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EUROPE IS STILL “a focus of terrorist plots”, according to a new security report released by the US State Department.
The document warned that “affiliates” of al-Qaeda grew stronger across the world in 2010, even as the terror organisation’s “core” in Pakistan was weakened even before the death of its figurehead Osama bin Laden earlier this year. Groups linked to al-Qaeda are also becoming better at sharing knowledge and terrorist “capabilities”, the report added.
Noting a series of attempted attacks in Scandinavia, including the Stockholm suicide bombing in December 2010, the US Country Reports on Terrorism 2010 said a number of countries in Europe had raised their terrorist threat level during the year. However, it added that “the year was marked by counterterrorism successes” as police and security forces foiled a number of plots, and noted:
The continuing effectiveness of European security services, close cooperation between and among European countries, and the sheer technical capabilities available to most partner countries enabled authorities to prevent any major terrorist plot from coming to fruition in 2010.
In the North, the number of terrorist bombing incidents soared by 80 per cent against 2009, with 87 such bombings between January and November 2010 alone. At least 90 people were casualties of paramilitary assaults or shootings during the same period – while the report also warned that violence in the North could be “traced back to support” provided by people living in the Republic.
On a global level, the report also warned that the al-Shabaab militias – who currently hold power in famine-hit Somalia – were gaining in strength across East Africa, and were a powerful lure to Westerners tempted by terrorist ideologies.
It also noted that al-Qaeda was stepping up its information campaign in English, noting that English-speaking militants are increasingly connected via online forums and video-sharing sites. The year saw al-Qaeeda in the Arabian Peninsula launch its first English-language magazine, called Inspire, which offered articles including “What to expect in Jihad”.
Clinton for Irish Presidency??
Luke, I’d say miles better than what we have on offer here
I saw a clip of this on tv earlier and I saw bobo (bono) there, what the fuck is he doing there when he’s not even registered as a tax payer in this country.
Cheer up lads, you’re always such a negative bunch
The funny thing is that if he did become Irish president he’d have a higher salary than he did as US president or the current current president gets..
Sign him up!
I agree. He would be great.
Hmmmm, what is he up to now?
Nobody cares about Ireland except the Irish. The point of a gathering
of business people and celebrities to discuss how we can be great again to the rest of the world is laughable. We’re nothing more then a small island (with a big debt) off the coast of mainland Europe and the sooner we realise we need to be more productive for our own gains and not to improve the opinions of suit wearing hasbeens.
Go Home Clinton. It was your country that set the stage for this Depression due to its deregulation of the banks and Wall Street. Being part of the problem, you wont be part of the solution. Capitalism has been succesful in generating wealth (for the few) over the last 200 years but it’s destroyed itself through its greed and we need to move onto something new.
Is that you Brian Cowen?
wow that’s alot of dislikes. Let me state some facts.
Bill clinton: Treasury secretary- Rober Rubin- Spent 26 years at Goldman Sachs
George Bush: Treasury Seretary- Henry Paulson- Ex CEO of Goldman Sachs
Barrack Obama: Chief of Staff- Bill Daly- served on Executive Comitee of JP Morgan Chase
The Game is Rigged
Clinton for Irish Presidency? WAKE UP!
Robert I think the dislikes have nothing to do with the basic facts, more the leftist comment at the end, whether meant that way or not. Even in these times you’ll do well to find anyone outside of those with a previous bias that thinks that capitalism, like constitutional democracy, is indeed a terrible system – but that we’ve tried the others, and time & time again greed got in the way anyway and the failure was even more profound. People are tired of the recent trend to rehash this tired old argument, and I think that’s the source of the reaction. Agree with you though on Clinton.
Whoops! Sorry Daniel, Misread your name :)
Of course we will recover, and of course the question is when. That is the ONLY question that matters. 2 years, 5 years or 10? Clinton stating the bloody obvious for gratuitous effect, as per usual.
Unless the world ends it is the only option.
It’s a pity Hillary didn’t become president, would’ve been better for us.
None of the speakers were paid by the state to attend the forum. They all covered their own expenses, even Clinton. It’s still set to cost €300,000 though.. but I suppose that’s not too bad in the grand old scheme of things.
Isn’t that the guy from catchphrase?
It’s good …but it’s not right
He got paid a sweet 650,000K from the Irish taxpayer for the least possible work and for attending an “economic” forum- fine gael labour have a great sense of flippin irony!
Bono – is King of Ireland. So he thinks. Of course he is there.
How much did he get paid for today?
I would feel more heartened by clintons comments if I felt confident in his own country’s future – the american’s are ones to judge considering what a mess they are in. Still its nice of him to say seeing as the markets seem to be so easily swayed by the winds of opinion.
I don’t like when people talk over their glasses when they speak
He forgot about the "Comely Maidens dancing at the Ghost Estates."
The US have bigger problems than Ireland. Their property bubble has burst and now they have new apartments for sake in good areas of Chicago for E 40,000 and it’s an Irish company selling them. Of course our auctioneers say our property Market is at the bottom.
This is a new challenge and the US are in bigger trouble than the EU.
Question; I noticed Bono sitting on the main stage yesterday and his boss making a few speeches from the floor and to media, also say Dermot Desmond and Denis OBrien ……….are these people now paying their taxes to the Irish state ?? If not wouldn’t that help and how can they sit there and lecture to the ordinary tax payer
Media and government still feeding us this horseshit…WE ARE NOT HAVING IT tell clinton to fuck off and and sort out his own country..the one thats about to implode
How much did Clinton get to tell us that ?
Obviously worth it judging by the Clinton fan base and willingness to swallow guff so evident.
We are the 99 % Clinton is the 1 %, along with his bankers buddies. Go home Clinton the Irish are awake at last all except for our politicians and our media that is.
yeah, great at exporting her young people.
have your say