Taliban attack shows militant spirit unbroken
KABUL, Afghanistan – A Taliban attack at the gates of the Afghan presidential palace cast a cold light Tuesday on the course of a war that Washington remains committed to ending.
A week after NATO forces handed all security operations to the Afghans, local forces fought off the attackers on their own, killing all eight militants without calling in any coalition help. But the assault also made clear that the Taliban’s fighting spirit remains unbroken and demonstrated their ability to bluff their way past two checkpoints and storm a highly fortified zone of the capital.
The firefight took place in Ariana square, about 500 yards and several more checkpoints away from the presidential palace, where President Hamid Karzai was apparently preparing for a speech later in the morning.
Qatar ruler hands over power to crown prince
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar’s ruler said Tuesday he has transferred power to the 33-year-old crown prince in an anticipated move that puts a new generation in charge of the Gulf nation’s vast energy wealth and rising political influence.
The 61-year-old emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, said in a televised address that the decision has been made to step down after weeks of speculation. Now, the British-educated crown prince, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will begin the process of putting together a new government that may be in direct contrast to the old guard leaders across the Western-backed Gulf Arab states.
Qatar has given no official explanation on the transition, but it is believed that Sheik Hamad is suffering from health problems.
Sheik Tamim is not expected to make any immediate policy shifts for Qatar, which has used its riches to propel itself into one of the world’s most politically ambitious countries.
Korean websites crash on war anniversary
SEOUL, South Korea – Major government and media websites in South and North Korea were shut down for hours Tuesday on the 63rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and Seoul said its sites were hacked and alerted people to take security measures against cyberattacks.
It was not immediately clear if the shutdown of North Korean websites, including those belong to Air Koryo and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, was due to those sites being hacked. Rodong Sinmun, Uriminzokkiri and Naenara websites were operational a few hours later.
South Korean National Intelligence Service officials said they were investigating what may have caused the shutdown of the North Korean websites, and North Korea didn’t make any immediate comment.
5 suspects caught in death of DEA agent
BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia’s president says authorities have arrested five men in the slaying of a U.S. anti-drug agent during a robbery.
President Juan Manuel Santos says the five men are alleged members of a gang that specializes in robberies. Authorities say two are taxi drivers.
Both Colombian and U.S. officials have said they believe that Drug Enforcement Administration agent James Watson was probably killed in a common robbery, not because of his law enforcement work.
Colombia’s National Police director says Edgar Javier Bello is believed to have stabbed the 43-year-old Watson on June 20.
Gen. Jose Roberto Leon said Tuesday that an informant will receive about $25,800 for information in the case.
Associated Press
