Topic: Extortion and Blackmail

Sinaloa group 101: Five facts about Mexico's powerful drug cartel

The Sinaloa cartel is the most powerful drug trafficking organization operating in Mexico – and, some say, in the Western Hemisphere. Who are they?

Schools shuttered in Acapulco show impact of Mexican drug gangs on civilians

Schools in the city shut their doors for weeks after teachers became extortion targets for Mexican drug gangs.

Colombia's gangs cash in with 'micro-extortion'

Criminals in Colombia are extorting payments of as little as $10 a week from local businesses. The sums are too small for victims to want to report, but can add up to huge profits for gangs.

Why Karachi is seething

Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is once again paralyzed by ethnic and political violence that has killed at least 65 people. In the past year, an estimated 1,300 people have died in the fighting.

Police investigate Australia 'collar bomb' suspect's links to teenage girl's family [VIDEO]

According to court documents, Australia 'collar bomb' suspect Paul Peters – arrested in Kentucky Monday – once worked for a company with links to the father of Madeleine Pulver.

Australian teenager freed from fake bomb; police say it was extortion plot

Australian teenager freed from a bomb around her neck. Authorities say the Australian teenager freed was being used in an extortion attempt.

Somali pirates get life for attack on US frigate. Will it be a deterrence?

The lightly armed Somali pirates thought they were seizing a merchant ship off the coast of East Africa almost a year ago. Instead, their target turned out to be a US warship.

Former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick faces major corruption charges

A federal indictment of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his father, and others alleges years of corruption involving kickbacks from contractors doing business with the city.

Kosuke Tsuneoka used Twitter to trick Taliban captors

Kosuke Tsuneoka said one of the militants brought him his new cell phone and asked the prisoner to set it up.

Joran van der Sloot admits to extorting Holloways

Joran van der Sloot, charged with killing a Peruvian woman and suspected in the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, has confessed to extorting money from Holloway's parents. Joran van der Sloot as confessing to taking money from the family of the American in return for revealing the location of her body.

Philippines hostage crisis exposes police corruption, ineptitude

In wake of a Philippines hostage crisis that left 9 people dead, lawmakers have called for the resignation of Manila’s police commander, the chief of the National Capital Region police, and the head of the SWAT force.

General Odierno: Al Qaeda in Iraq faces serious financial crunch

General Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, said in a Monitor interview that US and Iraqi forces have broken large Al Qaeda in Iraq rings that extorted millions of dollars a year from companies.

Joran van der Sloot indicted in US for extortion

Joran van der Sloot has been indicted on charges he tried to extort $250,000 from Beth Holloway in exchange for information about daughter Natalee Holloway.

Joran van der Sloot says he signed murder confession in 'blind panic'

Joran van der Sloot wouldn't talk to a Peruvian judge assigned his case. Joran van der Sloot tells newspaper he signed confession out of 'blind panic.'

Joran van der Sloot retracts murder confession

Joran van der Sloot has retracted his confession of killing a young woman in Peru, according to a Dutch newspaper.

Natalee Holloway's mother mum on Joran Van der Sloot but warns students

Natalee Holloway's mother didn't bring up Joran Van der Sloot but told students in Alabama to be careful and avoid strangers.

Joran van der Sloot taken to prison on murder charges

Judge ordered Joran van der Sloot jailed on first-degree murder and robbery charges in the beating and strangling death of a young Lima woman.

Peru police say evidence mounts against Dutchman Joran van der Sloot

Unlike 2005 in Aruba, Peru's investigative police say evidence is piling up against Joran van der Sloot for the killing of Stephany Flores. But will he face murder or robbery charges?

A three-pronged approach to confront Afghanistan’s corruption

Corruption is not inevitable. Afghanistan should focus on technical, legal, and cultural areas to ease the tyranny of corruption.

Can Letterman survive being the butt of his own joke?

Despite ratings spike for the Indiana-born funnyman, harassment concerns could dog Letterman's contract negotiations with CBS.

How David Letterman is able to control the narrative on affairs

With his own network show seen by millions, Letterman can spin the sex-scandal story his own way without facing tough questions. At least for now.

Blago pleads not guilty -- continues audition as stand up comedian

Blagojevich indicted, celebrates in Disney World