Al-Qaeda Group Claims Kidnapping of U.S. Soldiers

By THE ABCNEWS INVESTIGATIVE UNIT

June 19, 2006

IRAQ NEWS

Group Claims it Kidnapped U.S. Soldiers

An al-Qaida-linked group claimed Monday that it had kidnapped two American soldiers reported missing south of Baghdad, where 8,000 Iraqi and U.S. troops were conducting a massive search. (AP)

Bombers Defy Security to Hit Iraq

At least 41 people have been killed and 100 injured in a string of attacks in and around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. (BBC)

Iraq PM Announces First Coalition Troop Pullback

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced that coalition troops were to quit the southern province of Muthanna next month, in the first such handover to Iraq's fledgling security forces. (AFP)

AFGHANISTAN

U.S. Military Lists "Problem" Officials in Secret Document Found in Afghan Bazaar

Secret U.S. military documents describe a number of Afghan officials as "problem makers" in efforts to stem the illegal drug trade and to combat al Qaeda and Taliban forces. (ABC News)

'Thirty' Killed In Taleban Attack

At least 30 people have been killed in a suspected Taleban attack in southern Afghanistan, officials say. (BBC)

GUANTANAMO

U.S. Soldiers Charged With Murder in Iraq

3 American Soldiers Charged With Murder in Connection With Deaths of 3 Iraqi Men in U.S. The U.S. Army has charged three soldiers in connection with the deaths of three Iraqis who were in military custody in southern Iraq last month, the military said Monday. (AP)

NORTH KOREA

Pressure Builds against N Korea

International pressure is mounting on North Korea amid speculation it may soon test-launch a long-range missile. (BBC)

HUSSEIN TRIAL

Prosecution Demands Saddam Death

The prosecution in the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has called for his execution as it delivered its closing arguments. (BBC)

AUSTRALIA

Aussie Court Convicts Architect of Planning Terror Act

A Sydney architect has been convicted of planning to blow up Australia's national electricity grid or a defense site in that nation's first conviction for planning a terrorist act. (ABC News)

U.K.

Terror Law Watchdog Warns Of Executive Jet Risk

Britain is at risk from terrorists hijacking private executive jets, the government's independent adjudicator on terrorism powers warned today. (The Guardian)

U.S. TERRORISM

Book Argues Al Qaeda Planned NYC Gas Attack

Al Qaeda planned to unleash a lethal gas in New York City's subway system in 2003 and came within 45 days of carrying out the attack when the group's No. 2 called off the operation, according to a new book excerpted in next week's edition of Time magazine. (Reuters)

ITALY

Rome Seeks Trial for US Marine Who Killed Italian Agent in Iraq

Rome prosecutors called for US marine Mario Lozano to be tried for the shooting of Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari in Baghdad, the Italian news agency Ansa reported. (AFP)

SOMALIA

Somali Peace Force Moves Closer

The African Union and western diplomats have agreed to send a team to Somalia to assess the possibility of deploying peacekeepers there. (BBC)

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwean Charged With SA Hijack

A Zimbabwean man has been charged in connection with Saturday's apparent hijacking attempt in South Africa. (BBC)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

The Ongoing Battle against Innovative Suicide Bombers