U.S. forces renew search for bin Laden
KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- After a peaceful Christmas, U.S. forces Wednesday renewed their search for Osama bin Laden and members of his al Qaida terrorist network in the Tora Bora caves of eastern Afghanistan. U.S. officials said Marines will soon move into the mountainous region to join the search. Airstrikes in the Tora Bora region have leveled off because the "imminent" movement of Marines, officials said. Special Forces troops will accompany the Marines. In the Afghan capital, the country's interim government held its second cabinet meeting. No details were released.
Shoe bomb suspect linked to network
LONDON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A man who authorities say tried to blow up a passenger jet by igniting a bomb in his shoes attended a London mosque and may be one of about 100 would-be suicide bombers, a British Muslim leader said Wednesday. Richard Reid was detained after an incident in which he allegedly tried to set off explosives on a plane over the Atlantic Ocean.
Canadian citizen among most wanted by U.S.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- An Egyptian-born Canadian citizen is on a list of nine al Qaida members most wanted by the United States, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. Ahmad Sa'id al-Kadr, or Abu Abdurrahman, operated the Afghanistan branch of Human Concern International, a Canadian-headquartered charity. The report said Kadr was detained by Pakistani police in connection with the November 1995 bombing of the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad. During Kadr's prison stay, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien was on a state visit to Pakistan and discussed Kadr's case with then-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Kadr was released a short time later and joined bin Laden in Afghanistan, the Post said.
Security officials discuss ceasefire
GAZA, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Israeli and Palestinian security officials met Wednesday to discuss implementation of a cease-fire, Israeli and Palestinian sources reported. A Palestinian poll said a majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza support the cease-fire with Israel and resumption of the peace negotiations.
India says missiles 'in position'
NEW DELHI, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- India's defense minister said the country's missile systems are "in position" along the border with Pakistan amid growing tension between the nuclear rivals. George Fernandes told Press Trust of India Indian troops will conduct military exercises along the border in the coming few days. Tension is mounting in the subcontinent with both India and Pakistani building up troop deployment. Both sides have also moved their missiles closer to the border.
Migrants storm through Channel Tunnel
LONDON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- French security forces used teargas and arrested about 150 people as hundreds of migrants tried to cross into Britain on foot through the Channel Tunnel linking European and British rail networks. Another 400 people were forced back as they tried to storm the French entrance to the tunnel.
Japan intercepts radio messages
TOKYO, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Japan intercepted radio messages between North Korea and a suspected spy ship that sank after exchanging fire with Japanese patrol boats, news reports said Wednesday. An official with Japan's Defense Agency was quoted as saying there is evidence the ship was from North Korea. A fishing boat suspected of spying for North Korea sank in waters off the East China Sea Saturday after trading machine gun fire with Japanese coast guard vessels. Japan's Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported the communication on Dec. 18 or 19 on a frequency used by Pyongyang's ruling Workers Party of Korea. Defense agency and U.S. military sources told the newspaper the communication indicated the ship may have been involved in the smuggling of stimulant drugs.
Search on for kidnapped baby
CHICAGO, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Police and FBI Wednesday mounted a nationwide search for a 16-month-old baby kidnapped Christmas Eve from the Greyhound bus terminal on the city's Near West Side. The child's mother, Marcella Anderson, told an early morning news conference she's having a hard time explaining what happened to little Jasmine to her 3-year-old sister. Detectives spent Tuesday combing bus stations a local shelters and hospitals but turned up no sign of the toddler or the blond-haired suspect, who sports a tattoo reading, "Christine," on her neck.
Stocks ease in Tokyo
TOKYO, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended slightly lower Wednesday in light range bound trading, pressured by rising credit risk concerns. Analysts said stocks eased amid the persistent concerns over credit risks in Japan and the financial turmoil in Argentina. Stocks rose in Taiwan and South Korea. Markets were closed for the Boxing Day holiday in Australia and Hong Kong. Trading was to resume Thursday. Japan's blue-chip Nikkei Stock Average of 225 selective issues, which lost 80.64 points Tuesday, lost another 62.24 points, or 0.61 percent, to 10,192.57 after moving in a range of about 130 points during the session.
