October 17, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

Authorities discovered a second bomb blast at an EnCana natural gas pipeline in a remote area approximately 30 mi/50 km from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on 16 October 2008. It is not known when the blast occurred. The explosion resulted in the release of a small quantity of sour natural gas, which contains the dangerous chemical compound hydrogen sulfide. There were no reports of injuries from the blast. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) terrorist unit suspects that the blast is linked to an incident that occurred near the same area on 11 October 2008. A local news outlet received a threatening letter earlier in October advising oil and natural gas companies to leave the area. An eco-terrorist group previously launched attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in nearby Alberta during the 1990s in a campaign against sour natural gas. EnCana has increased security at its facilities and has suspended operations in the area.

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October 16, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-PxA5nUjkg

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October 14, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

Anti-terrorist officers used force to remove a group of 10 lawmakers who were protesting at the National Election Commission building in Kiev on 14 October 2008. Reports indicate that more than 40 anti-terrorist force officers and 60 regular police officers were involved, although many were simply on reserve. Four lawmakers were reportedly injured. The parliamentarians — all supporters of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko — had been at the building since the previous day and were preventing preparations for a snap election on 7 December. President Victor Yushchenko called the elections on 8 October, but a Kiev city court later suspended the decree due to a lawsuit filed by Tymoshenko, who opposes the polls. Yushchenko has since abolished the court, but the issue remains open.

ASI Comment: While this specific incident had little widespread effect, it is significant in that it is the first use of force in this latest political crisis and violates Ukraine’s constitution, which prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting or even touching the country’s lawmakers. Further fueling concern, earlier reports had indicated that both Yushchenko’s and Tymoshenko’s security forces were stationed at the appeals court that will hear the case, although there have thus far been no reports of conflict.

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October 14, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

 (Business Week, 10/2/08)

Referring to the seizure of more than 400 fake routers so far, Melissa E. Hathaway, head of cyber security in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, says: “Counterfeit products have been linked to the crash of mission-critical networks, and may also contain hidden ‘back doors’ enabling network security to be bypassed and sensitive data accessed [by hackers, thieves, and spies].” She declines to elaborate. In a 50-page presentation for industry audiences, the FBI concurs that the routers could allow Chinese operatives to “gain access to otherwise secure systems.”

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_41/b4103034193886.htm?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories&chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories

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October 14, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

(AP, 10/2/08)

Chiu’s husband, Tai Mak, was sentenced to 24 1/2 years in prison earlier this year after a federal jury found he illegally exported U.S. defense technologies to China. Prosecutors alleged that Mak was stealing information on submarine propulsion systems from his defense contractor employer, Anaheim-based Power Paragon, and passing it to China with the help of his extended family. ###

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October 13, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today reached an agreement with the state of Michigan to enhance the security features of the state’s driver’s license, which may serve in the future as an acceptable alternative document for crossing the United States’ land and sea borders.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1223915151497.shtm

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October 13, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

Libyan officials stated on 10 October 2008 that the country will take several measures to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Switzerland to protest the poor treatment of several Libyan diplomats and businessmen by Swiss security forces. Officials confirmed earlier reports indicating that Libya will suspend all crude oil shipments to the country and withdraw billions in assets from Swiss banks. Libyan Afriqiyah Airlines is also slated to reduce the number of direct flights to Switzerland, and the Libyan government has also suspended all consular services for Swiss nationals. According to Libyan officials, the measures will remain in effect until the Swiss government accounts for recent incidents involving the detention and poor treatment of several Libyan diplomats and businessmen in Switzerland. Libya’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly set up an independent committee to look into the recent allegations as well as the treatment of Libyan leader Muammar Khadafy’s son during his July 2008 detention in Geneva on assault charges.

The recent announcement came after a three-month diplomatic spat stemming from the earlier arrest of Khadafy’s son. Those charges were later dropped after the two servants whom Khadafy’s son had allegedly beaten, officially withdrew their grievances. During this time period, Libya took similar diplomatic and economic steps and called for a public apology from the Swiss government. Tensions subsided after the charges were dropped and Libyan anti-Swiss measures were relaxed until this recent renewal of tensions.

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October 13, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

On 11 October 2008 U.S. government officials announced that North Korea has been removed from a list of states that sponsor terrorism. Authorities in North Korea pledged to cease the country’s nuclear development program and to allow international inspectors into the Yongbyon atomic facility.

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