- Australian police have said some of the four people arrested in Melbourne today are linked to acts of terror in Somalia.
The four and another one, are believed to have been planning a suicide attack at the country’s army base before they were cornered at the crack of dawn today.
The suspects are said to be Australian nationals of Somali and Lebanese descent.
"Police believe members of a Melbourne-based group have been undertaking planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia and [are] allegedly involved in hostilities in Somalia," a statement from the police said.
According to the statement and media reports, the attack would have been the most serious terrorist attack on Australian.
The group is further alleged to have been seeking a religious approval to launch the attack, while prosecutors have also reportedly told the court they had evidence some of the men had taken part in training and fighting in Somalia along the al-Shabab group, which seeks to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government and is believed to have links to al-Qaeda.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was quoted in the media after the arrests, saying: "The sobering element of today's development is the reminder to all Australians that the threat of terrorism is alive and well, and this requires continued vigilance on the part of our security authorities."
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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