BBC News with Iain Purdon.doc

BBC News with Iain Purdon.The United States has announced that 14 people in three American states have been charged with terrorist offenses including providing money and support to the Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabaab. The suspects are all thought to be US citizens of Somali descent. Heres Iain Mackenzie.These indictments follow a 2-year investigation by the FBI into claims that Americans of Somali descent are joining al-Shabaab. Much of the attention has been focused on Minnesota, where several suspects had already been arrested. The Department of Justice names two other individuals believed to be fighting in Somalia, Jehad Serwan Mostafa from California and Omar Shafik Hammami from Alabama. Mr Hammami was singled out as a senior figure in al-Shabaab, having appeared in several Internet recruiting videos.The US government says al-Qaedas core membership in Pakistan, along with its affiliates in Africa and Yemen, remain the most dangerous threat to America and its interests abroad. In its annual report on global terrorism, the State Department said that although al-Qaeda had suffered some setbacks in Pakistan last year, it had expanded its reach through proxy groups. The Coordinator of the US Office of Counterterrorism, Daniel Benjamin, explained the threat.“Al-Qaedas core in Pakistan remained during 2009 the most formidable terrorist organization targeting the United States. It has proven to be an adaptable and resilient terrorist group whose desire to attack the United States and US interests abroad remains strong. We assess that al-Qaeda was actively engaged in operational planning against the United States and continued recruiting, training and deploying operatives, including individuals from Western Europe and North America.”Russia, one of the worlds biggest wheat producers, is banning the export of all grains till the end of the year. The measure was prompted by record high temperatures causing fires and drought which have destroyed millions of hectares of crops. Wheat prices have risen 70% in the US since June and 8% today.The US Senate has approved President Obamas nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, his second appointment to the judicial body that decides on matters relating to the US constitution. Heres James Reynolds.There was little drama as the Senate voted to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, but the vote marked an important moment and a victory for the man who nominated her - President Obama. Elena Kagan, whos fifty, can now serve on the Supreme Court for the rest of her life. The 9 members of the Court have the final word on a number of subjects right to the heart of American life, including gun control, the death penalty, abortion and gay marriage. Ms Kagans appointment is not expected to change the makeup of the Court. Shes widely seen as a liberal, and she replaces Justice John Paul Stevens who voted with the liberal wing of the Court.World News from the BBC.Now some news just in: The oil company BP says its finished pumping cement into the top of its blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico in an attempt to seal it permanently. BP is also drilling a relief well thats intended to cut off the leaking well from below. Since an explosion on the site more than three months ago, almost five million barrels of oil have poured into the sea, making it the worst accidental oil spillage in modern times.The super model Naomi Campbell has told the war crimes trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor that she received a bag of what she called “dirty-looking stones” after a charity dinner in 1997 at which Mr Taylor was present. She said fellow guests of the dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela suggested that the stones were rough diamonds probably from Charles Taylor. She assumed this was so, but had no proof and handed the stones on to the then manager of Mr Mandelas Childrens Fund charity. Her spokesman, Alan Edwards, praised her performance at the tribunal.“Shes cooperated in every single way she can, and she can waive, though she came over, very calm, very dignified in the court, and obviously, the judge made a point of thanking her. And it didnt run too long at all, and I think everybody felt that she had really quitted herself very well indeed under difficult circumstances.The Japanese city of Hiroshima is preparing to mark the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing with the ceremony which, for the first time, will be attended by the US. About 140,000 people were killed or died within a month when an American warplane dropped an atom bomb on the city.The Supreme Court in Mexico has voted to uphold a law allowing same-sex marriages in the capital Mexico City. Eight of the ten justices of the countrys highest court