U.S., Germans Fear Terror Attack

May 11, 2007 -- GERMANY

U.S., Germans Fear Terror Attack

U.S. and German officials fear terrorists are in the advanced planning stages of an attack on U.S. military personnel or tourists in Germany. (ABC News)

German Court Rejects Appeal by Jailed 9/11 Helper

Germany's highest court of appeal rejected a legal challenge by a Moroccan friend of the September 11, 2001 hijackers against a 15-year jail sentence for being an accessory to mass murder. (Reuters)

SYRIA

Iraqi Official Says Syria Supporting Insurgents

Mowaffak al Rubaie, the national security advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, told ABC News Thursday that Syria is continuing to harbor and support Islamist militants responsible for killing both Iraqis and Americans. (ABC News)

Syria Jails Activist for D.C. Meetings

A human rights activist was sentenced to 12 years in prison yesterday for meeting with Bush administration officials at the White House during a 2005 visit to Washington. (Washington Times)

IRAQ NEWS

U.S. Troops Kill 4 Gunmen in Raids on Car Bomb Cells

U.S. President George W. Bush faced mounting pressure on Thursday from fellow Republicans as well as Democrats to show progress in Iraq within months or risk a collapse in support for the war. (Reuters)

Harsh Reality for Many Iraqi Women

In a nation seized by horrific violence, it is rare for any one killing to stand out. But the case of a recent "honor killing" in Iraq has the world's attention. (ABC News)

PAKISTAN

Pak Activists Detained Ahead of Suspended CJ's Visit

Police in Pakistan detained hundreds of activists on the eve of an anti-government rally planned to welcome the country's suspended top judge to Karachi, opposition leaders said on Friday. (Reuters)

Threat to Christians: Convert or Else

Christians in the tribal Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan have received threatening letters from Taliban groups informing them that they must convert to Islam within 10 days or else. (ABC News)

AFGHANISTAN

10 Taliban Killed in New Afghan Fighting; Villagers Say 40 Civilians Killed Earlier

Fresh airstrikes in volatile southern Afghanistan killed 10 Taliban fighters close to where villagers say about 40 civilians died during a battle earlier this week, an official said Friday. (AP)

Death Toll Disputed From Airstrike In Afghanistan

The death toll of civilians killed in an airstrike by foreign forces Tuesday was much higher than the official figure of 21, and may be as high as 80, according to residents reached by telephone. (International Herald Tribune)

Taliban Says Frees French Hostage in Afghanistan

A French aid worker captured by the Taliban over a month ago was released on Friday, a spokesman for the Afghan rebel group said. (Reuters)

DRUG TRAFFICKING

Euro Becomes Currency of Choice for Cocaine Traffickers

The euro has become the currency of choice for Latin American cocaine traffickers as the drug's popularity among Europeans has soared and the value of the currency against the dollar has risen, a top U.S. anti-narcotics official said Thursday. (International Herald Tribune)

FORT DIX TERROR PLOT

New Jersey Plot Suspects Due At Bail Hearing

Lawyers for six men detained on charges of plotting to attack the U.S. Army base at Fort Dix in New Jersey will seek bail for their clients at a hearing on Friday, but the men are expected to remain in custody. (Reuters)

U.K./PAKISTAN

UK Fears 'Pakistan Terror Link'

Britain's top envoy to Pakistan has expressed concern that extremists in the UK are receiving guidance from al-Qaeda leaders hiding in Pakistan. (BBC)

STUDENT LOAN PROBE

Third Student Lender Reaches Settlement in Student Loan Probe

The parent company of an ethically challenged student lender is paying $3 million to end an investigation into its operation. (ABC News)

U.K.

No Action Against UK Police Who Killed Innocent Man

Eleven British police officers involved in the fatal shooting of an innocent Brazilian in the mistaken belief he was a suicide bomber will not face disciplinary action, a police watchdog said on Friday. (Reuters)

OXYCONTIN GUILTY PLEA

Despite Guilt, OxyContin Maker Still Selling to Government

Despite pleading guilty to deceiving the public about a drug that contributed to the deaths of hundreds of people and led many more into addiction and even criminal behavior, the maker of a popular pain medication can still do business with the federal government. (ABC News)

VIETNAM

Vietnam Dissident Lawyers Jailed

Two human rights lawyers have been jailed in Vietnam, in the latest court case against political activists. (BBC)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

Give the Arab Peace Initiative a Chance

By Fuad Siniora

Almost a year has passed since Israel's bombardment of Lebanon, time enough to draw lessons from the conflict and reflect on its consequences. (NY Times)

Free Ride for a Likely Killer

By Eugene Robinson

The Bush administration says that its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism applies to all suspected evildoers, not just Muslim evildoers, and that its zero-tolerance policy against Cuba is a principled position, not just an exercise in pandering to the implacable anti-Castro exiles in Miami. On both counts, evidence suggests otherwise. (Washington Post)

Pakistan Running Out of Options

By Syed Saleem Shahzad

It is a debate that keeps Washington and Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf in a quandary: What system can be introduced to control the Pakistani armed forces, the Taliban and al-Qaeda, while at the same time nurturing democracy but without compromising Musharraf's dominance? (Asia Times)

Better Cautious than Eorry

By Emad Fawzi El-Shueibi

The Syrians have been caught in the worst tempest in their modern history. Instead of being a major player in a regional conflict, they found themselves in the eye of the storm. This was Damascus's worst nightmare, to become a mere bone of contention, a feather in mighty international winds. (Al-Ahram)

Inside Iran: Interview with 'Zanan' Magazine's Editor, Shahla Sherkat

By Manal Lutfi

A slim and reserved women, Shahla Sherkat, the Editor-in-Chief of the monthly 'Zanan' magazine, Iran's most important women's journal, has often been described as a 'watchful tiger'. When it comes to 'Zanan' she moves with vision and does not try to break any taboos in tradition or cross any red lines in an Eastern, Islamic country like Iran – unless she is obliged to do so. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Restructuring the Russian Military?

Rumors about the dismissal of Russian air force commander Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov began circulating late Thursday after Interfax news service reported the general had been fired, citing unnamed Defense Ministry sources. (Stratfor)

The Insider Daily Investigative Report (DIR) is a summary of major news articles and broadcasts relating to investigative news, including international terrorism and developments in Iraq. The DIR is edited daily from foreign and U.S. sources by Chris Isham and Elizabeth Sprague of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.