terrorism, with far more discipline than Al Qaeda, vast financing from the government of Iran, and a global network of sleeper operatives who could be called on to launch an attack at any time. Various federal investigations and prosecutions have uncovered dozens of Hezbollah fundraisers and supporters in the United States, but few people are believed to be actual "bomb throwers," according to a senior FBI counter-terrorism official who focuses on Hezbollah.

Though they have no evidence of specific threats in the United States, officials said that precautionary measures were warranted because of Mughniyah's stature within Hezbollah and because the organization and its Iranian supporters had publicly blamed his death on Israel and "Zionist forces..."

-- Source/continues at:http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbialert16feb16,0,2494118.story

Emerging Youth Violence; Who's Too Blame? (Audio)

15 Feb 2008

Podcast: Emerging Youth Violence; Who's Too Blame?

Source: C. L. Staten

An EmergencyNet News dissertation about who may be to blame for the current rash of school shootings (circa 1998). The comments appear to be just as pertinent today as they did during the time it was recorded. This is an editorial/opinion/commentary recording.

Emerging Youth Violence; Who's Too Blame?
(This presentation requires RealPlayer(tm) audio/video software installed on your computer)

Two School Shootings Reported in Las Vegas

Updated: Feb 15, 2008 18:14 PM CST

LV Student Killed in Drive-By

LAS VEGAS, NV: Police have confimed that a 9th grade student is dead following a shooting at Palo Verde High School.

The shooting happened just as school was let out for the day. According to police, a car carrying a group of teens, heading east on Alta, fired several shots into a group of students, fatally wounding the 9th grader...

Other assessments suggest that the two reported shootings appear unrelated and happened at two separate locations. Check out lasvegasnow.com for more details.

-- Source/story continues: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=7880193

[ERRI crime analysts did say that they are on alert for possible "copycat crimes" following the situation at NIU in DEKALB, IL. Watch this page for more information as circumstances warrant...]

15 Feb 2008 - 18:10 CST

Two School Shootings Reported in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV: Police are investigating two different shootings near two different Clark County (NV) schools.

The first shooting happened near Palo Verde High School and one person was transported. Another shooting happened near Whitney Elementary School. One person was also transported from that scene. Conditions of the victims are unknown at this time.

-- Source/story continues: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=7880193

NIU Shooting Update; Victims and Assailant Identified

15 Feb 2008 - 16:00 CST

NIU Shooting Update; Victims and Assailant Identified

DEKALB, IL: The assailant and victims in the shooting incident at Northern Illinois University have been identified by authorities:

Assailant: Graduate Student Stephen Kazmierczak

Victims: The people killed have been identified as Daniel Tarmenter, 20, of Westcheter; Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero; Ryanne Mace, 19, of Carpentersville; Julianna Gehant, 32, of downstate Meridan; and Gayle Dubowski, 20, of Carol Stream, according to the DeKalb County coroner's office. [All cities noted are in Illinois]

Fifteen others have been hospitalized and some remain in extremely critical condition.

-- Source/story continues at cbs2 in Chicago: http://cbs2chicago.com/breakingnewsalerts/
NIU.massacre.kazmierczak.2.654744.html#strategic

Hezbollah chief threatens Israel

Thursday, 14 February 2008, 15:41 GMT

Hezbollah chief threatens Israel
Nasrallah blamed Israel for Imad Mughniyeh's assassination

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has warned that the militant group is ready for "open war" with Israel, after the killing of one of its leaders in Syria. Nasrallah made the declaration during a fiery speech at the funeral of Imad Mughniyeh in Lebanon's capital, Beirut.

There is huge tension in the city, where thousands are attending Mughniyeh's funeral and rivals have held a memorial for ex-PM Rafik Hariri. It is three years since Hariri was killed, plunging Lebanon into crisis.

Mughniyeh was killed in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Tuesday.

Correspondents say the events come at a tense time, with no president and no working parliament in Lebanon. A huge security operation is under way amid fears of clashes between the pro-Syrian Hezbollah supporters and the anti-Syrian Hariri supporters...

-- Source/story continues at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7245042.stm

Total of Five Dead in NIU Shooting

Update - 02/14/2008 18:36:15 PM CST

Total of Five Dead in NIU Shooting

DEKALB, IL: Information that is still coming in to EmergencyNet News suggests that a total of five people have died in a shooting this afternoon on the campus of Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb.

Four of the dead are described as "victims" and the fifth is the gunman himself. Several other people remain in both critical and serious condition at multiple hospitals in N. Central Illinois. Some are in surgery or being scheduled for surgery to treat gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies.

The gunman is said to have been identified by law enforcement officials -- but no further details about him, or his motive in the shooting, has been released. None of the victims have been identified at the time of this report, pending family notifications. Crime scene technicians and detectives were seen scouring the area where the shooting took place at this hour.

Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this incident, as circumstances warrant...

UPDATE: As Many as 17 Injured in Campus Shooting; Several Critically

17:40 CST - 14 Feb 2008

As Many as 17 Injured in Campus Shooting; Several Critically

DEKALB, IL: A gunman opened fire in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University on Thursday, injuring as many as 17 people before he died, authorities said. DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler told the NIU student newspaper "The Northern Star" that the gunman was dead. It was not immediately clear how the assailant died.

Two victims were being airlifted to Rockford Memorial Hospital, and two others with head injuries were expected at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, also in Rockford, representatives of those hospitals said.

Kishwaukee Community Hospital spokeswoman Theresa Komitas told WLS-TV in Chicago it received 17 victims all with wounds from the shooting or flying debris, including three with serious injuries. She said she knew of no deaths at the hospital.

George Gaynor, a senior geography student, who was in Cole Hall when the shooting happened, told the student newspaper that the shooter was "a skinny white guy with a stocking cap on." Other witnesses said the young man carried a shotgun and a pistol. Any further identification of the gunman, or a motive for the incident, was not available at the time of this report.

The FBI was en route to the scene Thursday afternoon...

Multiple People Shot at N. Illinois University

02/14/2008 -- 16:15 PM CST

EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Report

Multiple People Shot at N. Illinois University

DEKALB, IL: (EmergencyNet News) According to very preliminary and yet largely unconfirmed accounts, as many as fifteen people have been shot this afternoon at the Cole lecture hall on the campus of N. Illinois University in De Kalb, IL. The campus is on lock-down until further notice.

Several victims have been transported by ambulance to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and other nearby hospitals. There may be fatalities at the scene, though that has not been confirmed by official sources at the time of this report.

A posting on the University website reports that "the immediate danger has passed. The gunman is no longer a threat." It is believed he was shot by police, but officials have not confirmed the information. His body remains in the lecture hall, according to students

Numerous mutual aid police and EMS units have been sent to the scene and at least eight ambulances were seen in a staging area near the scene of the shooting. The incident is thought to have begun at about 3:00 P.M. CST. Dekalb is located about sixty (60) miles west of Chicago.

Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this developing story...

Undercover Police Buy Toxic Chlorine In Terror Demonstration

13:37 pm EST February 13, 2008

Undercover Police Buy Toxic Chlorine In Terror Demonstration

NEW YORK -- Undercover NYPD investigators secretly set up a fake water-purification company last year to demonstrate how easily and anonymously a terrorist could purchase toxic chlorine on the Internet for a deadly chemical strike against the city.

A videotape -- showed at a counterterrorism briefing for private security executives on Wednesday -- discusses the threat and for the first time discloses the results of "Operation Green Cloud" -- a reference to the yellow-green color of chlorine gas.

The purpose was "to assess the ease or difficulty with which a terrorist in the United States could acquire large quantities of chlorine without being detected by law enforcement or intelligence agencies," a narrator says on a copy of the video obtained by The Associated Press.

The conclusion: "At the present time, few if any barriers stand in his way."

There has been no specific terror threat against the city involving chemicals, but the NYPD recently put more emphasis on screening shipments of chlorine after learning that it has become a favored component of homemade bombs in Iraq. A 2007 United Nations report found that at least 10 attacks there involved explosives attached to chlorine canisters.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that while there were no places to obtain chlorine in New York, there are several locations in neighboring New Jersey.

"It's something we have to be concerned about," he said of the potential of an attack using chlorine. "We think the whole area needs a lot of regulation."

Chlorine typically is used as a disinfectant or purifier, and as an ingredient in plastics and other products. While routinely transported in liquid form, it can turn into a deadly toxic gas when exposed to air.

Kelly said that the NYPD has been lobbying the Department of Homeland Security to draft stricter regulations requiring chlorine vendors to verify the legitimacy of their customers.

The department sent federal officials a copy of the videotape and "asked them to include strict 'know-your-customer' rules," Kelly said...

Story source/continues: http://www.wnbc.com/news/15291083/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news

Additional reference:

Chlorine Shown As Terror Hazard

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 By AP/TOM HAYS: Undercover police secretly set up a fake company to demonstrate how easily and anonymously a terrorist could purchase chlorine on the Internet for a deadly chemical strike against the city. Can be found in Time magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1713016,00.html

Chemical Terrorism,Threat Assessment:(2005): http://www.emergency.com/pdf/Chemical_Terrorism2005.pdf

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 -- "The Specter of Suicide Attacks with CBRN Weapons": http://www.emergency.com/archive/2007/03/entry_135.htm

Saturday, March 17, 2007 - "[Chlorine] Gas Sickens More Than 350 in Iraq Blasts":http://www.emergency.com/archive/2007/03/entry_134.htm

ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT, EmergencyNet News Service, Wednesday, 13 February, 2008, Vol. 12, No. 044 (Includes analysis)

Emergency.com Hazardous Materials/WMD Archive: http://www.emergency.com/hzmtpage.htm

DHS, FBI Warn of Possibility of Female Homicide Bombers

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

DHS, FBI Warn of Possibility of Female Homicide Bombers

The growing use by terrorist groups of women -- some disguised as expectant moms -- to deliver deadly homicide bombs has prompted the Department of Homeland Security and FBI to issue a rare warning that such attacks could take place on American soil.

The joint security assessment cited recent female homicide bomber attacks in Baghdad -- in which two women who appeared to have Down syndrome delivered a deadly explosion that killed 99 -- as well as in Sri Lanka, Chechnya, India, Pakistan and the Palestinian territories as reason for the warning.

"Female suicide bombers may have an advantage over their male counterparts in accessing targets," the analysis cautioned. "The means to conduct a suicide attack vary widely, but a key element in maximizing the lethality of a suicide bombing is the bomber's ability to get close to the target."

The assessment also strongly warned that potential female homicide bombers could use "prosthetic devices that mimic the look of a pregnant woman."

"Regardless of delivery by a man or a woman," the warning reads, "improvised explosive devices may contain fragmentation or shrapnel, such as nails, bolts, glass fragments, marbles, ball bearings, or other small metal pieces."

The assessment, which emphasizes that DHS and FBI have no solid evidence indicating imminent homicide bombing attacks on U.S. soil, also reminds law enforcement officials that "facilities such as public places" are the most vulnerable to homicide bombing attacks and that "the terrorist's latitude in determining and adjusting the target and timing of an attack up to the point of detonation" make it difficult to prepare countermeasures.

"These factors indicate the importance of ... alertness by security professionals to potential threats from the full range of gender and age groups," the bulletin reads...

-- Source/continues at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330415,00.html

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Embattled Muslim aide to leave Pentagon job (Coughlin follow-up)

Embattled Muslim aide to leave Pentagon job

Hesham Islam's 'resume didn't add up,' official says

February 11, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC: In a stunning turn of events, a high-level Muslim military aide blamed for costing an intelligence contractor his job will step down from his own Pentagon post, WND has learned.

Meanwhile, his rival, Maj. Stephen Coughlin, (click for previous Emergency.Blog story on this topic) a leading authority on Islamic war doctrine, may stay in the Pentagon, moving from the office of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the office of the secretary of defense. However, sources say a former U.S.ambassador to Turkey is trying to block his new contract.

The top Pentagon aide, Egyptian-born Hesham H. Islam, came under a cloud of suspicion after reports raised doubt about his resume and contacts he had made with radical Muslims. He is expected to leave the government next month, officials say.

Islam and Coughlin recently quarreled over intelligence briefings Coughlin presented showing a close connection between the religion of Islam and terrorism. Coughlin's contract with the Joint Chiefs, which ends in March, was not renewed.

But as a result of the ensuing firestorm that played out in the conservative press -- led by Washington Times Pentagon reporter Bill Gertz -- Islam was put under a microscope, and questions were raised regarding his background.

For example, Claudia Rosett of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote a column challenging key claims in Islam's official biography. Within days, a Defense Department profile of Islam was removed from the department's website.

A Pentagon spokesman said it was "taken down in an attempt to reduce the rhetoric and the emotion surrounding this issue while we try to determine the facts."

A senior U.S. official says the life story Islam presented now appears sketchy. "His resume didn't add up, and he knows it," the official said. "He's voluntarily leaving the government in March."

At the same time, a report by terror expert Steven Emerson revealed that Islam, as special assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, has scheduled at least two meetings in the Pentagon with Syrian-tied radicals ? including a leading member of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood ? in direct violation of U.S. policy.

As WND previously reported, FBI officials believe Islam is involved with the U.S. branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and is helping its front groups run "influence operations" against the U.S. government.

"He's a Muslim brother," an FBI official told WND. "He's a bad actor, and he's made other unreported nefarious contacts."

Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., who co-chairs the House Anti-Terrorism Caucus, has been fighting to keep Coughlin in the Pentagon, where she says his blunt analysis of the Islamic enemy is sorely needed.

Citing federal court documents introduced as evidence in a recent major terror case, she also warns that U.S. front groups for the Muslim Brotherhood are conspiring to destroy America from within.

"Our enemies have clearly stated their intention to infiltrate us, much like the Russians did during the Cold war," Myrick said. "We had no problem analyzing and acting on that information then."

"I know that some people will refuse to admit there is a subversive movement going on here, but let me remind you that we have underestimated the will and capability of our enemy for more than 30 years," she added. "They are patient and determined to achieve their radical agenda."

-- Source/continues at:WorldNetDaily

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56110

Camden Market Fire Cause Still Undetermined

13:38, Sunday February 10, 2008 (U.K. time)

Camden Market Fire 'Still A Mystery'

LONDON, ENGLAND: Detectives investigating a huge fire that ripped through London's famous Camden Market have insisted it is too early to say whether the blaze was started deliberately. The flames took three hours to get under control. There are no reports of any injuries.

Police chief superintendent Dominic Clout said: "It is far too early at the moment to say whether the cause of the fire is suspicious or otherwise. "The fire brigade cannot confirm where the seat of the fire is."

Police say parts of Camden Town in north London will be closed for the next three or four days. London Fire Brigade's Guy Foster explained that crews trying to ensure the fire is safe are being hampered by suspected structural damage to buildings.

Hundreds of people from the borough's pubs and bars were moved away as the flames took hold at about 7.10pm yesterday.

The worst-hit places were storage properties for the Canal Market and the famous pub the Hawley Arms.

Hawley Arms landlady Ruth Charles-Ridler said: "In a word, I'm devastated. Everyone I've spoken to is in complete shock. "Now all we can do is wait. Clearly there is severe damage but we are just hoping that it is not structural. We definitely plan to reopen although exactly when that would be is impossible to say."

Urging people to stay away today, police said Chalk Farm Road and parts of Camden High Street, as well as surrounding one way streets, are expected to be shut.

-- Source/continues: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1304805,00.html

Dozens Injured, 6 Missing in Blast at Georgia Sugar Refinery

Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 23:00 CST

Dozens Injured, 6 Missing in Blast at Georgia Sugar Refinery Plant

SAVANNAH, GA: An explosion and fire at a sprawling sugar refinery rattled this Savannah suburb Thursday night, severely injuring dozens of people and sending authorities into a nearby river to search for possible victims, officials said.

No deaths were immediately reported and there was no word on what caused the blast at the Imperial Sugar factory, which occurred in an area known as the "bagging plant," officials said. Authorities still searched for victims more than two hours later. The plant is located near Port Wentworth off of Highway 25.

Sgt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Savannah-Chatham County police, reported an unconfirmed number of injuries, "well over 50 to 100 at this point." The exact number of injured is not known at the time of this report.

Dr. Jay Goldstein of Memorial University Medical Center said 30 to 35 patients were being treated, all in critical condition. Candler Hospital reported three patients in serious condition.

A triage center was set up at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Port Wentworth, where Savannah-Chatham police Maj. Gerry Long said 28 had been sent on to hospitals. "They are still looking for and bringing people out," she said about 21:30 p.m. (local time).

Hospital officials says the victims have blast and burn injuries, some very severe, on 80 to 90 percent of their bodies. Eight ambulances are taking severely injured patients to the burn center in Augusta, GA for specialized burn treatment.

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Lynn said shipping was shut down on the Savannah River while the waterway was searched for potential victims.

"It's a large facility, and there is still a significant amount of fire," said Clayton Scott, assistant director of the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency.

-- Source/continues: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329766,00.html

Gunman opens fire at Kirkwood City Council meeting

02/08/2008 - 21:30 CST

Six dead, 2 injured in Kirkwood shooting

From staff reports: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

KIRKWOOD, MO: Six people, including two Kirkwood police officers, a Kirkwood city council woman and the gunman, were killed tonight at Kirkwood City Hall, a St. Louis County police spokeswoman said about 9:25 p.m. Two others were wounded. And one of the wounded at St. John's Mercy Medical center is in critical condition.

Officer Tracy Panus said the man approached City Hall and shot one officer outside, then entered the building and shot and killed another officer.

"He shot three other people who were attending the council meeting. They also are deceased," she said. "One of the members attending the the board meeting was transported to an area hospital."

The Post-Dispatch has confirmed that one of the dead was city council woman Connie Karr....

February 7, 2008 - 20:33 p.m. CST

Gunman opens fire at Kirkwood City Council meeting; At least Five Shot

Fatalities Likely...

The Associated Press/The Missourian

KIRKWOOD, MO: A gunman opened fire at a meeting of the Kirkwood City Council in suburban St. Louis tonight, hitting the mayor and several council members, according to a newspaper. There was no immediate word on whether anyone was killed.

Police shot the gunman, who had hit Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which had a reporter attending the meeting.

The reporter said a police officer, council members Michael H.T. Lynch and Connie Karr, and Public Works Director Kenneth Yost also were shot.

The victims were taken to St. John's Mercy Hospital, but Kirkwood police said no one was available to provide any information. St. Louis County police did not return several calls.

The Post-Dispatch reporter said the 7 p.m. meeting had just started when the shooter, whom she identified as Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton, rushed into the council chambers yelling and began opening fire with at least one weapon. He started yelling "shoot the mayor" while walking around and firing, hitting a police officer first, the reporter said.

The reporter also said the shooter fired at the city attorney, who tried to fight off the attacker by throwing chairs. The shooter then moved behind a desk where the council sits and fired more shots at council members.

-- Source/continues: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/02/07/gunman-opens-fire-kirkwood-city-council-meeting/

Other recommended resources:

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

http://www.stltoday.com/

5 dead after 12-hour standoff at a San Fernando Valley(CA) home

9:45 AM PST, February 7, 2008

5 dead after 12-hour standoff at a San Fernando Valley home

Line of Duty Death Reported...

By Richard Winton, Molly Hennessy-Fiske and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

In a tense overnight standoff, a man shot and killed a Los Angeles SWAT officer and seriously wounded another after calling 911 to report that he had killed three family members at a San Fernando Valley home, authorities said.

The suspect was found dead in the home almost 12 hours after the standoff began, said police who did not indicate how he had died. Three males who police believe are related to the suspect were also killed.

One of the victims had been pulled from the home hours earlier by officers who believed he was still alive, police said. The rescue attempt was made as officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect -- who hid between mattresses as he fired at them, they said.

A woman who apparently was hiding inside the home came out shortly after 5 a.m. as tear gas was fired into the home, police officials said.

"When that happened, a woman suddenly appeared from the rear of the residence," said LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore. "She was rescued. Our understanding is she was there during the earlier carnage of the people being shot and killed." "At this point, she does appear to be a victim," he said.

The incident began about 9 p.m. Wednesday when a man called 911 and said he had killed three people at a home in the 19800 block of Welby Way in the Valley neighborhood of Winnetka...

-- Source/continues: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-standoff8feb08,0,2657114.story

Annual Threat Assessment of the Director of National Intelligence

5 February 2008

Annual Threat Assessment of the Director of National Intelligence
for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

J. Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence

"You will see from the testimony that many of the key topics I touch on are not traditional 'national security' topics. Globalization has broadened the number of threats and challenges facing the United States. For example, as government, private sector, and personal activities continue to move to networked operations and our digital systems add ever more capabilities, our vulnerability to penetration and other hostile cyber actions grows. The nation, as I indicated last year, requires more from our Intelligence Community than ever before and consequently we need to do our business better, both internally, through greater collaboration across disciplines and externally, by engaging more of the expertise available outside the Intelligence Community..."

Can be found at: http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20080205_testimony.pdf

[requires Adobe or other .PDF reader]

Cyber Assassination; Perception and Deception

04 Feb 2008

Cyber Assassination

By Kevin Coleman

"Cyber assassination" is when an individual is unaware that he or she is the subject of a cyber attack designed to discredit them and to call into question his or her credibility or loyalty.

Here's a possible scenario: A senior person in the CIA is working on a case and is disrupting the enemy's activities or getting closer to uncover covert enemy operatives. A smart enemy might attack the leader or others involved in the investigation in an effort to slow down or derail the efforts to expose them. They may choose to hack the individual?s laptop and place damaging emails that allude to a pay-off on their hard drive. Then all that is required is a subtle leak that gets back to the CIA and you can imagine the rest.

A second example could be a politician who is pushing for sanctions against a country and they hack their computer and put pornography on the hard drive. A covert leak of this information results in an investigation and public disclosure of the porn on the hard drive. This individual?s ability to gain or maintain support for their interest in sanctions would be undoubtedly damaged.

You can prove a computer has been compromised (hacked). However, it is virtually impossible to say definitively that a computer has not been hacked. Our ability to defend against this type of assault on individuals in the political, academic, business or industrial spotlight is very limited...

-- Source/continues: http://www.defensetech.org/archives/003980.html

ERRI Analysis:

Perception and Deception; Reputation Management & Cyber-Assassination

By C. L. Staten, Sr. National Security Analyst

"It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it," -- Benjamin Franklin, statesman and inventor(1706-1790)

The implications of this kind of "cyber assassination" may go well beyond that which is described in the excellent article above by Kevin Coleman. How about the same thing happening to not just an individual, but an entire company? Is it possible that an a business competitor might distribute pornography, ads for erectile dysfunction or other [illegal?] drugs, or links to illegal gambling sites...and make it appear that it came from an otherwise reputable individual or business?

Our preliminary research in this matter would suggest that this sort of scurrilous 'cyber-attack' on individual or corporate reputation is already going on.

In fact, we have copies of e-mails engaging in the distribution of questionable materials and appearing to come from reputable defense contractors, consulting companies, banks, and insurance companies. The truth about these e-mails is far different. The e-mails, as best we could ascertain it through IP tracing (and other tracking techniques), were coming from individuals, countries, and possibly governments that might be considered "unfriendly to the United States" and/or toward corporate America.

Our very preliminary research would seem to indicate that:

1. At least some major corporations' computer systems are compromised by spam-bots and are being used to distribute some very unsavory e-mails

2. Misdirection is being used to make it appear that otherwise reputable individuals and companies are distributing illegal spamming, spy-ware and viruses

3. The spam, spy-ware, and bot-net problems have increased exponentially in the past few years...almost to the point of becoming unmanageable, and thus, now pose "a significant threat" to the credibility of the entire internet.

4. It is now possible, in our current estimation, to hire someone to "smear" an individual or company by 'spoofing' and distribution of illicit or questionable materials that will surely and negatively affect the reputation of the victim worldwide.

5. After a sufficient distribution of these illicit materials by "reputation assassins," otherwise legitimate websites and e-mails may be blocked by firewalls, anti-spam devices, and other systems designed to prevent problems...thus disrupting legitimate business activities by the victims

6. And we haven't even addressed the whole issue of Identity theft and the various kinds of malicious misuse of victims' information

Watch EmergencyNet News and Emergency.Blog for more on this still emerging story...

Explosion and Fire Reported in Shop Below Apartment Building in Sydney

02/04/2008 - 00:17:57 AM CST

Explosion and Fire Reported in Shop Below Apartment Building in Sydney

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Police and fire officials are investigating an explosion and fire that occurred in the Quadrant Building apartment complex in Ultimo. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated following the incident in or near a Nando's Chicken shop.

Initial reports suggest that at least two and maybe three people have been injured in the incident. Their condition, at local hospitals is not presently known. The situation reportedly occurred at about 01:20am (AEDT).

The explosion did not appear to be "high order," although forensic examination of the area has not been accomplished at the time of this report. Numerous fire and police officials were sent to the scene. The gas and electric companies were also called to the scene of the incident to help with determining the cause of the blast.

A so-far unconfirmed reports from Sydney says that "Police suspect the blast may be linked to an armed robbery that happened at the chicken shop last night."

Watch Emergency.Blog for more on this emerging story...as circumstances warrant.

Five killed at strip mall in Chicago suburb

18:30 CST - 02 Feb 2008

Five killed at strip mall in Chicago suburb

TINLEY PARK, IL: Five women were shot to death at a suburban Chicago clothing store on Saturday, police said. The victims were shot and killed at a Lane Bryant store at the Brookside Marketplace, police Sgt. T.J. Grady said.

Grady said officers responding to a 911 call about a shooting at the Brookside Marketplace at about 10:45 a.m. found the shooting victims inside a Lane Bryant store in this Chicago suburb.

Grady refused to give other details at a news conference or take questions, but said the attacker had apparently left the area in the suburbs southwest of downtown Chicago.

"No motive has been established," Grady said. "Every store was immediately canvassed and a search by air, too, has given us every indication that the offender has left the scene."

-- Source: AP/USAToday: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-02-store-shooting_N.htm?csp=34

[Emergency.Blog note: Other sources close to the police are now saying that they think that robbery was the motive for this incident.]

Four Dead in Strip Mall Shooting, Police Say

15:00 PM CST - 02/02/2008

Four Dead in Strip Mall Shooting, Police Say

TINLEY PARK, IL: Emergency service sources are telling EmergencyNet News that four (4) people are dead in a shooting that happened on Saturday morning at a Lane Bryant clothing store in a strip mall in Tinley Park.

According to Tinley Park police, a suspect is at large and a police manhunt is underway. Residents are asked to avoid the area of the Brookside Center strip mall at 7264 W. 191st Street.

No motive for the incident is presently known.

The suspect is described by Tinley Park police as an African-American male of medium complexion, standing 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 230 to 260 pounds, with a black knit cap, a black waist-length winter coat, and dark jeans, TPPD Sgt. T.J. Grady said.

Watch Emergency.Blog for more information, as circumstances warrant.

5 Shot In Clothing Store In Tinley Park

Feb 2, 2008 1:01 pm US/Central

5 Shot In Clothing Store In Tinley Park

Suspect Still On The Loose

TINLEY PARK, IL: As many as five people may have been shot Saturday morning at a Lane Bryant clothing store in a strip mall in Tinley Park Saturday morning. Police were sent to the mall at 7264 W. 191st St. around 11 a.m., according to a Tinley Park police dispatcher.

WBBM Newsradio 780 reported that Tinley Park's mayor said five people were shot inside the Lane Bryant store. The conditions of the victims were not immediately available. Will County coroner's office investigators were sent to the scene, but a representative could not say whether anyone was dead.

Unconfirmed reports said the shooting included at least one fatality.

Several ambulances were sent to the shopping center. Witnesses reported seeing several stretchers being wheeled into the Lane Bryant clothing store in the shopping center. The stretchers later were wheeled out ? carrying no patients.

A witness told CBS 2 that several suburban police vehicles were blocking entrances by a parking lot to a Super Target in the mall. Police from Oak Forest, Matteson, Mokena and other south suburban communities responded, and some were searching cars in the parking lot, the witness said.

A representative of the Target store in the mall was not able to comment. The offender was on the loose as of 12:30 p.m., a witness told WBBM Newsradio 780.

-- Source: http://cbs2chicago.com/breakingnewsalerts/mall.shooting.tinley.2.644307.html

Anyone with information was being asked to contact the Tinley Park Police Department at 708-444-5368

Mentally disabled women used to Detonate Suicide/Homicide Bombs

2:30 p.m. EST, Fri. February 1, 2008

U.S.: 'Demonic' militants sent women to bomb markets in Iraq

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (CNN): Two mentally disabled women were strapped with explosives Friday and sent into busy Baghdad markets, where they were blown up by remote control, a top Iraqi government official said. The bombs killed at least 98 people and wounded more than 200 at two popular pet markets on the holiest day of the week for Muslims, authorities said.

In both bombings, the attackers were mentally disabled women whose explosive belts were remotely detonated, Gen. Qasim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, told state television. Atta said the women were strapped with dynamite and ball bearings, citing members of the bomb squad. The explosives were detonated via cell phone, he said.

An Atta aide said that people referred to the bomber at central Baghdad's al-Ghazl market as the "crazy woman" and that the bomber at a second market had an unspecified birth disability. The aide said authorities believe the women were unaware of plans to detonate the explosives.

The nationalities and identities of the women have not been released. U..S. military officials referred to the two attacks as suicide bombings, saying both women detonated the explosive devices.

The U.S. officials also gave a much lower casualty toll, with 27 civilians dead and 53 others wounded. The Pentagon attributed the attacks to al Qaeda in Iraq and made no reference to the mental conditions of the women.

"By targeting innocent Iraqis, they show their true demonic character," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for the Multi-National Division-Baghdad.

"They care nothing for the Iraqi people; they want to subjugate them and forcefully create a greater Islamic sharia state," he said, referring to Islamic law.

-- Source/continues: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html

Rice slams 'brutal' Baghdad attacks

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says bloody bomb attacks on Baghdad pet markets overnight prove that Al Qaeda is the most "brutal and bankrupt of movements".

An Iraqi official said explosives strapped to two mentally handicapped women were triggered by remote control in coordinated blasts that killed at least 64 people.

"Both women were mentally impaired. They were wearing belts containing 15 kilograms of explosives," said Major General Qasim Ata, spokesman for the Baghdad security plan.

But the US military, which gave a lower death toll, said both attacks were caused by female suicide bombers and blamed Al Qaeda.

"By targeting innocent Iraqis they show their true demonic character," Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Stover, a spokesman for US troops in Baghdad, said in a statement referring to Al Qaeda in Iraq.

The blasts occurred within 20 minutes of each other, killing 64 people and wounding more than 100, defence and interior ministry officials said.

Other reports said the death toll was 70 or more. President Jalal Talabani reported as many as 70 dead in "brutal attacks carried out by terrorists."

-- Source/continues: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/02/2152875.htm?