Gambia/Security: court detains seven journalists again

Seven Gambian journalists jailed last month has appeared in a high court on Friday in the capital Banjul to face charges of sedition and publishing with seditious intent, legal sources said. "It came as a complete surprise to all of us. No legal reason was given," a legal source said on condition of anonymity. "More or less the same charges were replicated in the High Court in Banjul, with two additional charges," he added.

The journalists were initially arrested after the Gambia Press Union issued a statement last month that was critical of the government's treatment of the media. The arrests have been condemned by global press freedom groups and have increased the concerns of Western donors about the West African country. However, the journalists who were freed on bail last week due to face the charges on July 7.

According to another legal source who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the journalists had been sent back to prison and said the additional charges included criminal defamation. Reportedly, those charged include three members of the press union, two reporters from The Point newspaper and two journalists working for Foroyaa newspaper.

Iran/United Kingdom/Security: senior cleric says to put British embassy staff on trial

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, the head of Iran’s Guardians Council, declared Friday that local British embassy staff detained for allegedly provoking post-election violence wil be put on trial. “In these incidents, their embassy had a presence, some people were arrested. Naturally they will be put on trial, they have made confessions,” he said.

The British government had confirmed that seven out of nine detainees have been released earlier. Iran hold the employees responsible for instigating riots during days of protests after the controversial election result. However, Britain continue to call the allegations groundless, further demanding the immediate release of the remaining staff. Meanwhile, some diplomatic sources said Britain was looking forward to urge EU nations to remove their all their envoys from Tehran. On Monday this week, the Guardians Council  validated President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's phenomenal win.

Russia/United States/Defence: Medvedev, Obama to sign agreements on defense cooperation, transit to Afghanistan

(Zavrazhin Konstantin/Gamma/Eyedea Press/Photo News)

Sergei Prikhodko, a senior Kremlin aide announced on Friday that President Dmitry Medvedev and US counterpart Barack Obama will sign a deal allowing US military supplies for Afghanistan to transit Russia next week. "Our military cooperation was virtually frozen after the developments in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We are speaking of the resumption of normal contacts along defense channels and certain military exchanges," he said at a press briefing on Friday.

Prikhodko said the agreement will reflect the political decision to resume full-scale military contacts between Russia and the United States. "The political decision on the resumption of full-scale military contacts between Russia and the United States." The top foreign policy advisor to Medvedev said during Obama's visit to Russia early next week, both the leaders plan to sign a "joint agreement on military transit to Afghanistan”. "We are speaking of ground transit but even more of the air transit of all cargo," he said adding that the Americans had not requested the transit of human resources.

Obama's visit will started on Monday and in Moscow he will be accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen.

Sudan/Militancy: JEM ties accord with opposition Umma party

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan's opposition Umma party signed a deal in Cairo to form a new caretaker government, confirmed both parties on Friday. They described the deal's objective was "to work for a united democratic and federal Sudan; a Sudan that is based on citizenship rights, respect." However, the accord was a "declaration of principles" and common ideas, and does not include forming a political or military coalition.

Rebel commander Suleiman Sandal declared they would continue their arms struggle against Khartoum government, but was also interested in using new methods to overthrow the government through politics. "We agreed that our country is in danger with many problems, and that those problems should have a national solution," said Sandal. Statements from both JEM and Umma confirmed the government would include all political parties in Sudan and Darfur's top rebel groups, to “work against the government."

Myanmar/Political unrest: trial of Suu Kyi adjourned for a week

(Renaut Thomas/Gamma/Photo News)

Nyan Win, lawyer for Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of Suu Kyi for another week. "The Supreme Court did not send the case files to the lower court, so the case has been adjourned until July 10," Nyan told reporters. "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi expressed her surprise that this happened."

Suu Kyi, 64, is charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing an American intruder to stay at her home on May 4. If convicted she may be jail for five years.

The Supreme Court's decision came as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in Yangoon on his two-day visit. During his meeting with Myanmar junta supremo Than Shwe today Ban said, “I thank you for your invitation. I'm happy to be here and to see you are in good health since I last saw you.” Ban called a "tough mission" to press the junta to release all political prisoners and hold fair and credible elections and urged the general for his contributions to peace, prosperity and democracy. "I would like to help move your country forward and appreciate your commitment to moving your country forward," Ban said. The UN chief was also expected to ask Than Shwe's permission to meet Aung san Suu Kyi.

Honduras/Political unrest: interim government says open to presidential election

Leader of the Honduras' interim government Roberto Micheletti declared Thursday that the government is open for a presidential election on  November 29 to resolve the post-coup unrest and international condemnation. "I have no objection if it would be a way of resolving these problems," he said.

Micheletti also declared that it is possible to conduct a referendum to decide on whether to allow ousted President Manuel Zelaya complete his term. However, he said it would be "difficult" to process the referendum as soon as possible. Earlier, the Organization of American States (OAS) had asked the interim government to call back President Zelaya within three days, which ends on Friday, or face suspension from the alliance.

OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza is due to visit Honduras on Friday to deliver an ultimatum. "We hope the coup leaders recognize the damage they are doing to the country and the world and allow the return of President Zelaya," said Insulza, noting there would be no room for any kind of negotiations.

United Nations/Japan/Security: Yukiya Amano elected new UN nuclear watchdog chief

Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano was elected as next director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday. The 62-years-old Japanese ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna on Thursday received the required two-thirds majority of votes cast. The voting was held by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors.

Amano won the required 2/3 majority of IAEA governing board members expressing a preference, with 23 votes and one abstention in the 35-nation meeting, defeating his South African rival. He will replace Mohamed ElBaradei, whose term expires in November.

“He’s a nonproliferation and disarmament guy, and he believes in it,” said David A. Kay, a former IAEA official and a senior fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. “He has been around in trying to keep the inspections in Iran going, and I expect him to continue very much in that line. He will not want to create a situation in which military action is the only alternative.”

Palestinian Authority/Militancy: detained Hamas militants planned to kill Abbas

(Schneider/Contrast/Gamma/Photo News)

According to Palestinian Authority (PA) sources on Friday, detained Hamas militants have confessed to have planned to gather intelligence on President Mahmoud Abbas's security and assassinate him. The sources also said they have detailed confessions in which the militants admitted planning to assassinate several other PA officials. PA Secretary Taib Abd-Arahim said the detainees were planning to carry out the assassinations on July 1.

"Hamas' intention was to scuttle the reconciliation talks (between Hamas and Fatah) in Cairo and to create chaos in the West Bank, in contrast to the sense of security that has characterized the territory for the past two years," said Fatah spokesman Fahmi Zarir. However, a spokesman for Hamas' military wing has denied the allegations.

Earlier on Monday, Abd-Arahim had announced the arrest of ten Hamas militants “planning to attack PA institutions”. Also, the weapons, maps and photographs of senior Palestinian officers all indicated the group was keeping a track on Abbas.

Kosovo/Italy/Security: Pristina and Rome will collaborate against organised crime

Kosovo and Italy have signed a mutual agreement to exchange information about the organised crime which is rife in both the two countries, said on Thursday the BalkanInsight website. “The purpose of this MoU is the exchange of information, in order to combat organised crime, including money laundering and organised crimes, including terrorism”, said the Kosovo’s chief prosecutor Hilmi Zhitia. Pietro Grasso, the head of the Italian National Anti mafia Directorate said for his part that “the signing of this agreement gives to Rome the opportunity to be present in the Balkans, too. We will bring experience in fighting the mafia and organised crime to Kosovo.” Italy is the first European Union (EU) member to sign such an agreement with Kosovo but others agreements are expected to be signed with other EU members.

This agreement has been signed while the NATO Defence minister have decided on June 11 in Brussels to reduce their military presence in Kosovo where currently, about 14,000 troops are deployed. According to Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO general secretary, the ministers consider that the political and security situations allow them to gradually adjust KFOR’s forces presence. “Ministers recognised a positive evolution over a sustained period of time. The decision to gradually reduce troop numbers will reflect this development,” said a NATO statement published on June 11. However, “NATO Defence Ministers reaffirmed that KFOR will remain responsible for a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and will stay in Kosovo under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 as long as necessary and as long as the UN Security Council does not decide otherwise,” said also the statement.

Pakistan/United States/Terrorism: suspected American drone pound militant hideout

Pakistani intelligence officials declared Friday that suspected US drone carried out air raids on a Pakistani Taleban chief's hideout in South Waziristan. Death toll given by security sources were varying, with a maximum of up to 13, while at least 25 have been declared injured. The reports could not be confirmed immediately. “Three missiles hit the hideout of Taleban commander Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. Casualties are feared, but details are not immediately available,” said an official on the condition of anonymity. “It was a US drone attack. We have checked — no Pakistani aircraft was involved in this incident,” confirmed a Pakistani military official.

Meanwhile, a top Taleban militant, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed it was commander Wali's Jihadi center in Sarokai Kokat Khel village. “The people killed and wounded were Taleban fighters. Two of the missiles hit the center, but one did not,” he said. Washington offers no comment on any reports of drone attacks, but its forces and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in neighbouring Afghanistan deploy drones in the region.

Russia/Terrorism: violence still increases in the North Caucasus region

Two soldiers were killed and five others injured when a series of explosions occurred in the Caucasus republic of Chechnya on Thursday, has announced this Friday police sources. “Two blasts went off in a forest near Shalazhi in the Urus-Martan District, and a third occurred near a food store in the district centre,” said an anonymous police source. Three police officers were also wounded on Thursday when a radio-controlled explosive device went off in the town of Khasavyurt in Daghestan, said the Russian press agency Ria Novosti this Friday. “Thursday, an explosion equivalent to 500g of TNT occurred in the city of Khasavyurt, in Daghestan when a car carrying three police officers passed nearby,” said a source requesting to remain anonymous.

In Nalchik, the capital of the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria where an anti-terrorist operation has been launched since Tuesday, two armed people surrendered to the police during a special operation in the early hours of Friday. “A man and a woman blocked off in an apartment surrendered to law enforcement officers at about 04:00 Moscow time,” a police spokesman said. Two Kalashnikov and a large amount of ammunition were seized from the apartment.

Last April 16, Russian president Dimtri Medvedev had announced the end of the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya but violence has increased in the North Caucasus restive region, including in Daghestan and Ingushetia. The Riyadus Salikhin, a brigade of Chechen suicide attackers, claimed on June 28 that they carried out the bombing attack on June 22 against Ingushetia President Yunus-Bek Yekurov. Supreme Court Judge Aza Gazgireyeva was also killed on June 10 after unidentified gunmen probably linked to the local mafia shot her in Nazran. Her murder has however been attributed to the Islamist insurgency. General Adilgerei Magomedtagirov, the interior minister of the North Caucasus republic of Daghestan was also killed on June 5 by an unidentified Sniper in the republic’s capital of Makhachkala.

Greece/Terrorism: bomb explosion hits Athens taxation office

Greek security officials said a homemade bomb exploded outside the taxation office in the central Ambelokipi district of Athens on Friday, causing damage to adjacent buildings but no casualties. "The explosive device went off around 02h30 (GMT), shattering glass at nearby buildings. There was a warning call to police a few minutes prior to the blast," declared a police source on the condition of anonymity. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing.

The source further declared investigators have found pieces of a table clock and believes common dynamite was used to make the bomb. Meanwhile in a separate incident, a small incendiary device was blown up outside an immigration policy centre in central Athens. Suspected anarchist arsonists are believed to have carried out the attack that caused damage but no injuries. Armed Revolutionary Action (ARA), a far-left militant group, also pulled off a similar bombing attack last month on another Athens tax office. No one was injured in the attack.

Five Islamists arrested in south of Spain

Moroccan news agency MAP reported, citing Spanish newspaper Diario de Jerez, that at least 5 persons from Morocco were arrested in the southern Spanish city of Algeciras on Wednesday.

The members of the cell were reportedly involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities to finance their plans to carry out attacks in Morocco. The suspects are also said to own a butchery shop and a pastry shop.

During the arrest, security services seized documents, money and upmarket vehicles.

Netherland/Belgium/Defence: ATLAS to provide mine warfare systems for the navies

In a comprehensive service contract, the Germany-based ATLAS ELEKTRONIK has won the bid to provide 16 ultramodern mine warfare systems of the Integrated Mine Countermeasure System (IMCMS) to the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy. The Service Department of the company reported the deal is vital strategically. It added the Belgium's Minister of Defence has signed the corresponding agreement with ATLAS.

According to the contract, a substantial allocation of services, including a technical hotline with obsolescence and configuration management, lauded as an innovative concept in this field, will be send in steadily. “This is a significant success for ATLAS in the new business segment of in-service support. Encouraged by the cooperation with these two key customers, we are expanding the services of ATLAS with a view to offering our clientele the benefits of a partnership based on trust and teamwork in this field,” confirmed Dieter Rottsieper and Kai Horten, the Managing Directors of ATLAS.

Pakistan/Terrorism: at least 6 killed in suicide blast attack

Police chief Nasir Durrani said at least 6 people were killed and 12 others were injured on Thursday in a suicide bombing attack on a bus carrying government employees in Rawalpindi. Police officer Mohammed Nazir gave the injured toll as around 20.  Durrani said the bomber was on a motorcycle and rammed the bus at Chuhr Chowk, near a military cantonment. Another official said the bus was badly damaged.

According to some media reports, the bus was transporting employees of an intelligence agency. The headquarters of the Pakistani military is situated in Rawalpindi and is considered as a garrison city. Meanwhile, security across the city and Islamabad has been beefed further following the attack.

European Union/Honduras/Diplomacy: EU countries to remove envoys from Tegucigalpa

Spanish Minister of Foreign affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos announced a unified decision by the European Union to remove envoys from their respective embassies in Honduras. "I have just spoken to my European colleagues and I can tell you that at this moment, all the European embassies in Tegucigalpa have decided to withdraw their ambassadors," said Moratinos. Last week's coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya is the reason behind the decision. "Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the European Commission, so all the European representation in Tegucigalpa will be at a lower level, with charges d'affaires but not ambassadors,” he added. From Brussels, EU Commission spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann confirmed that the decision.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Spain and France had announced their decision to withdraw their ambassadors to Honduras for consultations on the coup. The 27 nations have also decided to avoid all contacts with the post-coup leaders in Tegucigalpa.

Philippines/Crime: Police officer detain in journalist's murder case

Philippines officials on Thursday confirm detaining police officer Darwin Quinoyog for allegedly murdering a radio commentator. Crispin Perez, the journalist of a government-owned radio network, was killed on a central island last month. Head agent of the National Bureau of Investigation Arnel Dalumpines said Quinoyog was arrested last week and will face life sentence if convicted. "We have a strong case against him after several witnesses, including the victim's wife, saw him shoot Perez dead in front of his house," said Dalumpines. He also declared that investigators were trying to establish the motive for the murder. Reporters doing investigative stories about drug trafficking, gambling, corruption and other illegal activities is considered the reason behind the killings.

Since January this year, at least six journalists have been murdered in Philippines – creating a severe threat to the press. Records maintained by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) accounted for 5 journalists killed last year. 59 have been killed since 2001.

Pakistan/Terrorism: 2 police officers killed in roadside blast

According to senior police official Ghayoor Afridi, a roadside bomb blast near Peshawar on Thursday hit a police vehicle, killing 2 police officers and injuring at least 5 others. No group has claimed responsibility of the attack, but the attack is considered typical of numerous other attacks carried out by Taleban militants. The attack came as the Army launches a major operation in the Swat Valley. Forces are also looking forward to launch another offensive in the restive South Waziristan tribal region.

Meanwhile, the paramilitary Frontier Corps declared killing 28 militants in Khyber tribal region late on Wednesday. However, they did not say if there were any casualties on Pakistani troops' side. The Khyber Pass being a significant route to transport fuel and military supplies for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, it is considered keeping the route militant-free extremely important.

North Korea/South Korea/Defence/Security: Pyongyang test-fires 2 missiles

South Korean defence ministry's spokesman Won Tae-jae declared that North Korea on Thursday test-fired two surface-to-ship missiles from Sinsang-ni near the coastal city of Wonsan. "One (missile) was fired at 1720 (0820 GMT) and the other at 1800,” said Won Tae-jae. Meanwhile, a report on Seoul's Yonhap News quoted an unnamed military source who assured that Pyongyang is not in a state to test long range ballistic missile in the coming weeks. Professor Jong-Kun Choi of the Yonsei University feels Pyongyang “won't and can't test-fire any long-range ones at the moment.” “But when it comes to short ones, all they have to do is pull the trigger," he added.

Media reports also said the launch was imminent as Pyongyang had earlier asked shipping not to navigate on waters off its east coast. Such warnings have proven a foreword to their various missile tests in the past.

United States/Afghanistan/Terrorism: militants capture American soldier

The US military declared Thursday that one of their soldiers have been captured by militants in eastern Afghanistan. “A US soldier who has been missing since June 30 from his assigned unit is believed to have been captured by militant forces,” said US military spokeswoman Captain Elizabeth Mathias. “We are using all of our resources to find him and provide for his safe return,” she added. However, Mathias declined to give further details on the soldier, the location where he went missing or the circumstances. Taleban and several other insurgent groups are active in eastern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defence has confirmed that two British soldiers were killed in an explosion on Wednesday near Lashkar Gah of central Helmand Province. One soldier was from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the other was of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. They were part of the Operation Panther's Claw – a joint operation with Danish troops against Taleban militants.