Floods Close Second Bangkok Airport

Historic floods in Thailand, which have left more than 360 people dead, have forced the closing of a second airport in Bangkok. Don Muang airport in the northern part of that city, which is being used to house evacuees from the floods is not expected to re-open for a week.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 00:01

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Palestine Accepted into UN's Cultural Agency

The UN's cultural agency voted to accept Palestine as a full member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The vote was 107 to 14 with 52 abstentions. While the U.S. currently provides 22 percent of UNESCO's funding, laws passed in the 1990's prohibit the U.S. from financing any UN organization that allows Palestine as a full member. That means UNESCO could lose some $70 million annually as the U.S. laws come into play.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 23:57

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Security, Travel Waivers Refused for Visiting Dignitaries

In anticipation of hosting the Youth Forum Summit and 53 heads of state and delegates, the Australian government informed all participants their security guards would not be allowed to bring any weapons or security devices into the country. Australia said, "As with all guests of government visits to Australia, the Australian Government is responsible for the provision of appropriate security measures for visiting dignitaries." Other guidelines included the adherence by all visitors to all aviation security restrictions for baggage, contents, containers, etc., as well as the appointment of a Local Handling Agent to arrange for all aircraft clearances, baggage handling, parking and refueling.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 03:06

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Grenade Attack After Kenyan Warning

One day after the U.S Embassy in Kenya warned of a possible terror attack and told citizens to delay traveling in that country, a grenade attack at a Nairobi nightspot injured twelve. No one has taken claim for the attack, but there are suspicions it may have come at the hands of Al-Shabaab in retaliation for Kenyan troops crossing the border with Somalia in pursuit of the militants.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 03:05

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Kyrgyzstan Operation Captures 10 Suspected Terrorists

With presidential elections scheduled for later this month, coupled with ethnic tensions between the Kyrgyz and the minority Uzbeks, Kyrgyzstan security forces are on high alert with increased security checks, roadblocks and controls across the region. One anti-terror operation recently netted 10 suspected members of Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), a terrorist group who officials believe were planning to set-off a series of bombs across southern Kyrgyzstan.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 06:03

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Iran Plot Causes US to Issue Worldwide Travel Alert

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential for anti-U.S. actions following the disruption of a plot, linked to Iran, to commit a significant terrorist act in the United States. This Travel Alert expires on January 11, 2012. The U.S. government assesses that this Iranian-backed plan to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador may indicate a more aggressive focus by the Iranian Government on terrorist activity against diplomats from certain countries, to include possible attacks in the United States.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 06:01

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GAO Report Critical of DHS Data Mining

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) a government watchdog agency, has released a report entitled--Data Mining: DHS Needs to Improve Executive Oversight of Systems Supporting Counterterrorism. In the report the GAO finds that poor oversight in data mining techniques used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on counterterrorism programs could leave personal information at risk.

Source: planetdata.net

By: Progress On 03:15

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