Around the world briefs
Ireland — The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has been deemed as no longer being a threat to the national security of Northern Ireland. Most experts long viewed the IRA as the largest paramilitary threat to the peace process but the commission's report says the group's leadership:
- Does not consider a return to militancy to be a viable option.
- Continues to tell members not to engage in criminal acts.
- Recently shut down units responsible for making bombs and smuggling weapons and has "run down its terrorist capability."
- Stopped its recruitment activities.
Afghanistan - Canadian soldiers were attacked by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan for the third day in a row last Wednesday, but only two were slightly injured when a roadside bomb hit an armoured vehicle. Two soldiers injured in the roadside bombing were taken to a forward base for medical treatment but will likely return to duty quickly, a Canadian military official said. Also Wednesday, several rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a Canadian camp. A report, released by the United Nations, also states that well over 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting between Taliban and NATO forces.
Asia - China, Japan and South Korea warned North Korea on Wednesday not to carry out a nuclear test after Pyongyang announced Tuesday that it plans to do so to fend off what it calls growing U.S. hostility. Leaders of North Korea's neighbors said they are planning to meet in the next two weeks to discuss the issue. China, meanwhile, called on North Korea on Wednesday to remain calm and exercise restraint and urged its other neighbours to avoid actions that would exacerbate tensions in the region.
Italy - A Turkish man seeking political asylum hijacked a jetliner carrying 113 people from Albania to Istanbul on Tuesday and forced it to land in southern Italy, where he surrendered and released all the passengers unharmed, officials said. There were initial reports that the Boeing 737-400 had been hijacked by two Turks protesting Pope Benedict XVI's planned visit to Turkey next month.
- Does not consider a return to militancy to be a viable option.
- Continues to tell members not to engage in criminal acts.
- Recently shut down units responsible for making bombs and smuggling weapons and has "run down its terrorist capability."
- Stopped its recruitment activities.
Afghanistan - Canadian soldiers were attacked by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan for the third day in a row last Wednesday, but only two were slightly injured when a roadside bomb hit an armoured vehicle. Two soldiers injured in the roadside bombing were taken to a forward base for medical treatment but will likely return to duty quickly, a Canadian military official said. Also Wednesday, several rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a Canadian camp. A report, released by the United Nations, also states that well over 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting between Taliban and NATO forces.
Asia - China, Japan and South Korea warned North Korea on Wednesday not to carry out a nuclear test after Pyongyang announced Tuesday that it plans to do so to fend off what it calls growing U.S. hostility. Leaders of North Korea's neighbors said they are planning to meet in the next two weeks to discuss the issue. China, meanwhile, called on North Korea on Wednesday to remain calm and exercise restraint and urged its other neighbours to avoid actions that would exacerbate tensions in the region.
Italy - A Turkish man seeking political asylum hijacked a jetliner carrying 113 people from Albania to Istanbul on Tuesday and forced it to land in southern Italy, where he surrendered and released all the passengers unharmed, officials said. There were initial reports that the Boeing 737-400 had been hijacked by two Turks protesting Pope Benedict XVI's planned visit to Turkey next month.
