The FBI estimates the number of violent crimes in the U.S. declined for the second year in a row, according to figures released Monday.  Overall property crimes also dropped in 2008, marking the sixth straight year of decline.

The estimated number of violent crimes overall declined 1.9 percent, while the number of offenses per 100,000 people declined 2.7 percent from 2007.

The estimated volume of property crimes decreased 0.8 percent in 2008 when compared with 2007 estimates — a drop of 1.6 percent per capita for the year.

For each of the four violent crime offenses, the 2008 estimates declined when compared with estimates for 2007. The murder and nonnegligent manslaughter estimate dropped 3.9 percent; aggravated assault declined 2.5 percent; forcible rape declined 1.6 percent; and robbery was down 0.7 percent.

Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida is under heavy pressure in its strongholds in Pakistan’s remote tribal areas and is finding it difficult to attract recruits or carry out spectacular operations in western countries, according to government and independent experts monitoring the organisation.

Speaking to the Guardian in advance of tomorrow’s eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, western counter-terrorism officials and specialists in the Muslim world said the organisation faced a crisis that was severely affecting its ability to find, inspire and train willing fighters. (photo, Pakistani flag)

(Continue reading in the Guardian)