Saudis Battle Al Qaeda
INVESTIGATIONS
Saudi Arabia
7 Terrorists Shot Dead as Battle Rages
As Saudi security forces killed seven suspected terrorists in a fierce gunbattle that raged for the second successive day till late last night here, the Cabinet renewed its pledge to continue the Kingdom's anti-terror campaign. (Arab News)
Al Arabiya TV is reporting that Moroccan terror suspect Abdel Karim Al Mejjati who is wanted by the FBI, as well as the Moroccan, Spanish and Saudi authorities was amongst those killed. Al Arabiya also said Saoud El Oteibi who was also on the Saudi list of most wanted was also killed in the clashed.
U.S.
U.S. Raises Reward for Suspect in '93 Attack
The U.S. State Department said Monday that it was offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture and conviction of the last remaining person wanted in connection with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. (AP)
Bioterror Plans Inadequate, GAO Says
Government Has Yet to Develop Certified Anthrax Test Procedures, Study Shows. (Washington Post)
Sudan
Hague Takes On Darfur War Crimes
A sealed list of suspects accused of war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region is to be handed to the ICC. (BBC)
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
U.S.
Justice Dept. Defends Patriot Act Before Senate Hearings
On the eve of Senate hearings on the government's power to fight terrorism, the Justice Department on Monday defended the law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks as "an invaluable tool" and released new data showing increased use of a particularly controversial type of search warrant. (NY Times)
Patriot Act Expiring
Several provisions of the USA Patriot Act expire on Jan. 1, 2006, if not renewed by Congress. (AP)
Sweden
Two Iraqis Charged in Al-Zarqawi Cash Aid
Two Iraqis detained in Sweden for almost a year were charged Monday with collecting and transferring money to terrorists, including Abu Musab Zarqawi, the most wanted terrorist in Iraq. (AP)
IRAQ NEWS
U.S. Drones Crowd Iraq's Skies to Fight Insurgents
In the skies over Iraq, the number of remotely piloted aircraft has shot up to more than 700 now from just a handful four years ago. (NY Times)
After Deadly Battle, U.S. and Iraqis Search for Insurgents
American and Iraqi soldiers today combed a remote area looking for insurgents and weapons caches east of Baghdad where two Americans and an Iraqi from their forces were killed in a battle on Monday, the American military said today. (NY Times)
Bomber Targets Abu Ghraib Prison
A suicide car bomber struck yesterday near the notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, blowing up only himself, said witnesses. The prison had been attacked Saturday by a large group of insurgents in an assault that killed at least one insurgent and resulted in injury to more than 80 people, the U.S. military said yesterday. (Arab News)
Purported al Qaeda Video Shows Beheading
A video posted Tuesday on the Internet showed purported al Qaeda in Iraq militants beheading a man said to be an Iraqi security force member. (AP)
Actors in the Insurgency Are Reluctant TV Stars
Terror Suspects Grilled, Mocked on Hit Iraqi Show. (Washington Post)
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Abu Ghraib Attack May Mark Shift in Tactics
Insurgents say Saturday's military-style assault was led by Zarqawi's group, al Qaeda in Iraq. (Washington Post)
War on Terror
Sunday's 12-hour gunbattle between security forces and wanted Al-Qaeda terrorists in Al-Rass in Qasim region was the most ferocious yet in this country's war against terrorism. It demonstrates very strongly and once again the authorities' utter determination to eliminate terrorism. There will be no let-up in the continuing fight against terror. (Arab News)
Bush and the Intelligence Failures
President George Bush might have to declare soon the formation of a new commission to investigate the political meddling with the intelligence information in order to justify the war on Iraq; since the "presidential committee" did not attain any indications of such meddling. (Al Hayat)
Listen To Arab Voices
The third Arab Human Development Report, finally released by the U.N. Development Program after a lengthy controversy, should be required reading for Bush administration officials and for anyone interested in promoting Middle East democracy. (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.