UKRAINE
Ukraine's top court upholds extension of lease on Russian Navy base
Ukraine's Constitutional Court has ruled the prolongation of a lease on Russia's naval base in the Crimea conforms to the country's Constitution. The lease agrement extends Russian naval presence in the port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017, and may be further extended by another five years. (RIA)
IRAN
Iran starts large-scale military drills in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched a three-day military exercise in the Persian Gulf. Iranian military officials have repeatedly warned that if Tehran is attacked, it will Block the Strait of Hormuz. 40% of the world's seaborne oil shipments pass through this strategically important waterway. (REUTERS)
INDIA
Warning issued for possible attacks in India
A series of alerts in India has counter-terrorism experts working overtime. The U.S. Embassy reports increased indications that terrorists are planning attacks in New Delhi. It also added that several markets in the city popular with western tourists could be attractive terrorist target. (CNN)
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/21/security-brief-warning-issued-for-attacks-in-india/
PIRACY
Piracy incidents down but outlaws' reach spreads
Piracy incidents are dropping worldwide, but the hijackers are expanding their area of operation - International Maritime Bureau said. There were 67 incidents of piracy reported worldwide during the first quarter of the year, 35 of which were conducted by Somali pirates. That's a striking drop from the 102 attacks reported during the first quarter of last year. (CNN)
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/04/21/pirates.report/index.html
AFGHANISTAN
U.S. General Gives Notice of More Risk for Germans
Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, warned Germans that the US administration’s new counter-insurgency strategy increased risks for troops serving tere. Opinion polls show that 70% of Germans want their 4,500 troops withdrawn from Afghanistan as the number of casualties rose last week to 43. (NYT)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/world/europe/22iht-germany.html?ref=world
