Russia's heroin problem and ongoing battles over Afghan poppy fields

Washington Post piece. Depressing statistic: Russia has 2 million addicts who consume 21 of the world supply. Even more depressing statistic: in 2001 when Taliban in control, production minute. After coalition invaded, in 2002 production rose to 3,000 tons By 2008, at 8,000 tons and was supposed to have dipped last year to 7,000 tons. Mostly grown in Kandahar and Helmand...It seems a long time since John Reid told us that the UK was sending troops to Helmand to eradicate opium poppy production. Remember? It was January 2006, actually, according to the Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7146449.ece

Chechnya is more violent than reported

Ivan Syoduruk, Deputy Prosecutor for the North Caucasus speaking to a Russian senatorial committee said 23 militia and soldiers being killed a week. 40% of population are unemployed. Figures are totally at odds with the complacency displayed by Putin and Medvedev.

Fake Parts "Endanger Flight Safety"

No, really...14,000 counterfeits out of 60,000 inspected...Thats not good. But how many is it in other countries? How big is trade in counterfeit aircraft parts? there's something else to worry about next time you're flying to Italy...after all, they have counterfeit road tunnels!

Travelling to Canada risks four years in jail

there must be many other countries where identifying your unit and the place where it is deployed are matters of national security. Bloomin Canucks!

Woman arrested in Yemen

Italian take on the devices discovered en route for cargo planes to US.

Russians join US troops in Afghanistan drugs raid

A Long March begins with the first step. Now lets cooperate with the Chinese too...

Al Qaeda is a bigger threat than 10 years ago

Excellent interview with Michael F. Scheuer, former head of the CIA's bin Laden unit. Never thought I would agree with so much an American "expert" had to say. Respect, Michael!

Rescued from the shredder: Carlos the Jackal's missing years

This explains why the intelligence agencies of the West were so certain of an East German connection in the 1970s. A link to the Focus magazine would be more than welcome, or to anyone who has translated the Focus article into English. Who were his bodyguards and why did they sell him out in the Sudan?

Parliament freezes EU police college funds over dodgy accounts

But dont worry, its all better now!

Yemen cargo plane carried explosives, Dubai police say.

here's the reason why no-one will stop the Metropolitan police conducting fruitless and irritating stop and searches. Nothing to do with the mid-term elections in the US, I don't suppose...Take your shoes off Lucy, dont you know you're in an airport?