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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Jun 2007 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualties
• June 17 airpower summary: Fighting Falcon provides show of force AFPN 18 Jun 2007 -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Troops in Iraq Kill, Detain Scores of Insurgents, Find Iranian Rockets AFPS 18 Jun 2007 -- Coalition forces killed 21 insurgents, detained 31 and wounded six others in Iraq during the past three days, military officials said
• Portable armories make munitions conveniently available AFPN 18 Jun 2007 -- Two newly acquired portable armories on base are streamlining the weapons processes for Airmen in theater here.
• Seabees Play Key Role in Euphrates Bridge Recovery Operation Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, based at Al Asad, completed joint operations with Marines and Soldiers on June 9, to remove a pontoon bridge from the Euphrates River that posed a threat to infrastructure downstream.
• Marne Torch air assault yields five detainees MNF-I 18 Jun 2007 -- Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, detained five individuals while conducting a company-sized operation in the city of Dura'iya June 17.
• Marne Torch commences in areas south of Baghdad MNF-I 18 Jun 2007 -- Fixed-wing aircraft dropped four precision-guided bombs on targeted sites preventing insurgents from entering southern Baghdad June 16.
• UN official issues ringing denunciation of Taliban terrorism in Afghanistan UN News Centre 18 Jun 2007 -- A senior United Nations official today sounded a ringing denunciation of Taliban terrorism in Afghanistan, decrying the group's atrocities as crimes against humanity and Islam while urging a concerted international response to the violence.
• Coalition Forces Kill, Capture Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 18 Jun 2007 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed several militants and detained seven others during operations in Afghanistan during the past two days
• Coalition Trains Afghan Police in Special Weapons, Tactics AFPS 18 Jun 2007 -- The battle against the Taliban is an ongoing fight throughout Afghanistan
• U.S.: Al-Qaeda Used Afghan Children As Human Shields RFE/RL 18 Jun 2007 -- The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan says seven children were killed overnight by an air strike against a suspected Al-Qaeda safe house near the border with Pakistan
• Coalition Air Strike Kills Seven Children in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 18 Jun 2007 -- A U.S.-led coalition air strike in eastern Afghanistan killed at least seven children along with several militants

Defense Policy / Programs

• Computer Security Contract Awarded 18 Jun 2007 -- The Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. General Services Administration awarded 12 contracts today for blanket purchase agreements (BPA) to protect sensitive, unclassified data residing on government laptops, other mobile computing devices and removable storage media devices
• Stennis Traps Milestone with 100,000th Aircraft Landing Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- The flight deck of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) tallied it's 100,000th arrested landing with the trap of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 on June 15.
• USS The Sullivans Celebrates its 10th Anniversary on its Commissioning Pier Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- The crew of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) with USS The Sullivans Foundation and the people of Staten Island celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ship's commissioning June 16 at the pier where the ship was commissioned.
• 24th Marine Regiment Conducts Beach Landing in Peru Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- The 24th Marine Regiment, embarked aboard USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), conducted a beach landing exercise June 14 and 15 in Ancon, Peru, during Partnership of the Americas 2007.
• Combined Forces Integrate in Early Stage of Talisman Saber 07 Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- An assortment of training evolutions and combined planning for Australian and U.S. naval forces is linking the two forces in the early phase of Talisman Saber 2007, occurring off the eastern coast of Australia.
• NECC Establishes EOD ESU 2 Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit (ESU) 2 was established June 15 during a ceremony at Rockwell Hall Gym on Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.
• Essex Conducts RAS with Sirius Navy NewsStand 18 Jun 2007 -- The Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, flagship, USS Essex (LHD 2), conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS) June 15 with the Australian Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel HMAS Sirius (AOR 266).
• Demonstraton binds coalition forces for common warfighter value AFPN 18 Jun 2007 -- Assessing technologies to determine their potential for meeting critical warfighting needs is the aim of operators during interoperability trials at the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration taking place here through June 21.
• President's Commission Hears From Defense Officials, Wounded Warriors AFPS 18 Jun 2007 -- special commission appointed by President Bush to examine medical care given to wounded servicemembers held its sixth public meeting here today, receiving testimony from Defense Department officials, wounded warriors and their families, and other experts.
• Iran: Tehran Says It Has Kremlin Assurance It Won't Share Radar With U.S. RFE/RL 18 Jun 2007 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says it has received assurances that Moscow willl not let the United States share a Russian radar facility in Azerbaijan as part of a missile shield against Iran -- despite an offer by President Vladimir Putin to U.S. President George W. Bush to do exactly that.
• Press Briefing by Tony Snow The White House 18 Jun 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 18, 2007
• MiG plans to supply 350 upgraded MiG-29 planes abroad by 2020 RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2007 -- Russian aircraft builder MiG plans to export 350 modernized MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters with a total value of $10-12 billion by 2020, a deputy general director said Monday.
• Hamilton Sundstrand to supply fly-by-wire flight control computers and actuators for new CH-53K helicopters Hamilton Sundstrand 18 Jun 2007 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has been selected to supply advanced fly-by-wire flight control computers, and primary main and tail rotor actuators for the U.S. Marines' CH-53K heavy lift helicopter fleet.
• Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney Submit Joint Proposal for Military Turboshaft Engine Pratt & Whitney 18 Jun 2007 -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and Pratt & Whitney announced today that they have submitted a joint proposal to the U.S. Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate to develop an advanced turboshaft engine for the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) technology demonstrator program
• Pratt & Whitney Delivers 800th F117 Engine to U.S. Air Force Pratt & Whitney 18 Jun 2007 -- Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, recently delivered the 800th F117 engine to the United States Air Force
• Pratt & Whitney F100 Engine Exceeds 21 Million Flight Hours Pratt & Whitney 18 Jun 2007 -- The Pratt & Whitney F100 engine family - which includes the PW-100, -200, -220 and -229 engines - recently exceeded 21 million operational flight hours
• Boeing Completes First Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite and Prepares Spacecraft for Shipment Boeing 18 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed integration and test of the U.S. Air Force's first Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, bringing unprecedented satellite communications services one step closer to the warfighter.
• Venezuela to buy Russian submarines, air defense systems - source RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2007 -- Venezuela is planning to procure up to 10 modern diesel submarines and several Tor-M1 air defense missile complexes from Russia, a source at a Russian think tank said Monday.
• ATK Receives $18 Million Rolling Airframe Missile Contract ATK 18 Jun 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received an $18-million contract to upgrade the solid propellant rocket motor of Raytheon's (NYSE: RTN) Block 2 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).
• ELTA Systems Awarded a Contract for Airborne ELINT Systems Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, has recently been awarded a USD25 Million contract for an Airborne ELINT system. The system will be installed and integrated into a customer furnished SIGINT aircraft.
• Heron TP (Turbo Prop) Sets New Standard in the UAV Field Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- Malat, a Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), lifts up the veil from its largest Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) yet, the Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance MALE UAV Platform.
• Thales unveils production WATCHKEEPER air vehicle design Thales 18 Jun 2007 -- Thales UK has unveiled the final configuration of the WATCHKEEPER unmanned air vehicle (UAV) following a Critical Design Review by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The air vehicle has been developed with Elbit Systems and will be manufactured at the UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS - the Thales UK/Elbit Systems joint company) site in Leicester.
• BAE Systems Receives U.S. Army Contracts to Prepare Countermeasures System for Test and Evaluation BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has received three U.S. Army contracts totalling $27 million to prepare its Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures system for operational test and evaluation in 2009.
• Javelin Spearheads £123 Million VC10 Contract Extension BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems' support to the Royal Air Force's VC10 tanker fleet will continue to the aircraft's out of service date (OSD) with the award by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a £123 million contract extension.
• Industry Partnership Will Cut RAF Hawk Costs BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has formed a significant new industry partnership to save costs and improve efficiencies in the delivery of the Hawk Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract.
• New Milestone on F-35 Lightning II Programme BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has started assembly of the aft fuselage for the first "optimised" conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35 Lightning II - the world's first stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter.
• Royal Seal of Approval for BAe 146 Flightdeck Modification BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has won an order from the UK Ministry of Defence (Defence Equipment and Support Organisation) for a major upgrade to the flightdecks of the two BAe 146-100s operated by No 32 (The Royal) Squadron.
• Indian Air Force Technicians Begin Hawk Maintenance Training BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- The first batch of Indian Air Force (IAF) technicians who will be trained by BAE Systems on how to maintain the IAF's Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft have arrived at the company's Warton site.
• BAE Systems Receives Collier Trophy for F-22 Electronic Warfare Role BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems is among members of the F-22 Raptor industry team to receive the National Aeronautic Association's 2006 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The award is America's most prestigious recognition for aeronautical and space innovation.
• Fuel Testing Starts on First F-35 Lightning II Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing Aircraft BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has begun testing the fuel system for the F-35 Lightning II short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, in an important milestone in the System Development and Demonstration phase of the F-35 programme.
• BAE Systems to Upgrade Laser for U.S. Army Helicopters BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has received two U.S. Army contracts totaling $54 million to provide a multi-band laser technology upgrade for the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) program.
• BAE Systems Begins Production of Typhoon Helmet-Mounted Display BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has begun production of the head equipment assembly (HEA) for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin early in 2009.
• Advanced Sensing Equipment Offers Huge Savings to Military Budgets BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- Advanced corrosion sensing technology that could save billions in military budgets is being developed by BAE Systems. The 'Sentinel' corrosion sensor is currently being tested on the F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme.
• Sniper Success for UK Harrier Force BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- Harrier aircraft in Afghanistan are providing even more effective close air support to coalition ground forces after BAE Systems and industry partners delivered the new 'Sniper Pod' targeting system six weeks ahead of schedule.
• Harrier Team Wins £34 Million Support Package Contract BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a £34 million-plus contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide supply chain support for new Harrier GR9 avionics equipment until 2014.
• Boeing Completes JDAM Anti-Jamming Developmental Flight Test Program Boeing 18 Jun 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] successfully completed developmental flight testing of its Integrated GPS Anti-Jam System (IGAS) for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapon system May 29 at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, Calif.
• Boeing's New CH-47F Chinook Helicopter Completes U.S. Army Operational Test Flights Boeing 18 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company's [NYSE: BA] new CH-47F Chinook helicopter has successfully completed U.S. Army operational testing at Ft. Campbell, Ky., one of the aircraft's final performance evaluations before it is fielded in July.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN AEGIS WEAPON SYSTEM DEMONSTRATES COMBAT READINESS DURING JOINT EXERCISE WITH U.S., NORWEGIAN AND SPANISH NAVIES Lockheed Martin 18 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]'s Aegis Weapon System recently played a major role in the successful completion of the first-ever, three-nation joint Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT), involving the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gridley, the Spanish Navy frigate Méndez Núñez and Royal Norwegian Navy frigate Fridtjof Nansen
• FRANCE SELECTS LOCKHEED MARTIN HELLFIRE II MISSILE TO EQUIP HAD TIGER HELICOPTER Lockheed Martin 18 Jun 2007 -- The Government of France has selected Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] HELLFIRE II® missile system to equip its Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction (HAD) Tiger attack helicopter fleet.
• Northrop Grumman Announces Team for Army Battlefield Logistics System Bid Northrop Grumman 18 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has formed a team of partner companies to compete for a cornerstone U.S. Army logistics program that will help ensure soldiers receive the right equipment and repair parts at the right time.
• Northrop Grumman Demonstrates CUTLASS Bomb Disposal Robot During UK Ministerial Visit Northrop Grumman 18 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced that it demonstrated its CUTLASS unmanned explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) vehicle at Wattisham Airfield near Ipswich during a visit to East Anglia by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg MP.
• First Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker Begins Final Assembly Northrop Grumman 18 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) first KC-30 Tanker will begin final assembly this week, reflecting the industrial team's commitment to the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 replacement program.
• Northrop Grumman's Laser Countermeasure System Completes Successful Flight Testing on Dutch AH-64D Apache Helicopter Northrop Grumman 18 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) laser Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) System has successfully thwarted a series of simulated heat-seeking missile attacks on a Dutch AH-64D Apache helicopter during flight trials at Vliehors Test Range in the Netherlands.
• Northrop Grumman to Equip U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Helicopters With Directional Infrared Countermeasures Systems Northrop Grumman 18 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected to outfit U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters with the company's Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) systems.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Delivers BLACK HAWK Helicopters to Jordan Sikorsky 18 Jun 2007 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the delivery of three UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters to the Kingdom of Jordan and the scheduled delivery of another five in 2007
• MAJOR INTEGRATION MILESTONE ACHIEVED ON LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT ADVANCED MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 18 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it has successfully integrated the spacecraft propulsion core structure and the payload module for the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite.
• UK Taranis UAV Passes First Major Milestone BAE Systems 18 Jun 2007 -- The £124 million Taranis Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) technology demonstrator programme, led by BAE Systems, has reached a major milestone with the design of the autonomous systems now finalised.
• Boeing Completes First Flight of A160T Hummingbird Unmanned Helicopter Boeing 18 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] successfully completed the first flight of the A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft June 15 from an airfield near Victorville, Calif.
• New Applications and Service Offerings Expand F110, F404 and F414 Engines Presence GE Aviation 18 Jun 2007 -- General Electric Company's F110, F404 and F414 engine families have successfully powered fighter aircraft since the 1980s. And yet these engines have a bright, long-term future through the infusion of new designs, integration of commercial engine technologies, and expansion of aircraft applications and services worldwide.
• GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team Successfully Completes Key Component Tests GE Aviation 18 Jun 2007 -- The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team successfully completed testing in May of the F136 development engine's product-configuration front fan, with tests slated for later this summer on the augmenter.
• IAI's TAMAM Division to Supply Advanced Observation Systems to the Israel Navy Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- Israel Aerospace Industries' Tamam Division has won a contract for the supply of advanced observation systems to the Israel Navy as part of a comprehensive upgrade of the Navy’s operational capabilities.
• Israel Aerospace Industries’ Tamam Division Introduces A New 4 Sensor Version of the "MiniPOP" Electro-Optical Stabilized Payload Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- Israel Aerospace Industries’ Tamam Division (IAI/Tamam) introduces a new version of the MiniPOP day/night observation system.
• ELTA Systems' First Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft (CAEW) Completes Major Milestone Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, has completed a major milestone - mission systems installation, integration and testing of its first Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control (CAEW) system.
• ELTA Systems Awarded a Contract to Enhance a Coastal Protection System Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, was awarded a USD10 million contract to supply a number of Advanced Coastal Surveillance Radars (ACSR) to be integrated into a country's Coastal Protection System. ELTA’s ACSRs were selected by the customer after a rigorous competitive analysis which included sea trials in severe weather conditions and sea states.
• ELTA Systems Launches the EL/M-2112 - New Persistent Ground Surveillance Radar Family Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, has completed development of the EL/M-2112 Persistent Ground Surveillance Radar family, a new product line of advanced multi-mission high resolution radars. Featuring simultaneous multi-beam technology, the radar provides persistent surveillance and instantaneous multi- target tracking of all ground targets over a wide area.
• ELTA Systems Receives New Orders for Helicopter Self Protection Systems Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, recently received several orders totaling USD23 million from the Israeli Air Force and other international customers to supply Self Protection Systems (SPS) for helicopters. More than 200 systems are already operational in Israel and worldwide.
• ELTA Systems Will Supply 150 Multi-Mode Airborne Radars from Contracts Worth over USD350 million Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, is in process of manufacture and delivery of 150 airborne radar systems during 2007 from Contracts worth over USD350 million in order to meet multiple orders from customers worldwide.
• ELTA Systems wins a Contract for its 4th Generation of Tactical Air Defense Radars – the EL/M-2106NG Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, has recently received from an international customer a USD7.5 million contract for the supply of several EL/M-2106NG Tactical Air Defense Radars to be used for Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) applications.
• NH90 helicopter deploys FLASH SONICS from Thales Thales 18 Jun 2007 -- Thales Australia welcomes today's signing of the principal contract for the redevelopment of the Commonwealth's propellant manufacturing facility at Mulwala, N.S.W. by the Department of Defence and representatives of the contractor, Bovis Lend Lease.
• ELTA Systems Receives an Order from a South American Customer for a Drug Interdiction Aircraft Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- ELTA Systems Ltd, an IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd) wholly owned subsidiary, has recently received a contract from a South American customer worth USD14 million for a Drug Interdiction Missions Aircraft including as a primary sensor, the AMRES (Airborne Multi-Sensor Reconnaissance System) which has been optimized to meet the customer’s specific operational requirements.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 18 Jun 2007
• Special Briefing by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2007
• Rice Announces Return of Direct Aid to Palestinian Government Washington File 18 Jun 2007 -- The United States is lifting financial and diplomatic restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and will donate $40 million to U.N. programs serving the Palestinian Territories, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.
• Analysis: A Three State Solution? cfr.org 18 Jun 2007 -- With the Hamas rout of Fatah on the Gaza Strip last week, the land claimed by Palestinians now falls under the sway of three separate entities, leading to new problems and talk of at least some new opportunities
• US Offers Support to New Palestinian Government VOA 18 Jun 2007 -- The Bush Administration has lifted its economic and political embargo against the newly-formed western-backed government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
• Western Nations Back New Palestinian Government VOA 18 Jun 2007 -- Western nations are working quickly to support the new Palestinian government in the West Bank, following the violent takeover of the Gaza Strip by the Islamic militant group Hamas
• Palestinian Split Raises Questions About a Two-State Solution in Middle East VOA 18 Jun 2007 -- Palestinians are grappling this week with a new political reality - the Palestinian territories are now effectively split between Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip
• Israel resumes fuel supplies to Hamas-run Gaza RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2007 -- Israel has resumed fuel deliveries to the Gaza Strip after a one-day suspension following the territory's takeover by the radical Palestinian group Hamas, an Israeli newspaper said Monday.
• Security in south Darfur town shows no improvement, says UN UN News Centre 18 Jun 2007 -- The security situation in the southern Darfur town of Gereida has not improved and militia attacks against civilians, especially women, are continuing, the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said today after wrapping up a four-day visit to the town.
• Backgrounder: Darfur's Peace Process cfr.org 18 Jun 2007
• SUDAN: Oxfam pulls out of Gereida, government accepts hybrid force for Darfur IRIN 18 Jun 2007 -- Oxfam has decided to permanently close down its humanitarian operation in the town of Gereida in Sudan's western region of Darfur, citing reluctance by authorities there to improve security and stop attacks on aid workers.
• BURUNDI: Government, rebels to revive stalled peace accord IRIN 18 Jun 2007 -- The Burundian government and the rebel Forces nationales de libération (FNL) have agreed to reactivate a ceasefire agreement signed nine months ago, Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe said.
• BURUNDI: Demobilisation under way, despite hitches IRIN 18 Jun 2007
• UN-led talks on Western Sahara get under way UN News Centre 18 Jun 2007 -- Talks carried out under United Nations auspices on Western Sahara began today outside of New York, with the participation of representatives of the parties - Morocco and the Frente Polisario - along with neighbours Algeria and Mauritania, a spokesperson for the world body announced.
• NIGER: Fighting in north but aid agencies hold firm IRIN 18 Jun 2007 -- In the latest in a string of skirmishes between the army and militias in northern Niger the airport in the city of Agadez was attacked on Sunday evening, but aid agencies working in the region say they are not considering pulling out.
• AFRICA: Integration of ex-combatants 'still a challenge' IRIN 18 Jun 2007 -- The reintegration of former fighters into civilian life remains a key challenge to stability in Africa, according to regional leaders.
• SRI LANKA: Conflict zones lag behind in housing reconstruction IRIN 18 Jun 2007
• SOMALIA: Deteriorating food security in south IRIN 18 Jun 2007 -- The food security and nutrition situation in southern Somalia's Lower and Middle Shabelle regions is deteriorating, putting the mainly riverine and agro-pastoralist households there at increased risk of humanitarian crisis, an early warning agency has said.

News Reports

• IAI/MBT Space Division Unveils the OpTSat 3000 New Generation Very High Resolution Observation Satellite at the 2007 Paris Air Show Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- IAI/MBT Space Division, the Prime Contractor for Israel's space programs, is unveiling it's third generation, low weight, very high performance optical observation satellite, the OptSat 3000.
• Sagem Défense Sécurité to make mirrors for Gaia scientific satellite Sagem (Safran group) 18 Jun 2007 -- Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) has signed a contract with EADS Astrium to produce large mirrors for the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite. The mirrors will be delivered in 2008, with the launch of Gaia slated for 2011.
• ESA awards Thales Alenia Space a 229 million euro contract to provide Sentinel-1 Thales 18 Jun 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space is proud to announce that it has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide the first Sentinel Earth observation satellite dedicated to the GMES program.