• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Feb 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: Feb. 23 AFNS 25 Feb 2010
• Airpower Summary: Feb. 22 AFNS 25 Feb 2010
• Iraqi Forces Arrest 9 in Separate Operations AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- Iraqi police arrested nine terrorism suspects in combined operations with U.S. advisors in recent days, military officials reported.
• Army Air Cav keeps Marines, Navy, Air Force flying over Iraq Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- A specialty aircraft repair shop has become a valuable asset for all U.S. military branches operating out of Al Asad.
• Spartan Brigade bridges gap with restored tank to Iraqi forces Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- Sergeant Mark Wheeler, Company B, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, takes a moment to look over his work and to run his hand over the rough and dirty surface of the Russian T-55 tank sitting in his maintenance bay.
• Apaches take less aggressive role in Iraq Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- As the role of U.S. forces turns from a kinetic, action-oriented posture to a supporting role for the Iraqi Army and Police, unit missions must also adapt to the changes.
• Pentagon: Taliban Is Under Heavy Pressure on Two Fronts VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- A U.S. Department of Defense spokesman says U.S. and NATO efforts in Afghanistan, and Pakistani efforts on its side of the border, could be putting more pressure on the Taliban than it has experienced for several years.
• Skepticism Remains on Pakistani Anti-Taliban Efforts VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- The U.S. offensive in the Afghan town of Marjah coincides with new Pakistani moves against Afghan Taliban figures, which U.S. officials say aids counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan. But there is still skepticism about Islamabad's depth of commitment to rooting out the Afghan Taliban in Pakistan.
• Marja Operations Move Toward ‘Holding’ Phase AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- Operations in Marja, Afghanistan, are transitioning from the clearing to the holding phase, as today’s turnover of the government center there marks a symbol of progress, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.
• Airmen train Afghan National Army Air Corps' first C-27 pilot AFNS 25 Feb 2010 -- An Afghan National Army Air Corps pilot became the first Afghan pilot qualified to fly the C-27 here Feb. 23.
• Afghan Government Reclaims Taliban Stronghold VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- The Afghan government says it has reclaimed authority over the southern town of Marjah, where NATO and Afghan forces are battling remaining Taliban militants. But officials say both the military operation and fight to win over the locals' confidence is far from over.
• British solider shot dead in Sangin IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- A British soldier has been shot dead while on foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence in London announced Thursday.
• British airman killed in Kandahar province IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- A British airman has been killed in an explosion in Kandahar province in Afghanistan, but his death was said to be unconnected to Operation Moshtarak offensive.
• Suspected US drone strike kills another 5 innocents in Pakistan IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- A US drone aircraft fired missiles at a house in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least five people on spot Wednesday, local tribesmen said.
• Pakistan says no Afghan govt request for Taliban leader IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- Pakistan has said there is no formal request received from Afghan authorities for handing over of senior Taliban leader Mullah Baradar to Afghanistan.
• Haiti: UN agency recruits young people to assist with post-quake relief UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- Hoping to harness the energy and enthusiasm of young people, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recruited dozens of them to help drive the reconstruction effort in the wake of last month’s catastrophic Haiti earthquake.
• NEWSMAKER: UN official counters negative media coverage of Haiti recovery effort UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- A top United Nations official in Haiti says not enough media coverage has been devoted to the progress made by Haitians, humanitarian workers and their partners since the devastating earthquake struck nearly six weeks ago.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 25 Feb 2010 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• DoD News: Navy to Christen USNS Charles Drew DoD 25 Feb 2010 -- The Navy will christen and launch the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, during a 7 a.m. PST ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
• USS Tortuga Gets Underway Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- USS Tortuga (LSD 46) began its scheduled underway period in support of several high profile mission exercises Feb. 22.
• Mount Whitney Completes ATFP Certification Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- Sailors aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) completed the ships Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) Certification Feb. 15-17.
• NAVSUP/Chief of Supply Corps visits Naval Forces Southern Command, 4th Fleet Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- The commander of Navy Supply System Command (NAVSUP) and chief of Supply Corps spoke with U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) representatives Feb. 2 about C4F supply and logistics departmental participation in Operation Unified Response.
• SOUTHCOM Donates "Green" Lighting Materials to Joint El Salvadoran Air Force Base Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) donated $100,000 worth of lighting materials to the El Salvadoran Air Force 2nd Brigade Jan. 4. The Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa delivered the materials for SOUTHCOM to promote the U.S. military's "green" energy initiative.
• USNS Matthew Perry Delivers Early Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- The Navy officially accepted USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) Feb. 24 during a ceremony at the General Dynamics-NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
• USS Reuben James Brings Good Will to East Timor Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- USS Reuben James (FFG 57) presented 28 boxes of clothing and toys to the Alola Foundation during a ceremony in East Timor on Feb 22.
• Denver Earns Fifth Battle Efficiency Award Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- Commander, Naval Surface Forces awarded forward-deployed amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) the Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award for superior performance and mission readiness throughout 2009.
• Families Help Patriot Win Battle "E" Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- Commander Naval Surface Forces announced the mine counter-measures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) the winner of the 2009 Battle Efficiency award for Commander Mine Counter-Measures Squadron 1 Feb. 11.
• Peleliu Earns Battle "E" Navy NewsStand 25 Feb 2010 -- USS Peleliu (LHA 5) won the Battle Efficiency award for 2009, her second Battle "E" in three years.
• DoD News: DOD Announces Fubini Award Recipient DoD 25 Feb 2010 -- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates presented today the Eugene G. Fubini Award for 2009 to James R. Schlesinger in the ceremony at the Pentagon.
• Gates Calls for Better US Military Aid Program VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the United States must do a better and more consistent job of helping other countries provide for their own defenses. That was the theme of a speech he gave on Wednesday when he accepted an award for distinguished public service from the Nixon Center, a Washington research organization.
• Bilateral training strengthens American, Japanese ties AFNS 25 Feb 2010 -- A group of Japan Air Self Defense Force enlisted members recently experienced the on- and off-duty life of an American Airman during a bilateral exchange program held at Kadena Air Base Feb. 12 to 18.
• Air Forces Africa officials test high-stress evacuation, operational abilities AFNS 25 Feb 2010 -- Members of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) participated in their first in-house exercise since the unit stood up Oct. 1, 2008.
• Controlling deployment stress is mission critical AFNS 25 Feb 2010 -- Members of the 732nd Combat Stress Control Det. at Ali Base suffer from a misnomer. The name implies they only treat mental health issues relating to combat.
• Tempo Takes Toll on Navy, Marine Equipment AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- The Navy and Marine Corps are performing at top level and maintaining high morale, but the high operational tempo is seriously overtaxing equipment and vehicles, service leaders told Congress this week.
• Gates, Israeli Counterpart Discuss Security Issues AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was slated to host Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack at the Pentagon today to continue their ongoing discussions about a broad range of security issues, including Iran, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
• Military Must Better Prepare Against Internal Threats, General Says AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- The Defense Department must “plan more diligently” and “seek to envision” internal threats to prevent tragedies like the mass shooting at Fort Hood last year from happening again, an independent military panel told Congress members today.
• Army's budget request prioritizes BCT Modernization Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- The new Brigade Combat Team Modernization plan and the Army’s goal to "achieve balance" by 2011 are among top priorities in the service’s budget request for next year.
• $1.9 billion in research to focus on protecting Soldiers Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- The Army's fiscal 2011 science and technology budget that recently went forward for approval tops out at $1.9 billion dollars and includes funding for advanced medical and force-protection research efforts.
• Holbrook renovations complete at Fort Stewart Army News 25 Feb 2010 -- Extensive renovation work at Holbrook Pond Recreation Area and the Outdoor Recreation Center at Fort Stewart is complete, and the facility stands willing and able to serve Soldiers, their Families and others who like the idea of "getting away from it all and enjoying the great outdoors."
• Barksdale undergoes renovation, construction projects AFNS 25 Feb 2010 -- Barksdale Air Force Base members have seen 42 renovation and construction projects completed here with more than 130 on the way as Air Force Global Strike Command integrates with the 2nd Bomb Wing here.
• Regenerative Medicine Shows Promise for Wounded Warriors AFPS 25 Feb 2010 -- Movie-goers have seen the concept play out time and time again on the big screen. Sinister Borg drones reconstitute missing digits and limbs before their eyes in the “Star Wars” series. Alien Jack Jeebs in “Men in Black” regrows his head after it’s damaged or blown off.
• Marine Corps clarifies updated tattoo policy USMC News 25 Feb 2010 -- The Marine Corps released a message providing clarity and additional guidance for its recent tattoo policy, Jan. 15.
• Iskander plans in NW Russia not linked to U.S. deployment in Europe RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Russia's newly appointed chief of Ground Forces denied on Thursday the country's plans to equip units in the northwestern military district with Iskander missiles later this year have anything to do with U.S. missile deployment in Europe.
• Russia's new Ground Forces chief urges drastic cuts in tanks RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Russia's newly appointed chief of Ground Forces said on Thursday Russia would do well with half the number of tanks it has today.
• Moscow pushes for link between new arms deal with U.S. and missile defense RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Moscow expects a new nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and the United States to be linked to Washington's plans to deploy missile shield elements in Europe, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Medvedev says no return to Cold War tensions over NATO expansion RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed speculation that Moscow's new military doctrine would see a return of Cold War tensions in an interview published on Thursday.
• Yanukovych pledges to keep Ukraine out of military alliances RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- New Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on Thursday that Kiev will build relations with both Europe and former Soviet republics, but will not form any military alliances either with NATO or Russia.
• New top security adviser vows to protect national dignity CNA 25 Feb 2010 -- President Ma Ying-jeou's new top national security adviser said Thursday that his priority is safeguarding the country and its people and protecting national dignity.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 25, 2010
• Construction Begins at New Carriers' Base Port BAE Systems 25 Feb 2010 -- The programme to build the nation's new aircraft carriers gained further momentum today, as BAE Systems began construction at Portsmouth Naval Base - the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class ships.
• Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout Deploys Unmanned Ground Vehicles Northrop Grumman 25 Feb 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS) demonstrated how the U.S. Army and other land forces could rely on its ability to ferry unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and other logistics items into combat zones during the Army's recent Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) at Fort Benning, Ga.
• Northrop Grumman's Bat(TM) Unmanned Aircraft System Successfully Completes First Flight Northrop Grumman 25 Feb 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has flown the first in a new series of Bat™ unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in January. Configured with a 12-foot wingspan, the Bat™-12 incorporates a highly-reliable Hirth engine as well as a low acoustic signature five-blade propeller. The new configuration increases the mission portfolio of Northrop Grumman's scalable Bat™ UAS product line. Northrop Grumman has been engaged in the development of unmanned systems for more than sixty years, delivering more than 100,000 unmanned solutions to military customers across the world.
• Boeing Conducts Formal Qualification Testing of Joint Tactical Radio System Software Boeing 25 Feb 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has conducted formal qualification testing of five Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) waveforms on Ground Mobile Radios (GMR) Engineering Development Model hardware. The waveforms, which are similar to computer software applications, allow soldiers to share text, data and video; to communicate with current-force radios; and to employ high-frequency and satellite communications.
• Boeing Receives US Army Production Contract for Brigade Combat Team Modernization Increment 1 Boeing 25 Feb 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it received a contract from the U.S. Army on Feb. 24 for low-rate initial production of the initial brigade set of Brigade Combat Team Modernization (BCTM) Increment 1 capabilities. Under the $138 million, fixed-price contract, a team led by Boeing with support from Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] will equip the first Infantry Brigade Combat Team with these networked capabilities, along with associated system engineering and program management support.
• Lockheed Martin Receives Contract Option to Increase Number of AMF JTRS Engineering Development Models Lockheed Martin 25 Feb 2010 -- Additional equipment is being developed to support early integration and testing of a revolutionary tactical network that will provide warfighters in the air, on land and at sea with secure, interoperable communications. The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing the Airborne, Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) has received a contract option to increase the number of engineering development models (EDM) by 60 percent.
• U.S. Army Completes Field Testing of Northrop Grumman-Developed Next-Generation FBCB2 Software Northrop Grumman 25 Feb 2010 -- The U.S. Army has completed formal evaluation of the next-generation software version of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC). Field testing of the new software, called Joint Capabilities Release (JCR), was conducted at Fort Hood, Texas, from Sept. 28 to Nov. 20, 2009.
• Raytheon Delivers 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV Cruise Missile to U.S. Navy Raytheon 25 Feb 2010 -- In a significant production milestone, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 25 Feb 2010
• India, Pakistan to 'Remain in Touch' After Talks Stall VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- India and Pakistan held their first official talks in nearly 15 months, but they failed to produce any breakthroughs or even a firm commitment on when to meet again. The two nuclear-armed rivals merely agreed to "remain in touch."
• India and Pakistan Hold First Formal Talks Since Mumbai Attacks RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- India and Pakistan have held their first formal talks in 14 months, with the top bureaucrats in the foreign ministries of both countries seeking to put a stalled four-year-old peace process back on track.
• Talks with Pakistan useful: India IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- Describing the talks with Pakistan as useful, detailed and candid, Indian Foreign Secretary Thursday said, “Meeting with Pakistan counterpart, Mr. Salman Bashir constitutes the first step towards rebuilding trust, erased by the Mumbai terror attack".
• Kashmir clashes claim 14,000 lives since 2002 IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- Putting the number of lives lost in Kashmir from 2002 to 2009 at 14,000, the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS), said that New Delhi had disregarded the transition to non-violence by Kashmiris and met it with brute forces.
• Press Conference on Challenges Faced by Countries Emerging from Conflicts in Conducting Census of Housing, Population United Nations 25 Feb 2010
• Security Council calls on all sides in Darfur conflict to join latest peace accord UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The United Nations Security Council today joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in calling on all parties in the deadly conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region to join in the peace process following the signing of a cessation of hostilities accord between the Government and a major rebel group.
• UN peacekeeping chief arrives in Chad to discuss cooperation with government UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The top United Nations peacekeeping official has arrived in Chad accompanied by a five-member team to discuss cooperation between the Government and the UN peacekeeping mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Political tensions in Côte d’Ivoire easing, UN envoy reports UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The political tension in Côte d’Ivoire that followed the dissolution of the Government and the independent electoral authority is gradually decreasing, the top United Nations official in the divided West African country said today.
• Long-awaited helicopters arrive for UN-African Union mission in Darfur UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s war-ravaged Darfur region has received five crucial long-awaited helicopters to help it protect civilians in a seven-year conflict between the Government and rebels that has killed at least 300,000 people and driven 2.7 million others from their homes.
• One third of Yemen’s 23 million people struggle to find food, UN reports UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- One out of every three people in Yemen is struggling to gain access to food, making it one of the countries worst affected by hunger in the world, with 12 per cent of the population of some 23 million suffering from severe food insecurity, the United Nations reported today.
• Azerbaijan renews war threats over Nagorny Karabakh RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Azerbaijan renewed threats of military action on Thursday to retake disputed Nagorny Karabakh over a lack of progress at talks with Armenia.
• Former Rwandan colonel gets 25-year sentence from UN war crimes tribunal UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the 1994 Rwandan genocide today sentenced a former top officer in the country’s armed forces to 25 years of imprisonment after being found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.
• Nepal: UN stresses its need for impartiality in Government request for Maoist data UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy in Nepal today discussed with the Government its request for confidential data on Maoist army personnel, stressing the world body’s need to maintain impartiality in backing the peace process that ended more than a decade of civil war between Maoist rebels and the former monarchy.

News Reports

• Revealing information on Mossad terrorist acts worries Europeans IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- French daily Le Figaro wrote in its Wednesday edition revealing certain information regarding Mossad activities has worried Europeans.
• The assassination of a Hamas chief, or Mossad strikes again RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- The scandal over the death of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior Hamas military commander murdered in his hotel room in Dubai, has not subsided, contrary to the expectations of many people around the world.
• Australia Warns Israel Over Dubai Killing VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Australia has issued a warning to Israel after it was revealed that three of the suspects in the killing of a top Palestinian militant in Dubai were carrying forged Australian passports.
• Yanukovych Sworn In As Ukraine President RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- Five years after the Orange Revolution ousted him from power, Ukraine's pro-Moscow opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych has been sworn in as president.
• Yushchenko hails peaceful transfer of power in Ukraine RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Thursday he was happy that power was transferred to Viktor Yanukovych without excesses.
• Yanukovych sworn in as Ukraine's new president RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Viktor Yanukovych has been sworn in as Ukraine's new president in an inauguration ceremony held in the Ukrainian parliament.
• New Ukrainian President Touts Domestic Reforms, Non-Aligned Foreign Policy VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Ukraine's newly inaugurated president, Viktor Yanukovych, says the country can only address its endemic poverty and corruption if it reforms a system of government currently designed to serve the interests of individual politicians. Speaking in parliament after taking the oath of office, Mr. Yanukovych said Ukraine should be a non-aligned country that serves as a bridge between Europe and the former Soviet Union.
• Iran’s entire nuclear activities harmonized with agency IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- Iran’s permanent ambassador to IAEA said here Wednesday we proved at agency’s justification session Iran’s entire nuclear activities are harmonized with agency.
• Commentary : The Difference Between A Marja And A Supreme Leader RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- Recently, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest Shi'ite authority, urged voters to turn out for that country's March 7 parliamentary elections. He warned that that failure to do so would "allow some to achieve illegitimate goals."
• Russia's Lavrov says no proof Iran working on nuclear weapons RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- There is no hard proof that Iran is working on nuclear weapons, but Tehran has to clarify several key issues on its nuclear program to avoid fresh international action, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Medvedev calls on Iran to cooperate over nuclear program RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged Tehran to cooperate with international organizations over its controversial nuclear program in an interview published on Thursday.
• Israel Seeks China's Backing on Iran Nuclear Program VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Senior Israeli officials are in Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders. High on the agenda is expected to be China's reluctance to support United Nations sanctions against Iran.
• Iran, Syria Champion Nuclear Rights VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Damascus, where Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged to support Iran's nuclear program.
• Key Iraqi Sunni Politician Decides Not to Boycott March Election VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- With a little more than a week before Iraq holds parliamentary elections on March 7, a key Sunni politician announced Thursday that he would not to boycott the vote and the government decided to allow members of Saddam Hussein's military to rejoin the army.
• Government's Pressure On Military Edges Turkey Toward Confrontation RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- The pressure on Turkey's beleaguered military has intensified after eight senior commanders were formally charged today with trying to topple the Islamist-rooted government in a coup.
• Turkish Leaders Meet With Army Chief Over Alleged Coup Plot VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Turkey's leaders met with the head of the armed forces in an attempt to defuse rising tensions over the arrest of senior members of the military. The arrests are part of an investigation into an alleged military plot against the Islamic-rooted government.
• Two Men Plead Not Guilty in NYC Bomb Plot VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Two men pleaded not guilty in a New York City court Thursday to charges that they participated in a plot to bomb the city's mass transit system. The men were indicted just days after an Afghan-born immigrant pleaded guilty in the same foiled terror plot.
• Over 200 terror arrests in UK last year IRNA 25 Feb 2010 -- A total of 201 people in the UK were arrested on suspicion of terrorism last year, according to official figures published Thursday.
• Press Conference on Findings of International Narcotics Control Board 2009 Report United Nations 25 Feb 2010
• ECOWAS Official Tells Niger Junta ‘Deeds not Words’ VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has cautiously welcomed a decision by members of Niger’s new military junta not to participate in a yet to be organized democratic election.
• EP Delegation Heads To Minsk Amid Ongoing Row Over Polish Group RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- A European Parliament delegation is due in Belarus today for a three-day fact-finding mission.
• Polish FM Meets Lukashenka Amid Row Over Belarus's Poles RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- Poland's foreign minister has met with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to discuss the dispute over Minsk's treatment of its ethnic Polish minority.
• Niger PM Working with Military Leaders on New Elections VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- Niger's new prime minister says military leaders have given him complete control of the running of a transitional government to organize new elections. The military took power in a coup last week.
• Nigeria Senate Sets Time Limit for President's Absence VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- The Nigeria senate has adopted a amendment to the constitution setting a time limit for presidents to formally notify the parliament of their inability to perform their duties.
• Armenia Passes Bill To Allow Voiding Of Turkish-Armenian Protocols RFE/RL 25 Feb 2010 -- Armenia's National Assembly has passed a bill that will make it easier for Yerevan to abandon two protocols on establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• Paris Club Agrees to Billion-Dollar Debt Relief for DRC VOA 25 Feb 2010 -- The Paris Club of creditor nations has agreed to restructure the external debt of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It said Thursday almost half of the nearly $7 billion debt owed by the DRC will be written off or rescheduled.
• The fight against Somali pirates: tactical victories, strategic losses RIA Novosti 25 Feb 2010 -- On February 24, Russia's Pacific Fleet dispatched the large anti-submarine warship Marshal Shaposhnikov, a rescue tugboat and the Pechenga tanker to fight pirates off the Somali coast.
• Asia to get new UN emergency response centre for disasters UN News Centre 25 Feb 2010 -- With natural disasters on the rise, the United Nations is opening its first ever Asian emergency response centre to provide pre-positioned humanitarian aid within 48 hours of a crisis striking, following an agreement signed today with Malaysia.
• BANGLADESH: Islamic Relief to withdraw from makeshift refugee camp IRIN 25 Feb 2010 -- UK-based charity Islamic Relief will withdraw on 28 February from a makeshift camp for Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh due to a lack of government support.
• Thales Alenia Space delivers YahSat 1A communication module Thales 25 Feb 2010 -- Thales Alenia Space has delivered the YahSat 1A communication module to EADS Astrium, for integration on their platform and tests.