InfoAnda - US panel presents sobering report on WMD threat

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Basel chief says 'excellent progress' made on bank reform | 20 October 2010
Call for action to avoid looming food crisis | 19 November 2010
US-TECH Summary | 4 September 2009

Afghan commission: fraud filings could sway vote | 23 August 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : US panel presents sobering report on WMD threat

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: US panel presents sobering report on WMD threat AFP - 2 hours 11 minutes ago WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The authors of a report warning that a nuclear or biological attack is likely within five years present their sobering findings on Wednesday to vice-president-elect Joseph Biden. The bipartisan commission will also brief President George W. Bush on their report, which accuses his administration of failing to treat possible biological attacks with the same priority as the spread of nuclear weapons. The report, "World at Risk," calls for decisive global action to address the threat, has been prepared by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. It urges the creation of a new post in the White House that would focus solely on overseeing government efforts to prevent an attack with weapons of mass destruction. President-elect Barack Obama will likely carry out that recommendation, the Boston Globe reported on Wednesday, citing three unnamed advisers to the next president. "I think it is a good idea and will probably happen" soon after Obama takes over on January 20, one adviser told the paper. The commission, which includes several Democrats who have advised Obama's team, was to brief both Biden and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, who Obama has named as the next homeland security secretary. The report says terrorists are likely to stage a nuclear or biological weapons attack somewhere in the world in the next five years. And it singles out Pakistan as the weakest link in world security. Without urgent action, "it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013," the commission said. "America's margin of safety is shrinking," it said. The report's alarming conclusions met a skeptical response from some security experts. They have argued that terrorists were still more likely to use low-tech means, such as the assailants armed with AK-47 assault rifles in last week's bloody rampage in Mumbai. Representative Jane Harman, the Democrat heading the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Terrorism Risk Assessment, also played down the warnings. "It's time to retire the fear card," she said in a statement. "We need to educate and inform the American people, not terrify them with alarming details about possible threats to the homeland ... Congress has in fact done a great deal to minimize and mitigate WMD threats." The commission has identified the main dangers as the rapid spread of nuclear technology in countries such as Pakistan and Iran; and poor security in biotech industries worldwide. Although Pakistan is a close US ally, its inability to control swaths of territory, violent political instability, and a nuclear standoff with neighboring India make the Islamic nation the greatest risk, it argued. "Were one to map terrorism and weapons of mass destruction today, all roads would intersect in Pakistan," the report said. "There is a grave danger it could also be an unwitting source of a terrorist attack on the United States, possibly with weapons of mass destruction," the report added. Asked by CNN television to respond to the report, the country's president, Asif Ali Zardari, appeared to acknowledge that Pakistan served as a base for terrorist groups. It was a situation "which we have inherited," Zardari told CNN in an interview aired Tuesday. "It's a part of the Afghan problem, part of the war in Afghanistan, part of the war in our northern regions. That is an issue that needs more attention. And I'm hoping that the new administration coming in will work with us to look into it for a regional solution," Zardari said. The commission said terrorists were more likely to be able to obtain biological than nuclear weapons, with anthrax a particular danger. It warned that threats are "evolving faster than our multi-layered response." In an interview with Newsweek magazine, former senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the commission, said he was surprised by the scale of the threats associated with biological weapons. "When you think weapons of mass destruction, you tend to think mushroom cloud. But the ubiquitous nature of pathogens and the increasing lethality of both natural and synthetic pathogens led our commission to conclude it's more likely that an attack will come biologically rather than nuclear." Despite the report's criticisms of US policies, the White House welcomed what it said was proof of Bush's strong security record. "Under President Bush's leadership, extensive progress has been made on securing the world's weapons of mass destruction and protecting our citizens from a WMD attack," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. The commission was led by Graham, a Democrat, and former congressman James Talent, a Republican. The commission was tasked by Congress in 2007 as part of the security response to the hijacked airliner attacks of September 11, 2001 against New York and the Pentagon. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Israeli riot police enter restive West Bank cityAP - 19 minutes ago Obama to name Richardson for Commerce on WednesdayAP - 19 minutes ago GM exec: bankruptcy not an option for industryAP - 23 minutes ago Pope says banks should support weakestAP - 51 minutes ago NATO: Albania and Croatia to join by AprilAP - 1 hour 1 minute ago Enlarge Photo Custom officials check a container during an exercise aimed at stopping the trade in weapons of mass destruction. A US commission has warned that terrorists are "likely" to use nuclear or biological weapons in the next five years. The findings will be presented to the new administration as it prepares to confront the potentially catastrophic threat. Most Popular – World Viewed Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality Sweden to come to rescue of struggling carmakers Saab and Volvo World stocks tumble as economic fears deepen Love handles increase death risk: study Saudi king says 75 dollar oil price 'fair' View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Court ruling brings down Thai government
Thai airports to reopen after PM ousted by court
Tiepolo found in attic sells for two million pounds
Hudson in-law charged with killing 3 relatives
Rosie's dreams of TV variety comeback are dashed
China Merchants Property sells assets for $236 mln
Mumbai attacks put Bollywood on hold
Suspected Pakistani militant nabbed in Philippines
Publisher of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt quits
Madonna, a president and ex-rebel hostage meet
Japanese climbers trapped on NZ mountain
5 Filipino troops killed in communist attack
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks, oil rebound but caution prevails
Police: Mumbai gunmen came by sea from Pakistan
Thai protesters leave airport as flights due in
Thai airports reopening after PM ousted by court
Miami retrospective of Naomi Campbell pics opens
New wealth stirs Chinese interest in horse-riding
NATO agrees thaw with Russia, boosts ties with Georgia, Ukraine
Guantanamo ex-prosecutor slams system: interview
Thai protesters lift airport siege, flights due in | International |
Obama to name Bill Richardson as commerce secretary
Pirates free Yemeni cargo ship, no ransom paid | International |
Excuse me, do you speak climate?
Islamist leader calls on pirates to free ships
North Korean teen defectors get capitalist education | International |
Some 100 countries to sign cluster bomb ban in Oslo
India suspects to be tried in Pakistan
MySpace delivers video to mobile phones | Technology |
Malaysia raises doubts over Thai plans for ASEAN summit
Global economic woes trigger Canada political crisis
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea sees weaker growth; forex reserves slide
Filipino radio journalist gunned down
Vietnam Football Federation offer big money to lure Manchester United
Pakistani stocks floor removal after IMF approval
SKorea braces for provocation by NKorea: defence ministry
LG Elec sees slight handset sales growth in 2009 | Technology |
S$6m assistance scheme to help lower income, elderly Incomeshield policyholders
Vietnam announces billion-dollar economic stimulus: report
S.Korea c.bank to hold emergency meeting Wednesday
McCain urges free and fair elections in Bangladesh
As music sales slow, digital market offers hope | Technology |
Sri Lanka says moving on Tiger political HQ
KAMCO to buy $890 bad loans from S.Korea thrifts
Rice arrives in India after Mumbai attacks
Seoul shares end flat; banks rise, autos retreat
Thailand avoids chaos but solution to take time -ASEAN
Asian stocks rebound on heels of Wall Street
S.Korea to intervene marginally in forex market
Korea Hot Stocks-C& Group, Hanjin Heavy, mutual savings
Rachel among top Spirit picks | Entertainment |
Cinematheque honors Samuel L. Jackson | Entertainment |
For Golden Globes, strategy has starring role | Entertainment |
Fonda, Nicholson to join California Hall of Fame
As music sales slow, digital market offers hope | Entertainment |
Britney Spears Circus is back -- new album, tour | Entertainment |
Elvis Costello out of tune as talk-show host | Entertainment |
Well-heeled tourists flee Thailand on private jets
Longtime employees set to run Shubert Organization
Jet Li: China ready for volunteerism 'explosion'
Funky Islamic fashion struts conservative catwalk
Cambodia's golf plans now face financial hurdles
Taiwan leader urges China to screen hit film
Beyonce to perform at Essence Fest in New Orleans
Nuclear, biological terror attack 'likely': US commission
Funky Islamic fashion struts conservative catwalk
Iraq's president steps up row over PM's councils
SKorean activists send anti-North Korean leaflets
Australia intercepts boat of suspected refugees
Powers to press North Korea at swan-song talks
MySpace streams online video to smart phones
Bollywood star eager for Malaysia honorary title
Malaysia's Petronas cuts chemicals output as downturn hits
Games-SEA Games to introduce quotas to prevent medal sweeps
Thai AIS launches 3G in Bangkok, limited coverage
US forces kill 3 Taliban militants in Afghanistan
Rice arrives in India in wake of Mumbai attacks
Malaysia raises doubts over Thai plans for ASEAN summit
Fonda, Nicholson to join California Hall of Fame
Gary Chaw Shanghai concert is a Scam
McCain says US to follow Bangladesh election
China praises Nepal for stopping Tibetan protests
Thailand protests Philippines' take on crisis
'Bailout' beats 'maverick' in US dictionary's word of year contest
Grammy nominations hit prime-time with TV special
100 police staff protest over pay in China: rights group
Mumbai's popcorn man 'saw only blood' as he fled
Jade Liu involved in drunk fighting
Taiwan's air force denies transporting cash for ex-president
American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77
Hanks angling for inauguration spot: any spot
Taiwan president nixes Dalai Lama visit
China Internet cafes switching to Chinese OS
Attacks on Mumbai hotel wound city's psyche
AMP's album recording done live at concert!
Award winning artistes may not get re-contract with TVB
Keen to invest in Asian real estate, consider Tokyo
MND announces another 10 temporary dorm sites for foreign workers
COE prices up in most categories, except for vehicles & bus
Rice arrives in India in wake of Mumbai attacks
Michelin guide sparks criticisms from Hong Kong gourmets
Chinese AIDS activist taken home by police
Asian fund industry execs see more job cuts ahead
Activists vows to protect whales from Japanese
New Zealand commodity prices fall further in November
Bomb kills 4 in attack on Pakistan army convoy
Israeli riot police enter restive West Bank city
Iran's president acknowledges economy in danger
EDF reveals $4.5-bln counter-bid for half of Constellation nuclear
Zimbabwe police charge protestors | International |
Some 100 countries ban cluster bombs as signing begins in Oslo
Israel declares parts of Hebron closed military area
Powers to press North Korea at swan-song talks | International |
Suicide car-bomber kills four in Pakistan | International |
U.S. forces in Iraq detain, kill Iran-backed suspects | International |
Nigeria infant drug toll hits 34 | International |
US panel presents sobering report on WMD threat
MySpace streams online video to smart phones
TSMC employees on unpaid leave to cut costs
Republicans hold on to pivotal Senate seat in Georgia vote
Director—General of UNESCO to visit Singapore
Clinton urges Asians to give more
Deadline for global climate treaty in question
CATS musical returns to S’pore in April 2009
Job cuts, sick car sales, weak demand point to European rate cuts
BlackBerry-maker hit as subscriber growth slows | Technology |
Indonesia to host ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting
Kia says plans for US plant proceeding on schedule
Telus buys faster network technology from Nortel | Technology |
No swift resolution for Lehman Minibond holders
FACTBOX-South Korea's FX reserves at near 4-yr low
Ex-AOL boss seeks funds for his firm, not Yahoo: report | Technology |
Animated Star Wars series makes Asian debut on MediaCorp’s Ch 5
Pakistan's 6-mth T-bill cut yield flat at 14.0108 pct
Chinese police to dispatch anti-terror liaisons
HK stocks climb after Wall Street rebound
Taiwan's Siliconware cuts Q4 sales forecast
Pakistan says will raise rates if reserves drop
Costa Rican president shares his country’s initiatives on environment
ADB to release $180 million for Pakistani roads
China stocks rise on government support
Twilight star Stewart to play rocker Joan Jett | Entertainment |
Neve Campbell drawn to Philanthropist | Entertainment |
Woman sues Tyler Perry for copyright infringement
Philippines backs Thai delay of ASEAN summit
S.Korea won turns down on grim econ outlook, stocks
Thai embassy decries Philippine government statements on protests
Taiwan president nixes Dalai Lama visit
Taiwan dlr at near 3-yr low on foreign fund outflows
Singapore COSCO says client cancels order for 2 vessels
SKorea preparing for possible NKorean provocations
Rice: Mumbai attacks could bear al-Qaida's stamp
US forces kill 10 Taliban militants in Afghanistan
Tajik police make large drug seizure
Union lauds CapitaLand’s move to cut costs and save jobs
Husband of hostage killed in Mumbai recalls last few agonising hours
K-Fed: I'd rather see my kids than Britney's money
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01