Multiple Terrorism and Crime Cases Unfold Globally

A multi-faceted terrorism case in North Carolina, a chaotic court hearing in Nevada, a custody battle in California, a diplomatic mission to North Korea, a ceasefire declared by an Iraqi extremist group, and a foiled terrorism plot in Australia are among the latest developments in high-profile crime and terrorism cases around the world.

As a terrorism case in North Carolina unfolds, authorities have identified an eighth suspect, Jude Kenan Mohammad, a U.S. citizen who traveled to Pakistan in 2008 to engage in violent jihad. The indictment alleges that Daniel Boyd, 39, bought guns and led a group of men, all but one of them U.S. citizens, who were planning to kidnap, kill, and maim people in other countries.

In a separate case, three Nevada Supreme Court justices are trying to decide whether O.J. Simpson and his former golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, should be freed from prison while their appeals are considered. Simpson is serving nine to 33 years for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.

A California court has placed Michael Jackson's mother firmly in charge of rearing his children, in accordance with the singer's expressed wishes in his will. An attorney for Jackson's dermatologist, Arnold Klein, tried to enter objections to the parenting of the children.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Bill Clinton is headed to North Korea to negotiate the release of two American journalists who were detained nearly five months ago.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an extremist Iraqi Shiite group, has agreed to renounce violence and join the political process, according to a government adviser. In return, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has promised to seek the release of detainees in U.S. custody.

In a separate development, police in Australia have foiled a terrorism plot, arresting four men suspected of links to a Somali Islamic extremist group who were allegedly planning commando-style attacks on at least one army base.

Key Takeaways:

• Jude Kenan Mohammad, a U.S. citizen, has been identified as the eighth suspect in a North Carolina terrorism case, which alleges a conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim, and injure persons in a foreign country.
• A court hearing in Nevada is underway to determine whether O.J. Simpson and Clarence "C.J." Stewart, should be freed from prison while their appeals are considered.
• Michael Jackson's mother, in accordance with the singer's will, has been placed in charge of rearing his children.
• Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is visiting North Korea to negotiate the release of two detained American journalists.
• Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an extremist Iraqi Shiite group, has agreed to renounce violence and join the political process.
• Four men have been arrested in Australia for allegedly planning commando-style attacks on at least one army base.

Statistics:

• 8: The number of suspects identified in the North Carolina terrorism case.
• 39: The age of Daniel Boyd, who allegedly bought guns and led a group of men planning to kidnap, kill, and maim people in other countries.
• 9-33 years: The prison sentence served by O.J. Simpson for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.
• 7 1/2-27 years: The prison sentence served by Clarence "C.J." Stewart.
• 2: The number of American journalists being held in North Korea, nearly five months after they were detained.
• 1 child: The reported injured child in a rocket attack on Kabul in Afghanistan.

Sources:

• "Eighth suspect named in N.C. terrorism case" (Associated Press).
• "Simpson wants out of prison while awaiting appeal" (Associated Press).
• "Michael Jackson's mother wins custody of kids" (Associated Press).
• "Bill Clinton heads to N. Korea to try to free U.S. journalists" (South Korea's Yonhap news agency).
• "Iraqi Shiite group vows to put down arms" (Associated Press).
• "Australia foils alleged terrorist plot; 4 suspects are arrested" (Associated Press).
• "Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS" (A U.S. Army soldier inspects the site of a bomb attack Monday on American soldiers in southern Afghanistan).