US intel director calls al-Qaida top threat

Updated Friday, February 11, 2011 12:28 am TWN, By Kimberly Dozier, AP

WASHINGTON -- Amid criticism that U.S. intelligence services missed the signs of an Arab revolt in Tunisia and Egypt, the U.S. nation's top intelligence official will tell Congress that the threat from al-Qaida and its affiliates remains his No. 1 priority, U.S. officials said.

In testimony scheduled Thursday before the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, will stress that counterterrorism to keep Americans safe is the focus of the intelligence community, according to one of those officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters of intelligence.

Intelligence officials warn of new terror threats

By the CNN Wire Staff

February 11, 2011 -- Updated 0030 GMT (0830 HKT)

Washington (CNN) -- A rapidly evolving terrorist threat will continue to dominate U.S. security concerns over the course of the next year, top intelligence officials told members of Congress on Thursday.
While al Qaeda and its allies have been dealt a series of setbacks by America and its allies, they are having success finding new recruits in the United States and Europe, the officials warned. They are also tied to a troubling insurgency in Pakistan that poses a danger not only to the government in Islamabad but also to U.S. troops in the region.
The officials warned that a congressional failure to renew key provisions of the Patriot Act could cripple vital intelligence-gathering operations. In addition, they noted the growing importance of cybersecurity to the United States.

Terrorist threat may be at most 'heightened state' since 9/11, Napolitano says

War Against Terrorist by Pakistan USA

By Peter Finn

Washington Post Staff Writer 
Thursday, February 10, 2011

The terrorist threat to the United States may be at its most "heightened state" since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and al-Qaeda and its affiliates are placing increased emphasis on recruiting Americans and other Westerners to carry out attacks, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said at a congressional hearing Wednesday.

Napolitano spoke before the House Committee on Homeland Security, whose chairman, Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), is planning hearings on the threat posed by domestic radicalization and a growing incidence of U.S. citizens or legal residents involved in terrorist plots.

A Pakistani police chief has said a US citizen in custody over the deaths of two men in Lahore last month was guilty of "cold-blooded murder".

Lahore city police chief Aslam Tareen told a news conference that one of the men was killed while running away.

He spoke after Raymond Davis was remanded for another 14 days following an appearance in a Lahore court.

Mr Davis, 36, has admitted he shot the men, but says he acted in self-defence because they were trying to rob him.

The court has ordered the Pakistani government to clarify US embassy claims that Mr Davis has diplomatic immunity.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has rejected criticism that US intelligence services missed warning signs of turmoil in Egypt.

Mr Clapper said intelligence previously pointed out political grievances that threatened Egypt's regime.

In testimony to Congress, Mr Clapper also warned of al-Qaeda's shifting threat to US security.

He also said the threat of cyber warfare was increasing and its impact was difficult to overstate.

The comments came a day after US Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano said the threat of terrorism in the US was in some aspects at its highest level since 9/11.

The opening salvoes have been fired in a new political battle in the US over greenhouse gas emissions.

Having failed to pass legislation through Congress, President Obama wants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate emissions.

But draft measures before Congress seek to squash the EPA's authority.

Testifying to a congressional committee, EPA chief Lisa Jackson said the bill ran counter to science and counter to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling.

An American teenager who took hostages in a botched bank robbery has been shot dead by police.

Police in Cary, North Carolina, said no hostages or officers were injured in the incident on Thursday, which unfolded live on television.

Devon Mitchell, 19, held seven people in the bank at gun point at the height of the encounter, police said.

"This is absolutely not how we wanted this to end," said police chief Pat Bazemore, who called it "very sad".

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said he wants to see an "orderly transition" of power in Egypt.

Talking to Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 live, Mr Clegg said the process should lead to a more democratic and open future for the country.

He said he could understand the "intense frustration" of people who had hoped for more from last night's presidential address

But the UK government would not be giving a "running commentary", he said.

Meanwhile Foreign Offfice Minister Lord Howell has told fellow peers that the Egyptian army faces "grim options."

In the PC Wars, the Asians Have a Clear Advantage

As the balance of power in many domains shifts from the U.S. to China, computer makers are also refocusing their strategies to include a larger China component. China is critical as both a market and a supply base. And Asian vendors have become serious rivals to the top U.S. companies, many of which are beset by persistent management dramas and palace intrigue.

Egyptian military backs president

Egypt's military has thrown its weight behind President Hosni Mubarak's decision not to resign but to transfer most of his powers to his vice president.

The statement is likely to further enrage protesters who have marched to Mr Mubarak's Cairo palace and other key symbols of the regime in a new push to force the president out.

The statement - the second in two days - comes after a meeting of the military's Supreme Council, led by the defence minister. The military said it endorses Mr Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power and free and fair presidential elections later this year.

Egypt's army backs Mubarak plan

Egypt's military is backing President Hosni Mubarak's decision not to resign but to transfer most of his powers to his vice president.

The army's statement today is likely to further enrage protesters who have marched to Mubarak's Cairo palace and other key symbols of the hated regime in a new push to force the president out.

The statement - the second in two days - comes after a meeting of the military's Supreme Council, led by the defence minister.

The military says it endorses Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power and free and fair presidential elections later this year.

European Stocks Slide; Nokia, L’Oreal Decline, Michelin Gains

Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks dropped, erasing their gain for the week, as Nokia Oyj slumped and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused to step down immediately. U.S. index futures and Asian shares slid.

Nokia tumbled 8.2 percent after announcing that it will form a software partnership with Microsoft Corp. L’Oreal SA sank 5.2 percent after the world’s largest cosmetics maker reported profit that failed to beat analysts’ estimates. Michelin & Cie. climbed 1.3 percent as the world’s second-largest tiremaker announced that full-year profit exceeded analysts’ projections.