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| At decade's end, revelers wonder what future holds NEW YORK (AP) -- Out with the old and in with the - what?... hosted.ap.org |
Christmas Day bomb suspect appears in US court Criminal case against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab begins as Obama comes under fire from conservativesThe alleged Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in federal court today, opening a case that has earned Barack Obama criticism from conservatives who say the suspected terrorist should be treated as an enemy combatant.The 23-year-old Nigerian faces several criminal counts related to his Christmas Day attempt to bring down a Northwest airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Several demonstrators braved the cold outside the Detroit courthouse as Abdulmutallab arrived. One protested the Obama administration's decision to try Abdulmutallab in civilian court, with a sign reading "no US rights for terrorists". Two other men carried an American flag and a green banner reading "not in the name of Islam". A grand jury this week charged Abdulmutallab on six counts, including one that carries a potential life sentence: attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.Authorities say Abdulmutallab boarded Northwest Airlines flight 253 in Amsterdam with a bomb concealed in his underpants. The lives of the 279 passengers and 11 crew members aboard were spared when the bomb's detonation caused only a small explosion and fire and Abdulmutallab was subdued by the passengers. Since the failed attack security has tightened at airports around the world.Investigators in Yemen and the US have linked Abdulmutallab to al-Qaida operatives in Yemen, though Yemeni officials maintain he acquired the explosives in Nigeria. Defence attorneys are likely to challenge incriminating statements Abdulmutallab made immediately after his arrest, question his mental health and seek a plea deal. On Sunday Obama's counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan suggested Abdulmutallab would be offered a deal in exchange for information about the terrorist network in Yemen that may have facilitated the suspect's attempt.Obama yesterday criticised the US intelligence and counter-terrorism apparatus, saying officials "failed to connect the dots" in allowing Abdulmutallab to board the plane, even after he came to their attention when his father warned US officials in Nigeria that he had come under the sway of Islamic extremists.Obama resisted pressure to sack officials for the widely acknowledged failings, instead calling for improved coordination among intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies and expanded criteria for adding individuals to the US terrorist list. He also promised to introduce more body scanners at America's airports and step up research into better screening technology.The president has come under fire from conservatives who say Abdulmutallab should not be tried in civilian court, in part because they maintain legal protections afforded criminal defendants hinder his interrogation by counter-terrorism agents. "President Obama has weakened American security by treating terror as a law enforcement matter, refusing to use every tool at his disposal to prevent attacks, and taking his eye off the ball," said Liz Cheney, daughter of former vice-president Dick Cheney.The two terrorism suspects arrested on US soil whom former president Bush ordered held in military custody- Jose Padilla and Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri - were ultimately tried and convicted in civilian court after attorneys for the men challenged their status. Richard Reid, the failed shoe bomber, was prosecuted in the civilian court system.Global terrorismObama administrationAl-QaidaUS national securityYemenUnited StatesNigeriaRepublicansDaniel Nasawguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
China and Vietnam: Clashing Over an Island Archipelago As economies boom and nationalistsentiments swell, the remote, contested Paracel islands remain a flashpoint between China and Vietnam feedproxy.google.com |
Stars arrive for London TV Awards Stars start arriving on the red carpet for the National Television Awards, due to take place at London's O2 arena. news.bbc.co.uk |
Foreign Takeovers Weigh on Britain As Kraft prepares to take over Cadbury, U.K. politicians and the public are increasingly questioning a once-accepted wisdom there: Britain's openness to foreign takeovers is a good thing. online.wsj.com |