Female DNA Found On One Bomb Use In The Boston Marathon Attacks

Female DNA Found On Bomb In Boston -- Wall Street Journal

Investigators Unsure Whether Evidence Means a Woman Aided in the Attack; Russians Allege Suspect's Ties to Jihadists.

Investigators have found female DNA on at least one of the bombs used in the Boston Marathon attacks, though they haven't determined whose DNA it is or whether its presence means a woman helped the two brothers suspected in the bombings, according to U.S. officials briefed on the probe.

In another development, Russian officials revealed details about contacts between the older brother and suspected Islamist radicals in the Caucasus, including Internet exchanges that led to concerns by investigators that he was trying to join up with jihadist fighters.

Speaking Monday about the DNA discovery, the U.S. officials cautioned that there could be multiple explanations for why genetic material from someone other than the two bombing suspects—Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his younger brother, Dzhokhar—could have been found on remnants of the exploded devices. It could have come, for example, from a store clerk who handled materials used in the bombs or a stray hair that ended up in the bomb.

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My Comment: I guess this explains why the FBI did this today.

Presidents Obama And Putin Discuss The Boston Marathon Bombing

Photo: Reuters

Obama, Putin Discuss Boston Bombing on Phone -- RIA Novosti

WASHINGTON, April 29 (RIA Novosti) – US President Barack Obama told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone call Monday that he appreciates Russia’s assistance in the investigation of the deadly Boston Marathon attack earlier this month, the White House said in a statement.

During the call, Obama reiterated “his appreciation for the close cooperation that the United States has received from Russia” concerning the attack, in which two men with ties to Russia’s restive North Caucasus region are suspected of detonating two bombs that killed three people and wounded more than 250 near the finish line of the race, the White House said.

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More News On U.S. - Russian Anti-Terrorism Cooperation

Putin, Obama discuss intensifying anti-terrorism cooperation -- Washington Post/AP
Putin, Obama speak again amid probe into Tamerlan Tsarnaev -- Christian Science Monitor
Obama thanks Russia for bombing help, while top Republicans question helpfulness -- FOX News
Kremlin says Putin, Obama agree security contacts after Boston -- Reuters
After Boston Bombing, American Ties With Russia Improve -- New York Times
On Boston Marathon Bombing, Russia's Putin Has Regrets -- Forbes

Obama And Putin Discuss Syria

Obama, Putin Discuss Syria And Claims That It Used Chemical Weapons -- McClatchy News

WASHINGTON — Even as the White House said it still lacked proof that Syria unleashed chemical weapons against its people, President Barack Obama on Monday raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to reach out one of Syria’s key allies.

In a telephone call between the two leaders on a range of topics, Obama brought up the Syrian conflict, “underscoring concern over Syrian chemical weapons,” administration officials said in a statement.

The administration has long been frustrated with Russian resistance to U.S. efforts to tighten sanctions against Syria, but it said that Obama and Putin had agreed to stay in “close consultation,” and that Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would continue the discussions.

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More News On Presidents Putin And Obama Discussing Syria

Obama stresses Syria chemical weapons worries in call with Putin -- Reuters
Obama voices Syria chemical weapons concern to Putin -- BBC
Obama tells Putin of Syria weapons concern -- The Australian
Obama, Putin Discuss Syria Chemical Weapons Reports -- RTT
Obama, Putin discuss Syria, agree to meet in Russia -- Xinhuanet

My Comment: I know that the White House is hoping that by discussing the Syrian crisis with world leaders it may (eventually) result in a consensus on what should be done next .... but the Syrian civil war is now completely out of control .... and lets face facts .... no one is interested in negotiating a "peaceful" resolution to the conflict. And as for the U.S. "red line" on using chemical weapons .... everyone now knows that there is no U.S. commitment to enforce that position .... hence .... what little leverage the U.S. had before is now gone.

260,000 Died Starving In Somalia In 2011

Famine- 260,000 Died Starving In Somalia In 2011; Half Were Children, Says Report -- Christian Post

New Report More Than Doubles Initial Death Toll for 2011 Crisis

In a famine, 260,000 died of starvation in Somalia, with at least half of victims being children aged 5 and under, a new report found. The famine, which happened in late 2010 and early 2011, killed more than twice the amount of people officials originally thought.

The famine in which 260,000 died was a combination of several factors: signs of food shortages across East Africa went largely ignored by the international community; radical militants exacerbated the problem by hindering food aid and deliveries across central Somalia; and many of the malnourished were unable to survive the journey out of the country due to sickness, hunger, or the militant extremists.

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Update #1: Famine 260,000 died: 2011 Somali famine killed hundreds of thousands -- Examiner
Update #2: Report: 260,000 Died in Somali Famine -- AP

My Comment: If political instability and civil war returns .... expect the return of another famine.

Tensions Rising On The China-India Border

Image courtesy: University of Texas

Old Tensions, Big Stakes In China-India Border Dispute -- Tao Duanfang, World Crunch

On April 15th, India announced that an "intrusion" of around 50 Chinese military personnel had crossed onto the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, and set up a tent camp. The Indian military immediately responded with tit for tat camp of tents nearby. Thus started the so-called “Tents Confrontation” standoff.

The Ladakh region belongs to Indian-controlled Kashmir, and is known for both its very harsh weather, and its historic place as part of the extended Silk Road. It has also always been the source of a sovereignty dispute between China and India.

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More News On Chinese - Indian Border Tensions

Chinese troops up ante, erect another tent at incursion site -- Times of India
Chinese troops erect one more tent at DBO, standoff enters 3rd week -- Zee News
China ramps up incursion confrontation, puts up another tent in Ladakh -- Indian Express
China India’s biggest enemy, Mulayam says -- Times of India
China biggest enemy of India, Pakistan no threat: Mulayam -- New York Daily News
China’s Ladakh intrusion: Two maps tell this dangerous story -- First Post
Amid improving Sino-Indian ties, border stand-off baffles the experts -- South China Morning Post
THE BIGGER PICTURE: China's motives remain a mystery -- Manoj Joshi, Daily Mail

Israeli Prime Minister: Iran Hasn't Crossed Nuclear "Red Line"

Netanyahu draws red line in UN Assembly (Photo: Reuters)

Netanyahu Says Iran Hasn't Crossed Nuclear "Red Line" -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday Iran had not crossed the "red line" he set for its nuclear program, despite an assessment to the contrary by a former Israeli intelligence chief.

At the United Nations in September, Netanyahu drew a red line across a cartoon bomb to illustrate the point at which he said Iran will have amassed enough uranium at 20 percent fissile purity to fuel one nuclear bomb if enriched further. He said then that Iran could reach that threshold by mid-2013.

Last week, Amos Yadlin, a former chief of Israeli military intelligence, told a security conference in Tel Aviv that "the Iranians have crossed the red line" Netanyahu drew at the U.N. General Assembly.

Without referring directly to Yadlin, Netanyahu said at a meeting on Monday of his Likud-Beitenu parliamentary faction that Iran's nuclear activities remained short of his benchmark.

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More News On Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Stating That Iran Hasn't Crossed Nuclear "Red Line"

Israeli leader says Iran has not yet crossed nuclear weapons ‘red line’ -- Washington Post/AP
Netanyahu says Iran yet to cross nuclear 'red line' -- Global Post/AFP
Netanyahu Says Iran Hasn’t Yet Crossed His Nuclear ‘Red Line’ -- Bloomberg
PM: Iran hasn't reached 'red line' in nuke program -- Jerusalem post
Netanyahu says Iran hasn't crossed 'red-line' -- YNet News
Iran hasn’t crossed red line… yet, Netanyahu says -- Times of Israel
Analysis: Israeli credibility on line over Iran nuclear challenge -- Crispian Balmer and Dan Williams, Reuters

WNU Editor: Israel's former head of Israel's military intelligence is disagreeing with this assessment.

‘Explosive’ Benghazi Hearings ‘Coming?

Rep. Trey Gowdy: ‘Explosive’ Benghazi Hearings ‘Coming Quickly’ -- Washington Times

Rep. Trey Gowdy, appearing on Fox News on Saturday afternoon, promised that “explosive” congressional hearings over the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, are “coming quickly.”

“There are more Benghazi hearings coming; I think they’re going to be explosive,” Mr. Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican who is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told Fox’s Uma Pemmaraju.

Mr. Gowdy wasn’t able to give out too many details, but he hinted that the public for the first time might hear from witnesses to the terror attack that left four Americans dead.

“I am bound by certain measures of confidentiality, but I would tell you that you are getting very warm,” Mr. Gowdy said when asked by Ms. Pemmaraju whether witnesses could be coming forward. “[The hearings] are coming sooner rather than later.”

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My Comment: I can only presume that some of the surviving witnesses are now coming forward wanting to testify. How do I know that this is the case .... the U.S. State Department is getting nervous, blocking the granting of security clearances for their lawyers.

This is an outrage .... and what is even more outrageous is that the U.S. mainstream media is ignoring the story.

Update: Obama administration officials threatened whistle-blowers on Benghazi, lawyer says -- FOX News

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- April 29, 2013

West In Denial Over Syria Chemical Weapons Use -- Michael Weiss, NOW

Following allegations from Britain, France, Israel, and Qatar that the Syrian regime had deployed chemical weapons in Aleppo and Damascus, the Obama administration yesterday confirmed that U.S. intelligence, "with varying degrees of confidence," shared the same view. In a letter sent to Senators Carl Levin and John McCain, the White House's Congressional liaison Miguel Rodriguez added that this assessment was "based in part on physiological samples" and that the agent used was most likely sarin. Rodriguez further stipulated that any such use would "very likely having originated with the Assad regime," although how victims may have been exposed to the deadly nerve agent remains undetermined. According to The Financial Times, two different sets of blood samples were analyzed, one by American authorities, the other by Britain's Defence Science Technology Laboratory. Perhaps reacting to the initial skepticism of administration officials, anonymously quoted in a New York Times article that threw cold water on the IDF's foremost intelligence analyst's claims of sarin use, Israel's deputy defense minister Danny Danon today told CNN today: "I will not go into specifics, but I can tell you very clear [sic] that we know that Syria has used chemical weapons."

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Syrian regime's core supporters begin to drift away -- Tom Peter, Christian Science Monitor

Is the U.S. Set to Intervene in Syria? -- Matthew Duss, American Prospect

Karzai’s ‘ghost money’—he warned us in 2008 -- Olivier Knox, Yahoo! News/The Ticket

Analysis: Israeli credibility on line over Iran nuclear challenge -- Crispian Balmer and Dan Williams, Reuters

The Israelis can benefit from this period of quiet -- David Ignatius, Daily Star

Are British universities training Iranian nuclear physicists? The Foreign Office doesn't want to tell us -- Matthew Holehouse, The Telegraph

Will pre-election violence impact Pakistan's elections? -- Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor

Is Pakistan a Failing State? -- Gustav Ranis, Real Clear World

Germany Isn't Stupid; It Has a French Nightmare -- Marc Champion, Bloomberg

Crisis Has Europe Clamoring to Mine -- Luke Dale-Harris, Spiegel Online

The European dream is in dire need of a reality check -- Simon Jenkins, The Guardian

Will Boston Probe Falter Like Benghazi? -- Debra Saunders, Real Clear Politics

Benghazi report revives troubling questions -- Michael Barone, Washington Examiner

Is your wardrobe killing Bangladeshis, or saving them? -- Doug Sanders, The Globe and Mail

Defense cuts pose an economic quandary for liberals -- Zachary A. Goldfarb, Washington Post

World News Briefs -- April 29, 2013 (Evening Edition)

Obama Voices Syria Chemical Weapons Concern To Putin -- BBC

US President Barack Obama has voiced concern to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about reports that Syria has used chemical weapons.


In a phone conversation, the two leaders agreed to stay in touch on the issue, tasking their foreign ministers to hold further talks.

The US earlier said it had "varying degrees of confidence" that chemical weapons had been used in Syria.

The government in Damascus have denounced the claims as "lies".

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama tells Putin of concern over Syrian chemical arms.

Syrian prime minister survives Damascus bombing, six die.

REPORT: The Israeli Air Force flew into Syria and bombed a chemical weapons plant. FSA says Israeli jets hit chemical site.

Israel lawmaker claims Hezbollah getting chemicals.

Israel: Iran has not crossed nuclear 'red line'.

In changing region, U.S. committed to military ties with Gulf Arabs.

Iraq: Deadly car bombs hit Shia provinces. 36 dead, dozens wounded in Iraq car bomb attacks on Shiite cities.

Iraq said to halt Al Jazeera’s license, closes Jordanian border.

Three Britons who claimed Dubai police tortured them jailed on drugs charges.

In changing region, U.S. committed to military ties with Gulf Arabs.

ASIA

Pre-election violence continues in Pakistan.

Russia, Japan demand N.Korea comply with UN resolutions.

Seven killed in US cargo plane crash at Afghan base.

Taliban marks start of 'monumental' spring offensive with deadly attack.

Lawyers, public chant "hang him" as Bangladesh building owner led to court.

Pakistan violence forces parties to scale back election campaigning.

China military planes flew close to disputed isles: report.

Russia and Japan to discuss disputed islands.

South Korea to withdraw last workers from Kaesong joint-venture with North. North Korea holds back seven South Koreans at industrial zone.

North Korea to build replica of Big Ben in Pyongyang theme park.

Burma report backs security boost for Rakhine.

Everest: Climbers Steck and Moro in fight with Sherpas.

AFRICA

Nelson Mandela 'in good spirits' say visiting ANC leaders.

Armed protest in Libya prompts congress to postpone sitting.

French soldier killed by northern Mali roadside bomb.

Mali braced for food shortages as conflict leaves a mark.

Darfur conflict: Sudan's bloody stalemate.

South Sudan returnees still live in limbo.

For Boko Haram, U.S. tries to handle with care; Nigerian Islamists tied to al Qaeda.

Kenya chief justice denies taking bribe in presidential petition.

Report: 260,000 died in Somali famine.

EUROPE

Obama and Putin discuss security in phone call.

EU to ban pesticides blamed for harming bees.

Europe's youngest king to be crowned as Prince Charles watches on.

Explosion shakes central Prague, as many as 40 injured. Powerful blast injures up to 40 in Prague.

Russia raids group with ties to militant in video posted by Boston bombing suspect.

British voters see more gloom in years ahead: poll.

France to slash 24K military jobs, seeking savings.

Greek parliament approves 15,000 civil service job cuts.

German inflation slows to lowest level since 2010.

Cyprus to limit president's immunity from prosecution.

AMERICAS

Wreckage found in Manhattan was from 9/11 plane: Boeing.

Boston bombing case may take years to unfold.

Mother of Boston bomb suspects insists sons are innocent.

Lawmakers: There are ‘persons of interest’ in Boston bombing in U.S..

U.S.-Mexico alliance against drug cartels in jeopardy.

2 dead, 11 wounded in alleged FARC attack.

Venezuela to audit votes without opposition conditions.

American charged, ex-general held in Venezuela.

6 months after Sandy: Many recovered, thousands still homeless.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Military says 100 of 166 prisoners now on hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay.

Yemenis languish in Guantanamo prison with scant hope of release.

Eight men convicted by Saudi court on terrorism charges.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China becomes biggest PC market in 2012 - IHS report.

Virgin Galactic is one supersonic trip closer to actual space tourism.

Samsung launches 7-inch budget Tablet.

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed till second-half 2015.

US consumers keep spending despite reduced pay.

Boston Marathon’s Bombing Unanswered Questions

Four Enduring Mysteries About the Boston Bombings -- Michael Crowley, Time

Two weeks after the Boston marathon bombings killed three people and injured hundreds more, one suspect is dead and another is in custody and charged with a capital crime. The basic outlines of the story of the Tsarnaev brothers seem clear. Yet recent news reports and comments from members of Congress underscore that critical questions about their alleged crimes remain unanswered, complicating the emerging debate over what lessons America should draw from the horror on Boylston Street. Here are the most pressing:

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Update #1: Boston’s unanswered questions -- Tim Roemer, Politico
Update #2: Boston Marathon bombings: Unanswered questions -- Joel Achenbach, Washington Post

My Comment: I expect most of these questions will .... one day .... be answered. What may not be answered are the links that foreign intelligence agencies have with the U.S. in red flagging these terror suspects .... which is something that I do understand.