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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 11 June 2010 [PDF]
• Government Transition Proves Iraqi Stability AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- Troops and equipment continue to leave Iraq as the drawdown deadline approaches, and in their place, the Iraqi people are stepping up.
• Election, transition proves Iraqi stability Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- Troops and equipment continue to leave Iraq as the drawdown deadline approaches. In their place, the Iraqi people are stepping up to take control of their country, a spokesman with U.S. Forces Iraq said.
• Afghan Forces Detain Suspected Insurgents, Seize Explosives AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- Afghan and international security forces killed or detained numerous individuals suspected of insurgent activity and seized explosives, weapons and other ordnance.
• Gates Discusses Afghanistan, NATO Reform With Reporters AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed Afghanistan and NATO reform, among other topics, with reporters.
• NATO Warns Afghan Success 'Not Yet Assured' RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- NATO leaders declared today that operations across Afghanistan were making "measured progress."
• Gates: More Trainers Would Speed Afghanistan Transition AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- Support for the mission in Afghanistan from allies and partners has increased steadily in the past year, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• NATO's Afghan Strategy Taking Longer than Expected VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- General Stanley McChrystal says his planned offensive for the country's south will be delayed because it's taking longer than expected to win local support.
• NATO Defense Chiefs Cite Progress in Afghanistan, but See Challenges Ahead VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- NATO defense ministers say progress is being made in Afghanistan despite tough resistance from the Taliban insurgency.
• Afghanistan Bombings Kill 11 Civilians, 2 NATO Soldiers VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Bombings in southern Afghanistan have killed at least 11 civilians and two NATO soldiers.
• America’s Battalion takes over Lava Dogs’ area of operations in Helmand USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- As Col. Randall P. Newman spoke during the transfer of authority ceremony from the ‘Lava Dogs’ 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, at Forward Operating Base Geronimo, June 6, he had to raise his voice to be heard over the hum of a nearby generator.
• Transition force creates air power in Afghanistan AFNS 11 Jun 2010 -- About 450 U.S. and NATO forces are working to bring the 3,300 members and 48 aircraft of the Afghan army air corps up to par.
• Explosive ordnance Airmen clear the way for Afghan National Army AFNS 11 Jun 2010 -- Airmen from the 755th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Operating Location-Bravo EOD are clearing bombs from land near Kandahar Airfield.
• NATO Opens Norther Supply Route To Afghanistan RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- NATO has opened an alternate supply route to its troops in Afghanistan across Russia and Central Asia.
• Afghans can count on sustained support from UN, top envoy pledges UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- The Government and people of Afghanistan can count on the sustained support of the United Nations and the rest of the international community.
• Pakistan army rejects Amnesty report on Taliban control IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Pakistan rejected a report by Amnesty International that Pakistanis in the northwest tribal areas are subject to abuses by the Taleban.
• U.S. Missile Strike Kills 13 In Northwest Pakistan RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Government officials: 6 missiles fired into Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border by suspected US drone aircraft killed at least 13 people.
• Pakistan Reports Several Deadly US Drone Strikes in North Waziristan VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Pakistani officials: US missile strikes have killed at least 18 suspected militants in the northwestern tribal region since Thursday.
• Guard provides 13 vacuum barges to collect oil on coast Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The Louisiana National Guard received approval yesterday evening from the U.S. Coast Guard to field 10 additional vacuum barges, bringing the number approved to 13.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Gates: Iran 1-3 Years From Nuclear Weapon VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran could have the material to develop a nuclear weapon in one to three years.
• Pakistan, US conclude defence talks IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Pakistani and the US defense officials concluded 4-day defence talks and discussed issues of common interest under the rubric of the strategic dialogue process.
• Arlington Cemetery officials punished for poor management Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The top two officials in charge of Arlington National Cemetery here were disciplined after an Army investigation found the cemetery's management to be "dysfunctional," Army Secretary John M. McHugh announced today at the Pentagon.
• IG reports prompt management changes at Arlington National Cemetery Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The Army announced management changes at Arlington National Cemetery after revealing findings of unmarked gravesites, improper handling of cremated remains and discrepancies in burial records.
• Flournoy Calls for Better Interagency Cooperation AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- The Defense Department has made progress in addressing the challenges of the world today, but huge problems remain.
• Horns of a dilemma, Marines employ combined arms during battle courses USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- The art and science of combined arms operations is to present the enemy with an inescapable dilemma, to make him choose between movement while under precise and constant fire or wait for their destruction to come from above. 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines employed this science during several exercises at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., during their Realistic Urban Training.
• Gates Discusses Afghanistan, NATO Reform With Reporters AFPS 11 Jun 2010 -- After attending NATO defense ministerial meetings in Brussels, Belgium, today Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed Afghanistan and NATO reform, among other topics, with reporters.
• Historic 28th Trans closes chapter on 74 years of service Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The griffin mascot and the gold and buff colors of the 28th Transportation Battalion have long been a common fixture in Germany as the unit's trucks have logged thousands of miles across the country's roads and autobahns. Now after 74 years of service to our nation, the 28th Trans. Bn. is closing the chapter in its history and saying its final farewell to Germany.
• Stewart-Hunter housing team ready for 3rd ID's return Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield's housing team is prepared for 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers return this fall, according to Anita Gordon, housing referral specialist.
• Infantry-Armor merger to boost Army operations, training Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The Army is more focused on counterinsurgency than ever before, and the Infantry-Armor alliance in one locale will help fuel that drive in Afghanistan and Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Soldiers here June 4.
• Army works to decrease lead-free electronic components Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The U.S. Army is using an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, or XRF, to scan electronic components and circuit cards as part of an effort to improve the reliability of electronic systems by reducing the percentage of materials that are lead-free, service officials said.
• Network to be tested on mine resistant vehicles at WSMR Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- Technicians on White Sands Missile Range are installing special communications systems into armored vehicles in preparation for a test later this year.
• Welding modernization underway at ANAD Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- Not much has changed by way of welding here in the last 20 years, but that's all about to change. The depot is working to revolutionize processes and facilities surrounding this crucial, metal-melding skill by remodeling its welding bays and bringing in safer, more efficient welding equipment.
• Concepts Analysis Laboratory Expansion Complete Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) Concepts Analysis Laboratory expansion was officially completed with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and an open house on June 9 to introduce the recently expanded facility to visitors and command employees.
• Center aids in defeating explosive devices Army News 11 Jun 2010 -- U.S. Army Pacific's newly established Asia-Pacific Counter - Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Center provides servicemembers stationed in the Pacific access to cutting-edge training in the fight to defeat improvised explosive devices.
• Major changes for Yuma outlined in Marine Corps' Joint Strike Fighter basing plan USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- If the preferred plan for basing the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter at the air station is approved, major changes are in store for Yuma over the next six years.
• Expeditionary surgical unit supports African Lion in Morocco USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- U.S. Marine Corps and Navy reservists from 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group came here in late May to set up a Forward Resuscitative Surgical Suite trauma center as part of exercise African Lion.
• ‘Wolf Pack’ Marines conduct command post exercise USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- A combat operations center is a vital asset to units wherever and whenever they train or deploy by allowing the digital collection, processing, and dissemination of tactical data.
• Press Availability with Secretary Gates from the NATO Ministerial at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 11 Jun 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Base environmental strides recognized USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- Camp Pendleton has been in full force when it comes to environmental awareness, and recently received recognition for its efforts.
• SSGN Force Reaches Historic Milestone Navy NewsStand 11 Jun 2010 -- The Submarine Force announced it has achieved another first with all four guided-missile submarines (SSGN) deployed for the first time simultaneously June 10.
• Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Jason Dunham Navy NewsStand 11 Jun 2010 -- The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works during a ceremony in Bath, Maine, June 4 DDG 109 is the 59th guided-missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class.
• MCPON Visits Wounded at LRMC, Wraps-Up European Tour Navy NewsStand 11 Jun 2010 -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy(MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West toured facilities and met with Sailors and Marines at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany, June 9, to offer support for those wounded and recovering as well as praise the LRMC team for helping the service members in need.
• Navy's Annual Conference Addresses No. 1 Maintenance Issue Navy NewsStand 11 Jun 2010 -- Military, government, civilian, and industry experts joined forces for the sixth consecutive year to discuss the latest technologies and methods in the fight against rust - an approximately $6 billion yearly battle for the Navy - at the annual Mega Rust Corrosion Conference in San Diego June 7-10.
• USNS Wally Schirra Offloads Dry Foods, Water Stores at GTMO Navy NewsStand 11 Jun 2010 -- The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) off-loaded 160 pallets of dry foods at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 9 as part of the Navy's Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc.
• Special operations Airmen train from the air to the water AFNS 11 Jun 2010 -- The NDSTC is the only military dive school in the Department of Defense, and each branch of the armed services and the Coast Guard has a detachment to train their divers.
• MWSS-171 slated to run exercise Thunder Horse June 21-25 USMC News 11 Jun 2010 -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 service members scheduled to conduct exercise Thunder Horse at Penny Lake field.
• Global Strike Command Airmen respond to incident scenario AFNS 11 Jun 2010 -- Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen conducted their first-ever Response Task Force exercise here June 1 through 4.
• Boeing may assemble An-124 transport planes - paper RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Boeing may conduct the final assembly of Russian-Ukrainian An-124 Condor heavy-lift transport planes for the US market.
• Medvedev to discuss missile defense during U.S. visit RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russia President Medvedev will discuss missile defense with the US leadership during his upcoming visit to the US.
• Russia to set up working group with France on naval cooperation RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russian PM Putin has instructed his deputy Igor Sechin to set up a working group on cooperation with France in warship building.
• Putin Meeting French Leadership RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is in Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and to open a major Russian exhibition.
• Tactical-strategic commands: the Russian army's new look RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russia is entering a new phase of military reform, as Moscow renounces the 150-year-old military-district system.
• Russian-Indian work on 5G fighter to go ahead without extra deal RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russian aircraft holding Sukhoi has no plans to sign additional agreements creating a joint venture with its Indian partners.
• Conflicting Views Surface Over Whether Russia to Sell Missiles to Iran VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Russia's FM claimed that new UN sanctions against Iran do not oblige Moscow to scrap deal to deliver missiles to Tehran.
• Russian-Iranian S-300 missile deal not against UN resolution - U.S. RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- US State Department: Delivery of Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran is not against the recently imposed UN sanctions.
• Russia 'will abide by UN resolution' over S-300 missile deal with Iran RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russia will strictly adhere to a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran over the delivery of S-300 missiles to the Islamic Republic.
• Russian officials confirm Iran sanctions block S-300 missile sale RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The new round of UN sanctions against Iran rule out Russia's delivery of S-300 missile defense systems to the Islamic Republic.
• UN sanctions mean Russia cannot sell S-300 missiles to Iran - officials RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- A Kremlin source said on Friday the sale of S-300 air defense systems fall under the new UN Security Council's sanctions against Tehran.
• NATO reaffirms support for Georgia membership bid, but reforms needed RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen reaffirmed support for Georgia's NATO bid.
• Medvedev says no multi-national force for turbulent Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russian President Medvedev: Collective Security Treaty Organization post-Soviet security bloc will not intervene to stabilize the situation in volatile Kyrgyzstan.
• Kyrgyz clashes show need for SCO response mechanism RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The new outbreak of violence in Kyrgyzstan shows the need to create effective response mechanisms within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
• SCO Knocks Out Iranian Aspirations Using Technicality RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Looks like Iran is not joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) any time soon despite requesting membership in the group since 2005.
• Countries under UN sanctions cannot join SCO - Medvedev RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- A country under UN Security Council sanctions cannot become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
• Iranian president rejects invitation to SCO summit — Lavrov RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad decided to reject an invitation to visit the forthcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
• Audit Critical of S. Korean Military's Reaction to Warship Sinking VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Government auditors in South Korea say country's military chief was absent from duty the night of attack on a naval ship.
• June 11, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 11, 2010
• Sagem showcases revamped offering of networked tactical combat solutions at Eurosatory 2010 Sagem (Safran group) 11 Jun 2010 -- Sagem, a Safran group company, is a major player in the market for digital battlefield solutions, and prime contractor on key systems chosen by the French army, including the FELIN soldier modernization system, Sitel tactical information system and Sperwer tactical drone system.

Other Conflicts

• 11 June 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly United Nations 11 Jun 2010
• Press Conference to Launch Report ‘Second Generation Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Practices in Peace Operations’ United Nations 11 Jun 2010
• Gaza flotilla inquiry must comply with standards, UN expert says UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- Any inquiry set up by Israel to investigate the Gaza flotilla incident must be given a genuine capacity to find facts.
• Clinton Discusses Gaza With Palestinian President Abbas VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- US State Department: Secretary of State Clinton discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian President Abbas during a meeting in Washington.
• EU Ministers Propose Plan for Ending Gaza Blockade VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- A group of European Union foreign ministers have proposed a new plan for ending the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
• EU to discuss easing Gaza blockade: German official IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- EU FMs will look into the possibility of easing the Israeli siege of Gaza when they meet in Luxembourg.
• Press Conference by Permanent Mission of Sudan to United Nations United Nations 11 Jun 2010
• Civilians still in the firing line in Darfur, Security Council hears during ICC debate UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- Sudanese Government-sponsored attacks against civilians continue in Darfur, with thousands of people freshly displaced from their villages.
• SUDAN: Unsettled prospects for Jonglei State IRIN 11 Jun 2010 -- Continuing conflict has displaced thousands of people in Jonglei State, Southern Sudan.
• Notorious rebel group becoming more deadly in DR Congo attacks - UN UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- The notorious rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army is carrying out ever more deadly attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• MEND Claims Responsibility For Attack on Oil Facility VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Nigeria's main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has claimed responsibility for an attack at an oil facility in Niger state.
• Security Council welcomes agreement between Eritrea and Djibouti to end border dispute UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- Commending the agreement reached by Eritrea and Djibouti to peacefully resolve their two-year border dispute, the Security Council today called on the two countries to engage fully in the mediation process to ensure they can strike a final deal.
• SRI LANKA: Returning IDPs face lack of clean water, landmine threat IRIN 11 Jun 2010 -- Thousands of internally displaced people returning home from camps in northern Sri Lanka are concerned about access to potable water and slow progress in clearing landmines.
• AFRICA: Go-ahead for IDP convention IRIN 11 Jun 2010 -- AU members have adopted plans to implement the Kampala convention on the protection of internally displaced people.
• UN Genocide Rulings Bolster Case Against Karadzic RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- The UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague has sentenced two former Bosnian Serb army officers to life in prison on genocide charges.

News Reports

• Press Conference by General Assembly President Elect for Sixty-fifth Session United Nations 11 Jun 2010
• Soltaniyeh: IAEA members concerned about Israel nuclear weapons IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Envoy to the IAEA Soltaniyeh: IAEA members have voiced their concern over Israel's nukes.
• Pakistan for diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Foreign Ministry: Pakistan has always called for a negotiated settlement of the issues surrounding Iranian nuclear program.
• Iran: UN resolution marks end to Obama change policy IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- President Ahmadinejad: UN’s recent anti-Iran resolution is an end to the US President Barack Obama and his slogan of change.
• Ahmadinejad: US accustomed to meddling IRNA 11 Jun 2010 -- President Ahmadinejad: Americans are traditionally accustomed to interfering in others' affairs.
• UN Security Council risks losing authority - Iranian FM RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian FM Mottaki called for the UN Security Council to take a more balanced approach in its Middle East policies or risk losing authority.
• Analysts: Iran May Face Further Unilateral Sanctions VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Under American prodding, the U.N. Security Council has passed new sanctions on Iran for its nuclear ambitions.
• 'European' sanctions may be imposed on Iran - Kouchner RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- France does not rule out that separate "European" sanctions may be imposed on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
• Iran sanctions would be harsher without China RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- New sanctions against Iran would be a lot more far-reaching and damaging to the Islamic Republic without the efforts of China.
• Iran's President Uses Shanghai World Expo Trip to Blast US, UN VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the United States of hypocrisy during a visit to the World Expo in Shanghai.
• Ahmadinejad Uses China Visit To Blast Sanctions RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad sought to distance his host country China from the new UN sanctions as he visited Shanghai.
• Iran Says Trial for US Hikers Could Start Soon VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- A top Iranian official says three U.S. hikers detained in Iran on suspicion of spying could go on trial soon.
• Iranian Dissidents Urge UN to Act Against Iran VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian dissidents in exile are calling on the U.N. Human Rights Council to keep Iran on its watch list and take action against the country's gross violations of human rights.
• Iran Opposition Leaders Call Off Plans For Mass Rally RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Iranian opposition leaders have canceled plans for a rally to mark the anniversary of last June's bitterly disputed presidential election on June 12.
• The Myths And Realities Of New Media In Iran's Green Movement RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- One year ago, Iran's “Twitter revolution" made headlines in the Western media. Yet in Iran itself, no Twitter revolution was taking place at all.
• Kyrgyz Leaders Call for Calm Amid Renewed Bloodshed VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- New clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan have killed dozens of people and wounded more than 500 in the city of Osh.
• Ban calls for calm after renewed violence claims more lives in Kyrgyzstan UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban called for calm following reports of renewed clashes and several deaths in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh.
• UN chief calls for calm as death toll in Kyrgyz clashes rises to 39 RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Friday for a halt to the violence in Kyrgyzstan, where a new wave of unrest has broken out.
• Ethnic Russians flee turbulent Kyrgyzstan as violence worsens RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The number of ethnic Russians who want to leave Kyrgyzstan has risen dramatically, with many fearing persecution on ethnic grounds.
• Kyrgyz Officials Escape Attack In Bishkek RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Two senior Kyrgyz officials were attacked by a crowd of young Kyrgyz in Bishkek today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
• At Least 45 Dead As State Of Emergency Declared in Southern Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 11 Jun 2010 -- Authorities now say 45 people have been killed and more than 600 others injured in an outbreak of violence in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh and neighboring districts.
• Deadly Rioting Erupts in Southern Kyrgyzstan VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- Authorities in Kyrgyzstan say at least 26 people have been killed and some 400 others wounded in riots in southern city of Osh.
• State of emergency introduced in southern Kyrgyz city over riots RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Authorities had to introduce a state of emergency as a new wave of riots erupted in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh.
• Kyrgyz interim leader says restoring stability in south, death toll rises to 12 RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The Kyrgyz authorities will use all available resources to stabilize the situation in the south of the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic.
• Military vehicles enter southern Kyrgyzstan as riots break out RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Authorities had to introduce a state of emergency and send military forces as a new wave of riots erupted in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh.
• Russian Foreign Ministry concerned over Kyrgyz clashes RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over deadly clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan.
• Iraqi Shi'ites' New Parliamentary Alliance Hopes to Form New Government VOA 11 Jun 2010 -- As Iraq's new parliament prepares to meet Monday, the country's two top Shi'ite political blocs, including the (State of Law) party led by incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, have announced they are joining forces. Although they are a few seats short of a majority, the alliance gives the Shi'ites the largest bloc in the Baghdad parliament. The Shi'ite leaders feel this gives them the right to form the next Iraqi government.
• ANALYSIS: Burundi’s election wobbles IRIN 11 Jun 2010 -- Allegations of massive fraud during May’s local elections in Burundi have cast a shadow over the country's democratic transition.
• Russia sees no alternative to Lukashenko as Belarusian president RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- Russia sees no alternative to Alexander Lukashenko as president of Belarus.
• Former Swiss leader elected as next President of General Assembly UN News Centre 11 Jun 2010 -- A former leader of Switzerland was chosen by the world body’s 192 Member States to serve as the next President of the General Assembly.
• Latvian gets 7 years for role in Arctic Sea hijacking RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2010 -- The Moscow City Court on Friday sentenced Latvian national Dmitry Savins to seven years in a high-security prison for leading a pirate attack on the Arctic Sea vessel.
• Sentences for Taiwan ex-president, wife cut to 20 years from life CNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Life sentences for former President Chen Shui-bian and his wife Wu Shu-jen have been lowered to 20 years in prison.
• Taiwan Ex-president's son, daughter-in-law, aides, get lighter sentences CNA 11 Jun 2010 -- Former President Chen Shui-bian's son and daughter-in-law saw their sentences lowered after their second trial.
• Stricter 'embezzlement' standard leads court to cut Chen's sentence CNA 11 Jun 2010 -- The Taiwan High Court reduced sentence because it used a tighter standard than a lower court in defining what constituted "embezzlement."