War On Terror News

US Apologizes to Peru Over Leaked Cables

Monday, December 27th, 2010 VOA News A top U.S. diplomat says Washington has apologized to Peru over the content of leaked diplomatic cables about the country.

The assistant U.S. secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, Arturo Valenzuela, tells Peru's RPP radio that the State Department has spoken to Peruvian officials about the matter. He said the State Department is looking at how to “turn the page” on the incident so it does not affect bilateral relations.

WikiLeaks published the cables. One cable said that President Alan Garcia had a “colossal ego,” while making references about his health and personal life. Another talked about alleged military involvement in drug corruption.

Suicide Bombing Kills 3 in Afghanistan

Police in southern Afghanistan say a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car in the center of Kandahar city Monday, killing three people and wounding at least 26 others.

Authorities say the attack happened outside a bank, as police officers were collecting their salaries.

RIP LCpl Kenneth A. Corzine

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Lance Cpl. Kenneth A. Corzine, 23, of Bethalto, Ill., died Dec. 24 of wounds received Dec. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Army Wife Helps Homeless

Face of Defense: Army Wife Helps Vets With 'Open Arms'

Office of the SecDef: WASHINGTON - Dedie Davis knows what it's like to be homeless.

Davis and her two children slept in their car for a short time in 1998 until family and friends helped them get back on their feet.

So passing out food and hugs, often venturing into homeless encampments in the Seattle area, doesn't faze her.

Davis, founder and president of Operation Open Arms, a nonprofit organization that provides food and supplies to homeless veterans and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, explained her passion for charitable work is fueled by her personal experiences.

Germany Increases Cyber Defenses

Germany to Fight Increased Cyber Attacks

VoA News: Germany is planning to set up a National Cyberdefense Center to fight off ever-increasing cyber attacks, many of them originating in China.

Interior Ministry spokesman Stefan Paris said Monday that Germany has detected a sharp rise in cyber attacks in 2010, and that most of those attacks were coming from China.

Morocco Captures 6 Terrorists

Morocco Nabs Six in Terror Plot

VoA News: Moroccan authorities say they have arrested six people accused of using the Internet to plan car bombings inside and outside the country.

A statement issued by the interior ministry on Monday said the suspects developed what it called “considerable expertise in bomb-making” and were targeting “key national installations and security posts.”

It did not identify targets outside the country.

An official told the French news agency that the arrests took place December 10 in the northeastern towns of Oujda and Nador, and in Casablanca.

Morocco has been on alert for terrorism, rounding up numerous suspects through the years after attacks in Casablanca killed 45 people in 2003.

UN Denies Afgan Progress While 3500 Enemy Killed/Captured in 3 months

Coalition Reports Progress in Afghanistan, UN Data Paint Bleaker Picture
Ayaz Gul VoA Islamabad

NATO says coalition forces have made significant progress in recent weeks in tackling the Taliban-insurgency. But confidential U.N. maps released by a prominent U.S. newspaper suggest security has deteriorated in parts of the country this year.

A spokesman for the coalition forces, General Josef Blotz, told reporters in Kabul Monday that security forces have clearly made progress in recent weeks across Afghanistan. However, he said, pressure must continue on insurgents to solidify the military gains. General Blotz gave details of the nearly 1,800 operations coalition forces have conducted together with their Afghan partners in the past three months.

"In the last 90 days, Afghan and coalition forces captured or killed 880 insurgent leaders, killed 384 lower level insurgents and captured more than 2,300 lower-level insurgents," he said. "While we still expect very tough fighting in the weeks and months ahead as operations move into the last insurgent-controlled areas, we also have now started to shift to the hold phase in many areas of the country."

Afghan child severely injured by an IED in Nawbahar district

ISAF: ZABUL, Afghanistan – Members of the Afghan national police and coalition forces treated an Afghan child from a local village that was severely injured by an IED strike in the Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Dec 26.

A local Afghan doctor provided the initial treatment for the child, but due to the seriousness of the injuries he requested, through the ANP, Coalition medical support to ensure he received adequate treatment for his injuries.

Coalition medics assessed and treated the child’s injuries and then coordinated for him to be evacuated to a nearby medical facility that could provide further treatment.

Explosion Kills 15 Islamists in Pakistan

US Drone Attack in Pakistan Kills 15

Pakistan officials say the death toll in a U.S. drone attack in the country's northwestern tribal belt Monday has risen to at least 15 militants.

Officials say six missiles struck two vehicles in the North Waziristan region along the Afghan border.

Authorities say the strike took place in the Mir Ali district where militants are heavily concentrated.

The U.S. does not confirm drone attacks, but its forces operating in Afghanistan are the only forces that deploy the unmanned aircraft in the region.

7 AQ Terrorists Get 5 to 8 years in Indonesian Prison

Indonesia Sentences Seven Men in Aceh Terror Plot

VoA News: A court in Indonesia has sentenced seven members of a terror cell known as “al-Qaida in Aceh” to prison terms ranging up to eight years.

Authorities who raided the group's training camp in western Aceh province earlier this year found documents indicating the cell planned to assassinate Indonesian political leaders and stage Mumbai-style suicide attacks on Western hotels and embassies in Jakarta.

27 Dec 2010 Moments of Silence #HonorTheFallen 1PM-1:06 EDT

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

REQUEST that all afford my Brothers a Moment of Silence each on Monday beginning 1:00 PM, Eastern Time.  REQUEST that each Moment of Silence be dedicated each Monday to my Fallen Brothers in order of notification since prior Monday.  1PM Eastern is Kabul 22:30/10:30PM, Baghdad 20:00/8PM, London 18:00/6PM, San Diego 10AM.  This time accommodates those in London, Baghdad & Kabul as well as Congress and across the United States.

• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1PM to 1:02 EDT: PFC #Bowe Bergdahl, Kidnapped by Taliban, Two Minutes until he comes home #MIA #SOT #MoS
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:02-1:03 EDT: Cpl Sean A Osterman, Princeton, MN 12/16/10 Helmand, AFG, 2d Recon, 2d MarDiv
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:03-1:04 EDT: Cpl Eric M Torbert Jr., Lancaster, PA 12/18/10 Helmand, AFG, 1st CEB, 1st MarDiv
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:04-1:05 EDT: PFC Conrado D Javier Jr., Marina, CA 12/19/10 Kandahar, AFG 3rd Sdrn, 2nd SCR 
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:05-1:06 EDT: LCpl William H Crouse IV, Woodruff, SC 12/21/10 Helmand, AFG 1-10, 2d MarDiv 

Dual Bombs Kill 9 in Ramadi, Iraq - Update

Iraq Blasts Kill At Least 7 9, Wound Dozens 50

VoA News: Iraqi authorities say a double suicide bombing near a provincial government compound in the western city of Ramadi has killed at least nine people and wounded about 50 others.

Officials say a suicide bomber detonated a minibus packed with explosives at an intersection near the offices of the Anbar provincial administration.

They say a second bomber disguised as a policeman blew himself up minutes later in a crowd of people who were trying to help the victims of the first blast.

Afghan Helos Sent for Overhaul

Overhaul process begins for Afghan Air Force helicopters
by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Walker 438th AEW

KABUL, Afghanistan - On Dec. 26, two Afghan Air Force Mi-17s transport helicopters and one Mi-35 attack helicopter were loaded on an An-124 transport aircraft by contractors.

The contractor is shipping the aircraft to their maintenance facility where they will be completely overhauled. This will take four to six months to complete.

The contractors have been to Kabul to prepare the helicopters for transportation. The aircraft have not been flown in over 15 months and the Afghan Air Force does not have the capability yet to completely overhaul aircraft.

Lt. Col. Gamblin, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Aircraft maintenance avisor, explained, “These overhauls will return invaluable air assets to service for training the AAF, flying combat missions and supporting the ANA in providing for a more secure Afghanistan.”

New Afghan Police Graduate

AUP officers graduate basic training
by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Another 96 police recruits graduated from the Joint Security Academy Southwest here, Dec. 26.

The recruits finished two months of rigorous training in which they learned the basic skills necessary to provide security for the people of Helmand and Nimroz provinces. Literacy, physical training and basic first aid are some of the other classes given to the students in addition to basic security skills.

Italians Secure Afghan Bazaar for Peace

Coalition forces continue Operation 'Free Market'

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the Afghan National and Italian army participate in Operation Bazar Arad (Free Market) in the Bala Murghab village, Murghab District, Badghis province since its beginning on Nov. 19.

The purpose of the operation is to enlarge the security bubble and provide safety and welfare to the citizens of Murghab.

Because of its location at the junction of the Murghab River and Pamir Highway, Murghab is a regional center for trade, often illegal drugs. Coalition forces have been engaged by insurgents twice during the operation.

The forces have expanded to 15 combat outposts in the surrounding mountains and they maintain security at each post 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“With the expansion of the secure area in the region, the coalition forces are offering a serene life to more than ten thousand Afghan people”, said Italian Army Col. Anfrea Piovera, commander, Task Force North.

War In Afghanistan 27 Dec 2010

Eleven more bad guys were captured in the War In Afghanistan.

Three including an Haqqani leader were captured in Khowst.  Two more Talib were captured in Ghazni.  And Six were picked up in Khandahar.

Tailor the way you get your War in Afghanistan News

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqqani Network leader along with three suspected insurgents in a joint security operation in Khost province yesterday.

Turkish "Aid" Ship Repaired

Turkish Gaza Aid Vessel Return to Istanbul

VoA News: Thousands of Turkish citizens were on hand Sunday as the aid ship that was the target of a deadly Israeli raid in May docked at an Istanbul port .

The ship, Mavi Marmara, spent the past seven months undergoing repairs at a port on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. As it arrived, many in the crowd shouted “Allah is great.”

Israel's attack on the vessel that was attempting to deliver aid supplies to the Gaza Strip left nine people dead, the majority of them Turkish citizens.

Hike For Heroes Reaches Ft Bliss, Touches 2 Vets

Hiking for Heroes veteran Troy Yocum visits Fort Bliss, presents Christmas donations
by Spc. Valerie Lopez

Christmas arrived early for two 1st Armored Division families at Fort Bliss.

After nearly 15 million steps, Troy Yocum, Soldiers’ advocate and Iraq War veteran, was met by Fort Bliss Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard and El Paso Mayor John Cook.

Yocum, his wife Mareike, the general, the mayor and mayor’s grandson Jaydon walked a mile from Fort Bliss’ Cassidy Gate to the newly-opened Freedom Crossing shopping center and post exchange (PX).

The Tales of Two Afghan Commandos

Commando squad leaders: separated by age, united by country
by Sgt. Benjamin Watson CJSOTF-A

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – When Diatullah returned to Afghanistan following a nine-year absence from his home in central Afghanistan, 17-year-old Ibrahim just enlisted in the Afghan National Army. Diatullah joined the ANA shortly afterward. That was six years ago.

Since then, 39-year-old Diatullah and 23-year-old Ibrahim have run missions together in Kandahar, Zabul and Helmand provinces as ANA Commandos trained by members of Special Operations Task Force – South, near Kandahar Airfield.

Islamists Kidnap Turkish Engineers in Afghanistan

Gunmen Kidnap 4 Turkish Engineers, Driver in Eastern Afghanistan

VoA News: Afghan officials say gunmen have kidnapped four Turkish engineers and their Afghan driver in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.

The officials say the five men were kidnapped while traveling Sunday in Paktia province. They say the Turkish engineers worked for a company building border posts in the area. There was no claim of responsibility for the abduction.

Afghan insurgents and criminal groups have carried out occasional kidnappings of foreigners in recent years, releasing some hostages following negotiations, but killing others.

Two French journalists with French state-owned television network France 3 remain in captivity after being kidnapped by suspected insurgents in eastern Afghanistan in December 2009.

The French news agency says French Defense Minster Alain Juppe discussed the journalists' situation with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after arriving in Kabul Saturday. The agency quotes Juppe as saying Mr. Karzai promised the “full support” of Afghan authorities in efforts to free the French citizens.

Iran to Turn Gas back on to Afghanistan

Afghan Media: Iran Agrees to Resume Fuel Deliveries to Afghanistan

VoA News: Afghan media say Iran has agreed to allow fuel tankers to cross into Afghanistan after holding the vehicles at the border for the past three weeks.

The reports say Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi promised a resumption of the cross-border fuel deliveries in talks Sunday with his visiting Afghan counterpart, Qasim Fahim. The Afghan vice president said he requested the move.

Afghan officials say Iran had stopped about 2,000 fuel tankers from crossing the Iranian-Afghan border this month, apparently fearing the fuel will be used to supply U.S.-led NATO troops fighting militants in Afghanistan.

MP's Wrap up Afghan Students in Coats & Shoes

Coalition forces deliver winter supplies to institute in Kandahar

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the 552nd Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, delivered coats and shoes to the Teacher’s Training Institute in district 4 of Kandahar City Dec. 21 to help provide teachers and students with relief during the winter months.

“The supply delivery was part of a larger project the 504th [Military Police] are working on to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s plans to enable the institute to continue operating at full capacity throughout the winter,” said Lt. Col. John Voorhees, commander, 504th Military Police Battalion.

Afghan Leaders in Farah Discuss Plans For Security

Afghan, coalition leaders discuss progress

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Nearly 50 elders met with Afghan and coalition leaders in Bakwah District, Farah province to discuss the process of fostering increased security in the district through reintegration Dec. 20.

Six Afghan brigadier generals represented the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Border Police and National Security Dictorate. They accompanied the Regional Command-West commander and governor of Farah.

“Local citizens must start to assume some responsibility for their own security,” said Brig. Gen. Dauransha Shazada, commander, Afghan National Army 207th Corps.

Troops Kick Soccer Balls and Blankets to Afghans in Bamian

Afghan air force delivers humanitarian aid to Bamyan province

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan air force airmen and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers delivered more than 3,600 pounds of humanitarian aid to Bamyan province Dec. 23.

Afghan and NATO troops distributed blankets, jackets, school supplies and soccer balls to the Bamyan Department of Women’s Affairs. Goods were also set aside for a local orphanage and villagers, said Mahtab Farid, a public diplomacy officer for the State Department.

“There were a lot of women in desperate need that come up to me and asked for help, and this is a good project in helping those needy women,” said Fatimah Kazimey, the director of the department of women’s affairs, commenting on what brought the humanitarian assistance mission to the province.

Islamists Continue Religious Clash in Nigeria

New Clashes in Central Nigeria After Deadly Friday Bombings

VoA News: New religious clashes broke out in central Nigeria Sunday, two days after bombings that killed 32 people in the city of Jos.

Witnesses report that buildings were set on fire in Jos in the clashes between armed Christian and Muslim groups. Security forces were sent to break up the fighting, as smoke billowed over the area.

There are unconfirmed reports of people being injured in the Sunday clashes.

On Saturday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan pledged to hunt down those responsible for the Friday bombings.

In a public appearance, Mr. Jonathan said the government will do everything possible to “unearth” those behind the killings.

Assange Acquires Million Dollar Bookdeal

WikiLeaks’ Assange Wins Book Deal

VoA News: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won a $1.5 million book deal, and is expected to deliver the manuscript as early as March, 2011.

[Pictured: WikiSpy Bradley Manning]

In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Assange said he did not want to write the book but had to in order to cover his legal costs and finance the running of his controversial website.

According to media reports on Sunday, American publisher Alfred A. Knopf and British publisher Canongate are expected to pay a total of $1.3 million for the autobiography.

Afghan Chaplains Discuss their Role in Defending their Nation

Afghan National Army holds religious cultural adviser conference

KABUL, Afghanistan – The 205th Afghanistan National Army corps hosted a two-day conference for religious and cultural affairs advisers Dec. 20-21 in Kandahar province.

The conference was chaired by Col. Muhammad Dost, chief of religious and cultural affairs, 205th Afghan National Army corps and was attended by the 205th Corps headquarters religious and cultural affairs personnel, the corps’ four subordinate brigades and the Commando Kandak, located on Hero Camp outside Kandahar City.

Israel Kills 2 Hamas Terrorists in the Act

Israeli Troops Kill Two Militants in Gaza

VoA News: Israeli military officials say soldiers shot and killed two Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip Sunday.

Authorities say the militants were killed by an Israeli gunship as they were attempting to set up an explosive device in an area where Israeli troops patrol.

In the past week, militants have fired mortars and rockets into Israel wounding at least one person.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas said Saturday it is prepared to escalate hostilities against Israel if tensions do not subside along the Israel-Gaza border.

On Friday, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said his group will stay committed to its informal truce signed with Israel two years ago, as long as Israel does the same.

Israel and Hamas signed the truce at the end of a 22-day war between the two sides.

Cav Troops in Iraq Train for Battle

Thunder Squadron Soldiers stay battle focused with pre-mission training
By Spc. Gregory Argentieri 3rd ACR

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE ECHO, Iraq - With their Humvees aligned, soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, rehearse for the unexpected. They know they will be conducting an escort mission. They have the plan and are ready to get the job done. Before they head out, however, they take the time to train on one part of the mission they can’t predict, possible enemy attacks.

Cpl. Ryan Shank, native of Tyler, Texas, and member of Lightning Troop, 3rd Thunder Squadron, 3rd ACR, facilitates pre-mission training with his team, ensuring they rehearse reactionary measures and tactics to adapt to any situation.

Afghan Air Force Conduct Security Drills

How does the Afghan air force celebrate Christmas? By conducting security drills
  by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Walker 438th AEW

KABUL, Afghanistan - While Christmas is celebrated around the world, Dec. 25 in Afghanistan is just a normal day for members of the Afghan military. So instead of opening presents or peeping into candy filled stocking, Afghan air force airmen and members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Security forces advisors conducted an AAF Security Kandak exercise at the Afghan air force base in Kabul, Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Shaw, a security forces advisor with NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan, said that the drill went well, but there is still room for improvement.

Afghan Andar Elders Pledge Security

NDS, TF Iron Rakkasan gather Bande Sardeh elders, sign security pact
By U.S. Army 1LT R.J. Peek CJTF 101

FORWARD OPERATING BASE BANDE SARDEH, Afghanistan - Village elders gathered at Forward Operating Base Bande Sardeh to sign a pact pledging to keep insurgents out of their villages and report insurgent activity to security forces in eastern Andar District Dec. 21.

Afghans taking more responsibility for security is the first step for establishing lasting security in the area, said Abdul Wahab, an agent for the Afghan National Directorate of Security.

He facilitated this first step by spreading the idea of a security pact amongst many villages in an area influenced by insurgents. Due to recent successes by coalition and Afghan forces, and the influence of the NDS officer, the elders decided to talk with U.S. leaders.

The War on Christianity

A person's religion is a matter of faith.  Christianity is not an inheritable belief.  It is fundamentally a religion of free will.  As a basic tenet, it says Christians will perform good deeds as a result of their relationship with God, rather than as a means of attaining a better place in the afterlife.  Few things can be more Christian than the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, which states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Amendment I, US Constitution, Bill of Rights

It is surprising then that a quote from the Communist Manifesto ("separation of church and state") is quoted as the First Amendment and that together they are often used to assault Christianity in courts and legislatures.  But the War On Christianity is not limited to law suits, blackmail threats of lawsuits, and the new prophets of atheism.  It is also physical attacks on churches and Christians.  On this Christmas alone, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria, the Philipines, and elsewhere, by Islamists.

War In Afghanistan News 26 Dec 2010

In the War in Afghanistan, a Taliban road side bomber was captured in Qalat, Zabul, after he confirmed his identity on Christmas Eve.

Tailor the Way you get your War in Afghanistan News

Elsewhere in the War On Terror, the Saudis killed a Cross-Dressing Terrorist, Nigerian Islamists attacked Christians and Churches, Filipino Islamists murdered 6 Christians, and the Dutch arrested 12 Somali Terrorists.

Saudis Kill Cross-Dressing Terrorist

Saudi Police Kill Suspected Al-Qaida Gunman at Checkpoint

VoA News: Saudi authorities say police have shot and killed a suspected al-Qaida militant who opened fire at them at a checkpoint southwest of the capital, Riyadh.

The Saudi interior ministry says the gunman was disguised as a woman and was traveling in a car with another man when the two reached the checkpoint Friday in the Wadi al-Dawasir area.

A ministry spokesman says the gunman stepped out of the car and opened fire after police tried to verify the identity of the two occupants. Saudi officers returned fire, killing the shooter and detaining his companion. No police were hurt.

Saudi security forces recently intensified a crackdown on al-Qaida militants who began a terror campaign in the kingdom in 2003. Last month, authorities said they had detained almost 150 al-Qaida suspects in an eight-month period.

Marines Get Deserved Christmas Dinner in Afghanistan

Marines celebrate Christmas with a feast
 by Sgt. Shawn Coolman RC-SW

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – This holiday season service members aboard Camp Leatherneck participated in many festive events including a talent show, Christmas caroling, and holiday chapel services.

The Christmas meal, served today, was an event in itself for the service members to enjoy. Dining facility 5 was festively decorated with a Santa Claus, complete with a sled and reindeer, ice sculptures and many hand-crafted decorations.

Dogmatic Atheism Starts Own Version of Christmas

Some American Atheists Celebrate Their Own Holiday
Jerome Socolovsky VoA News, Laurel, MD

All over the United States, people are celebrating Christmas. People of other faiths also have their holidays. But a minority of Americans who do not believe in religion can feel left out during this time of year. One group has created its own secular holiday and they are hoping it will catch on.

Phil Kalmanson deep fries a whole turkey at his home in Laurel, Maryland.  He's preparing a feast, and wants to make it a special one.

Islamists Murder 26 Nigerian Christians on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Attacks in Nigeria Kill at Least 26

VoA News: A series of Christmas Eve explosions and attacks in Nigeria, several of them at churches, have killed at least 26 people.

The worst attacks occurred in the central city of Jos, where police on Saturday said at least 20 people were killed in seven explosions in two separate areas.

SPC Nicholas Robinson, Silver Star

Casey awards Leader Rakkasan Soldier Silver Star for combat heroism
By U.S. Army Pfc. Chris McKenna TF Rakkasan

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Casey, presented a task force leader Rakkasan soldier with a Silver Star for combat heroism at a brief ceremony at Forward Operating Base Salerno Dec. 23.

“I feel honored to receive this medal,” said U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Robinson, M240B machine gunner with Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to represent my battalion and the division, as well.”

Islamist Murder 6 Filipino Christians On Christmas

6 Injured in Philippines Christmas Bombing

VoA News: Military officials in the southern Philippines say a priest and five parishioners were slightly wounded Saturday morning, when a bomb exploded during a Christmas Day Mass at a police chapel on the island of Jolo.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the Abu Sayyaf Islamic terrorist group may have been behind the attack in Jolo town. Jolo island is the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, which is notorious for high-profile kidnappings and beheadings.

Cabangbang said besides Abu Sayyaf, other possible suspects include individuals acting on a personal grudge.

Somali Pirates Capture Thai Ship

Pirates Seize Thai Cargo Ship in Arabian Sea

VoA News: Somali pirates have seized a Thai cargo ship and its crew of 27 in the Arabian Sea east of Oman.

Authorities say the pirates captured the Thor Nexus early Saturday while the 20,000-ton ship was headed from the United Arab Emirates to Bangladesh. The ship was overtaken about 650 kilometers east of the Omani port of Salalah.

All the crew members are Thai nationals. The nature of the ship's cargo is not known.

Armed Somali pirates have collected tens of millions of dollars in ransoms from seizing ships off the coast of Somalia and farther out to sea to the east. Most of the hijackings have usually ended without casualties when the ransoms have been paid. But it has often taken months before settlements have been reached.