Russia

Security forces claim to block terrorist attack

Russian security forces said they foiled a major terrorist attack Thursday, discovering a truck bomb and a cache of poisons days before dozens of dignitaries arrive in Moscow for celebrations marking the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

The find is likely to raise fears that other terrorist attacks could be in the works as the world turns its attention to Russia and Monday’s ceremonies marking the end of World War II. Russian authorities almost immediately blamed the planned attacks on militants, including some with reputed ties to al-Qaida.

The truck with more than a ton of explosives was found near the Chechen capital, Grozny, said Maj. Gen. Ilya Shabalkin, chief spokesman for the federal forces in the North Caucasus region. The truck frame and chassis had been fitted with about 2,640 pounds of explosives, he said.

West Bank

Hamas poised to gain in Palestinian elections

Palestinians voted for local councils Thursday in 84 towns and villages throughout the West Bank and Gaza, and early returns showed the ruling Fatah might have overcome its corruption-tainted image to win some victories.

The local voting could indicate trends in advance of July parliamentary elections. Fatah, headed by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, has been expected to take a beating at the hands of the Islamic Hamas, which is running candidates for the first time.

But partial and unofficial results from the local voting gave Fatah some reason for optimism. An election official said that with 60 percent counted, Fatah candidates had 60 percent of the votes. A Hamas official said it was too early to call the elections. Official results are expected Sunday.