Holiday home attacked in Corsica

 A holiday home belonging to an Italian national has been bombed in the town of Prunelli-di-Fiumorbo in Corsica.

The bombs, which contained ANFO packed into two 20 litre barrells and wrapped with detonating cord did not detonate properley, causing only minor damage to the property. However, senior police officers said that had the device exploded as planned the result would have been much more serious. One of the devices was place on a window ledge and the other outside the front door. The first device partially exploded while the bomb disposal team were able to defuse the second.

Senior investigators have confirmed that the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) has claimed responsibility for the attack. An investigation is underway.There has been an upsurge in bomb attacks across the island in recent weeks.

Islamic Jihad call temporary ceasefire in Gaza

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has said that it's forces will cease all rocket attacks on Israel.

Small militant groups based in Gaza frequently fire rockets into Israel. The military wing of the ruling Hamas party has attempted to stop such attacks over the last number of months however smaller organisations such as the Popular Resistance Committee's and Islamic Jihad have continued.

In a statement, Islamic Jihad leader Dawood Shihab said that: "We agreed to halt one of the means of armed resistance, which is firing rockets at Israel, to avoid the Israeli threats, but the armed resistance will keep active in other means such as confronting raids and incursions."

Shihab also insisted that the ceasefire was only "temporary" and was in response to the current conditions on the ground.

Taliban rocket attack on US base near Kabul

The Taliban have carried out a rocket attack on the main US base outside Kabul.

The attack on Bagram Air Field took place before dawn. Two rockets fired from shoulder held launchers slammed into the centre. A Taliban spokesman claimed that a number of US soldiers were injured in the incident. Such an attack on a heavily defended target is evidence of the Taliban's new found confidence following a year which has seen them inflict heavy casualties on occupation forces .

Earlier in the year they said that they would drive US and UK forces out of the country. An upsurge in attacks in recent weeks has left dozens of American and British soldiers dead and has resulted in particularly heavy casualties in the Afghan Army.

British troops could face war crimes charges

A squad of British soldiers who beat a civilian to death and seriously injured eight others could be charged with war crimes.

Father of two Baha Mousa, 26, sustained 93 injuries while in the custody of the Queens Lancashire Regiment in Basra in 2003. An inquiry into Mr. Mousa's death is set to publish it's findings in the Spring and while it has no powers of prosecution, it may open the way for criminal proceedings.

Mr. Mousa and a number of other men were detained during a raid on a hotel in Basra where they worked. They were accused of being insurgents and had bags placed over their heads before being taken to a detention centre. They were then subjected to a prolonged form of torture known as "conditioning" which involves food and sleep depravation and making them stand in painful stress positions for hours on end. Conditioning was banned by the British Army in 1972 after they were brought to the European Court of Human Rights by the Irish government over the mistreatment of internees in Northern Ireland.

While in captivity, Mr. Mousa suffered a staggering 93 injuries which would appear to show that he was violently tortured before eventually succumbing to his wounds. He was the father of two young boys at the time of his death, both of whom are now orphans as their mother had died of cancer only a few weeks before his detention.

The troops responsible for his death were court martialed over the incident but all bar one were found not guilty of any wrongdoing. Corporal Donald Payne became one of the first British soldiers to be convicted of a war crime when he was found guilty of inhumanley treating civilians.

The British government has agreed to pay €3.3 million in damages to the families of Mr. Mousa and the nine other Iraqi men who were tortured.

UN to be asked to condemn Israeli settlements

The Palestinian Authority will ask the United Nations Security Council to reaffirm it's position on illegal Israeli settlements in the coming days.

The bill will call on the UN to condemn the settlements and demand that construction on new homes in these areas cease. Under UN law, settlements built on Palestinian land by the Israeli government are illegal. Many of the settlements are built by evicting Palestinian families from their land and replacing them with large apartment blocks which are fortified with heavy defences and security cordons. This process of building illegal settlements in occupied territory has continued despite it being considered illegal by the UN and being recognised as a major issue in negotiating a lasting peace. The continued settlement expansion onto Palestinian land is also used to justify continuing rocket attacks on Israel by small militant groups.

The US Secretary of State has already confirmed that it will oppose the bill when it is brought before the Security Council despite agreeing that Israeli settlement is seen as "corrosive". Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed that this resolution was akin to "renouncing peace altogether".

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority said that "settlements are the major obstacles before a peace deal".

Explosion rips through apartment block in Nalchik

At least one person has been killed in an explosion at an apartment block in central Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria.

A subsequent search of the building by security personnel lead to discovery of what was described as a "homemande bomb". It is believed that the device may have exploded as it was being assembled.  Police also said an illegal radio station was discovered during the search.

In recent weeks Nalchik has been the scene of a number of separatist rebel attacks on security forces, some of which have resulted in the deaths of pro-Russian militiamen. In 2005 a massive surprise assault by rebel forces on the town left up to 130 Russian soldiers and around 50 rebels dead.

PRC member killed by Israeli tanks

A member of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) has been killed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza. Five civilians were also wounded.

Israeli Army spokespersons said that a group of individuals who were approaching the border were fired on by an Israeli tank unit. The spokesman claimed that the individuals were attempting to carry out a bomb attack along the border.

A spokesperson for the Gaza Ministry for Health identified the dead man as 22 year-old Hassan Abu Rook.

The PRC militant group has confirmed that Mr. Rook was a member of their organisation and said he was taking part in a "Special Operation" when he was killed.

Red Brigade splinter group claim responsibility for Rome letter bombs

An Italian Anarchist organisation has claimed responsibility for sending parcel bombs to a number of embassies in Rome. The Greek embassy was today targeted in a parcel bomb attack. A CD player rigged with explosives and attached to a detonator was made safe by Italian police.


The group, known as the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The organisation is comprised of a number of Italian Anarchist movements which include The New Red Brigades, Communist Combatant Party, The July 20th Brigade and the Five C's.

Some media sources have wrongly attributed the attacks to the Italian Anarchist Federation (also FAI). It has confirmed that it was in no way connected to the attacks.

Bomb attack leaves three dead in Kandahar

A suicide bomber attacked a police patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, today, killing himself and at least three other people.

According to initial reports, two civilians and one police officer were killed and at least 16 police officers were injured in the attack. There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack but the Taliban are believed to have been responsible.

Taliban tactics have changed in recent weeks. Their fighters have begun to target Afghans who work for the security services rather than NATO troops. The desired effect is to make the country ungovernable and deter others from joining the police or army.

In the south of the country a NATO soldier was killed in a landmine explosion. The nationality of the individual has not been disclosed although 90% of NATO troops are Americans.

Shootout in Dagestan leaves up to 8 dead

Russian forces claim that they have killed eight separatist fighters in a gun battle in Dagestan.

The Russian special forces agency, the FSB, claims the eight were killed after they were trapped in a house in central Makhachkala. One of those reporteded to have died is said to be the Commander of separatist forces in the city. The FSB said it suffered no losses during the attack.

Russian forces are known to play down their losses and exaggerate those suffered by separatists in the Caucasus region as there is no way of independently verifying any claims. So far the rebels have not made any comment on the incident. The Russian Military has also confirmed that three of it's soldiers were wounded in a bomb attack in Makhachkala on Thursday.

If the claim is true it would be one of the heaviest losses suffered by rebels in recent years. Last month, ten Russian soldiers and two FSB agents were killed in a shootout with rebels in a forest in southern Dagestan and in recent weeks separatists have conducted a camapign of targeted assassinations against government officials and senior police officers.

Hamas ready to "strike back" with deadly new weapons

A commander of Hamas' military wing has said that his organisation is ready to strike back against Israel if incursions into the Gaza Strip continue.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Qassam Brigades Commander Abu Obeideh said:

"There is a truce in effect in the field. It is real if Israel stops its aggression and ends its siege. But if there is any Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip we will respond strongly. We are completely ready to answer any Israeli aggression. Our weapons are few compared to those of the Israeli occupation, but we have something that will worry the occupation.

We are now stronger than before and during the war, and our silence over the past two years was only for evaluating the situation,We won’t face the current attempts of the enemy to escalate the situation with silence. We now have an arsenal of missiles and rockets. We began manufacturing our own arms and we developed our abilities in extremely difficult and complicated conditions, Our resistance will continue as long as the Zionists remain."

Earlier this week, the Al Qassam Brigades hit an Israeli tank, which had entered the Gaza Strip, with a Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missile, it is the first time such a weapon has been used in Palestine.

NATO forces kill two Afghan security guards

NATO forces have killed two Afghan security guards in a raid in Kabul today.

A senior police officer said that the two men were employed as members of a private security company which provided defence for government and private buildings in the city. An investigation into the incident is underway.

A spokesperson for the NATO-ISAF international force, which is mainly made up of US and British troops, refused to answer questions into the incident saying that they should be directed to the Afghan National Directorate of Security (ANDS). The ANDS was not available to answer any questions.

Israeli troops shoot dead Palestinian shepherd

Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian shepherd on the Gaza border today.

The 22 year old man, named locally as Salama Abu Hashish, was shot in the back after entering a "no-go zone". Three other people including a 14 year-old boy were shot and wounded. Israeli troops said the group of people ignored a warning shot which was fired after they entered the restricted area.

A spokesman for a hospital in Gaza said that one of the wounded individuals, believed to be a 17 year-old boy, was in a serious condition. It is understood that the youths were out collecting gravel to sell to the contruction industry.

Robert Serry, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process said:

"I am distressed that incidents continue in the perimeter area of Gaza, and deplore the killing of one apparently unarmed Palestinian civilian and the injuring of a number of others by Israeli gunfire,"

"I call for maximum Israeli restraint and protection of civilians. I reiterate my appeal for calm and an end to violence, to bring about the de-escalation that all parties have stressed they wish to see."

"The UN does not want to see any renewed intensification of conflict," 

Electricity board car bombed in Corsica

A car belonging to the French Electricity Board (EDF) has been blown up in a bomb attack.

The attack occurred in the town Ghisonaccia in eastern Corsica at around 8.35pm. The blast caused significant damage to the car which was left in the parking lot of the department. There were no injuries.

Corsican separatists are suspected of carrying out the attack. An EDF office had been targeted earlier in the year. The attack comes following a wave of bombings across the island this week and just hours after a tourist resort was rocked by a number of explosions.

Grenade left a PSNI officers home

A grenade was left at the home of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) last night.

The device was discovered at a property in the town of Maguiresbridge in County Fermanagh. A bomb disposal team made the device safe and investigations are ongoing. Small republican groups who have broken away from the mainstream Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) have carried similar attacks in the past.  It is also believed that they may have stolen a caché of grenades from the Irish Defence Forces, the official army of southern Ireland.

The attack has been condemned by politicians. Michelle Gildernew, the elected representative for Fermanagh and a member of the IRA's political wing, Sinn Féin said:

"We in Sinn Fein have shown that there is a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland; the vast majority of the people in Ireland have accepted this and I would encourage others to join us on this path"

The mainstream Provisional IRA declared their campaign ov violence over in 2005 however small splinter groups such as the Real IRA and Continuity IRA continue to carry out small-scale attacks.

Reports of large bomb attack in Corsica

According to a number of local news sources, there have been a number of explosions in the town of Penta du Casinca, around 30km south of Bastia.

Europe-1 is reporting that up to fifteen armed and masked men entered a Holiday Site, popular with French tourists, and set off a bombs in a number of buildings. There are no reports of any injuries as the camp is mainly used during the summer. Bomb disposal officers and the police are currently at the scene.

In November, a number of Corsican Nationalist politicians had called for an inquiry into the site over what they claimed were "financial irregularities".

ETA may be behind robbery

The Basque militant group ETA may be behind an armed robbery in south-east France, police say.

Three masked gunmen tied up an employee of the Impuls company in Bourg-de-Peage last night before stealing thousands of cards which contain built-in microchips and seven printers. The man was not injured. The cards and printers are used by the French government to produce identity cards for it's citizens.

ETA members have been known to use false documents when travelling.

The group has been on ceasefire since early September while it's supporters have formed a new political party which opposes violence.

FLNC claim responsibility for triple bomb attack

The FLNC are believed to have been responsible for a triple bomb attack in Corsica yesterday.

In the first attack, two bombs exploded in Abaratello, seriously damaging two properties. The attacks took place at around 9.15pm. A bomb was placed in the ground floor of one of the buildings and on the first floor of the other, both were seriously damaged. The blast caused flying debris to land on the nearby beach. Nobody was injured as the houses were unoccupied at the time. It is beleived that they are both holiday homes owned by French "continentals".

A smaller bomb also exploded at a collective housing unit in Agosto beach, causing little damage. The claim for the bombing, written on a nearby wall read "Free the Political Prisoners - FLNC". The anti-terrorism unit of the police based in Ajaccio are carrying out an investigation into the attacks.

The attacks also appeared to be a direct response to the Prefect of Corsica who had boasted that the number of attacks was decreasing sharply in recent years and comes just days after a bomb  destroyed a holiday home which was owned by Swiss bankers in Fozzano. A large blast ripped through the side of the cottage collapsing the roof. In claiming the attack, the words "Speculators Out - FLNC" were written on a nearby wall.

These four attacks put the number of bomb attacks on the island this year at over 80, the highest in 3 years.

Taliban Commando Unit captures Afghan Army Base - 13 dead

A Taliban Commando unit consisting of four gunmen has captured an Afghan national army recruitment centre in Kunduz.

According to reports, the four gunmen, armed with assault rifles and grenades engaged in a gun battle with Afghan security forces inside the centre. Two of the insurgents detonated suicide bomb belts. At least 13 Afghan soldiers and police are reported to have been killed and many others injured. The two remaining militants continued to occupy the building until they ran out of ammunition and detonated their suicide belts.

In Kabul 5 Afghan soldiers were killed and 9 wounded after two insurgents carried out a gun and bomb attack on their vehicle. One Taliban member also died in the attack.

Meanwhile, in a seperate attack, the District Chief of the Chahar Dara district survived a roadside bomb attack on his convoy. His vehicle then came under fire but all of his security team managed to escape.

A NATO soldier has also been killed in a bomb attack in southern Afghanistan.

Five killed in Israeli airstrike

Medics have confirmed that five people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.

Israel claims that it killed five members of a radical Salafist group who were preparing to fire a rocket across the border. There has been no independent verification of this however.

Local radio stations have claimed the men were members of the Jaljalat resistance group. All are believed to be in their early 20's.

Meanwhile in Halhul. north of Hebron, an Israeli soldier was injured after he was struck in the head with a brick during street disturbances.

Rebels claim responsibility for shooting

Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for the shooting dead of the Chairperson of the Muslim Board of Kabardino-Balkaria in Halchik yesterday.

According to reports, two men challenged the Anas Pshikhachev to come out of his house at around 7pm. When he opened the door he was shot four times with 9mm pistols.

An investigation is currently underway.

CIPF office targeted again in Bastia, Corsica

The offices of the Federation of Corsican Parents (CIPF) were again the target of an incendiary attack last night.

In a carbon-copy of the previous attack, an incendiary device, believed to be a petrol-bomb, was thrown at the front door of the office. The words "FLNC" and "Lingua Corse" were spraypainted on the walls.

The CIPF opposes the compulsory teaching of the Corsican language in schools on the island. The CIPF condemned the attack and claimed it was part of a campaign of intimidation against the organisation.

Although they have not commented on this particular incident, hardline Corsican nationalist party, Corsica Libera described the previous attack as unfortunate but added that the teaching of the Corsican language was supported by the majority of the people on the island and that the CIPF has repeatedley "shown contempt and disregard" towards Corsica's elected representatives.

PUP member targeted in bomb attack

A member of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) was targeted in a bomb attack in Belfast this weekend.

A pipe-bomb exploded at the home of Ken Wilkinson In Belfast, causing considerable damage but no injuries. Mr. Wilkinson is a spokesperson for the Pro-British PUP party. The PUP are considered the political wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist deathsquad who murdered hundreds of Catholic civilians between 1969 and 2000. The group has formally been on ceasefire since 1994 however it has been blamed for a number of incidents this year including the murder of a member of a rival loyalist gang.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack although rival loyalist organisations are suspected.

Police Inspector shot dead in Dagestan

The Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that a police inspector has been shot dead.

It is believed the Inspector, a member of the State Traffic Safety Inspecorate, was gunned down a short distance from his home while on his way to work. The attack took place in the village of Sergokala. Dagestani separatists are suspected.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Russian Army posts attacked in Dagestan

A Russian Army post was attacked by suspected Dagestani rebels yesterday.

The incident happened at an Army checkpoint at the entrance to Khasavyurt. According to reports, two officers from the Ministry for Internal Affairs were wounded. It is understood that the gunmen made their getaway in a hijacked vehcile. In a follow up operation a homemade landmine was discovered around 100 metres from the post. The device contained 3kg of commerical explosive.

Earlier in the day one Police officer was wounded when a checkpoint in Kaspiisk was attacked by gunmen.

The attacks comes just days after the Chechen President said he believed that rebels had fled from the southern Chechen and Dagestani mountains.

Holiday home bombed in Solaro, Corsica

 

A bomb has exploded at a secondary home in Solaro, Corsica.

A number of residents heard the explosion late last night but where unable to locate it's source. The next morning scorch marks and large cracks were found on a house belonging to David Ajzenfisz. It appears a homemade explosive device was tossed into the crawl space beneath the house. According to the emergency services, the blast greatly damaged the buildings foundations and it may need to be levelled. On a house on the opposite side of the street FLNC graffiti was written.

Mr. Ajzenfisz is originally from mainland France and was there when the attack took place. Corsican militant groups frequently target secondary homes belonging to French "contintentals" as a way of discouraging French citizens from moving to the island and diluting it's Corsican culture.

The French anti-terrorist unit are investigating the incident.

Taliban claim massive victory in Afghanistan

The Taliban has claimed that it has killed at least 19 NATO troops in Afghanistan today.

The militant group said it's fighters had carried out upwards of 70 co-ordinated strikes on US and NATO forces in the country. While casualties have not been fully confirmed the Afghan government has admitted to losing five soldiers in an ambush. US forces have also confirmed that one US soldier, from Orange County in Texas, has been killed in a gun battle while NATO claims that one of it's soldiers, believed to be a New Zealand national serving with the British Army, has died in a friendly fire incident. NATO has also confirmed that two of it's troops were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a base in the Gardez district.

In a statement the Taliban said that their forces had carried out operations in Qari Sada, Camp, Abdullah Qulf Karo Charahi, Pump Charahi, Seafin, Wardago Block, Achakzo block, Bargazo block, Haji Khandad block, Mato Khan Charahi, Karo Charahi, Sistani and the surrounding areas.

The Taliban has also claimed that it immobilised or destroyed at least 13 armoured vehicles in the Nawzad district, killing or injuring around 50 Afghan and US troops in battles which it said lasted nearly 2 days. There has been no confirmation from NATO or Afghan forces.

Russians fear imminent Chechen rebel attack

Russian forces say that they believe that Chechen rebels have left their main base of operation in the southern mountains. 

Large rebel units based in the Vedeno district frequently carry out attacks on government targets. The area is mountainous and thickly forested making it incredibly dangerous for Russian patrols. Local authorities have said that they have not observed any movement in the area nor have they intercepted any rebel radio communications in recent days. Pro-Russian President Kadyrov has said he believes that the rebels have left the area.

Local experts, however, haave said it is premature to of an abscence of rebel formations due to a lack of radio activity. Speaking to the Caucasian Knot newspaper, experts said that no large rebel columns are active in the mountains anymore and they prefer to operate in smaller cells of around five to ten members, only joining up for large operations such as the attack on the village of Tsentoroi on August 29th, which left 12 Russian soldiers and 5 civilians dead. The expert added that militants rarely used mobile phones or radio communications as they were aware of their vulnerabilities.

Local observers say that militants have their bases in the dense forests in almost all of the foothills in Chechnya and that their long silence in wireless communications may indicate preparations for some sort of major action.

Evictions continue on Easter Island

A military plane carrying riot police has arrived on Easter Island to reinforce security forces after clashes between police and protesters left dozens injured.

Chile's Interior Ministry said the eviction of indigenous Rapa Nui demonstrators from government buildings which they have been squatting in will continue. The protesters claim the buildings were erected on property which had been illegally confiscated from their families.

Police used tear-gas, pellet guns and plastic bullets to remove protesters from some government buildings yesterday resulting in dozens of injuries. A documentary film-maker, Santi Hitorangi, claims that he had to remove 14 metal pellets from his back after police shot him while he was filming the protests.

Disputes over land on Easter Island go back to 1888 when the Chilean government annexed the island. The Chilean Interior Minstry claimed that the islanders have ignored efforts made by the Chilean government to reach a compromise.

CIPF centre targeted in petrol bomb attack

An office belonging to the Corsican Federation of Parents Councils (CIPF) was targeted in an incendiary attack in the northern town of Bastia last night.

It is believed that Corsican separatists, believed to be the mainstream FLNC, were responsible. The CIPF had recently opposed the teaching of the Corsican language in local schools and it is believed that this may have been the motivation behind the attack. Nearby graffiti read "Speak Corsican" and "FLNC".

Speaking about the attack, a spokesperson for the Corsican Nationalist party, Corsica Libera, said that it was "unfortunate" but added that the "elected representatives of the Corsican people have unanimously voted for a plan to safeguard the Corsican language". The spokesman also said that the "disregard and contempt which the CIPF has for the elected representatives of the Corsican people is pathetic".

Meanwhile, speaking after the incident, Bernard Platteau of the CIPF said that he was "shocked and dismayed by the attack".  He added that it was "no coincidence that it happened after an online statement by the CIPF in relation to the Corsican language was published" adding that the statement "did not go against the language" he said that the CIPF only wants a quality education system for students.

Russian APC hit by mine

A Russian Army URAL troop transport vehicle has been hit by an improvised explosive device in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The truck was carrying Russian Interior Ministry troops when it struck a mine in the Elbrus district of Kabardino-Balkaria. Separatist rebels are suspected. There has been no confirmation of casualties although Russian authorities have confirmed that a vehicle was damaged in an attack.

Dozens injured in Easter Island clashes

At least 25 people have been injured on Easter Island following clashes between local protesters and Chilean police.

The clashes occurred after police attempted to remove indigenous inhabitants from buildings they had occupied earlier this year. The local Rapanui people claim that the buildings were stolen from their ancestors by the Chilean government and they were taking them back.

Easter Island was annexed by Chile in 1888 after a treaty was signed between the Chilean government and a Chilean appointed king. The validity of this treaty is contested by locals.

The attempt to remove settlers began after midnight. According to government officials, 17 police officers and 8 civilians had been injured. However, local witnesses claim that 25 civilians had been injured and denied that any police officers were wounded. At least one civilian had to be airlifted to Chile for medical treatment. Another demonstrator was arrested.

According to the Rapanui, police used tear gas, plastic bullets and pellet guns. It is claimed that a number of people were shot at close range and that at least one person was shot in the eye with a buckshot pellet from less than a metre away. A local lawyer, who was also involved in the protest, said that he believed the police were "shooting to kill" and claimed that he saw officers shooting demonstrators in the back as they fled.

The tiny island has a population of around 4,000 people. 3,500 of these are indigenous Rapanui while the rest consist of Chilean settlers. The protesters said that they would continue their occupations until the buildings and lands which were illegally taken from their grandparents were returned to them.

The Chilean police have confirmed that they are sending reinforcements to the island.

Rebels destroy Liquor store

 
Dagestani rebels destroyed a liquour store in Dagestan today.

The "Elite Store" on Shamil Avenue in Stalsky Village, Dagestan, was sprayed with petrol by a unit of rebel fighters before being set alight. A rocket was then fired at the building. There were no injuries although two employees were forced from the shop at gun point before it was destroyed. They were told to cease working for companies who sell alcohol.

Dagestan is an overwhelmingly Muslim state. According to the Qur'an, Muslims are not permitted to consume alcohol.

New Basque Nationalist Party to be launched

 

The banned political wing of Basque militant group ETA is to announce the formation of a new political party on December 10th, it has emerged.

ETA's political wing, Batasuna, has been banned since 2003. Under Spanish law, any party which does not condemn militant attacks carried out by separatist groups can be accussed of "supporting terrorism" and therefore banned.

It is understood that the group will be called Abertzale Left and will support Basque Independence through purely peaceful and political means. The timing of the announcement is expected to tie in with an expected ETA statement in December which will announce a permanent end to the groups armed struggle.

Jailed Batasuna leader Arnoldo Otegi has said that peaceful means is the only way to achieve independence. Otegi is serving a two year sentence for "glorifying terrorism".

Four men arrested with mortar launcher

Four men have been arrested by Irish Police after they were caught transporting a mortar launcher across the border.

Three of the men were travelling in a car which contained a mortar and an explosive device when they were

stopped and arrested by Irish police in County Louth. It is believed they were transporting the mortar across the border to attack a police station. Another man was arrested nearby and more explosives discovered. The men are believed to be members of a small breakaway IRA group called Óglaigh na hÉireann (Soldiers of Ireland) which has been responsible for a number of bomb attacks this year.

The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and former IRA Commander, Martin McGuinness, called on the dissident splinter groups to desist.

The mainstream Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) has been on permanent ceasefire since 2005 while the second largest republican group, the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) was stood down in 2009. Three small splinter groups continue to carry out attacks, these are the Real IRA, Continuity IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann.

ETA suspect deported from Mexico

A man wanted by Spain in relation to ETA activities has been handed over to Spanish authorities by Mexican police.

Juan Carlos Rekarte Gutierrez has been wanted in Spain in connection to an attack on the Union and Phoenix building in Pamplona in 1987. During the attack, a Press Merchant was killed. The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Basque separatist group ETA.

Mr. Gutierrez was arrested in Mexico on Monday following a tip-off to Spanish police, he had entered Mexico illegally and it is unclear how long he was resident there.

ETA called a ceasefire earlier this year and it is expected to announce a permanent end to it's armed campaign in the coming months.

Scotland celebrates National Day

 

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond called on Scots to think and talk about the future of their nation as the country marks St Andrew's day.

Urging Scots to put our shared interests first Scotland's First Minister said:
“Today is St. Andrew’s Day. A good day to think about the hopes and aspirations of our country.

"Scotland is infinitely more important than any First Minister, MSP or political party. Our shared interest is the Scottish national interest.

"Now is the time for us all to get to our feet and say it is our national purpose to make a better Scotland. A land of greater fairness, greater prosperity, greater opportunity.

"However, that national purpose requires that we need the powers of a nation.

"In the eleven years since devolution our parliament has delivered a lot. But it has not delivered the profound change people want.
“There is a better way.” 
 
"Scots are crying out for a better society. Not a bit better, not a wee change, not some tinkering at the edges, but a better land.


"To make real change happen, we need independence.

"Independence is the profound right of everyone, from Leith Walk to Sauchiehall Street, from Dumfries to the Isles, to enjoy the same equality of opportunity, and to live in fairer communities.

"What I mean by independence is creating and protecting jobs.

"For me independence is about economic prosperity and social justice, work for the workless, homes for the homeless.

"Independence is not an end in itself. It is the means by which we can create a better Scotland for us all. And a referendum on Scotland’s future is the means by which we can achieve the powers we need.

“I’m a Scot first, politician second.” 
 
"All my life I have fought for fairness for this country.

"I govern not for the SNP, but for Scotland. The welfare of the nation, of its five million people, is what guides my actions.

"We all want this land to be better. And I have a plan to deliver it. Give our parliament the economic and financial levers and we can have the land you want. Give us the tools and we can do the job for Scotland, build the community that knows itself, and take pride in a society which cares enough to look after the frail, the sick and vulnerable.

"It has taken a Westminster public spending crisis to make the choice stark between doing something to protect our society, as we advocate, and doing nothing, which is for others.
"I urge the nation to come together, united, over the merit of action. At the same time, please tell me what you think by visiting bepartofbetter.net

"In the next election I won’t merely be standing for the Scottish Parliament to be re-elected as your First Minister. I’ll be standing in the belief that together we can make a better Scotland.
"I hope you’ll join me in that belief.”

British Army shamed again

The British Army has again been embarrassed by an investigation carried out by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET). The HET was set up in 2005 to investigate killings which took place during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

In it's latest report it found that Michael McLarnon (22) was "irrefutabley innocent" when he was gunned down by British troops in 1975. Lieutenant Clifford Burrage told Mr.McLarnon's family that he shot him because he was armed with a weapon and was organising a group of Provisional IRA fighters. The HET has found that this was entirely untrue and that the soldier had lied to the victims family. It also found that Mr.McLarnon was standing in his driveway when he was gunned down unprovoked by British soldiers.

The latest finding is yet another embarrassment to the British Army who earlier this year were found to have gunned down 13 unarmed protesters in Derry in 1972. That inquiry also found that British soldiers had lied when giving evidence to the enquiry and had intentionally shot unarmed protesters in the back.

Prison Inspector assassianted in Nalchik

A senior prison inspector has been shot dead in Kabardino-Balkaria, it has emerged.

The attack took place in the city of Nalchik on Sunday. Penetenitary Inspector Albert Altuyev died in a hail of bullets at around 6.30pm while driving his vehicle on Akkayev Street.

It is understood that Altuyev died at the scene. Separatist rebels are suspected.

Hope over Cornwall border issue

The border between Cornwall (Kernow) and Devon looks ever closer to being erased in UK parliamentary constituency terms, following the failure of a last ditched attempt in the House of Lords to delay the much disputed Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.

On 15th November 2010 a vote in the House of Lords to delay the Bill was defeated by 224 votes to 210, which a Cornish newspaper said “has effectively spelled the end of a passionate campaign to stop the creation of a constituency straddling the two counties”. Since the Lords vote the campaign organisation, Keep Cornwall Whole, has failed to update its site, signaling perhaps the disappointment that many campaigners feel about the lack of recognition by the Government, of Cornwall’s historic border.

In a letter dated 19th November however, the Secretary of the Kernow branch of the Celtic League, Mike Chappell, received a response to his letter to the Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Strathclyde, objecting to the proposed new Devonwall Constituencies. In the letter the Cabinet Office state that the “Bill allows the Boundary Commissions to take historical and local ties and geographic factors into account, subject to the overarching principle of equality. The Government considers this to be paramount.”

The possible last glimmer of hope that Cornwall could still evade a gunshot marriage to Devon is small indeed, but that is about the long and short of it. The Keep Cornwall Whole campaign has effectively failed, but not through want of exercising its democratic right. Once again UK democracy has failed Cornwall.

The Kernow Branch of the Celtic League will hold a meeting on Thursday 9th December with the issue of `what to do next?’ as the only point on the agenda. The full text of the letter response to Mr Chappell can be found below.


“Cabinet Office
Elections & Democracy Division
Post Point 5. 19
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Ref: TO/22

19 November 2010
Dear Mr Chappell
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill and Cornwall

Thank you for your letter of 12 November to Lord Strathclyde. This has been forwarded to the Elections and Democracy Division in the Cabinet office for response on the issue of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies (PVSC) Bill as we have responsibility for electoral policy.

I note your concerns regarding the proposals for reforms to Parliamentary constituency boundaries contained within the PVSC Bill and how these changes will relate to Cornwall. I appreciate the enormous depth of feeling on this subject.

It may help if I set out some of the Government’s thinking on the subject of boundary reforms. At present there is a significant difference between the sizes of many parliamentary constituencies. This has the effect of making some people’s votes count more than others, depending on where they live. Therefore, the PVSC Bill will address this unfairness by requiring the independent Boundary Commissions to redraw constituency boundaries so that they are more equally sized. All constituencies are to be within 5 per cent either side of a single United Kingdom electoral quota, with the exception of two Scottish constituencies where unique geographic constraints make it particularly hard for the MPs to represent their constituents.

I should advise that the Bill allows the Boundary Commissions to take historical and local ties and geographic factors into account, subject to the overarching principle of equality. The Government considers this to be paramount.

I hope you find this response informative.
Yours sincerely

Nicolette Hill
Elections and Democracy Division”

Catalan separatists take first seats in Parliament

 A new Catalan republican party, The Catalan Solidarity for Independence Party (SI), has taken it's first seats in the Catalan parliament today after gaining 3.3% of the vote and winning 4 seats.

Meanwhile, the other main pro-independence party, Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), saw it's vote drop from 14% to a mere 7%, losing 11 seats.

The big winners in the election were the centrist-nationalist Convergence & Union (CIU) party who took nearly 40% of the vote and gained 14 seats. The party is intentionally ambiguous on the national question so as to appeal to autonomists and republicans.

The Results were as follows:

CIU (Nationalist) - 38.5% - 62 Seats
PSC (Unionist) - 18.3% - 28 Seats
PPC (Unionist) - 12.3% - 18 Seats
ICV-EUIA (Republican-Green) - 7.4% - 10 Seats
ERC (Republican) - 7% - 10 Seats
SI (Republican) - 3.3% - 4 Seats
CS (Unionist) - 3.4% - 3 Seats

Russian soldier wounded in Chechnya ambush

A Russian soldier was wounded in an overnight attack in the Urus Martan district of Chechnya.

It is understood that a group of Russian soldiers was patrolling the village of Martan-Chu when they came under attack from suspected Chechen sparatists who were taking cover in nearby hills.

One Russian soldier was seriously wounded after he was shot in the head.

Two dead in Ingushetia shootout

 At least two people are reported to have been killed in a shootout in the capital of Ingushetia today.

It is understood that a car carrying two separatist rebels was stopped at a police checkpoint in central Nazran this afternoon. According to witnesses, the individuals in the car drew their weapons and fired at the police officers, injuring two of them. Police are then reported to have returned fire, killing one of the rebels and wounding the other. It has also been reported that the editor of the "Serdalo" newspaper was wounded in the incident.

Local media has reported that one of the injured police officers later died in hospital.

Two South Korean marines killed in border clash

Two South Korean marines have been killed and at least 16 wounded in an artillery exchange at Yeonpyeong island.

The island is home to a large South Korean military base and lies around 3000 metres south of the disputed Yellow Sea area. South Korea said that around 50 artillery shells landed on the island, killing two soldiers and wounding over a dozen. The South Korean military had been conducting what it describes as "exercises" around the island earlier in the day and the North claimed that the South was responsible for opening hostilities. Seoul has dismissed Pyongyang's claim, saying that they were fired on first. The South responded by firing over 80 shells - there are no reported casualties on the Northern side.

It has also come to light that the North has shown of a Uranium enrichment facility to a US scientist. The Uranium could be used to make nuclear weapons.

South Korea has threatened missile strikes agains the North should there be any further clashes.

Man injured by landmine - Sri Lanka

 A man has been inured in a suspected landmine explosion in northern Sri Lanka.

It is understood that a man was out collecting firewood around the town of Ketpali when he was injured in an explosion. Locals claimed a landmine or unexploded Sri Lankan military shell was to blame.

Since the end of the civil war a number of people have been killed or injured by unexploded ordinance which has been left behind by the Sri Lankan military in previously Tamil Tiger held territory.

The man, 39, is receiving attention at a nearby government hospital.

Carbomb explodes in Dagestan - Senior FSB officer killed

A senior member of the Russian paramilitary police force operating in Dagestan has been killed in a rebel carbomb attack.

Lieutenant Colonel Said Magomedov died in hospital today after suffering serious injuries in an explosion at a police barracks in the town of Karabudaakhkent at around 9am this morning.

It is understood that the a booby-trap bomb was fitted to the underside side of the officers vehicle and it was triggered when the officer got out of his vehicle.

Chechen and Dagestani separatists are suspected.

Police Officer killed in Kabardino-Balkaria

A district police officer has been shot dead in the Kenzhe area of Kabardino-Balkaria it has been reported.

The attack took place late on Sunday night. A lone gunmen shot the officer a number of times before stealing his service weapon and making an escape. So far neither the Russian Military or the Interior Ministry has confirmed the incident.

The dead officer has been namedlocally as Lieutenant Martin Gegirov. Separatist rebels are suspected

US chopper shot down in Helmand province

It is being reported by a number of news agencies that a US military helicopter has been shot down by insurgents in the Helmand area of Afghanistan.

It is believed that the attack took place around the town of Altaki Karez late on Friday. It has been alleged that the US forces were ambushed by insurgents as they were launching an attack on a suspected insurgent base. During the firefight, a US military helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed nearby. It is unclear if any US soldiers were killed.

Neither side has claimed that they suffered any losses however local sources have said that four civilians were killed by a US helicopter gunship and another four people were detained by US forces

Bomb blast hits Colombian restaurant

A bomb has exploded in a restaurant in the Colombian town of Roncesvalles in the west of the country.

The restaurant is located close to FARC held territory and comes just hours after the Colombian government carried out airstrikes on rebel positions. At least two people were killed and 12 injured in the bomb attack. Reuters news agency has confirmed that the restaurant is popular with local police and is located directly opposite a police station and said most of those injured were security service employees.

Earlier in the day, Colombian government officials claimed that they may have kiled a senior FARC commander in the south of the country following an airstrike on rebel positions. The government claimed that around four rebels were believed to have be killed and that a senior field commander in the rebels southern command may be among them. FARC has not confirmed it has suffered any casualties.

Russian base shelled in Dagestan

Separatists with assault rifles and a rocket launcher

A Russian Military base in Dagestan has come under mortar and grenade attack.

The incident occurred at a military base in the town of Khunzahk. According to a representative from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the base was attacked by unknown gunmen using rocket and grenade launchers in the early hours of the morning. The representative said that there had been no casualties but that the attacks damaged several buildings and resulted in a fire within the compound. The fire has since been contained.

The gunmen, most likely separatist rebels, managed to escape.

Yorkshire Independence Movement Launched

A movement calling for a devolved assembly for the English county of Yorkshire has been launched recently.

The group, which is called "Yorkshire Independence", says it wants to secure a devolved government for Yorkshire and is calling on political parties to support their cause. According to their website, a devolved government would be more accountable to the people than the current Westminster arrangement. The movement also believes that a local government would have more sway over fiscal and budgetary issues.

The group claims that it has the support of at least one Member of Parliament and a number of local councillors.

For more information: www.yorkshireindependence.com/

Bretons oppose French Army recruitment in schools

Breton nationalists held a number of demonstrations this month to oppose French Army recruitment in Breton schools.

Pro-Independence group Breizhistance said that the French military has been maintaining and financing conflicts in Africa and said that the army is not welcome in high schools or community centres anywhere in Brittany. Thousands of anti-military leaflets were also distributed outside high schools throughout Brittany.

The protests culminated on the 11th of November (Remembrance Day) when hundreds of protesters took part in an anti-fascist/anti-militarism demonstration in Rennes.

Police officer killed in Kabardino-Balkaria

A police officer has been shot dead by separatists in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The shooting took place in the northern city of Baksan, about 20 miles north of the capital Nalchik.

According to a security official:  "Unknown gunmen shot dead a Federal Security Service official when he was returning home from work" 

The police officer died at the scene.

Rebel offensive continues in Dagestan

A detachment of rebel fighters - active in both Dagestan and Chechnya

A large scale separatist offensive is continuing in Dagestan where a number of attacks against military and police units have taken place.

On Friday one police officer was killed and another was wounded in a gun attack in the capital Makhachkala. According to eyewitnesses, one rebel fighter was also killed in the exchange of fire. There has not been any confirmation from either side however Russian media sources have confirmed that one police officer was injured.

In a seperate incident, Russian Life media centre has reported that a Russian armoured patrol was attacked by rebels armed with grenade launchers in Nazran, capital of neighbouring Ingushetia. There are no reports of casualties on either side.

Late on Friday night, at least four police officers are reported to have been killed or wounded in a mobile attack in the village of Khasavyurt. It is reported that a unit of rebel fighters approached the village in a vehicle from which they opened fire on a police patrol. The Russian military has confirmed that one police officer was killed and two injured.

On Thursday night, a late-night Café in the Derbent district, which is frequented by police officers, was attacked by rebels using grenade launchers. There are no reports on casualties.

Explosion in Scottish Forest

Above: Garadhban Forest

 Anti-terrorism police in Scotland are carrying out an investigation into an explosion which occurred on Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area.

The explosion took place in the Garadhban Forest, near Loch Lomond in Gartocharn (about 20 miles north-west of Glasgow).

While little information has been made public, local sources indicate that the incident may have been carried out by Islamic extremists who were conducting a training camp in the area. Other possibilities put forward include armed Scottish separatist groups such as the outlawed Scottish National Liberation Army (SNLA).

Meanwhile, Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter groups are also suspected. The groups have threatened to take their small armed campaigns to England and have some support among hardline Scottish Nationalists and the large Irish community. During it's campaign, Provisional IRA units in England often stored their weapons in forests and other remote locations.

Speaking to the media, Chief Supt Calum Murray said:  

"I would stress that the site is secure and that there is no risk to public safety. As the explosion took place in a wooded area, there was no damage to property, and no-one was injured. We do want to minimize disruption to the community, and we thank the public for their patience.

"I would ask that if anyone has seen anything suspicious in or around the area, or has any information - no matter how insignificant it may seem, that they contact the police or Crimestoppers. All calls will, of course, be treated in the strictest of confidence"

Police officer killed in Dagestan hospital attack

A Russian police officer has been shot dead in the Dagestani capital of Makhachkala.

It is reported that earlier in the day a Russian patrol vehicle was damaged in a bomb attack. Later in a the day, a Police officer was admitted to hospital with a broken arm. It is unclear whether the officer had been injured in the earlier bomb blast.

While only a small number of details are known it is understood that the officer was gunned down while in the hospital in Khasavyurt. The attack came only hours after another police officer was shot dead in neighbouring Grozny.