Terrorist Attacks (within the United States or against Americans abroad)

1920
Sept. 16, New York City: TNT bomb planted in unattended horse-drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street opposite House of Morgan, killing 35 people and injuring hundreds more. Bolshevist or anarchist terrorists believed responsible, but crime never solved.

1975
Jan. 24, New York City: bomb set off in historic Fraunces Tavern killed 4 and injured more than 50 people. Puerto Rican nationalist group (FALN) claimed responsibility, and police tied 13 other bombings to the group.

1979
Nov. 4, Tehran, Iran: Iranian radical students seized the U.S. embassy, taking 66 hostages. 14 were later released. The remaining 52 were freed after 444 days on the day of President Reagan's inauguration.

1982–1991
Lebanon: Thirty US and other Western hostages kidnapped in Lebanon by Hezbollah. Some were killed, some died in captivity, and some were eventually released. Terry Anderson was held for 2,454 days.

1983
April 18, Beirut, Lebanon: U.S. embassy destroyed in suicide car-bomb attack; 63 dead, including 17 Americans. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
Oct. 23, Beirut, Lebanon: Shiite suicide bombers exploded truck near U.S. military barracks at Beirut airport, killing 241 marines. Minutes later a second bomb killed 58 French paratroopers in their barracks in West Beirut.
Dec. 12, Kuwait City, Kuwait: Shiite truck bombers attacked the U.S. embassy and other targets, killing 5 and injuring 80.

1984
Sept. 20, east Beirut, Lebanon: truck bomb exploded outside the U.S. embassy annex, killing 24, including 2 U.S. military.
Dec. 3, Beirut, Lebanon: Kuwait Airways Flight 221, from Kuwait to Pakistan, hijacked and diverted to Tehran. 2 Americans killed.

1985
April 12, Madrid, Spain: Bombing at restaurant frequented by U.S. soldiers, killed 18 Spaniards and injured 82.
June 14, Beirut, Lebanon: TWA Flight 847 en route from Athens to Rome hijacked to Beirut by Hezbollah terrorists and held for 17 days. A U.S. Navy diver executed.
Oct. 7, Mediterranean Sea: gunmen attack Italian cruise ship, Achille Lauro. One U.S. tourist killed. Hijacking linked to Libya.
Dec. 18, Rome, Italy, and Vienna, Austria: airports in Rome and Vienna were bombed, killing 20 people, 5 of whom were Americans. Bombing linked to Libya.

1986
April 2, Athens, Greece:A bomb exploded aboard TWA flight 840 en route from Rome to Athens, killing 4 Americans and injuring 9.
April 5, West Berlin, Germany: Libyans bombed a disco frequented by U.S. servicemen, killing 2 and injuring hundreds.

1988
Dec. 21, Lockerbie, Scotland: N.Y.-bound Pan-Am Boeing 747 exploded in flight from a terrorist bomb and crashed into Scottish village, killing all 259 aboard and 11 on the ground. Passengers included 35 Syracuse University students and many U.S. military personnel. Libya formally admitted responsibility 15 years later (Aug. 2003) and offered $2.7 billion compensation to victims' families.

1993
Feb. 26, New York City: bomb exploded in basement garage of World Trade Center, killing 6 and injuring at least 1,040 others. In 1995, militant Islamist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 9 others were convicted of conspiracy charges, and in 1998, Ramzi Yousef, believed to have been the mastermind, was convicted of the bombing. Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected.

1995
April 19, Oklahoma City: car bomb exploded outside federal office building, collapsing wall and floors. 168 people were killed, including 19 children and 1 person who died in rescue effort. Over 220 buildings sustained damage. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols later convicted in the antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Tex., exactly 2 years earlier. (See Miscellaneous Disasters.)
Nov. 13, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: car bomb exploded at U.S. military headquarters, killing 5 U.S. military servicemen.

1996
June 25, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia: truck bomb exploded outside Khobar Towers military complex, killing 19 American servicemen and injuring hundreds of others. 13 Saudis and a Lebanese, all alleged members of Islamic militant group Hezbollah, were indicted on charges relating to the attack in June 2001.

1998
Aug. 7, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: truck bombs exploded almost simultaneously near 2 U.S. embassies, killing 224 (213 in Kenya and 11 in Tanzania) and injuring about 4,500. 4 men connected with al-Qaeda 2 of whom had received training at al-Qaeda camps inside Afghanistan, were convicted of the killings in May 2001 and later sentenced to life in prison. A federal grand jury had indicted 22 men in connection with the attacks, including Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who remained at large.

2000
Oct. 12, Aden, Yemen: U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole heavily damaged when a small boat loaded with explosives blew up alongside it. 17 sailors killed. Linked to Osama bin Laden, or members of al-Qaeda terrorist network.

2001
Sept. 11, New York City, Arlington, Va., and Shanksville, Pa.: hijackers crashed 2 commercial jets into twin towers of World Trade Center; 2 more hijacked jets were crashed into the Pentagon and a field in rural Pa. Total dead and missing numbered 2,9921: 2,749 in New York City, 184 at the Pentagon, 40 in Pa., and 19 hijackers. Islamic al-Qaeda terrorist group blamed. (See September 11, 2001: Timeline of Terrorism.)

2002
June 14, Karachi, Pakistan: bomb explodes outside American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12. Linked to al-Qaeda.

2003
May 12, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: suicide bombers kill 34, including 8 Americans, at housing compounds for Westerners. Al-Qaeda suspected.

2004
May 29–31, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: terrorists attack the offices of a Saudi oil company in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, take foreign oil workers hostage in a nearby residential compound, leaving 22 people dead including one American.
June 11–19, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: terrorists kidnap and execute Paul Johnson Jr., an American, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2 other Americans and BBC cameraman killed by gun attacks.
Dec. 6, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: terrorists storm the U.S. consulate, killing 5 consulate employees. 4 terrorists were killed by Saudi security.

2005
Nov. 9, Amman, Jordan: suicide bombers hit 3 American hotels, Radisson, Grand Hyatt, and Days Inn, in Amman, Jordan, killing 57. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility.

2006
Sept. 13, Damascus, Syria: an attack by four gunman on the American embassy is foiled.

2007
Jan. 12, Athens, Greece: the U.S. embassy is fired on by an anti-tank missile causing damage but no injuries.
Dec. 11, Algeria: more than 60 people are killed, including 11 United Nations staff members, when Al Qaeda terrorists detonate two car bombs near Algeria's Constitutional Council and the United Nations offices.
2008
May 26, Iraq: a suicide bomber on a motorcycle kills six U.S. soldiers and wounds 18 others in Tarmiya.
June 24, Iraq: a suicide bomber kills at least 20 people, including three U.S. Marines, at a meeting between sheiks and Americans in Karmah, a town west of Baghdad.
June 12, Afghanistan: four American servicemen are killed when a roadside bomb explodes near a U.S. military vehicle in Farah Province.
July 13, Afghanistan: nine U.S.soldiers and at least 15 NATO troops die when Taliban militants boldly attack an American base in Kunar Province, which borders Pakistan. It's the most deadly against U.S. troops in three years.
Aug. 18 and 19, Afghanistan: as many as 15 suicide bombers backed by about 30 militants attack a U.S. military base, Camp Salerno, in Bamiyan. Fighting between U.S. troops and members of the Taliban rages overnight. No U.S. troops are killed.
Sept. 16, Yemen: a car bomb and a rocket strike the U.S. embassy in Yemen as staff arrived to work, killing 16 people, including 4 civilians. At least 25 suspected al-Qaeda militants are arrested for the attack.

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Eco-friendly textiles put industry under spotlight

Taiwan's textile industry may have been declining over the past few years, but it has not lost its edge as visitors concluded during one of the largest sector fairs in Asia. Despite the present global economic downturn, the island's manufacturers managed to attract the attention with their innovative specialty fabrics. Taiwan successfully showcased the island's transition from a producer of functional textiles to fashionable organic products, which were the highlights of the fair together with fabrics made from recycled materials, for which the nation's producers are also renowned. Taiwan Journal contributor Manik Mehta reports from the fair.






The ongoing financial meltdown has certainly left its ugly scars on a number of industries around the world, including the textile industry, but many Taiwan-based companies are confident that they can convert the challenges facing them into opportunities.

This was evident at the recent Interstoff Asia Essential Autumn fair, held in Hong Kong from Oct. 8 to 10, which the organizing Hong Kong-based Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. touts as the "home of cutting-edge textiles."

In keeping with the current trends, the 13 exhibitors from Taiwan--11 of them had participated under the aegis of the Taiwan Textile Federation, the Taipei-based industry association--played up their strong attributes as suppliers of organic, eco-friendly and functional fabrics and deployed the show as a prime marketing platform. They attracted envious looks, particularly from mainland participants who had gathered at the event not only to sell their products but also to get a closer look at what competing countries were offering in terms of designs, materials and manufacturing technology.

In Taiwan, the textile industry dates back almost 60 years and has made a major contribution to the island's economy. It still has the reputation for producing good quality textiles, even though, for the past few years the industry has been declining because of ongoing low-cost competition, mostly from mainland China and India.

Nevertheless, Taiwan has managed to keep its edge by manufacturing functional textiles, such as quick-dry or anti-bacterial fabrics. Nowadays the nation is still one of the largest producers of manmade fibers in the world, with total exports reaching US$8.58 billion last year.

The downturn of the global economy was hotly debated during the three-day event, with many Asian suppliers wondering how much the situation will affect their shipments.

The TTF Secretary-General Justin Huang said that the immediate response to the crisis would be a "moderation in consumption" and that people would expect their clothes to last longer. "It means consumers will be more focused on quality and longevity, as it's already happening, for example, in Scandinavia," Huang explained during an interview with the Taiwan Journal.

However, he rejected the doomsday prediction, taking a long-term optimistic view of the effect on the island. "For Taiwan's manufacturers, this spells opportunities because of their innovations in product durability. Chemical fibers already have this property. Let's also not forget that Taiwan is renowned for the quality of its products," he said.

Huang pointed out that Taiwan has been focusing on functional fabrics but need now to concentrate more on marketing by working on designs and colors. According to the TTF secretary-general, the island's textiles already enjoy international reputation.

"Buyers are always looking for reliable sources. Taiwan's forte lies in its technology, which even South Koreans acknowledge is better than their own. Also, our products are cheaper than Japan's." Huang also pointed out that with the current trend for functional and recycled products, more and more designers will become interested in their fabrics. "Stella McCartney, the famous stylist, collaborated with Adidas on manufacturing functional textiles which were made in Taiwan," he pointed out.

Just as organic food has become part of today's culinary culture, organic garments and fabrics will become part of the clothing culture. The emphasis on preserving and protecting the environment has become an overriding principle worldwide.

"Taiwan's manufacturers have established joint ventures with foreign companies to produce fabrics using recycled materials. We even make functional recycled polyester. Recycled textiles, though, are generally more expensive because of the intricate manufacturing process," Huang argued.

A total of 199 exhibitors from 11 countries participated in this year's fair and offered medium to high-end products, but many of them were no longer focusing on the usual Western markets. "We discern a gradual shift in the global textile trade. ... Suppliers are no longer just concentrating on the traditional markets in the West. They are also looking at markets in Asia, notably mainland China. Taiwanese companies are well positioned to foray into the mainland with their innovative and good quality products, considering that many consumers there are now cash-rich and are in a position to buy upper-end goods," explained Detlev Braun, managing director of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the fair organizer.

As a niche event, which brings together suppliers and buyers of the most cutting-edge textiles available in the global marketplace, Interstoff Asia provided a show window for fabrics made from eco-friendly materials, whose manufacturing process has minimum impact on the environment. Taiwanese exhibitors also showcased fabrics which have a multifunctional purpose or offer a range of properties, such as UV-protection, that add to their intrinsic value.

Taiwan's focus on functional, fashionable and green textiles also conformed to the three attributes emphasized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. According to Wendy Wen, the director of the fair, this should attract more clothing designers in the future. "We have introduced the so-called 'silver label' which is a full-fledged certification of eco-friendly products. The Austrian manufacturer Lenzing is the only one so far to have the 'silver label' certification for its products. We also have the 'green label' which is a certification for partial environmentally friendly products," she explained.

Yitzac Goldstein, director of development and production at the Dalian-based Texorganix in mainland China, was euphoric about the future of organic textiles, adding that Taiwan, as a pioneer in the field, had a good opportunity to tap into the mainland market where consumers are becoming increasingly interested in this kind of fabrics.

"Judging from what I see here at Taiwanese booths, I believe the island's manufacturers are on the right track as far as current and future trends go," Goldstein commented.

Although many exhibitors at the fair expressed fears of a global recession, others considered the show as an essential platform to find new customers, in particular during such difficult times. Taiwan-based A & A Textile was participating again in the Hong Kong event after a lapse of several years. The company, which produces an impressive array of denim fabrics with a wide range of pattern designs, manufactures two million yards of fabric each month and sources cotton from the United States and Turkey, as well as Tencel? a biodegradable fabric made from wood pulp cellulose, from Austria.

"The global market trends presently suggest a slowdown in consumption and our exports have been slightly affected by the ongoing financial crisis. However, we have received a large number of business inquiries at this show, although the volume of orders is low," said Judy Chen, A & A's marketing manager, who pointed out that there were also difficulties in dealing with some buyers because banks have become very cautious in extending credits.

According to Chen, backed by "years of research and production of green textiles," Taiwan is well positioned to penetrate the world markets with its Tencel?and eco-friendly denim which are very much in vogue. "These items are quite popular at other shows as well. We also noticed a trend toward lightweight materials, with customers increasingly looking for comfort," she said.

Another Taiwanese manufacturer, Universal Textile Co. Ltd., also returned to the trade show after a long time. The company, which has a yarn factory and two weaving mills in the Taipei area with a total annual turnover of US$80 million, was exhibiting suiting and functional fabrics. "I received business enquiries from Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe at this show. Taiwan functional fabrics are mostly recycled from polyester. Formerly, manufacturers were not interested in recycling but more and more are going for it because of the growing consciousness for environmental protection. I am convinced that this kind of textiles will be increasingly used in fashion. ... I think Europe will become a strong market for these products," said Byron Chen, Universal Textile's assistant manager.

A spokesman of the Taiwan Export Processing Zone Garment Industry Association from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, said that some of the island's leading manufacturers, such as Far Eastern Textile Ltd., Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd., Tai Yuen Textile Co. and Eclat Textile Co. Ltd., were adapting to comfort and eco-friendliness because textile buyers and consumers were attaching increasing importance to these factors.

"Despite the seemingly somber economic picture ahead of us, we still see opportunity for Taiwan's textile industry. The sector is characterized by change and innovation, which will enable the industry to survive the downturn and then emerge as strong and prosperous," declared the TTF secretary-general.

Taiwan suppliers are also trying to differentiate themselves from their foreign competitors by emphasizing their "efficient flexibility" reflected in their endeavors to improve their position in global competition by providing so-called "total solutions" and establishing partnership and supply-chain relations with buyers.

This differentiation lends Taiwan a cutting-edge advantage because it has helped the island's manufacturers create a niche segment with value-added attributes backed by extensive R&D efforts that not only keep sight of the market trends but also concentrate on cutting costs, the benefits of which are passed down to the buyers and end consumers.

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Indian commandos scoured two luxury Mumbai hotels for the remaining militants holed up inside, more than 36 hours after gunmen stormed the buildings and killed 119 people in attacks across the city.





Security forces descended onto the roof of a Jewish center in the city in an effort to free people held hostage by gunmen, Agence France-Presse reported.

A rabbi, his wife and several other people were being held at the Chabad-Lubavitch Center in Nariman House. Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor told CNN his government had offered Indian security forces help to resolve the crisis.

Eight foreigners were among those killed in the coordinated shootings and explosions across India’s financial hub that began late Nov. 26. The targeting of Westerners marks a shift in tactics for Islamic militants in India as they strike the international links that have helped the country’s economy grow at 9 percent or more for each of the past three years.

“This was a very planned and orchestrated attack, suggesting a more professional terrorist hand at work,” said Rory Medcalf, the Sydney-based Lowy Institute’s program director for international security.

Extremists within India are concerned about the government’s “closer alignment with the West,” Medcalf, a former official at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

Grenades, Rifles

Terrorists armed with grenades and rifles had forced their way into the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel and the Oberoi Trident complex, saying they were targeting Americans and Britons.

All hostages were freed from the Taj late yesterday, though security forces were still moving through the hotel in search of terrorists, police said. At the Oberoi, at least 15 people were rescued and commandos continued to search for militants.

Three U.S. citizens were injured, according to the State Department. An Australian, a Briton, a Japanese and an Italian are confirmed to be among the dead, authorities said. Twenty-two foreign nationals were among 315 people injured in the attacks, according to Mumbai police.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was keeping President George W. Bush updated on the situation in Mumbai, the White House said. Embassy personnel were visiting hospitals and hotels to locate and identify any injured U.S. citizens.

Multiple Attacks

Multiple attacks have rocked India’s cities with bombs planted in markets, theaters and near mosques this year leaving more than 300 people dead.

“We came up against highly motivated terrorists,” Vice- Admiral J.S. Bedi, whose commandos led the assault against the militants, said in televised comments. He showed pictures of recovered hand grenades, tear gas shells and AK47 magazines.

A little known Islamist group called the Deccan Mujahedeen claimed responsibility for the attacks, the Press Trust of India reported.

Security forces were hunting for one injured terrorist at the Taj, who was moving between floors, and two militants at the Oberoi, the Press Trust of India reported, citing J.K. Dutt, director-general of the National Security Guard said.

India will “go after” individuals and organizations behind the attacks, which were “well-planned with external linkages,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a televised address to the nation. The government will take steps to ensure there is no repetition of the terrorist attacks, Singh said.

The Indian Navy captured a ship that was suspected to have dropped terrorists off the coast of Mumbai, IBN7 reported, citing unidentified intelligence officials.

The Vietnam-registered ship, MV Alfa, allegedly came from Karachi, Pakistan, and probably dropped the terrorists in speed boats in the Arabian Sea outside Indian territorial waters, the Hindi-language television channel said.

Indian forces detained two Pakistani merchant ships as part of their search for the planners of the attacks, PTI said.

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Sabina Sehgal Saikia missing in Taj:

The fate of senior journalist and renowned food critic, Sabina Sehgal Saikia remains unknown, as desperate family members tried to establish contact with her but in vain. She was staying at Heritage Taj Hotel in Mumbai, when terrorist attacked the hotel last night. Sabina, who is senior journalist Santanu Saikia’s wife, had gone to Mumbai on official work two days ago and was staying in the room in Heritage Wing of Taj. Santanu Saikia, left for Mumbai this morning, after he failed to establish contact with her since last night. Her cell phone went dead since last night, soon after the terrorist struck the Hotel.

Talking to this newspaper, he said that the wing she was staying in was the first to be attacked by the terrorists. The room was among the first ones that caught fire. A family of a senior executive of the Taj Group of Hotels who were staying in the adjoining room, are feared to have perished in the first wave of attack.

A distraught Saikia, son of founding editor of Gariyoshi, late Chandra Prasad Saikia, said that since last night he had been calling her cell phone but in vain. Till the time of filing of this report, there was no word from Sabina, though military operation had gathered momentum.

The possibility that she may be trapped in one of the rooms or held hostage by the terrorists has not been ruled out, as a desperate Saikia waits for any clue about her fate.

Sabina is the Consulting Editor of the The Times of India and a reputed food critic, and is also known for her culinary expertise. She has authored several books on eating joints in the Capital. Her immensely popular column ‘Main Course’ has accurately charted the business of eating out in the Capital.

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TERRORISTS ATTACK ON MUMBI:

Tata group stocks fall following terrorist attack on Taj Hotels
Economic Times, India - 44 minutes ago
MUMBAI: Shares of Tata Group of companies fell Friday following the heinous terrorist attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel. Except for Tata Consultancy Services, ...
Terrorist Attack in Mumbai Leaves 125 People Dead and A Nation in ... SBIndependent
Eyewitness to terror International Herald Tribune
Terrorist Attacks on Mumbai Approaches 24-Hour Mark; Hostages ... Associated Content
Hollywood Reporter - Guelph Mercury



Mumbai's 3 finest cops matyred in terrorist attack
IBNLive.com, India - 12 hours ago
Mumbai: It was an emotional day for the families of the police officers who laid down their lives while trying to take control of the terrorists’ firing ...
Mumbai policemen who led from the front Hindu
We have clinching evidence: Govt Business Standard
Do we need a federal agency to tackle terrorism? Zee News





Taj Hotels GM's wife, children killed in terrorist attack
Expressindia.com, India - 15 hours ago
Mumbai The wife and the two children of General Manager of Taj Hotels Karambir Kang were killed in the terrorist attack on the hotel. ...
Taj GM’s wife, sons killed Chitramala
4 Mohali residents die in terror attack Indian Express




India Halts Trading of Stocks, Bonds, Rupee on Mumbai Attacks
Bloomberg - 26 Nov 2008
Gunmen armed with rifles and grenades are holding the hostages in India’s first terrorist attack targeting foreigners. The attacks, which have injured 287, ...
Sensex down 137 points in early trade Press Trust of India
Mumbai terrorist attacks don't deter technology companies Computerworld
Mumbai Attacks to Send Indian Shares Sharply Lower Wall Street Journal

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ANDHRA UNIVERSITY B.Ed. RESULTS:October 2008

Click here for B.Ed. Results.

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