Reuters: FBI investigating California massacre as 'act of terrorism'
The FBI is investigating this week's massacre of 14 people by a married couple in California as an "act of terrorism," officials said on Friday, noting that the female shooter had pledged allegiance to a leader of the militant group Islamic State.
Tashfeen Malik, 27, a native of Pakistan who lived in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years, and her U.S.-born husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, were killed in a shootout with police hours after the Wednesday attack during a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center social services agency in San Bernardino, about 60 miles (100 km) east of Los Angeles.
If the investigation does prove that the attack was the work of people inspired by Islamist militants, it would be the most serious such attack since Sept. 11, 2001.
MIDDLE EAST
IS oil smuggling to Turkey insignificant: US official.
Russian air force hit 1,458 targets in Syria over week: agencies.
Obama says additional U.S. forces will help 'squeeze' Islamic State.
Kerry: Syria's government, rebels can cooperate against IS.
Syria humanitarian crisis 'deteriorating as winter sets in'.
Saudi backs deal that would make Assad ally Lebanon's president.
Saudi Arabia carrying out 'unprecedented wave' of executions.
Four Palestinians killed after attacks on Israelis in West Bank.
Preventing Iran bomb more important than past nuclear activity: Kerry.
ASIA
Japan moves up launch of anti-terrorism unit.
U.S. calls for probe of reports of Myanmar military atrocities.
Uncertainty deepens over Afghan Taliban leader.
At least 40 freed from Taliban prison in joint US-Afghan operation in Helmand province. No U.S. ground forces involved in Afghan raid to free prisoners: U.S. military.
Mortar attack kills 9 Afghan civilians at Mosque.
Thailand receives Russian warning of Islamic State threat. Syrians linked to Islamic State travelled to Thailand to 'attack Russian interests'.
Thai migrant crisis meeting ends without any solution on offer.
Pakistan blocks 30 migrants deported from Greece.
Pakistan lawyer files for return of Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Putin, Nazarbayev discuss coalition to fight terrorism: Kremlin.
AFRICA
Low turnout in first Egypt parliament poll after Islamists crushed.
Bamako hotel hostage taking was joint attack: Qaeda.
Eight killed in Central African Republic days after pope's visit.
Burundi facing real possibility of civil war: US envoy.
16 dead in altercation-turned-arson attack at Cairo night club.
Two arrested on suspicion of planning suicide attacks in Tunisian capital.
France flies surveillance missions over IS-held areas of Libya.
China's Xi cheers African leaders with pledge of $60 billion development aid. African states mull adopting yuan as forex reserve: Chinese official.
Nigeria storm over social media bill. Nigeria’s lawmakers are about to pass a bill which could gag citizens on social media.
South Sudan conflict forces over 4,000 people to flee to DRC: UN agency.
Oscar Pistorius ordered back to court, but prosecutors deny issuing arrest warrant.
EUROPE
Italy rescues over 1,500 migrants off Libya coast.
EU mulls plan to take charge of Europe's borders.
Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam ‘could be anywhere’: Prosecutor’s office.
Paris attacks: Police seek 'two new suspects'. Belgium seeks public help in search for two Paris suspects.
Germany votes to support fight against Islamic State.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel to return 'economic migrants' to Afghanistan.
Migrant crisis: Greece seeks EU help amid border chaos.
Back to reality for Hollande as voters flock to Le Pen message.
French police don't hesitate to use broad new emergency powers.
Café that was hit by Paris terrorism attack reopens.
Moldova and Ukraine try to block Transdniestria — region's acting foreign minister.
Russian truckers threaten march on Moscow.
Georgian president revokes Mikheil Saakashvili of citizenship.
AMERICAS
No indication California shooters part of larger group: FBI chief.
Muslim leader from CAIR tells CNN America bears some blame for terror attacks.
Exclusive: Accused California shooter lived in Saudi Arabia for years - Pakistani sources.
Senators demand Obama release immigration history of San Bernardino attackers.
Argentina, Brazil to closely watch Venezuela election.
Baton and sash at center of presidential spat in Argentina.
US House adjourns with no budget deal, threatening shutdown.
Court ruling, minister exit complicate Rousseff battle in Brazil. Brazil's Rousseff says to fight impeachment proceedings.
Ecuador legislature lifts presidential re-election limit.
Venezuela’s Maduro threatens to jail local Heinz managers.
Venezuela regime fights back against surging opposition as elections near.
US economy adds 211,000 jobs in November.
Canada to become first G7 nation to legalize marijuana: government.
Canada to put a price on polluting carbon emissions: government.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
News agency says Islamic State followers carried out California attacks.
EU nears anti-terror deal on sharing air passenger data.
As pressure mounts, ISIS militants hide behind kids.
Belgium arrests 2 suspects linked to Paris attacks.
Islamic State's US recruits so diverse they 'defy analysis'.
France issues guide to surviving terrorist attack.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
OPEC fails to agree production ceiling after Iran pledges to boost output.
Samsung to finally pay Apple $548 million in patent dispute.
Zuckerberg defends his new philanthropic initiative.
Porsche to make electric sportscar in €700m project.
Fifa crisis: US charges 16 more officials after earlier Zurich arrests.
1 comment:
Has anybody noticed that some of the narrative coming out of this story just does not make sense?
Per previous Middle East terror attacks, the primary attack (slaughter of people at the health center) was the opening gambit. Given that the three buildings on site were emptied, the only people that would have been injured by delayed action/radio triggered bombs in the buildings would have been first responders working the building for evidence or clearance operations. These are the critical people who are trained for this work. There are not many of them. Killing and injuring these people would be an important goal for terrorists looking at follow-up attacks by other cells.
Given the need to be in relatively close proximity to the buildings to detonate the devices, the terrorists would have needed to be in range. Apparently, they were out of range. That would explain why they seem to have doubled back to try and get in range when the police cornered and killed them.
The story on the radio detonated bombs in changing. First it was that the device (radio?) was faulty. Now it is changing and moving towards out of range.
Given the fabrication ability of the terrorists, their use of an initial attack to maim and kill followed by remote control bombs to kill first responders, and their equipment, one might find it very difficult to look at these people as home grown amateurs.
The narrative has big holes and the government and news organizations are working hard to reduce the threat level to just another limited home grown crazies. Do you buy that story at this point in time?
We will have to wait to see how the narrative changes. Right now one has to read tea leaves and sift through confused stories to try and get a glimmer of truth.
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