US Capitol officials seek two more months of National Guard help amid threats


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US Capitol Police and security officials want a renewed emergency declaration to extend the National Guard presence at the Capitol possibly into May, a source said.

About 5,000 National Guard troops still in Washington since the January 6 riot at the Capitol are set to return home by March 12, and a new emergency declaration would have them stay for another two months, the source said.

The exact size of the presence during that time could change, but some will probably stay to allow for a quick response if needed.

The Capitol Police are required to make a formal request to the National Guard Bureau for an extension of the troops’ presence.

Tension heightened this week amid warnings of another planned attack on the Capitol on Thursday by a right-wing militia group, but by midday that had not occurred.

Nevertheless, the House cancelled plans for votes and other events late on Wednesday after the threat, which was described in alerts from the FBI, Homeland Security and Capitol Police.

The Senate remained in session.

Law enforcement officials from federal agencies say there are continuing security threats to the Capitol building and politicians.

A barrier of fencing and razor wire was placed around the Capitol after a mob of former president Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building.

Robert Salesses, an acting assistant defence secretary, told two Senate committees on Wednesday that military officials did not yet know how long National Guard troops would stay at the Capitol.

Mr Salesses said a meeting was planned for next week on the subject.

On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said such decisions were up to security officials.

But Ms Pelosi said there was now a draft report of an initial security review led by retired Lt Gen Russel Honore of Capitol Complex security after the January assault.

National Guard spokeswoman Darla Torres said there was no decision on extension requests and that approval would come from the Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin.

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Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

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While you're here
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."