U.S. experts see al-Qaida regrouping
WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- The al-Qaida Islamic terrorist organization may be stronger and more resilient now than it was a year ago, according to U.S. intelligence experts.
Three U.S. intelligence officials, who asked not to be identified, say a draft version of a new National Intelligence Estimate concludes al-Qaida has rebuilt its core structure along the Pakistani border, Newsweek magazine reported on its Web site Wednesday.
The classified document indicates rising concern among counterterrorism officials, particularly about increased activity by suspected Islamic militants in Europe. U.S. officials said the U.S. Embassy in Berlin has issued warnings that Islamic militants associated with al-Qaida may be plotting an attack on U.S. military facilities and personnel in Germany.
While the officials stress there is "no credible, specific" information on any imminent threat to the United States, new evidence from recent overseas cases has caused the FBI to assign agents to track down leads and potential witnesses in the United States, a law-enforcement official confirmed to Newsweek Wednesday. The official said recent assignments were part of a "stepped up" effort in light of the current threat level.
Rainfall puts French wine harvest at risk
PARIS, July 11 (UPI) -- Wine-makers throughout France are concerned their wine harvest may be partially ruined this year due to a recent deluge of rain across the nation.
With much of France receiving nearly 60 consecutive days of rainfall recently, a form of mildew may have been created that could devastate the nation's 2007 wine harvest, The Independent reported Wednesday.
"It is many years since we have seen conditions like this, with warmth and humidity at the same time," Rhone valley wine-making consultant Olivier Rostang said. "The mildew is biting hard, attacking the leaves of the vines, and worse, in some cases, the grapes. We are fighting for the 2007 vintage."
While French regions like Bordeaux were hit especially hard by the persistent rainfall, some experts have recognized a potential positive impact from the mildew attack.
By significantly reducing the nation's wine harvest this year, the British newspaper said, wholesale prices for French wine could rise significantly in comparison to recent years.
Portugal to aid EU residents
STRASBOURG, France, July 11 (UPI) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said Wednesday his nation will help European Union citizens during his tenure as the organization's president.
Speaking to the EU Parliament in France, Socrates said Portugal would use its six-month tenure as the union's lead nation to make significant changes that will impact citizens across Europe, Deutsche Welle reported.
"European citizens demand answers to questions which directly affect their everyday lives and where they recognize that Europe can produce concrete results that make a difference and contribute to improving their living conditions," Socrates said.
Among the changes Portugal will focus on are finding a new anti-terrorism coordinator for the organization and finalizing the procedural reforms of a new EU treaty.
Similar promises were made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to her nation's tenure as the last EU president, but little change occurred thereafter.
The German broadcaster said Germany's inability to initiate change was primarily due to resistance from EU members such as Poland.
Israeli Knesset supports Islamic faction
JERUSALEM, July 11 (UPI) -- A proposal to ban an outlaw faction of the Islamic Movement throughout Israel was rejected Wednesday by Knesset members during a first reading.
The bill targeting the Islamic faction was initiated by Knesset member Yisrael Katz, but it failed to gain adequate support with 26 votes in favor and 46 against the motion, Ynetnews reported.
After the proposal failed to pass, Katz criticized his fellow politicians for failing to act against Sheik Raed Salah's controversial faction. Katz said "the behavior of the government is a serious strategic failure which allows Salah and his band to abuse Israeli democracy to destroy it from within, as has happened in other places in the past."
Salah previously had been convicted on charges that members of his organization helped launder money for Hamas.
Ynetnews said the Knesset did pass a preliminary reading Wednesday of a proposal that would take all financial benefits away from any Knesset member charged with any security offense.
