Ex-Security Chiefs Arrested over Hariri Murder

INVESTIGATIONS

Lebanon

Lebanon on Tuesday arrested three former pro-Syrian security chiefs over the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, the first major breakthrough in the probe six months after the attack that sent shockwaves through the nation. (AFP)

Australia

CODAN, an Adelaide company that supplies remote-area long-distance communications to Afghanistan, may inadvertently have helped al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden escape a US missile strike. (The Age)

U.S.

Some used false documents to enter the United States; others let their legal visas expire once in the country. And at least 21 foreign nationals became naturalized U.S. citizens before being charged or convicted as terrorists. (AP)

US Army Whistle-Blower Demoted

The top civilian contracting official for the US Army Corps of Engineers who last October charged the US Army with granting the Halliburton Company multi-billion dollar contracts for work in Iraq and the Balkans without following rules designed to ensure competition and fair prices to the government — was demoted and removed from her job on Saturday for what the army called "poor job performance." (Arab News)

South Africa

South Africa on Monday warnedof possible terror networks by Al Qaeda members in southern Africa. (Xinhua)

U.K.

A man police were keeping under surveillance the day they shot Jean Charles de Menezes said they have damaged his life — but he wanted to help with their inquiries. (The Times of London)

Brazil

A nuclear scientist said that Brazilian military officials came close to building an atomic bomb in the early 90s in defiance of a presidential order officially scrapping the programme in 1985. (AP)

U.N.

Britain and Russia are to propose a Security Council resolution. Some fear censorship. (LA Times)

Egypt

Thousands of security troops have spread out across a sprawling mountain range in the northern Sinai in an increasingly violent hunt for terrorists in which two high-ranking police officers were killed by a land mine, the worst such incident since the Islamic insurgency of the mid-1990's, Egyptian security officials say. (NY Times)

Interviews

Islamic fundamentalist Omar Bakri Muhammmad recently contacted Asharq al-Awsat expressing a desire to be interviewed. Due to what Bakri described as security reasons the interview was conducted by phone. (Asharq al Awsat)

LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

Belgium

U.S.

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales criticizes a Senate bill that would place new restrictions on law enforcement in the USA Patriot Act. (Washington Post)

IRAQ NEWS

56 Killed In US Air Strikes on Qaeda Suspects In Iraq

At least 56 people were killed in multiple US air strikes in Iraq against suspected Al-Qaeda hideouts near the Syrian border, an Iraqi security source said. (AFP)

Sadr's Disciples Rise Again To Play Pivotal Role in Iraq

Newly-freed aides to Moqtada Sadr are finding support among both Sunnis and Shiites. (Washington Post)

U.S. General Says Iraqis Will Need Longtime Support from Air Force

The Air Force's top general said Monday that American warplanes would have to support Iraq's fledgling security forces well after American ground troops eventually withdraw from the country. (NY Times)

Sunnis Face Dilemma on Iraq Constitution

Rebuffed in the constitution deliberations, Sunni Arabs now face a dilemma: boycott the Oct. 15 referendum on a new charter and hand the Shiites a landslide victory, or take part in a vote that demographics suggest they'll lose. (AP)

Jordan Plans to Bolster Security at Iraq Border

The effort, coming after a rocket nearly hit a U.S. ship in port, is expected to cost $85 million. (AP)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

Iran's Real Nuclear Intentions Are Lost Behind Its Defiant Rhetoric

"With the power that Iran enjoys in the region, there is no way that Iran can be worried about the threat of the Security Council," Iran's newly appointed chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has said. This bold and defiant tone, which has been coupled with even bolder actions such as halting suspension of nuclear activities, has become somewhat of a hallmark of the new government in Tehran. (The Daily Star)

Agreeing to Disagree in Iraq

Without the approval of the Sunni voters, Iraq's draft constitution, however well-conceived, may fail to move the country toward constitutional government. (NY Times)

Spinning to the Future

Anyone who wants to see a happy end to the tragedy of Iraq must certainly hope for a document that can command the widest possible support. But it is not cynical - more a recognition of bloody reality - to dismiss rhetoric from Washington about the constitution being a "beacon of freedom and democracy". (The Guardian)

Will Iraq Succeed in Foiling the US Game?

Does Washington support federalism in Iraq? Does it back up an Islamic rule there? (Al Hayat)

War Without Remedy

The worsening violence in Iraq and Afghanistan this summer has, at least, been accompanied by vigorous attempts at political solutions. (Washington Post)

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, Hoda Osman and Brinda Adhikari of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.