Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

From: The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations
Contact: Susan Kniep, President
Website: http://ctact.org/
Email: fctopresident@aol.com
Telephone: 860-841-8032

BREAKING��.NEW EXPLOSION: AT LEAST 10 KILLED

Russia Trolley Attack: Bomb Blast Kills 10 In Same Town As Deadly Train Station Explosion

Reuters | Posted: 12/30/2013 1:18 am EST VOLGOGRAD, Russia, Dec 30 (Reuters) - At least 10 people were killed when a bomb blast ripped through a trolleybus on Monday in the second deadly attack in the Russian city of Volgograd in two days, law enforcement authorities said.

The explosion came a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 17 people in the main railway station of the southern city 40 days before Russia is to hold the Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. ��Continue reading at �.. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/30/russia-trolley-attack_n_4517374.html

*****************

Suicide bombing rocks Russian train station

MOSCOW (AP) - At least 14 people were killed and scores were wounded Sunday by a female suicide bomber at a railway station in southern Russia, officials said, heightening concern about terrorism ahead of February's Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Continue reading at �.. http://www.aol.com/article/2013/12/29/suicide-bomber-kills-14-in-russias-south/20796818/#!slide=2124511&?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk3&pLid=424462

*****************

A Deadly Mix in Benghazi

By David D. Kirkpatrick� NYTIMES�� December 28, 2013

The September 2012 attack on the United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans was led by fighters who had benefited directly from NATO�s extensive air power and logistics support during the uprising against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

And contrary to claims by some members of Congress, it was accelerated in part by anger at an American-made video denigrating Islam. Months of investigation by The New York Times, centered on extensive interviews with Libyans in Benghazi who had direct knowledge of the attack there and its context, turned up no evidence that Al Qaeda or other international terrorist groups had any role in the assault.

A fuller accounting of the attacks suggests lessons for the United States that go well beyond Libya. It shows the risks of expecting American aid in a time of desperation to buy durable loyalty, and the difficulty of discerning friends from allies of convenience in a culture shaped by decades of anti-Western sentiment. Both challenges now hang over the American involvement in Syria�s civil conflict. The attack also suggests that, as the threats from local militants around the region have multiplied, an intensive focus on combating Al Qaeda may distract from safeguarding American interests.�

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/benghazi/#/?chapt=0

Next Chapter

A Rising Militia Leader

This Report is Extensive.� Go to the End of Each Chapter to Continue Reading Excellent Report�..

*****************

Afghanistan: Three NATO troops dead in Kabul suicide attack ...

by Hashmat Baktash ��LATimes December 27, 2013, 8:32 a.m.

KABUL, Afghanistan--Three international service members were killed Friday and at least seven civilians were wounded in a suicide car bomb attack in eastern Kabul, authorities said.

In an email sent to journalists, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-afghanistan-three-nato-troops-dead-kabul-suicide-20131227,0,2057316.story#axzz2osy92oCk

*****************

US sending missiles, drones to help Iraq government fight al Qaeda

By Elise Labott and Tom Cohen, CNN updated 6:46 PM EST, Thu December 26, 2013

Washington (CNN) -- Two years after bringing home U.S. troops from Iraq, the Obama administration is sending Hellfire rockets and ScanEagle surveillance drones to help government forces fight al Qaeda affiliates growing in influence, a State Department official confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

As first reported by The New York Times, a shipment of 75 Hellfire rockets bought by Iraq arrived last week. Plans call for 10 ScanEagle drones to be sent in the early months of 2014. Continue reading at �.. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/26/politics/us-iraq-missiles/