2011 US Terror Threat Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary

Security was boosted in major US cities ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Twin Towers attacks on 11th September 2011. While not detailing it, officials have referred to the receipt of a "specific, credible threat" that might involve either Washington DC or New York.

Describing the threat as "uncorroborated", Michael Bloomberg - the Mayor of New York - has nonetheless said more robust security measures will be applied to tunnels, bridges and public transport facilities, while President Obama has urged for general anti-terror efforts to be multiplied.

A 9/11 service was held on Sunday, at the site where the Twin Towers once stood, and the attendee list included both Obama and George W. Bush - US president at the time of the attacks.

Information on the perceived 2011 US terror threat was provided at a media event involving Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and FBI representative Janet Fedarcyk. "Al-Qaeda has shown an interest in important dates and anniversaries", Ms Fedarcyk explained, adding: "In this instance, it is accurate that there is credible, specific but unconfirmed information."

One news source, ABC, has said information was picked up by intelligence organisations referring to three figures that had recently entered the United States and sought to carry out an attack involving vehicles, to mark the 9/11 anniversary. It added that, in the minds of officials, these figures could have originated from Afghanistan and routed through Iran while journeying to the US.

"As we always do before important dates like the anniversary of 9/11, we will undoubtedly get more reporting in the coming days", Homeland Security representative, Matt Chandler, stated.

"Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots under way. Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise.

"We continue to ask the American people to remain vigilant as we head into the weekend."

See also:

High Alert Security Boost After Bin Laden Death

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Europe Ahead: Another busy week awaits investors with central bank decisions

Investors have a date with another handful and hectic week with major data to be revealed following last week’s data from the manufacturing, services and labor sectors.

This week will mainly focus on Central Bank’s decisions where the ECB and the BoE will present the first rate decision in 2011, along with providing investors with the outlook of the region as more data clears the performance in the fourth-quarter of 2010.

Euro Zone Data

Starting with the euro-zone, the week will commence with data that holds little importance to markets, where the industrial production for November will be released, with expectations that the sector’s conditions slowed slightly.

Following that, the ECB will announce its rate decision on January 13, which the bank is highly predicted to preserve at the current low record of 1.00 percent.

Trade figures along with inflationary gauge will also be released later this week, with expectations that the rise in the value of the euro during November, failed to influence prices or have a severe effect on exports.

Inflation still checks with regulators’ limits, where the core CPI in December probably preserved its 1.1 percent rise for another month. Meanwhile, the trade balance will probably show a surplus of €1.7 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, compared with the previous €3.6 billion surplus.

Debt woes remain the major issue in the euro-zone, where the third quarter growth figures that was presented Friday, expressed the scrutiny of government debt on growth as the final GDP for the 16-nation economy back then was revised lower to 0.3 percent, from the previous 0.4 percent advanced reading.

Unemployment remained at 10.1 percent in November with expectations that the labor sector will suffer more as governments continue on slashing spending and public jobs in the region.

The main driver for growth in the region remains Germany, where the Federal Statistics Office will release its 2010 GDP figures with expectations that the economy managed to expand more than 3.5 percent.

UK Data

U.K trade deficit on the other hand is expected to have continued to widen in the previous period, where the visible trade deficit is expected at 8.33 million pounds in November, while the non-EU trade balance will show a deficit of 4.8 million pounds.

The manufacturing and industrial production probably increased in November with the industrial production rising by 0.5% and the manufacturing production rising by 0.4%. On the year, the industrial production rose by 3.3% while the manufacturing production rose by 5.3%.

The highlight of the week in UK will arrive from the BoE, as it the MPC announce the rate decision, where the bank is expected to preserve rates at 0.50 percent, while keeping the APF purchases at £200.0 billion.

Further clues will be sought from the bank on the outlook of the economy, which will provide a clearer picture for investors on what to expect throughout 2011.

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