Iraq's victory: a plea for unity
Celebrations, not bombs, rocked all of Iraq yesterday as the nation cheered the success of its footballers who beat neighbours Saudi Arabia in the final of the Asian Cup on Sunday. The team, composed of Sunni, Shia and Kurdish athletes, has provided the war-torn country with cause for optimism and a rare sense of unity. Authorities imposed an automobile curfew in major cities to head off the kind of violence that killed 50 football revellers in Baghdad last week. Though Iraqi politicians scrambled to exploit the elation of the triumph, many Iraqis juxtaposed their sporting heroes with their political representatives. "Our happiness depends on these guys who played in Asia," said one celebrator. "I wish they would come and take over the Parliament, for they are the ones who really represent us."
Iraq's victory was all the sweeter as it came at the expense of neighbours Saudi Arabia, whom Zalmay Khalilzad, the US ambassador to the United Nations, has accused of undermining American efforts in the country.
Democratic congressmen plan to push against a $200 million arms package for Saudi Arabia, whom they claim "acts against US interests."
To receive our daily security briefings, click here.Gunmen dressed as women killed several Kurdish Iraqi soldiers at a checkpoint in the disputed northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
Colombia stresses commitment to peace deal
Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president, has sought to push through a bill that would allow former right-wing paramilitaries to run for office, in a bid to save a peace deal agreed with the paramilitaries.
Taliban extend hostage deadline
The Taliban have announced the extension of the deadline it set for negotiations over the fate of 22 South Korean church workers in Taliban custody. The militant group has promised to kill the remaining hostages should negotiations fail.
Bhutto issues strong words for army
Benazir Bhutto, the returning former leader of Pakistan, will not share power with Pervez Musharraf as long as he remains chief of the army. Despite her checkered reputation, Bhutto is seen by many as a saviour in Pakistan, which she plans to navigate out from numerous crises.
Pakistani authorities believe that there are 600 suicide bombers at large around the capital city Islamabad.
Haneef returned home
Mohammed Haneef, an Indian doctor detained for weeks by Australian investigators in connection with the failed bombings in London and Glasgow, has claimed that police there didn't even know what questions to ask him. He was absolved of any connection with the attacks by an Australian court, even though Canberra went out of its way to keep him in custody. After uproar amongst in India and within the Australian legal community, Haneef was released and returned to Bangalore.
Philippines, terrorism central
According to a Human Rights Watch report, over 1700 people have been killed in terrorism-related violence in the Philippines in the last seven years, making the toll of Islamist militant violence there the highest anywhere in southeast Asia. HRW pinned blame squarely on two groups, Abu Sayyaf and the Rajah Solaiman Movement.
Rohan Gunaratna defends the new anti-terrorism Human Security Act in the Philippines on toD.
Ethiopia denies crisis in Ogaden
Ethiopian officials have denied blocking the movement of humanitarian goods and services into the restive Somali Ethiopian region of Ogaden, where an armed insurgency by the Ogaden National Liberation Front has brought the heavy scrutiny of Addis Ababa. A representative of the regional government insisted that "there is no humanitarian operation we have banned. We are not closing any route of humanitarian operation."
