No charge in 50% of UK terrorism arrests
Of the 1,228 people arrested in terrorism investigations in the UK since 2001, over half have been released without charge.To receive our daily security briefings, click here.
Libya in the crosshairs
Olivia Guitta reports in the Counterterrorism blog that American officials have warned Libyan authorities of impending Islamist attacks on government and military facilities in Libya, mimicking the 11 April attacks on Algiers. With the creation of the rejuvenated militant group "Al Qaida in the Maghreb" in Algeria, and growing terrorist violence in Morocco, security analysts fear that Islamist militancy will surface further east as well. Libya's long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi has in the past survived attempts on his life by Islamists, who want to replace his heavy-handed secular rule with Islamic law.
Blast near Iran's embassy in Baghdad
A car bomb killed four people in a parking lot opposite the Iranian embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida affiliated militants have joined the US in accusing Iran of sponsoring Shia militias in the country.
Gunmen dressed in the uniforms of Iraqi security forces massacred 29 villagers in a hamlet north of Baghdad.
Bombs and propaganda in Waziristan
Militants blew up two security checkpoints in North Waziristan in Pakistan's restive northwest, and also distributed pamphlets explaining why the Taliban-linked fighters chose to shred agreements made with Pakistani military.
In the New Yorker, William Dalrymple examines the varied popular opposition to President Pervez Musharraf and the tumultuous state of Pakistani politics.
Thai law stokes controversy
Academics and politicians have denounced a proposed internal security law in Thailand as a "coup by stealth". The bill would give the military sweeping powers of detention and control, overriding civilian authority. Military officials argue that the bill is necessary to defend the country from the growing separatist violence in the south.
A bomb has killed one policeman and wounded 18 others in the south of the country.
Al-Assad begins second term
The Syrian People's Assembly swore President Bashar al-Assad into office for a second seven-year term. He used the occasion to demand clarity from Israel regarding its willingness to hold talks with Damascus.
India concerned about Haneef treatment
The Indian foreign ministry has expressed deep concern about the treatment of Dr Muhammad Haneef by Australian authorities. Haneef was detained on 2 July in Brisbane, but a local court found no connection between him and the failed bombings in Glasgow and London. Australian officials subsequently stripped Haneef of his work visa and are now keeping him in detention for consequent "immigration violations".
Indian human rights lawyers have condemned Australia for the manner in which they have dealt with Haneef.
Turkish candidate shot dead
Tuncay Seyranlioglu, an independent candidate in Turkey's upcoming elections, was shot dead in his car after he appeared on a TV show.
Kurdish officials on both sides of the Iraq-Turkey border have warned Ankara that it would be a dreadful "strategic mistake" if Turkish troops were to cross over into Iraq as part of their campaign against Kurdish separatist fighter belonging to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK). Two Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with PKK fighters in the mountainous Sirnak province.
Bush to Palestinians: Drop Hamas!
George W Bush has warned Palestinians that their support for Hamas will "crush hopes for a state" ahead of a US-backed conference on resolving the middle east crisis. Hamas spokesmen accused the White House of abetting in Israel in dividing the Palestinian people.
Indonesian fast-food bomber jailed
An Indonesian man who failed in a suicide bombing against a fast-food restaurant in Jakarta last year has been sentenced to four year in prison by an Indonesian court. Muhammad Nuh has no ties to Islamic militant groups, according to investigators.
Malay monitors for Sulu archipelago
The Philippines have invited Malay peace monitors to the south of the archipelago nation to help in joint inquiries into the recent beheading of a several marines. Clashes between government security forces and members of various separatist and militant groups threaten to destroy a tenuous 2003 ceasefire.
