September 2007

Israelis seized nuclear material in Syrian raid

September 23, 2007

Israelis seized nuclear material in Syrian raid

Israeli commandos seized nuclear material of North Korean origin during a daring raid on a secret military site in Syria before Israel bombed it this month, according to informed sources in Washington and Jerusalem.

The attack was launched with American approval on September 6 after Washington was shown evidence the material was nuclear related, the well-placed sources say.

They confirmed that samples taken from Syria for testing had been identified as North Korean. This raised fears that Syria might have joined North Korea and Iran in seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Israeli special forces had been gathering intelligence for several months in Syria, according to Israeli sources. They located the nuclear material at a compound near Dayr az-Zwar in the north... This Article and several other references can be found at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2512380.ece

Al Qaeda declares war on Musharraf

20 Sep 2007

Al Qaeda declares war on Musharraf

CAIRO, Egypt Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden called on Pakistanis to rebel against President Pervez Musharraf in a new recording released on Thursday, saying his military's siege of a militant mosque stronghold makes him an infidel. Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second-in-command, is seen on a tape released Thursday.

The storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July "demonstrated Musharraf's insistence on continuing his loyalty, submissiveness and aid to America against the Muslims ... and makes armed rebellion against him and removing him obligatory," bin Laden said in the message.

"So when the capability is there, it is obligatory to rebel against the apostate ruler, as is the case now," he said, according to a transcript released by Laura Mansfield, a U.S. terrorism expert who monitors militant message traffic.

Bin Laden's voice was heard over a video showing previously released footage of the terror leader. It was posted Thursday on Islamic militant Web sites. This article continues at: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/20/alqaeda.pakistan.ap/index.html?eref=rss_world

Suspected cop killer dead

- 00:30EDT - 14 Sep 2007

Suspected cop killer dead

DADE COUNTY, FL: Miami-Dade police announced that suspected cop killer Shawn Sherwin Labeet (Photo below) has reportedly been killed by officers Friday morning.

According to the police press conference, officers confronted Labeet at the Heron Pond apartment complex in southwest Pembroke Pines. After an exchange of shots, Labeet was shot and killed by officers. Labeet was reportedly found with handguns, ammunition and body armor.

The man suspected of killing one Miami-Dade cop and wounding three others Wednesday morning in a shootout in south Miami-Dade was cornered and shot dead in a Pembroke Pines apartment complex sometime before midnight, a law enforcement source told The Miami Herald.

Miami-Dade police would not confirm the information about suspect Shawn Sherwin LaBeet, but scheduled a news conference for 12:30 a.m. at its headquarters in Doral.

Additional information can be found at:

Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/236998.html

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/miami/sfl-913dadeshooting,0,2310224.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

Thu, Sep. 13, 2007

1 officer shot dead, 3 wounded in SW Dade;
Wehner Not Wanted Suspect

DADE COUNTY, FL: The search for a cop-killer was complicated when police initially released an erroneous identification and photograph for the suspect. Almost five hours after the 11 a.m. shooting, police identified another man, 25-year-old Shawn Sherwin LaBeet, as the correct suspect. They said a second photograph they released was the correct one.

In another apparently erroneus lead, Miami-Dade police at about 16:00 p.m. reported a sighting of LaBeet behind the wheel of a black Pontiac Vibe accompanied by a woman and two children in Central Broward County. The auto soon after was located, empty, at a Target parking lot in Oakland Park, where it was roped off with yellow tape. But after locating the occupants, police then said the man driving the car was not LaBeet.

"We are no longer looking for the vehicle," said Miami-Dade Police Cdr. Linda O'Brien.

Investigators are checking whether there is any connection between the people in the car and LaBeet, she said. The car was found by Broward Sheriff's Office deputies.

O'Brien said the man earlier identified as the alleged shooter, Kevin Wehner, 30, was not involved and was in his hometown of Jacksonville on Thursday.

"It's a case of mistaken identity," John Wehner, Kevin Wehner's uncle in New York, told The Miami Herald earlier.

He said that his nephew contacted Jacksonville police Thursday afternoon to tell them of the mixup. The uncle said his nephew had recently reported to authorities that his wallet, containing his driver's license, had been stolen.

"It appears we have been misled about (the suspect's) initial identity," Miami-Dade's O'Brien said. She said she was glad Wehner stepped forward quickly. "It appears LaBeet had obtained his ID." This article continues at: http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/236186.html

At Least Four Police Officers Down in S.W. Dade County

- 12:20CDT - 13 Sep 2007

Four Police Injured in Dade County Incident

S.W. DADE COUNTY, FL: Authorities are telling EmergencyNet News that four (4) officers have been injured in the shooting incident near 129th and Southwest 203rd Street.

A manhunt continues for the suspect at the time of this report. Several nearby schools have reportedly been locked down as the search goes on for the assailant.

Mutual aid police units from nearby jurisdictions have been dispatched to assist Miami/Dade police in looking for the cop-shooter. The assailant is to be considered "armed and dangerous," authorities said.

One police officer is described as being "badly injured" and is now thought to be undergoing surgery at a local hospital.

Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this story...as circumstances warrant...

EmergencyNet BREAKING NEWS - 14 Sep 2007, 11:45 CDT

At Least Two Police Officers Down in S.W. Dade County

DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA: According to very preliminary emergency service reports, at least two (maybe more) police officers have been shot in a "tactical incident" involving a fleeing suspect. According to so far unconfirmed reports, a suspect armed with an "AK-47" assault rifle, has engaged in a firefight with police and is now on the run.

The wounded officers have reportedly been transported to area hospitals, and a major police response has been instituted as a major search for the shooting suspect goes on. The suspect is being described by authorities as a suspect named Kevin Wehner, 30, a black male, said Miami-Dade police spokesman Linda O'Brien. The shooter fled the scene in a white Honda Accord, license tag W10 4TFD, police said.

Police have set up a security perimeter (cordon) around the neighborhood at Southwest 127th Avenue between 200th and about 208th streets. Few other official details are currently available as the incident is dynamic and on-going at the time of this report. Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this story as circumstances warrant...

Earthquake Details - Magnitude 8.2 - SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Earthquake Details - Magnitude 8.2 - SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Date-Time Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11:10:26 UTC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 06:10:26 PM at epicenter

Location 4.517°S, 101.382°E

Depth: 30 km (18.6 miles) set by location program

Region: SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Distances 130 km (80 miles) SW of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
410 km (255 miles) SW of Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia
620 km (385 miles) WNW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
695 km (435 miles) SSW of SINGAPORE

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 9.4 km (5.8 miles); depth fixed by location program

Parameters Nst=175, Nph=175, Dmin=810 km, Rmss=1.44 sec, Gp= 40°,

M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=9

Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID us2007hear

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007hear.php#details

Cyber attacks: a new weapon in the state arsenal

September 11, 2007 - 17:08PM

Cyber attacks: a new weapon in the state arsenal

AUSTRALIA: Cyber-attacks against government networks in recent months illustrate how states like China are discovering the power of a new weapon that is less expensive and more discreet than battalions of tanks or spies.

Cyber assaults blamed on China have struck sensitive government sites in Britain, France, Germany and the United States -- including the Pentagon and the French defense ministry, officials recently confirmed to major media. China denies the accusations.

"A state can use these tools to exert its power. States are beginning to understand that, and in a lot of ways the Chinese are taking the lead, and the Russians as well," said Ned Moran of the Terrorism Research Center. "A country like China is realizing that instead of building a robust espionage network, based on people in a country and recruiting spies, they can do the same thing at a very low cost by executing cyber attacks," Moran said.

The expert at the Virginia-based Terrorism Research Center, a branch of Total Intelligence Solutions -- a firm founded by former CIA officials -- said it was clear the recent spate of hacking came from China.

"You can detect patterns, coming from the same country, the same network, with the same type of techniques," he said. "That gives you a sense that it's probably coming from the Chinese, based on what I've seen. The Chinese government either is doing it, or is looking the other way as Chinese citizens are doing it." This article continues at: http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/cyber-attacks-a-new-weapon-in-the-state-arsenal/20072011-yfl.html

ERRI/Emergency.com References:

20 Mar 2000 -- Recent DoS Attacks Point Out Already Known Vulnerability of U.S. Infrastructure,"
Section: 'CHINA: The Re-Emerging Dragon'
By: C. L. Staten, CEO and Sr. National Security Analyst
Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
Can be found on the internet at: http://www.emergency.com/2000/cybersec2000.htm

10 July 2000 -- "The 'Love Bug,' Asymmetric Warfare, and Other Computer Attacks; Future National Security Implications..."
Section: China, Unrestricted Warfare, and Multi-Dimensional Conflict
by C. L. Staten, CEO and Sr. Analyst
Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
Can be found on the internet at: http://www.emergency.com/2000/compdefnse-implc.htm

Outside Reference:

DOD: China fielding cyberattack units
BY Josh Rogin
Published on May 25, 2006
URL: http://www.fcw.com/article94650-05-25-06-Web

ERRI/EmergencyNet News Special Report on the Attacks of 9/11

9/11 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
-------------------------------------

ERRI/EmergencyNet News Special Report on the Attacks of 9/11

"One Year After; 9/11 First Anniversary Special Report," compiled by ERRI and EmergencyNet News... (Review requires Adobe .pdf reader or plug-in -- large file, 556kb, users with slow internet connections may require extended download times. On the internet at: http://www.emergency.com/2002/ERRI_9-1.pdf

Click here for our original coverage of the 9/11 attacks: http://www.emergency.com/2001/11sep01-terror.htm

U.S. Studies Osama Bin Laden Video, CIA warns of Al-Qaeda plots

U.S. Studies Osama Bin Laden Video, CIA warns of Al-Qaeda plots

Posted: 08 September 2007 0350 hrs

WASHINGTON, DC: The US government said on Friday it was analyzing a copy of the latest video message from Osama bin Laden as the CIA warned Al-Qaeda was plotting fresh attacks on the United States designed to inflict massive casualties.

US authorities were examining a video said to be a message from Osama marking Tuesday's anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington that killed nearly 3,000 people, a senior US official said.

"I can confirm that USG has the video and it is currently being analyzed," a senior administration official told AFP, referring to the US government.

The video, reported late Thursday by US-based monitors that follow militant websites, would be the first such appearance by the Saudi extremist since October 2004, when he threatened new attacks against the United States just days before a US election.

CIA Threat Assessment

CIA Director Michael Hayden meanwhile warned in a speech that the intelligence agency believed Al-Qaeda was planning new, large-scale attacks on US targets.

"Our analysts assess with high confidence that Al-Qaeda's central leadership is planning high impact plots against the American homeland," Hayden told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. "Al-Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks," he added.

Original Discovery & Translation

The Al-Qaeda network's media arm, as-Sahab, announced the purported Osama video in a notice posted on jihadist forums at about 2115 GMT, according to SITE, a group which monitors extremist websites.

"Soon, God willing, a videotape from the lion sheikh Osama bin Laden, God preserve him," the notice in Arabic read.

A website used by Islamist militants that carried the notice showed a photo of Osama in which his black beard did not have the usual streaks of gray.

He was also not wearing a camouflage jacket as in some previous appearances. Instead, the top-half photo showed him wearing a white robe topped by a beige cloak, similar to the traditional dress of men in the Gulf region, and looking more like a Muslim cleric than a fighter.

The video of the soft-spoken Al-Qaeda leader, who has claimed credit for the 9/11 attacks, will be examined intently with every word and visual detail dissected by intelligence agencies in Washington and around the world....This Article continues at: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/298563/1/.html

  ERRI Preliminary Assessment

CHICAGO, IL: While reviewing both the 07 Sep 2007 video-tape of Usama Bin Laden, and the transcript thereof...ERRI counter-terrorism analysts said that they were immediately impressed by both things that were contained in the video, and those that were was not on the tape:

Observations

1. Bin Laden's beard was one of the first and most apparent visual changes that was seen in this most recent as-Sahab publication. It had gone from long, untrimmed and grey, to trimmed and as dark as it was in some of his earlier pictures. Was this done to depict him as a younger, more healthy, and robust person?

2. Bin laden's clothing in this lateest tape was the second thing noticed by ERRI analysts. He is seen no longer was wearing the clothes of a battlefield commander, to include a camoflage jacket that he worn in many previous tapes and pictures. In this latest tape, he was seen wearing the clothes of the contemporary Middle-East citizen or those that might be worn by a modestly successful imam.

3. What was missing? ERRI analysts said that no weapon was displayed in this 09/07 tape. Bin Laden's normal image in previous tapes was almost always accompanied by that of a highly modified AK-47 assault rifle. It was omni-present in past tapes. In this latest tape, no weapon is displayed. Is this a "kinder," "gentler" Bin Laden?

4. Is the person depicted in the tape actually Bin Laden? Some physical changes in the person on the tape deserve more scrutiny, as they appear different than those in the most recently verified image of Mr. Bin Laden.

Discusssion of the Transcript

At least two ERRI analysts said that they wondered if these were Bin Laden's original words, or had they been written for him? Writing comparisons caused one analyst to even suggest that this speech may have even been written by Adam Yahive Gadahn, a.k.a. Azzam-the American (Azz?m al-Amr?ki), and simply read by Bin Laden. The tone, tenor, and idom of this speech appear somewhat different than some previous Bin Laden speeches. There are also fewer references to classic Islamic thought, and more attention given by Bin Laden to modern-day issues.

In this dissertation, he sounds even more political and less threatening than in past diatribes...to include the fact that there is no direct threat of any terrorist act in the speech. His purpose appears to be political division and to attempt to convince the world of both the rightenous of his cause as well as the illegitimacy of the position of the United States.

Furthermore, Bin Laden undertakes comment on many issues that would be seen as "partisian-politics" within the United States, taking a position in contradiction to that of the current administration in Washington. Many of Mr. Bin Laden's comments also appear consistent with extreme leftist/socialist/communist thought. And, UBL also takes what appears to be taking an anticapitalist/anti-globalist position...with his allegations and strong condemnation of corporate America.

His most current statements would again seem to make it clear that at least one of Mr. Bin Laden's stated objectives is to try to destroy the Western democracies via economic means. And finally, and most of all...his speech seems designed to promote further acrimony and divisiveness within the United States.

Food for Thought

Is Mr. Bin Laden running for some kind of office? Does his image change indicate that he now wants to be "a politician" rather than a holy warrior? Is it becoming clearer that Bin Laden actually wants to be "Caliph" of an emerging caliphate that he and Mr. Zawahiri have been planning for a long time? Or, is his image change just designed to make his propaganda more palatable to Europe and segments of the America population? Right now, there are more questions than answers about Mr. Bin Laden's latest video production.

Additional ERRI analysis will be forthcoming and additional facts will become apparent. Watch this page for more on this developing story...

UBL: Coming Soon?

Coming Soon??

Reports suggest that a new UBL videotape is to be released in near future...

Additional reference:

ERRI Usama Bin Laden archive page: http://www.emergency.com/1999/bnldn-pg.htm

Jihadist Website Talks About Manhattan Terror Event

06 Sep 2007

Jihadist Website Talks About Manhattan Terror Event

CHICAGO, IL: Very preliminary reports are coming in to EmergencyNet News about an investigation of jihadist website comments that may indicate an intent to carry out a terror event on Sept. 11th, the anniversary of the 2001 attacks in Washington and New York.

Few official details are currently available, but it appears that information has been intercepted/monitored that speaks about some sort of event in Manhattan (New York City) in the coming days. It is known that U.S. counter-terrorism officials are already at a heightened state of awareness, due to other jihadist chatter that has been on-going for some time, and the arrests in two plots in Denmark and Germany in recent days.

ERRI analysts and Emergencynet News correspondents are closely monitoring these developments and will bring you additional official details if/when they are released...

Three Islamist Terror Suspects Arrested in Germany

ATTACKS ON FRANKFURT AIRPORT, RAMSTEIN PLANNED

Three Islamist Terror Suspects Arrested in Germany in GSG-9 RAID

SPIEGEL ONLINE - September 5, 2007, 11:03 AM

The suspects were observed moving (peroxide-based) chemicals that could be used to make bombs from one storage location to another...

URL: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,503959,00.html

Denmark Says 8 Suspects Arrested in Alleged Terror Plot

Denmark Says 8 Suspects Arrested in Alleged Terror Plot Linked to al-Qaida

By VOA News
04 September 2007

Authorities in Denmark say they have thwarted a terror attack with the arrest of eight people around the capital, Copenhagen. A Danish intelligence service (PET) official told reporters Tuesday that the suspects are linked to a senior al-Qaida figure.

Earlier, authorities said the group had been under surveillance and was planning a bomb attack. No details of their intended target have been released.

The director of the Danish intelligence service Jakob Scharf said the suspects, arrested in a series of early morning raids Tuesday, range in age from 19 to 29, and are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Turkey. He said six of them hold Danish citizenship. Article continues at: http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-04-voa47.cfm

HURRICANE ADVISORY - FELIX - CAT 4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE FELIX ADVISORY NUMBER 9
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL062007
17:00 PM EDT SUN SEP 02 2007

FELIX CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN...NOW A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE...

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA AND FOR GRAND CAYMAN. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 500 PM EDT...2100Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FELIX WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 13.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 72.0 WEST OR ABOUT 440 MILES...710 KM...SOUTHEAST OF KINGSTON JAMAICA.

FELIX IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 20 MPH...32 KM/HR...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER PLANE INDICATE THAT THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 140 MPH...220 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. FELIX IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES...185 KM.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT DATA IS 956 MB...28.23 INCHES.

FELIX IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES OVER THE GUAJIRA PENINSULA OF NORTHERN COLOMBIA.

REPEATING THE 500 PM EDT POSITION...13.6 N...72.0 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 20 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...956 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 800 PM EDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1100 PM EDT.

$$ - FORECASTER PASCH