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Al Qaeda threat: Despite the seriousness of the Al Qaeda threat, the apparent targeting of US interests abroad – rather than in the US proper – suggests the group's aspirations have contracted since 9/11. A Bahraini armored personnel vehicle reinforces US Embassy security just outside a gate to the embassy building in Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. The US has extended the closure of some of its embassies across the Middle East and Africa through the end of this week, amid fears of an imminent attack by Al Qaeda against Western targets within the region. Arthur Bright is the Europe Editor at The Christian Science Monitor.  He has worked for the Monitor in various capacities since 2004, including as the Online News Editor and a regular contributor to the Monitor's Terrorism & Security blog.  He is also a licensed Massachusetts attorney. CNN reports that 15 of the 22 embassies and consulates that the US closed on Sunday, a normal work day in the

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to "constructively engage key members of Boko Haram and define a comprehensive and workable framework for resolving the crisis of insecurity in the country." Announcing the setting up of the committee, a statement by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity stated that the committee's terms of reference will include: -Developing a framework for the granting of amnesty -Setting up of a framework through which disarmament could take place within a 60-day time frame -Development of a comprehensive victims' support programme -Development of mechanisms to address the underlying causes of insurgencies that will help to prevent future occurrences. The committee is made up of the following Nigerians: Committee on dialogue and peaceful resolution of security challenges in the north 1.Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties - Chairman 2.

Seven students and two teachers of the Government Day Secondary School Damaturu, Yobe State, were on Sunday night killed by men suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. The insurgents were also reported to have attacked a military checkpoint around the pilgrims area. Two of the insurgents were, however, killed by the military, while three security personnel were critically wounded during the attack, spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Lazarus Eli, said. He said three of the attackers were captured with various weapons, including one AK47 riffle, one RPG bomb, 48 rounds of 7.62 (special) ammunition. The insurgents, according to eyewitnesses, gained entrance into the school and launched attack on the students at about 9.30 p.m. in their hostel. Mohammed Idi, who had gunshot wounds, told our correspondent at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital that he was shot by one of the insurgents after he came out of the ho

Enlarge photo A female suicide bomber has blown herself up in the southern Russian region of Dagestan, injuring at least 18 people.