Bush Condemns Report on Secret Terror Tracing through Bank Records

June 26, 2006 -- U.S.

Bush Condemns Report on Bank Records

President Bush today condemned as "disgraceful" the disclosure last week of a secret program that seeks to investigate and block terrorists by tracing financial records through a banking consortium in Brussels. (New York Times)

IRAQ NEWS

15 Die in Iraq Market Blast; Marine Killed

A bomb blast killed at least 15 people and wounded 56 Monday in the main market in the predominantly Shiite city of Hillah, police said. The U.S. military, meanwhile, said a Marine died of wounds suffered in combat in Anbar province, the most dangerous region of Iraq. (AP)

Russia Confirms Death of Hostages in Iraq

The Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed the death of Russian hostages who worked at its embassy in Iraq, a day after an al-Qaida linked group said it had killed the four captives. (AP)

Troops to Stay in West Iraq, General Says

American troop levels in western Iraq, one of the most dangerous parts of the country, are not expected to decline as part of a plan to make sharp reductions in American combat forces in Iraq by the end of 2007, a top general said Sunday. (New York Times)

War's Iraqi Death Toll Tops 50,000

At least 50,000 Iraqis have died violently since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, according to statistics from the Baghdad morgue, the Iraqi Health Ministry and other agencies — a toll 20,000 higher than previously acknowledged by the Bush administration. (L.A. Times)

AFGHANISTAN

More Than 100 Afghan Rebels Killed in Southern Provinces

Afghan and international troops have killed more than 100 Taliban insurgents in several battles in two southern provinces since Friday, each involving large groups of rebel fighters and lasting several hours, U.S. military officials reported. (Washington Post)

Afghan Leader Losing Support

Many Afghans and some foreign supporters say they are losing faith in President Hamid Karzai's government, which is besieged by an escalating insurgency and endemic corruption and is unable to protect or administer large areas of the country. (Washington Post)

Analysis: Afghanistan: Increased Violence Unlikely to Stop

A U.S. military spokesman told journalists in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 21 to expect more large battles between U.S.-led coalition troops and jihadist forces in southern Afghanistan in the coming months. (Stratfor)

Taliban Audiotape Mocks Afghan Government

A Pakistani television station broadcast an audiotape on Sunday that it said was the voice of the fugitive Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar. The voice on the tape issued a challenge to the Afghan government and foreign troops fighting insurgents in the country, contending they did not have the wisdom to solve the increasing unrest. (New York Times)

PAKISTAN

Suicide Bomb Kills 6 Pakistani Soldiers

A suicide car bomber attacked a military checkpoint Monday in tribal-dominated northwestern Pakistan, killing six soldiers and wounding 10 others, officials said. (AP)

IRAN

Power in the Shadows

Iran's supreme religious leader keeps a low profile--and may be the U.S.'s best hope for avoiding another war. (Time)

Analysis: How Good Is US Intelligence On Iran?

For the first time since Iran walked away from negotiations with France, Germany and Great Britain in August 2005, there are rays of optimism in the crisis over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Before breaking out the champagne to celebrate a diplomatic solution, it may be appropriate to pause for reflection on a troubling unknown: the potential scope of Iran's secret bomb program. (The Daily Star)

NORTH KOREA

North Korea Will Pay a Price for Missile Test: Seoul

South Korea warned North Korea on Monday there would be a price to pay if it launched a long-range missile, using its strongest language yet to try to dissuade Pyongyang from a test-flight. (Reuters)

Analysis: Pyongyang's Antics Catch Out Beijing

The international flap caused by reports that North Korea is preparing to test-fire its new Taepodong 2 intercontinental ballistic missile has placed China in an unenviable position. (Asia Times)

SOMALIA

Somali Militia Head Tied to Bin Laden

An Islamic fundamentalist who is listed by the State Department as a suspected al-Qaeda collaborator was named Saturday as the new leader of a Muslim militia that has seized control of Somalia's capital. (AP)

WORLD AID

Celebration on Tap for Israel Group's Inclusion in International Red Cross

Politicians and activists will gather at the Jewish Museum today to celebrate the inclusion of Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, the Magen David Adom, in the international Red Cross organization. (New York Sun)

Analysis: Not Merely a Symbolic Correction

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies yesterday admitted Magen David Adom to the organization, ending a battle that began 60 years ago, even before the state was founded. (Haaretz)

ALGERIA

Algeria Forces Kill 19 Islamic Militants: Reports

Algerian government forces killed 19 Islamist militants in attacks on mountain hideouts of rebels who have rejected an amnesty aimed at ending years of strife, newspapers reported on Monday.(Reuters)

MEXICO

11 Killed in South Mexico

Eleven people, including four police officers, were murdered over the weekend in southern Mexico, officials said Sunday. Drug and gang-related violence have been rising in advance of Mexico's presidential election July 2. (Reuters)

EAST TIMOR

Wild Celebrations as East Timor PM Resigns

East Timor's embattled prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, resigned on Monday, saying he would share responsibility for a political crisis that has gripped Asia's newest nation for over two months. (Reuters)

BIRD FLU

Bird Flu Threat Barely Raises Stir in Bali Village

Balinese farmer Wayan Murda clutches his rooster, gently stroking the tame bird. Like many Indonesians, he's heard of bird flu but doesn't know much about the virus. (Reuters)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

A Recent, Unheralded Development in the Region Bodes Well For Iraq

Recent weeks have seen a quiet but extraordinary development in the Middle East - one that bodes very well for the situation in Iraq, and one which the Bush administration unsurprisingly hasn't seized upon in its effort to portray the Iraq war as having taken a turn for the better. Unlike the highly publicized yet rather ineffective US military operations in the country, this positive development is a diplomatic push - and one in which the United States is not involved: Iraq's neighbors are becoming increasingly engaged in supporting the new Iraqi government. (The Daily Star)

A Better Deal with India

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India announced an agreement last summer on a strategic partnership. The keystone of the deal, especially for India, was American recognition of India's status as a nuclear weapons power. In practical terms, this meant the Bush administration would permit India to buy nuclear materials and technology that it is not entitled to receive for failing to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. (Boston Globe)

How to End Beheadings in Iraq

What Iraqis need is an Ida Wells-Barnett. She is the American black woman, born into slavery in 1862, who led a movement that helped end mob lynchings in the US. Iraq could use someone with her moral leadership as a voice to turn public opinion against a similar barbaric practice: beheadings. (The Christian Science Monitor)

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