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.

Police officer shot dead in Grozny

A police officer has been shot dead in the Chechen capital, Grozny.

It is understood that the attack took place at around 9am in the Mashkadov district of the capital. According to Chechen sources a vehicle checkpoint was fired on by a group of rebels who drove by in a car. The rebels are then reported to have sped away towards the south of the city.

The attack comes just days after seven police officers and four rebels were killed in similar attacks in neighbouring Dagestan.

Ten Moroccan police officers killed in clashes

The Moroccan government has said that ten of it's police officers have been killed in attacks by Sahrawi separatists this week.

The claim comes a week after Moroccan security forces attacked a protest camp in the occuppied territory, killing at least 35 pro-Sahrawi demonstrators. It is understood that at least 160 demonstrators have also been arrested and imprisoned.

The Polisario Front separatist group said the protest was meant to be peaceful, but was attacked by security forces. They went on to say that many protesters had no other option but to defend themselves by force. It is unclear how the policemen were killed however it has been reported by Spanish media that at least one of the police officers had his throat slashed while attempting to detain a protester.

Government claims to have killed 13 FARC rebels

 A female FARC guerrilla

The Colombian government has claimed that it has killed 13 members of the FARC rebel group in a bombing raid near the city of Ipiales.

The government claimed that the strike targeted a rebel base and was very important and decisive. The FARC unit which operates in the area is known as Fighting Unit 48 and is well known for it's ruthless attacks on government forces.

FARC have not confirmed that any of their soldiers have been killed.

NATO forces suffer heavy casualties in southern Afghanistan

At least five NATO soldiers and three Afghan Police Officers have been killed in gun and bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan. Three civilians are also reported to have been killed in the attacks.

The deaths bring NATO casualties in Afghanistan this year to over 640 troops.

The attacks occur as Taliban forces increase their offensive before the harsh Afghan winter, which usually results in much reduced activity.

In a seperate attack, twelve NATO oil tankers were destroyed in the Behsud district. There were no reported casualties.

NATO forces in Jalalabad have claimed to have repelled a Taliban attack yesterday, killing six fighters.

Battle in Dagestan - Rebel camp attacked

2 Russian soldiers were killed and 3 injured in battles with rebel forces in the forests of southern Dagestan.

The fighting in the Kayakent district has been ongoing since last week when 2 Russian special forces soldiers were killed. Another 5 soldiers died when a grenade exploded accidentally. Russian forces had launched air and mortar strikes on and around the town of Izberbash on the Russia/Georgia border.

Meanwhile, the body of a rebel found in the village has been confirmed as that of Haji Suleiman Oglu who was 31 years old and originally from Azerbaijan. It is believed he died in airstrikes that were launched last week.

The Russian Military has denied claims it lost two soldiers saying that only one soldier was killed while three were injured.

Israeli forces launch incursion into southern Gaza

 Israeli forces have crossed into southern Gaza this morning.

Using tanks and armoured bulldozers, Israeli soldiers targeted the village of Al-Qarara.

At least one Rocket was fired by Palestinian fighters at the Israeli unit. It is not clear if there were any injuries.

Israeli jet crashes in Negev desert

An Israeli F-16 fighter jet has come down on the southern Gaza/Israeli border. The Israeli Defence Forces have confirmed that both pilots have been killed.

The jet is believed to have suffered an electronics malfunction.

Israeli officials are investigating the incident.

Brian Currin calls for unconditional ETA surrender

South African lawyer and international conflict resolution expert Brian Currin has called on ETA to surrender it's weapons unconditionally and declare a permanent end to it's armed campaign.

Currin said that if ETA called a permanent end to violence, their political wing, Batasuna, would be legalised.

He also played down the suggestion of an amnesty for political prisoners stating that
"it is difficult to find a balance between the victims and the causers of violence".

It is unlikely that ETA would declare a permanent ceasefire without their 800 or so poltiical prisoners being offered amnesty.

Russian APC blown up in Chechnya

A Russian Armoured Personnel carrier has been blown up by rebels in Chechnya.

The attack took place in the Urus-Martan district of Chechnya. There are no accurate reports on casualties although Russian forces have admitted that one of their vehciles was hit and at least one soldier was wounded. The Russian Military is well known do play down it's losses suffered in the Chechen republic.

In a seperate incident, one Russian soldier is reported to have been killed near the village of Tangi-Chu after stepping on a landmine.

Currently, Russian forces are carrying out bombing and mortar strikes on thick forests in Achkhoi-Martan and Sunzha in an attempt to flush out a rebel column whoare operating in the area.

Russians suffer heavy casualties in Dagestan as rebel threat increases

 Russian forces have suffered several more casualties in Dagestan this week.

The latest incidents come just days after 12 Russian soldiers, including two special forces members, were killed in gun battles with Chechen and Dagestani rebels.

At least three police officer were killed and two wounded in a gun attack on a patrol vehicle in Shamilkala. Russian news agencies reported that the rebel unit consisted of five gunmen armed with automatic weapons who fired from the rear of a moving vehicle. Following the attack a fierce gun battle broke out in the center of the city with rebels managing to escape after ramming their way through a police blockade.

In the town of Magomed Hajiyev, a bomb blast rocked Russian televison headquarters. There are no reports of any casualties.

In a seperate attack it is believed that up to four Russian police officers were killed when they came under fire from a number of rebels who had captured a police vehicle earlier in the day. Russian news agencies have claimed that four rebels who were using the car to move through the city were also killed. However, according to other reports the car was later used in a bomb attack on a rural police station south of the city.

Chechen rebel news agencies have claimed that their fighters killed at least seven police officers and said they are unaware of any casualties among their forces.

Liquor store bombed in Ingushetia

A liquor store has been destroyed in a bomb attack by rebels in Ingushetia.

The blast occurred a]t 3am in the town of Malgobek. The bomb contained around 8kg of TNT. There were no injuries.

The sale of liquor is strongly opposed by the Muslim community in the Caucasus as the consumption alcohol is strictly forbidden by the teachings of Islam

Oil truck fired on in Kabardino-Balkaria

A truck belonging to the Rosneft oil company has come under fire from militants in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The driver of the truck was injured by small arms fire after a number of gunmen machine gunned the vehcile on a highway near Zhankoteko.

Rosneft is an oil company which is owned by the Russian government. It's chairman is Russia's deputy prime minister and ex-KGB agent, Igor Sechin.

ETA may announce permanent cessation of violence by Christmas

The President of the Basque Socialist Party (PSE) has said that he believes the Basque separatist group ETA will announce a permanent end to their armed campaign by Christmas.

Jésus Eguiguren said that if a permanent end to violence was declared, Batasuna (ETA's political wing) would be legalised.  Eguiguren also said dialogue between the government and separatists was needed to bring about an end to the military side of the conflict.

ETA has been on ceasefire since this summer although it has refused to announce a permanent end to violence. The group has been fighting for the last 40 years for an independent Basque Country in Northern Spain. Independence is desired by a large proportion of the Basque people, although only a small amount support the use of arms to achieve this.

Israeli soldiers shoot teenager in Gaza

A Palestinian civilian was shot and injured yesterday by an Israeli soldier in northern Gaza.

The 19 year old was shot in the leg by Israeli soldiers as he and other workers collected stone from an abandoned settlement. Cement is banned from entering the Gaza strip, as such, young men are often employed to collect gravel and rubble for use in construction.

The Israeli Military said it fired at two Palestinians who approached the border security fence.

Over 10,000 flee as Burmese rebels launch offensive

Over 10,000 Burmese civilians have streamed across the border into Thailand following widespread rebel attacks on government installations.

There were fierce clashes along the border, and in the most serious incident, rebels stormed a police station in Myawaddy. The fighting comes just days after Burma's first elections in 20 years were widely criticized as being little more than a sham. Representatives of Burmese minority groups, which make up 40% of the population warned that a full scale civil war could take place after rebel controlled areas were not permitted to vote in the recent elections.

The Burmese military has said that it has taken back control of central Myawaddy but that rebel forces, believed to be from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, still hold much of the surrounding area. Head of the DKBA unit responsible, Commander Saw Lah Pwe said he was "doing this for democracy". Most of the DKBA has agreed to become a Border Guard unit under the command of the military junta, however Commander Saw refused. The Fifth Brigade, under Saw's command, is believed to have over 1,400 troops. Other rebel groups have also refused to comply with the military.

These include:
* Kachin Independence Army - 7,000 troops
* United Wa State Army - 30,0000 troops
* Shan State Army - 5,000 troops
* Karen National Liberation Army - 8,000 troops
* New Mon State - 1,000 troops

So far, only the Fifth Brigade is reported to have taken part in the fighting.

13 protesters shot dead by Moroccan forces in Western Sahara

At least 13 people have been shot dead by the Moroccan security forces following a protest in Laayoune, the Capital of Western Sahara.

Anti-Moroccan Government protesters have been camping out in the city since last week. The protest camp was one of the largest seen in Western Sahara for over 20 years. The Moroccan authorities took action just hours before UN mediated talks were due to take place in New York.

Western Sahara is a partially recognised state. Previously a Spanish colony, it was annexed by Morocco following Spanish declonization in 1975. Most of the sparsely occupied territory is controlled by Morrocco, while the rest is controlled by a local rebel government. A UN brokered ceasefire has held since 1991. France has strongly supported Morroccan claims to the terrirotry while Algeria has backed the rebel government.

Up to 10 Russian soldiers killed in Dagestan

Up to 10 Russian soldiers and at least one rebel have been killed in battles and skirmishes throughout Dagestan.

In the first incident, one Russian soldier was wounded in a grenade attack on a patrol in the Khasavyurt district.

Meanwhile, fighting in the Kayakent district in southern Dagestan has left up to 10 Russian soldiers dead. It is understood that two members of the Russian special forces and one soldier were killed in a battle with Chechen and Dagestani rebels on the outskirts of a forest. In a follow up operation, Russian news agencies have reported that seven Russian soldiers were killed or wounded when a grenade exploded accidentally.

Also, in Kaspiisk, a rebel was killed in a shootout with Russian forces. Russian forces attempted to capture 21 year-old Shamil Khazhiyev but he opened fire with a pistol and was killed.

Call for new probe into death of Scottish Nationalist

There have been renewed calls for an inquiry into the death of Scottish Nationalist Willie MacRae.

On the 7th of April 1985, Mr. MacRae was found dead in his car in the Scottish Highlands. He had been shot in the back of the head. MacRae was a solicitor and a very active anti-nuclear campaigner. He observed NATO activities in Scotland very closely and was putting together a case to take against them in court.

Meanwhile, a Police Officer, PC Donald Morrison has said he will sign an affidavit linking British Intelligence to the killing. PC Morrison was the last person to speak with Mr. MacRae the day that he died. PC Morrison said he had been told by senior members of the police service that Willie MacRae was "under surveillance" by unknown individuals.

Loyalists responsible for pipe-bomb attack

A pro-British loyalist death squad has claimed responsibility for a recent bomb attack in west Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The bombs exploded in the St.James's area of west Belfast. One consisted of a pipe-bomb attached to a drum of petrol. The bomb exploded but the petrol drum did not ignote. The attack was targeted against a senior member of the Provisional IRA. A loyalist dissident group calling itself the Real UFF has claimed responsibility.

There have been a number of recent bomb and gun attacks in Northern Ireland, most of them attributed to small dissident republican groups who are opposed to the IRA's ceasefire.

During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, loyalist militant groups carried out random attacks on Catholic and Nationalist civilian targets. They rarely targeted IRA members.

Protests scheduled for Moscow tomorrow

It is expected that upwards of 10,000 Russian soldiers will protest in Moscow tomorrow calling for the Minister for Defence to be sacked.

The protest has been organised in part by the Russian Paratroopers Union and will be supported by other military units. The 7th November is a public holiday in Russia which marks the October Revolution. It has also been alleged that a number of senior members of the Union have been the subject of assassination attempts by the Russian FSB. Two leading Union members including General Gregory Dubrov have died in recent weeks. Mr. Dubrov fell under a train in Moscow while Lt. Gen. B. Debashvil was found dead in his Moscow home. It has been suggested that these two men were murdered by the Kremlin after a plot to organise a military coup was discovered.

Following the deaths, the Union claimed that both men were murdered in FSB operations and stated that "the enemy [[FSB]] will be held responsible for his death."

Seven Colombian officers suspended over rape and murder of children

Seven Colombian military officers have been suspended following the murder of three children in a border town last month.

The children, two boys aged six and nine, and a girl, aged 14, were stabbed to death in the town of Tame in Arauca province on the 14th of October. Their bodies were buried in a shallow grave.

One of the soldiers involved, Second Lieutenant Raul Munoz has admitted to raping 14 year old Yenni Torres but denies killing her.  He also confessed to raping a 13 year old girl near the same town on October 2nd.

The children's father had returned from work in the fields on October 14th to find them missing. He and other villagers found their shallow graves later in the day.

The town of Tame is often the scene of clashes between the military and FARC rebels. Four soldiers and three civilians were wounded in a FARC bomb attack in mid-October.

So far, over sixty soldiers are under investigation regarding the incident.

Palestinian man killed in Israeli drone attack

 

A Palestinian man has been killed in an Israeli drone attack in the Gaza strip.

The man was travelling in a car when it was struck by a missile fired from a drone aircraft. The man has been named locally as Mohammed Jamal Al Nimnim, 27, from the Beach refugee camp in west Gaza.

Israeli forces have claimed he was a member of the Army of Islam militant group, this has been denied by Hamas who have said he was a civilian.

Two police officers injured in Northern Ireland

Two Police officers have been injured in a pipebomb attack in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

It is understood that the officers were responding to reports of a robbery when they were attacked with a pipe-bomb off the Shaw's Road. Unconfirmed reports have claimed that the attacker threw the device from the back of a motorbike. One of the officers is reported to have sustained serious injuries. Locals have reported that he suffered very serious arm injuries.

The primary suspects are dissident republican groups who are opposed to the IRA's ceasefire.

Police vehicle blasted in Kabardino-Balkaria

A Russian police vehicle was blown up with a roadside bomb in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The attack took place in the town of Elbrus on the Prokhladny-Azau road. The device was hidden on the roadside and exploded when the police vehicle passed. Two police officers were wounded in the attack. AN investigation into the incident has been launched.

Gas station blown up in Dagestan

A gas distribuition station has been destroyed by an explosion in Dagestan.

A small device exploded at the station yesterday evening about one mile from the village of Stalsky. There were no injuries.

At least two Russian soldiers killed in Dagestan

It has been reported that at least two Russian soldiers have been killed and several wounded in a gun battle with rebels in the town of Izberbash in Dagestan.

Russian sources said that a number of rebels took up position in a house and opened up on a passing patrol with automatic weapons. The Russian military has confirmed that two of it's soldiers have been killed and three wounded in the shoot-out. They also claimed to have killed one rebel fighter. There has been no confirmation from Chechen or Dagestani sources.

French Army recruitment centre bombed in Corsica

A recruitment centre for the French Armed Forces was bombed last night.

The blast occurred at around 2am in the prefecture of Haute-Corse. It appears those responsible managed to cut a hole in the metal shutters before rolling a gas cylinder packed with explosives into the building. The ground floor was entirely destroyed by the blast. Five nearby cars and a motorbike were also damaged. There were no injuries.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack although Corsican seperatist groups, such as the FLNC or Armatu Corse are suspected. The offices have been the target of attacks before.

Police commander assassinated in Kabardino-Balkaria

A commander of the Russian Police was killed in Kabardino-Balkaria today.

The officer was returning home when he was shot dead at point blank range by a rebel unit in the town of Islamey. It is understood that the officer held the rank of Major and was based in the Baksan district.

Police officer killed in Chechnya

The body of a Police Officer has been found in the Chechen village of Upper Neuber.

Chechen rebels have claimed the officer was eliminated by one of their units.

No other details are available at this time.

Bombs explode in Greece

A number of bombs have exploded in Athens.

The parcel bombs targeted foreign embassies in the Greek capital. One bomb exploded at the Russian embassy and another at the Swiss. Two other parcel bombs were destroyed at the Bulgarian and Chilean embassies. Four other parcel bombs were found in the city and one woman was injured when a device exploded at a sorting office.

Two men who were in possession of two parcel bombs, glock 9mm pistols and wearing bullet proof vests were arrested later. They are suspected of being members of a far-left militant group. Greece is home to a number of far-left militant groups including Revolutionary Struggle, Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire and 17-November.

PKK deny involvement in Istanbul bombing

The PKK rebel group has denied that it was involved in yesterday's suicide bomb attack against a Police bus in Istanbul which injured 32 people. It is believed that the attack may have been carried out by hardline elements withing the seperatist movement who are opposed to the ongoing discussions between the rebel leadership and the Turkish government.

Following the attack the PKK also extended it's ceasefire, which was due to expire yesterday, until the first week of June 2011.

In a statement the PKK said that it was extending it's non-aggression pact until the 2011 General Election in order to help bring about a democratic process and allow elections inTurkey to go ahead in a healthy environment.

A senior security official said he believed a rogue PKK unit was responsible for the attack and noted that the explosive A-4, a substance which is almost exclusively used by the PKK in Turkey, had been used.

Attacks in tourist areas are usually carried out by a group calling itself the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK). In June, 3 soldiers and a civilian were killed when the TAK bombed a military bus in Istanbul. The PKK claims that TAK are an extreme splinter group outside of their control.

Bomb explodes in west Belfast

 
A bomb has exploded in the St.James' area of west Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The bomb was attached to gate and taped to a drum of petrol. It exploded early in the night damaging a nearby house and van. A second device was discovered nearby and made safe by British Army bomb disposal units.

The St.James' area of Belfast is overwhelmingly nationalist (Pro-Irish). Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack but locals have voiced concerns that dissident loyalists may have been responsible.

Two US soldiers killed by Insurgents

Two US soldiers have been killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan.

In the first incident, Specialist Brett Land, 24, from Wasco, California, was killed after his unit was attacked with a roadside bomb in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. A number of other soldiers were wounded.

In the second incident, Specialist Diego Solorzano-Valdovinos, 24, from Huntington Park, California, was killed after his unit was ambushed by insurgents Yahya Khel district of Afghanistan. In the subsequent gun-battle, Spc. Valdovinos was killed.

Chechen rebel killed in shootout with police

A Chechen rebel was killed and ten Russian police were wounded in a shootout in central Grozny this afternoon.

It is understood that the lone militant was ambushed by Police officers in the Oktyabrsky area of the city and sought refuge in a house from which he opened fire on the officers. A prolonged siege took place before the rebel blew himself up as the police team attempted to enter the building. According to Russian State televison, eight of the officers are described as being in a serious condition.

PFLP attacks Israeli base

The military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has claimed that it was responsible for a mortar attack on an Israeli outpost east of Al-Maghazi in central Gaza.

Two 90 millimetre shells were fired at the compund. The PFLP has said that it will continue to carry out attacks against Israeli military targets.

Militant and soldier killed in Kashmir clash

A Kashmiri militant has been killed in the town of Sopore, in Indian administered Kashimr, the military has claimed.

It is understood that a joint patrol of police and military forces engaged a group of militants in a gun battle in the Noorbagh area of the town. During the gunfight a member of the Indian territorial army was seriously wounded. He died a few hours later in hospital.

It is believed that the Hizbul Mujahideen rebel group was involved in the attack. The Indian Military has claimed that the group was responsible for the kidnap of two teachers during the week, both of whom later escaped.

The dead soldier has been named as Manzoor Ahmed Mali. The dead rebel has yet to be identified.