Bradley Manning's lawyer tries to get charges dismissed
By Paul Courson
The U.S. Army soldier suspected of leaking a trove of classified military and diplomatic information to WikiLeaks cannot get a fair trial because prosecutors have failed to comply with the rules of court-martial, Bradley Manning's attorney said Thursday at a hearing at Fort Meade in Maryland. The hearing is the latest in the Manning case which is expected to go to military trial this year.
David Coombs, a private attorney whose fees have been paid by Manning supporters around the world, handed a military judge a motion to dismiss all 22 charges Manning is facing.
FBI on guard against terrorist cyber attacks
By Carol Cratty
FBI Director Robert Mueller said Thursday he is concerned about the potential for terrorists mounting cyber attacks and that the bureau is working "to stay ahead of these threats, both at home and abroad."
"While to date terrorists have not used the Internet to launch a full-scale cyber attack, we cannot underestimate their intent," Mueller testified to a Senate Appropriations subcommittee in which lawmakers pressed him about what additional funding and laws may be necessary to combat the cyber threat.
Mueller did not provide many details during the public session, but later met with senators behind closed doors to provide additional information.
New details on Camp Bastion attack
From CNN Pentagon Correspondent Chris Lawrence:
Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby says Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's plane had just landed Wednesday at Camp Bastion airfield in Afghanistan when an Afghan man wearing a desert utility uniform drove a stolen vehicle onto the runway in what was believed to be a targeted attack. Kirby told Pentagon reporters that the suspect "drove it at a high rate of speed at individuals who had to get out of the way to avoid being hit."
There was communication between those on the ground and officials onboard Panetta's plane, and the plane was diverted to another area of the runway.
Kirby said the British vehicle had stolen about 30 minutes before the attack. "We have reason to believe he intended harm. How, exactly, we don't know. But he stole the vehicle with intent to harm." Kirby confirmed that there was "a flash of smoke in the cab," and Defense officials said yesterday the Afghan man was seen running from the vehicle as it was burning.
Kirby also said that gasoline cylinders were found in the cab of the truck, but no explosives.
Despite the specific timing of the attack, Kirby said "We have no indication he knew who was on the plane, that there was a VIP arriving."
A U.S. military official said the interpreter who allegedly stole the vehicle, died Thursday from his injuries.
FBI: Afghan civilian killings could spark attacks in U.S.
By Carol Cratty
The alleged murder of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier could spur retaliatory violence in the United States, a law enforcement advisory by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned.
The intelligence bulletin, which was issued Wednesday to state and local law enforcement partners, says "there is currently no specific, credible threat information" that extremists might strike targets in the United States.
However, the document, which was obtained by CNN, notes the March 11 killings of the Afghans is the latest in a series of events in Afghanistan that could cause anger and possibly lead to violent action.
"The FBI and DHS are concerned that this event could contribute to the radicalization or mobilization of homegrown violent extremists in the Homeland, particularly against U.S.-based military targets," the bulletin said.
Karzai urges American pullback after massacre
By Sara Sidner
American troops should pull out of outposts in Afghan villages to their main bases, Afghan President Hamid Karzai told U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday, Karzai's office said, days after an American soldier was accused of leaving his outpost and killing 16 Afghan men, women and children in their villages.
Karzai called the shootings in Kandahar province a cruel act against the people of Afghanistan, and told Panetta that Afghans have lost trust in international forces, the presidential palace said in a statement.
Afghan Taliban suspend talks
By Wires Staff
The Afghan Taliban announced Thursday they have suspended a diplomatic office in Qatar intended for talks with the United States. The group cited what it described as the Americans' "alternating and ever-changing position" for the decision.
The Taliban had opened the office on January 3 "for the purposes of reaching an understanding with the international community and for addressing some specific issues with the American invaders after arriving at an agreement with the government of Qatar," the group said in a statement.
Thursday's announcement came shortly after U.S. officials said they had moved a U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 civilians out of Afghanistan and on the day that U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was meeting in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai.
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