Timeline – 2010 (SIADD)

=2010=

January 1

 * [[Image:Flag of Denmark.png|25px|border|Denmark]] Århus, Denmark – A 28-year-old Somali Muslim intruder armed with an axe and knife entered the home of Kurt Westergaard, the Danish cartoonist who created the controversial cartoon of the Muslim prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb in his turban, and was subsequently shot and wounded by police.


 * Westergaard was unharmed, because of the security precautions in his house. The suspect was arrested, taken into custody and charged with attempted murder of Westergaard and a police officer. According to PET intelligence, the suspect is closely linked to the Somali Islamist insurgency group al-Shabaab, commonly considered a terrorist organization, as well as al-Qaeda leaders in East Africa, and has been part of a "terror-related network" with Danish ties.

January 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would for the next days meet with his National Security Council, along with Director of the CIA Bobby Ray Inman and Director of FBI Robert Mueller, to discuss the attempted terrorist attack against Northwest Airlines Flight 253.

January 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.png|25px|border|Yemen]] Washington, D.C., USA and London, United Kingdom – The McCain Administration and the British government would announce their increased funding to a counterterrorism police unit in Yemen to tackle the rising terrorist threat from the country. while the United Kingdom would give more than £100 million ($161 million) to Yemen in 2011, while the U.S. government would increase its funding to counterterrorism measures in Yemen from $ 4,4 million (2006) to $65,6 million.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain endorsed the Republican candidate, State Senator Scott Brown, in the special election in Massachussets, saying that Brown's long record of public service fighting wasteful spending and higher taxes and as an officer on the Army National Guard, he understands the importance of a strong military and the necessity of protecting our interests around the world.


 * Trailing Democratic candiate Martha Coakley with between 25 and 30% and with analyst expressing little chance for a Republican victory on January 19, McCain was Brown's first major endorsement and his first visitor, and political analysts said that McCain's endorsement was a big gamble - as Brown was considered a long-shot candidate running for the seat left vacant by the death of Edward M. Kennedy, McCain's endorsement might eventually prove to be a guarantee for Brown's victory or a big blunder. Brown has since called McCain his political role model.

January 4

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The McCain administration is locked in internal debate over a top-secret policy blueprint for shrinking the U.S. nuclear arsenal and reducing the role of such weapons in America's military strategy and foreign policy. Officials in the Pentagon and elsewhere have pushed back against McCain administration proposals to cut the number of weapons and narrow their mission, according to U.S. officials and outsiders who have been briefed on the process. In turn, White House officials, unhappy with early Pentagon-led drafts of the blueprint known as the Nuclear Posture Review, steppes up their involvement in the deliberations and ordered that the document reflect McCain's preference for sweeping change.

January 7

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Sam Nunn, the National Security advisor said that Americans would feel "a certain shock" when a report detailing the intelligence failures that could have prevented the Christmas Day attack were released later that day. He said that President McCain would be "legitimately and correctly alarmed that things that were available, bits of information that were available, patterns of behavior that were available, were not acted on."

January 8

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – At a press conference at the White House along with Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Deputy National Security Advisor John O. Brennan, President McCain would criticize the U.S. intelligence agencies for "failing to interpret, compile, use and share information they had available. The failure was a serious error that could have had catastrophic consequences." He would announce improved security measures at U.S. airports and aviation security, including the order to U.S. security agencies to work better together to prevent terrorism, invest significant amounts to improve security at U.S. airports (including the introduction of 3D full-body scanning x-ray technology) as well strengthen cooperation with other countries around the world. Under new rules prompted by the incident, airline passengers travelling to the U.S. from 14 nations will aslo undergo extra screening: Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

January 10

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is facing harsh criticism due to a quote in the book "Game Change" by Mark Halperin og John Heileman, where he is quoted as saying privately in 2008 that Obama could be successful as a black candidate in part because of his "light-skinned" appearance and speaking patterns "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."


 * While Chairman of the Republican Party Michael Steele and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) called on Reid to give up his post, Reid's appology was accepted by Obama, saying that "Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today. I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart." President McCain would ask for restraint, saying that "while his remarks are embarrassing and racially insensitive, Obama has accepted his apology, and I am not intending to blow this particular case out of proporsions". He also urged the American people to join him in starting an open, honest and respectful debate on race.

January 11

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.png|25px|border|Yemen]] Sana'a, Yemen – A U.S. delegation consisting of Secretary of State Joe Lieberman and Defense Minister Robert Gates would travel to Yemen, where they met with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujur, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Kerbi and Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nasir Ahmad Ali to discuss increased military cooperation between Yemen and the United States in combatting al-Qa'ida on the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen, in response to the attempted terrorist attack against Northwest Airlines Flight 253.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Some Democrats in Congress would demand that the United States would hold back their guarantees of loan to Israel following the announcement by the Israeli government that they would begin construction of a 703 meter long barrier along the Israeli-Egyptian border at the cost of 1.5 billion Shekel.

January 12

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey show that 72% of people questioned in the poll said they have a moderate or great deal of confidence in the McCain administration to protect the public from future terrorist attacks, while 23 percent disapproved. While the survey showed that positive view of McCain on this matter was largest among Republicans (82%), the survey showed that 61% of independents and 51% of Democrats approve of how the president responded to the incident on Christmas Day. The survey also showed that the vast majority of Americans supported McCain's plan to introduce full-body scanners in airports across the country.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Europe.png|25px|border|European Union]][[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Brussels, Belgium – At the headquarters of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Richard Jones met with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East Tony Blair and foreign ministers David Miliband (United Kingdom), Bernard Kouchner (France), Guido Westerwelle (Germany), Franco Frattini (Italy), Miguel Ángel Moratinos (Spain) and Morten Høglund (Norway) to re-start the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, with the goal of a two-state solution.


 * [[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Port-au-Prince, Haiti – At 4:53:09 p.m. local time, an earthquake with magnitude 7.0 Mw centered approximately 10 miles (16 km) from Port-au-Prince, Haiti damaged most of Port-au-Prince's major landmarks, including the National Presidential Palace of Haiti, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral and at least one hospital. Tens of thousands were reported missing.

January 13

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Washington, D.C., USA – In response to the earthquake in Haiti, McCain said: "My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake. We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti." Immediately after the earthquake, Secretary of State Lieberman said the United States would provide civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to Haiti in form of 72 search-and-rescue personnel, six rescue dogs and up to 48 tons of equipment.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In Washington D.C., McCain' temper would come under scrutiny as a quote in the book "Game Change" by Mark Halperin og John Heileman said that during the 2008 presidential campaign McCain had yelled "FUCK YOU! FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK" at his wife Cindy. Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan would respond to this by saying that the relationship between the McCains was at its best, but that they at times quarrel like any other couple. Other politicians, including Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Guliani, Joe Biden and Barack Obama were also criticized in the book.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.png|25px|border|Yemen]] Washington, D.C., USA – The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) said lawmakers should consider whether U.S.-led air strikes, drone attacks and, if necessary special forces on the ground in Yemen to defeat an emboldened al-Qaida force there. This was bluntly refused by the Yemeni government.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Washington, D.C., USA – Televangelist Pat Robertson claimed that Haiti's founders had sworn a "pact to the Devil" in order to liberate themselves from the French slave owners and indirectly attributed the earthquake to the consequences of the Haitian people being "cursed" for doing so.

January 14

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Washington, D.C., USA –At a joint press conference with Vice President Pawlenty, Secretary of State Lieberman and Secretary of Defense Gates in attendance, McCain would announce a massive humanitarian and military response to the earthquake in Haiti.


 * The United States would commit $100,000,000 to help Haiti recover from the earthquake, dispatch the Coast Guard cutters Forward and Mohawk to coordinate military aircraft over Haiti with satellite communications, two Coast Guard C-130s to fly up and down the coast looking for people needing help, while two Coast Guard helicopters arrived to provide rescue or other assistance. The Navy would dispatch the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its helicopters would provide critical air transport for relief workers, while the hospital ship USNS Comfort and other ships including destroyers would move toward Haiti to provide relief. The Marines would dispatch a a Navy amphibious assault ship carrying a force of about 2,200 Marines from Camp Lejeune to help provide security, support the embassy or support humanitarian work. The army would dispatch a more than 3,500-strong Army brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Washington, D.C., USA – In her daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan commented Robertson's comment: "It never ceases to amaze that in times of amazing human suffering somebody says something that could be so utterly stupid."


 * It was reported that McCain himself had referred to Robertson's commentary as "ignorant bullshit" and said that Robertson was an "agent of intolerance corrupting influences on religion and politics."


 * [[Image:Flag of Yemen.png|25px|border|Yemen]] Sana'a, Yemen – Meanwhile, in Yemen, as the country's council of Muslim clerics called for jihad if foreign troops were to establish themselves in the country, Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nasir Ahmad Ali declared an open war on al-Qaida, saying that "The war security forces launched against al-Qaeda elements is open whenever or wherever we find these elements. Yemen is determined to clear its territory of al-Qaeda members."

January 15-16

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Massachusetts.png|25px|border|Massachusetts]] Boston and Wrentham, Massachussetts, USA – McCain would along with Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell be engaged in community service to honor slain civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., while also visiting the American Red Cross headquarters.


 * President McCain travelled to Boston and Wrentham, Massachusetts, to campaign for Scott Brown in the Senate special election. At the campaign meetings McCain would praise Brown for his fiscal conservatism, his maverick stances and appeal to both Republicans and independents and his military service. "Scott Brown has a long record of public service fighting wasteful spending and higher taxes," McCain said. "As an officer on the Army National Guard, he understands the importance of a strong military and the necessity of protecting our interests around the world."

January 17

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Haiti.png|25px|border|Haiti]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain met with former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at the White House, where he announced the establishment of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise contributions for relief and recovery efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

January 18

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would along with Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell be engaged in community service to honor slain civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., while also visiting the American Red Cross headquarters.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]] Kabul, Afghanistan – At 0950, seven Taliban militans launch a coordinated suicide attack in central Kabul, Afghanistan. Taliban gunmen attacked the presidential palace, the central bank and several government buildings. The shopping complex Gulbahar, and a cinema in the city was targetted by the attackers. Twelve people died in the attack, including the Taliban fighters, with dozens reported wounded. According to a statement on a Taliban website, the nearby Serena Hotel and government buildings were the intended target for the attack.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would immediately condemn the attack, saying that "It is an indiscriminate attack on public areas of Kabul which shows the Taliban deliberately disregard the lives of ordinary Afghans. The United States and the rest of the international community stand united with the government of Afghanistan and express our condolences for the lives lost in the attack. This incident strengthens our resolve to build a safer, more secure Afghanistan."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – An ABC News investigation revealed that coded references to New Testament Bible passages about Jesus Christ are inscribed on high-powered rifle sights provided to the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the training of Iraqi and Afghan soldiers. The maker of the sights, Trijicon, has a $660 million multi-year contract to provide up to 800,000 sights to the Marine Corps, and additional contracts to provide sights to the U.S. Army. U.S. military rules specifically prohibit the proselytizing of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan and were drawn up in order to prevent criticism that the U.S. was embarked on a religious "Crusade" in its war against al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents.

January 19

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Massachusetts.png|25px|border|Massachusetts]] Boston, Massachussetts, USA – In the 2010 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts in order to fill the vacant Massachusetts Class I Senate seat created by the death of Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy on August 25, 2009, Republican Party candidate Scott Brown suprisingly wins with a large margin (51.9%) over Democratic Party candidate Martha Coakly (47.1%).


 * McCain would be among the first to congratulate him with his victory, stating that: "."

January 25

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. Among the topics that McCain covered in his speech were proposals for job creation, federal deficit reduction, change of structure of government in Washington, D.C., campaign finance regulation and foreign policy. He also criticized the heated political tone between Democrats and Republicans.


 * On the economy, he defended the necessity of the unpopular bailout included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. On the budget, he announced the Comprehensive Deficit Reduction Plan, which included a reduction of annual deficit by at least $ 200 billion, as well as a balanced federal budget with surplus by 2016. He also declared that starting in 2011, freeze government spending for 3 years on discretionary programs (excluding national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. He also announced a plan to reduce pork-barrel spending.


 * On health care, he said he hoped that the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform would pass Congress before summer with bipartisan support. On labour, he announced that he would introduce tax breaks for companies that create jobs in the U.S. On Energy, he announced the Comprehensive National Energy Program, which would include building more nuclear power plants, explore off-shore areas for oil and gas, reduce dependence on foreign oil, as well as invest in the advance biofuels, wind, solar and clean coal technologies.


 * On foreign policy, he stood by his stance on the War in Afghanistan. He stood by his 45,000 troop surge, and said that the U.S. and their NATO and Afghan allies would turn the tide in the war by a series of counter-insurgency operations and inplement government and humanitarian services in areas previously controlled by the Taliban. He also guaranteed the United States would not withdraw until the Afghan security forces were capable of handling the responsibility themselves, and any date of withdrawal would depend on the situation on the ground. He also stood by the plan of withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq by 2013. He also announced that the United States would actively engage al-Qaida operatives in Yemen.


 * On governmental issues, he announced that he would work on implementina a President's question time, and criticized the heated political tone between Democrats and Republican. He also criticized the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on removing elements of the campaign finance regulation, and announced he would work with Congress on re-implement them as soon as possible. On immigration reform, he announced that he would wait for the Bipartisan commission on immigration reform headed by Homeland Security Secretary Ridge on presenting their results. He expressed his support for finishing the fence along the U.S.-Mexican border, but also guest workers programs.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]] Baghdad, Iraq – Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was executed by hanging after being sentenced to death for a forth time on January 17. Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid was the first cousin of former President of Iraq Saddam Hussein and the former Ba'athist Iraqi Defense Minister, Interior Minister, military commander and chief of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. He was better known as "Chemical Ali" by Iraqi Kurds for his use of chemical weapons in attacks against the Kurds in the north in the 1980s.

January 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan – McCain would travel to Afghanistan and Iraq on two unannounced visits.


 * In Afghanistan, McCain met Afghan President Hamid Karzai, where McCain repeated his quarantee that the United States and ISAF would not withdraw from Afghanistan as long as he was President, and that any date of withdrawal would depend on the situation on the ground and when the Afghan security forces were capable of handling the responsibility themselves. Karzai would express his outmost appreciation of this guarantee, stating that "the United States and ISAF were true allies of the Afghan people."


 * McCain would then speak with the Head of ISAF and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, where they discussed the military situation in Afghanistan and the upcoming operations in Helmand and Kandahar. Finally, he would speak to U.S. soldiers at Bagram Air Base, where he praised their commitment and duty, as well as honoring those who had fell in duty.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]] Baghdad, Iraq – U.S. President McCain would then continue to Iraq, where he met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to discuss the upcoming parliamentary election due March 7, 2010. He also visited U.S. soldiers fighting in the Iraq War.

January 27

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.png|25px|border|Georgia]] Batumi, Georgia – McCain travelled to Batumi, Georgia. While there, he was awarded the Order of the National Hero of Georgia for his strong support for Georgia during the 2008 Georgia-Russia War by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. During the war, he had stated that now "we are all Georgians" and vehemently criticising the actions of Russia. Saakashvili said McCain called him during the war and told him "not to surrender and not to say no to freedom" when "some well-known world figures were telling us to stop resistance." He continued that "The fact that a part of Georgia is free today is the achievement of our friends. It was the idea of freedom that stopped [Russian] tanks in Georgia".


 * McCain said the award was "an expression of partnership and solidarity between our two nations, confronted by common challenges, bound by common interests, and united by common democratic values. Of all the honours I've received in my life the National Hero Award is among the most meaningful and it is one that I would cherish forever." At the beginning of the ceremony, McCain was also handed what Saakashvili said was a golden pistol that once belonged to an American pilot captured by Soviet troops in Vietnam. He said it had been sold during the August war to a Georgian businessman by a Russian general.

January 28

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] London, United Kingdom – International Conference on Afghanistan was held at Lancaster House in London, where members of the international community discussed the further progress on the Petersberg agreement from 2001 on the democratization of Afghanistan after the ousting of the Taliban regime. The one-day conference, hosted by the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the Afghan government, meant to chart a new course for the future of Afghanistan and brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from more than 70 countries and international organizations.


 * The conference was also attended by the Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Zalmay Rasoul, U.S. President John McCain and Secretary of State Joe Lieberman, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, UN envoy Kai Eide and the British Secretary of State David Miliband, as well as the former Afghan minister of finance Ashraf Ghani and the British prime minister Gordon Brown. Afghanistan agreed to timetables to take control of certain military and police functions, and launched a program to lure Taliban insurgents back to mainstream life with financial incentives.

January 29

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Republic of China.png Washington, D.C., USA – The Pentagon announced a proposed weapons sale to the Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan) worth $6.4 billion. The sale consisted of 60 Blackhawk helicopters, 114 missiles, 2 naval minesweepers and tracking devices.

January 30

 * Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png[[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Beijing, People's Republic of China – China announced a series of moves against the U.S. in retaliation for a proposed weapons sale to Taiwan worth $6.4 billion. Beijing would suspend military exchanges with the U.S., review co-operation on major issues like the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs and impose sanctions on companies selling arms, including Sikorsky Aircraft, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and McDonnel Douglas.

February 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain, with Secretary of the Treasury Warren Buffett in attendance, announced his proposal for the fiscal year 2011 federal budget. He indicated that jobs, health care, clean energy, education, and infrastructure will be priorities. The total requested spending was $3.363 trillion and the federal deficit is forecast to be $656 billion in 2010 and $581 trillion in 2011. Total debt is budgeted to increase from $12.9 trillion in FY2009, to $13.563 trillion in FY2010, and $14.14 trillion in FY2011. While acknowledging that his planned "Crusade against Pork Barrel Spending" was not going as fast as he liked, he said that the economy is still vulnerable, and that they had managed to reduce the yearly federal deficit from $838 billion in 2010 to $656 billion in 2011; a reduction of $182 billion.


 * Republicans and fiscally conservative Democrats would praise his proposed budget, while the majority of Democrats and some Republicans would criticize him; Democrats over the reduced federal spending and both Democrats and Republicans over the lack of earmarks.

February 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png Washington, D.C., USA – White House Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan announces that President McCain will meet with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Washington, D.C. in mid-February. The announcement was met with a warning by Zhu Weiqun, the vice director of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who said that: "If the American leader chooses to meet the Dalai Lama, it will threaten the trust and cooperation between China and the United States".


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Speaking in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the United States' top two defense officials called for an end to the 16-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, a major step toward allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the United States military for the first time. “No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. As a murmur swept through a hearing room packed with gay rights leaders, Admiral Mullen said it was his personal belief that “allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.”


 * In contrast to Admiral Mullen, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was more cautious, even as he acknowledged that the question was not whether the law would be repealed but how the Pentagon might best prepare for the change. Early in his testimony, Mr. Gates made clear that he was acting at the behest of President McCain, who ought to consider seriously changing it if the Pentagon review recommended it. Gates then threw the final decision back to the legislative branch. “We have received our orders from the commander in chief, and we are moving out accordingly,” Mr. Gates told the committee. “However, we can also take this process only so far, as the ultimate decision rests with you, the Congress.”


 * Some Republicans would criticize McCain for his willingness to change the policy if Pentagon leaders called for repeal.

February 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain hosts a meeting of Governors in the State Dining Room. Afterwards, he holds a Cabinet-level exercise in crisis-management in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.


 * Flag of Norway.png Oslo, Norway – The Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet published on its front page a caricature of the Muslim prophet Muhammad portrayed as a pig. The caricature was originally posted at the Facebook page of the Norwegian Police Security Service (Norwegian: Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, PST). This would spark intense demonstration against the newspaper over the following weeks.

February 6

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain speaks at a gathering of the Republican National Committee's Winter Meeting at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, D.C. The president's motorcade encounters trouble due to the blizzard that affected the region when a snow-laden tree branch fell on a vehicle carrying journalists as it returned to the White House; no one was injured.

February 8

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – As the budget reaches the Congress, McCain stated in a White House Press Conference that he would veto any federal budget which includes pork barrel spending, thus antagonizing some Democrats further.

February 10

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain meets with his National Security Team in preparation for the planned ISAF offensive in Helmand province in Afghanistan, Operation Moshtarak.


 * Charles Nesbitt Wilson (born June 1, 1933), a United States naval officer and former 12-term Democratic United States Representative from the 2nd congressional district in Texas, died at Lufkin Memorial Hospital in Lufkin, Texas after suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest. He was best known for leading Congress into supporting Operation Cyclone, the largest-ever Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert operation, which under the Reagan administration supplied military equipment, including anti-aircraft weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and paramilitary officers from their Special Activities Division to the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

February 11

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would express his condolences to his family, saying that: "Yesterday, America lost one of our finest patriots. A patriot who dedicated his life to fight Communist tyranny. Who dedicated his career to help the Afghan people. He will never be forgotten by the people of the United States nor the Afghan people."


 * Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that "America has lost an extraordinary patriot whose life showed that one brave and determined person can alter the course of history", while Atta Mohammed Nur, a major commander in the war against the Soviets, expressed his condolences by saying that "When we got the Stingers, it changed the situation on the front line totally. Mr. Wilson is in the heart of the Afghan people. Never will the Afghan nation forget him."

February 12

 * Flag of Norway.png Oslo, Norway – After the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet refused to apologise for printing a caricature of the prophet Muhammad, and Muslim taxi drivers initiated a strike on February 6, around 3000 Muslim demonstrators took to the streets in downtown Oslo Friday afternoon to protest against newspaper Dagbladet's publishing of a caricature of the prophet Mohammad. The demonstrators marched peacefully past the Parliament buildings and down to the Central Station.

February 13

 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.png|23px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of Denmark.png|25px|border|Denmark]][[Image:Flag of Estonia.png|25px|border|Estonia]] Helmand Province, Afghanistan – Operation Moshtarak (Dari for Together) was initiated.


 * A total of 15,000 ISAF forces launches in the early hours an offensive towards the town of Marjah, which lays in the area that is described as the "poppy-growing belt" of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. The main target of the offensive was Marjah, which had been controlled for years by Taliban militants as well as drug traffickers.


 * Around 2,500 Afghan troops participated, along with 4,000 British, 9,000 American as well as Danish and Estonian forces. U.S. forces consisted of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 4th Battalion, 23rd Stryker Infantry, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion as well as support units. As such, the offensive has been described as the largest since the fall of the Taliban, whose government was ousted from Kabul and Kandahar in October-December 2001, but proceeded to resist in the following years in an ongoing guerrilla war known as the Taliban insurgency. This became especially clear during the violent campaign in the midst of the Afghan presidential elections in 2009.

February 14-25

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would head daily meetings with his National Security Council regarding the development of Operation Moshtarak in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

February 17

 * Flag of Norway.png Oslo, Norway – The Mohyeldeen Mohammad, a 24-year old Muslim from Norway styding Sharia law in Saudi Arabia, would shock Norway as he said Norway was at war with Islam, expressed his support of executing homosexuals by stoning and saying that Muslims who supported democracy were infidels.

February 18

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Tibet.png|25px|border|Tibet]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain met with the Dalai Lama at the White House. At the meeting McCain would stress his "strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity, and the protection of human rights for Tibetans," and praised the Dalai Lama's "commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government". Controversially, he would also state that he does not "recognize the Chinese supremacy over Tibet" and "fully supports" Tibetan independence.

February 19

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain and Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Chuck Hagel attended a gathering of veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima and their families gathered at the National Museum of the Marine Corps to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the iconic World War II battle.


 * Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png[[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Tibet.png|25px|border|Tibet]] Beijing, People's Republic of China – China would condemn McCain's support for Tibetan independence and expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the meeting. A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said that "China demands the U.S. seriously consider China's stance, immediately adopt measures to wipe out the adverse impact, [and] stop conniving and supporting anti-China separatist forces."

February 20

 * Flag of Norway.png Oslo, Norway – The Norwegian Prime Minister Siv Jensen would announce at a press conference that she would under no circumstances apologise for Dagbladets publishing of the caricature of the prophet Muhammad, and said that the "islamisation" of Norway was well under way with a small number of extremist trying to damage the Norwegian freedom of speech. While meeting praise in Denmark, Sweden, France and Italy, Muslim countries would openly condemn Norway for her statement, burning Norwegian flags and protesting against the caricatures. Danish media would state that the "second Muhammad caricature controversy" was under way.

February 22

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of Energy Chris Shays would announce the United States Nuclear Power Renewal Plan. Using France as a role model, the plan would include the construction of 45 new nuclear reactors to be built in the United States by 2030, research in new-generation nuclear reactors as well as research in expanded use in Thorium (Th 90), which has potential advantages over a uranium fuel cycle, including greater abundance on Earth, superior physical and nuclear properties of fuel, enhanced proliferation resistance, and reduced nuclear waste production. As part of the plan, Shays announced $4.3 billion in federal loan guarantees to help Southern Company build two new nuclear reactors in Burke County, Georgia.

February 25

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] New York City, New York, USA – Secretary of State Lieberman announced that UN sanctions on Iran would be ready by 30-60 days, gaining support from countries that earlier were sceptical of sanctioning Iran, including Russia (due to the McCain administration's negotiations on the missile defence shield in Eastern Europe), Brazil and others.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.png|23px|ISAF]] Marjah, Afghanistan – In Marjah, the Afghan flag was raised over as the first phase of the U.S.-led offensive to capture a key Taliban stronghold on Thursday came to an end, with the U.S. Marines commander declaring it a "historic day". Mohammad Gulab Mangal, governor of Helmand province, raised the green, red and black national flag in Marjah, watched by Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, the commander of the U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan. "It's a very historical day, a new beginning," Nicholson told AFP at the ceremony, attended by a crowd of several hundred residents, watched over by U.S. Marine snipers stationed on the roofs of surrounding buildings.

February 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain headed a bipartisan health care summit at Blair House. The main themes are cost control, deficit reduction, insurance reform and expanding coverage. As the Republicans and Democrats fight eachother over the aspects of health care reform, with McCain especially focusing on opposition to special deals inserted in the Democratic counterproposition to the Senate health care bill, and advocating cross-state line health insurance and medical malpratice reform.

February 27

 * Flag of Chile.png Santiago, Chile – A 8.8 earthquake strikes Chile, killing at least 200 people, and destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas. President John McCain called Bachelet and said the United States stood ready to help Chile. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert for countries in Latin America as well as Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia and French Polynesia.

February 28

 * [[Image:Olympic Rings.png|28px|Olympic Games]][[Image:CanadasFlag.png|25px|border|Canada]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Vancouver, Canada – Canada defeated the United States in overtime, 3-2, on on Sidney Crosby's overtime goal in the Gold Medal Game in themen's ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. McCain lost a friendly wager with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper over who would win the finals. White House spokesman Brooke Buchanan said President McCain had wagered a case of Yuengling, a Pennsylvania regional brew, while Harper wagered 24 bottles of Molson. The beer battle pitted Canada's oldest brewery against the oldest beer maker in the United States. According to Buchanan McCain would as a joke also add a few bottles of Anheuser-Busch beers from his wife Cindy's wholesale and distribution company Hensley & Co.

March 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Bethesda, Maryland, USA – McCain travelled to Bethesda, Maryland, for a routine medical examination at the National Naval Medical Center, where he later visited soldiers who were wounded in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.

March 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Afghanistan.png Kabul, Afghanistan – McCain would travel to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai. They would discuss the progress of Operation Moshtarak, the campaign against corruption in Afghanistan as well as address the issue of civilian casualties.

March 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Afghanistan.png Helmand Province, Afghanistan – McCain would travel to the Helmand province, where he visited the city of Lashkar Gah, the British-Danish Camp Bastion, U.S., Afghan and British troops participating in Operation Moshtarak as well as a flag raising ceremony in the newly secured Marjah. While in Marjah, he would also meet with the town elders for a Shura, where he promised that "We have made regretable mistakes in the past. But we have learned from them. We will not abandon you. Not as long as I am President."

March 5

 * Flag of Slovakia.png Bratislava, Slovakia – The Patriotism Act was passed by the Slovak parliament (Národná rada Slovenskej republiky) at its early March session. According to the law, drafted by Ján Slota, the head of the Slovak National Party (SNS) and his right hand Rafael Rafaj, the beginning of each week at all Slovak schools and offices of the state administration as well as sporting events organised by national sports associations and all sessions of local, regional and national parliaments will start with the playing of the Slovak national anthem. In addition, other Slovak national symbols: the coat of arms, the flag, the words of the national anthem and the preamble to the Constitution must be displayed in all classrooms of public schools as an effort towards patriotic education, one of the goals of the new legislation, according to its backers. All state officials will also be obliged to swear an oath of fidelity to their homeland. “Not only children, but also adults should be better patriots, and the state should create space for them to understand patriotism and I believe we managed to do this by passing this law,” Rafaj said.


 * The law proposed by SNS was supported by MPs from its coalition partners, Smer (Social Democrats) and the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS). Smer, however, had objected to a part of the original proposal which would have required not only state administration bureaucrats but also mayors and every Slovak citizen to swear their fidelity when they are first issued their national IDs at age 15. These proposals were omitted from the final draft. The law does not establish any sanctions for violations. However, the Sme daily wrote that the bodies that are responsible for schools – municipal or regional authorities – could interpret a violation of the Patriotism Act as a violation of one’s employment duties.


 * Critics of the new legislation mainly voiced their concern that what they called ‘forced patriotism’ might be counterproductive, especially for children at schools. Representatives of the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) said they were concerned that the state could misuse the new law to bully minorities. József Berényi from SMK said there are many ways in which it could be used as a tool for bullying, “whether they play the whole anthem, whether the disc is allright, whether the volume is high enough or not”, as quoted by Sme.


 * When the law comes into effect it will cause additional costs for the schools which must purchase the state symbols for each classroom from their own resources. Education Minister Ján Mikolaj said, as reported by the SITA newswire, that the additional expenses will not be very high and that schools will not get any additional money to buy them. According to calculations made by Sme, the overall cost for about 32,000 classrooms across Slovakia could be between €650,000 and €1.2 million.


 * If President Ivan Gašparovič approved of the law, the Patriotism Act would come into effect on April 1.

March 6

 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Tehran, Iran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would state on state TV that "September 11 was a big lie and a pretext for the war on terror and a prelude to invading Afghanistan." He called the attacks a "complicated intelligence scenario and act."


 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Ramallah, Palestinian National Authority – The Palestinians agreed to restart peace negotiations with Israel, with the United States as mediator.

March 7

 * Flag of Iraq.png Baghdad, Iraq – In Iraq, the parliamentary election was held as scheduled. The election decided the 325 members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq who will elect the Prime Minister of Iraq and the President of Iraq. The election was planned for the same day as a referendum on the Status of Forces Agreement. Despite that al-Qaida bomb attacks claimed the lives of 24 Iraqis, the turn-out was quite high, at 62.4%.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Iraq.png Washington, D.C., USA – :In a press conference at the White House, President McCain praised Iraqis’ resolve, saying that "I congratulate the people of Iraq for casting their ballots in this important parliamentary election. I have great respect for the millions of Iraqis who refused to be deterred by acts of violence, and who exercised their right to vote today. Their participation demonstrates that the Iraqi people have chosen to shape their future through democratic political processes."


 * Flag of Afghanistan.png Marjah, Afghanistan – President Hamid Karzai visited the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah, which was re-taken by U.S. and Afghan forces during Operation Moshtarak. Karzai asked wary residents to back his government in return for security and reconstruction projects. "The promises that we have made for security and reconstruction, we will fulfil them. Are you with me or against me?" Karzai asked the turbaned and bearded elders packed in the town's mosque. The elders shouted: "We are with you, we are supporting you", but during the meeting some of them expressed concern about former corrupt local officials.

March 8

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]] Jerusalem, Israel – As Vice President Pawlenty was arriving for a three-day visit to the Middle East, the Israeli government announces the plans for construction of 112 new housing units in a disputed area of East Jerusalem claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.

March 9

 * [[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Afghanistan.svg Kabul, Afghanistan – The commander of ISAF and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, vowed that coalition forces "are absolutely going to secure Kandahar," as security efforts expand in the country's south. "We already are doing a lot of security operations in Kandahar, but it's our intent - under President [Hamid] Karzai - to make an even greater effort there," Gen. Stanley McChrystal told a joint news conference Monday with Mark Sedwill, the NATO senior civilian representative to the country, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. McChrystal indicated a military operation could begin in the volatile Kandahar province as early as this summer, but both Sedwill and McChrystal cautioned that much political groundwork lay ahead for NATO-led coalition troops before an offensive can begin. Just as in the recent Marjah operation, the goal, they said, is to gain the support of the Afghan people.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]] Jerusalem, Israel – Israel announces the the plans for construction of 1,600 new housing units in a disputed area of East Jerusalem.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Europe.svg|25px|border|European Union]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px|border|UN]][[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]] Jerusalem, Israel – While being softer than the European Union and the UN in their criticism of Israel, Vice President Pawlenty said that it was "unfortunate to announce this at a time when the United States is planning to restart the peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestnians."

March 10

 * [[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Teheran, Iran – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Iran, where he expressed his support for the Iranian nuclear program, and criticized the West's plans for increased sanctions on Iran. "I don't believe that any further sanctions will yield results," Erdogan told journalists in Riyadh on Tuesday, adding that earlier rounds of sanctions "have never yielded results." He insisted that Iran's nuclear rights should be respected, saying that "We believe there should be cooperation, not polarization, in the region. We support dialogue and diplomacy for solving the problem about Iran's nuclear program. During the solution process, Iran should be given the right to have civilian nuclear energy meant for peaceful purposes. On the other hand, we want the Middle East to be turned into a nuclear weapons-free zone."


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli officials appologized to Vice President Pawlenty and to the U.S. for the timing of the last announcement. Meanwhile Pawlenty visited Ramallah to meet the Palestinian leadership under Mahmood Abbas.

March 13

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Washington, D.C., USA and Moscow, Russia – President McCain had what the White House described as an “encouraging” phone conversation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as the two countries sought to work out the remaining issues on a treaty to significantly reduce nuclear arsenals. National Security Advisor Sam Nunn said the two presidents reviewed progress toward an arms control accord that would succeed the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expired in December. “The results of their talks are encouraging, and both leaders are committed to concluding an agreement soon,” Nunn said. The Kremlin, was even more positive, saying “it is now possible to talk about specific dates for the submission of the draft START treaty for signing by the heads of state.”


 * Flag of Afghanistan.pngFlag of Taliban.png Kandahar, Afghanistan – In Kandahar, 5 suicide attacks carried out by the Taliban killed 35 people and wounded 57 others.The first explosion, a suicide car bombing, took place near the province's main prison. At the same time, a second suicide car bomb went off in front of the police headquarters. The third attack was carried out by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Provincial council chief Ahmad Wali Karzai's home, while another targeted suicide attack by a bomber on a bicycle targeted a bus station. According to Ahmad Karzai, the attacks were intended as diversions from the main strike on the prison. Saturday's fatalities included 13 police officers and 22 civilians, including six women and three children. Among the wounded were 40 civilians and 17 police officers.


 * Flag of Georgia.png Tbilisi, Georgia – In Georgia, panic gripped the people when a pro-government television station broadcast a fake report that Russian tanks had entered the capital and President Mikheil Saakashvili had been killed. Imedi TV introduced the report as an “imitation of possible events”, but the warning was lost on many viewers as mobile phone networks crashed and residents of Tbilisi rushed into the streets.The report thrust the ex-Soviet neighbours back to August 2008, when Russia crushed an assault by U.S. ally Georgia on the rebel region of South Ossetia in a five-day war and sent tanks to within 45 km (28 miles) of Tbilisi. When people was told it was a false alarm, dozens of angry Georgians converged on Imedi, where opposition politician Nino Burjanadze told reporters the stunt was “disgusting”.

March 14

 * Flag of Taliban.pngFlag of Afghanistan.png Afghanistan – Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said that "The Mujahedeen's successful operation in the heart of Kandahar city was a message to Stanley McChrystal and a reaction to the U.S. coming operation in Kandahar province. The Mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate are fully prepared and ready to fight the Americans, NATO and their allies, no matter whichever part of Afghanistan they may be [in]."

March 15

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – After being criticized by some Democrats on Capitol Hill for avoiding the health care issue by travelling to Afghanistan, McCain would on Monday call for daily meetings between Senate and House Democrats and Republicans to reach a final agreement on the health care reform. The first meeting would take place on Wednesday.

March 16

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Jerusalem, Israel and Ramallah, Palestine – The special envoy to the Middle East, Richard Jones, visits both Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and the President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas to restart peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He criticizes the Israeli decision to construct settlements in East Jerusalem, saying that "Netanyahu, as a man willing to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians, should reconsider their plans. The decision only contributes to deteriorate the already fragile peace that now exist between the Israelis and the Palestinians."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Washington, D.C., USA and Moscow, Russia – In a new phone call, President McCain would in a phone conversation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hear the Russian president raise several fresh hurdles, including the McCain administration's proposal for a joint Russian-U.S. missile defence shield in the Czech Republic, Poland and Azerbaijan.

March 17

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Moscow, Russia – Secretary of State Joe Lieberman travelled to Russia, where he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and foreign minister Sergey V. Lavrov for high-level meetings in Moscow to conclude the final parts of the delayed nuclear arms control pact to replace START I. Despite the Russian president's hurdle during his phone conversation with U.S. President McCain the previous day, both Lieberman and Lavrov would state that the talks were back on track, though administration officials conceded there were still differences over a handful of issues like transparency and the missile defense system. However, Lavrov expressed confidence last week that a deal could be reached by the end of the month.


 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Sderot, Israel – Meanwhile, in the Middle East, a Palestinian Kassam rocket hits close to the Israeli town of Sderot. Two were treated for shock.

March 18

 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Netiv Ha'asara, Israel – Israel is again targeted by Palestinian rockets, as the kibbutz Netiv Ha'asara is targeted by Kassam rockets. A guest worker from Thailand was killed. The unknown terrorist group Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack. That night, IAF aircraft struck six targets in Gaza in response to a Kassam attack that killed a foreign worker in Netiv Ha'asara Thursday. The army said it struck three smuggling tunnels on the Egyptian border, a weapons production facility and two tunnels intended for infiltration into Israel to carry out attacks. Two Palestinians were reportedly wounded in the strikes.

March 19

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the United Kingdom.PNGFlag of the Russian Federation.png[[Image:Flag of Europe.png|25px|border|European Union]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|UN]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Jerusalem, Israel – The Middle East Quartet urged the Israeli government to cease all settlement activity and illegal outposts on the West Bank. Later that evening, fourteen Palestinians were reportedly wounded when the IAF struck several targets in the Dahaniya airport in the southern Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks.

March 20

 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Sha'ar Hanegev, Israel – A Kassam rocket launched by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip hit an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev region on Saturday evening. The rocket was the fourth projectile to hit Israel's South on Saturday. No one was hurt and no damage was reported in any of the attacks. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets from Gaza into Israel and also urged that Hamas release kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit on humanitarian grounds. After spending the day talking to Palestinian Authority leaders in the West Bank, Ban came to have dinner with President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. In welcoming Ban, Peres called on PA President Mahmoud Abbas to start negotiations straight away. "Let us not waste time," he said. "Things have to move."


 * Flag of the Russian Federation.png Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok and Kaliningrad, Russia – In Russia, thousands of people rallied across Russia Saturday to denounce the government's economic policy and demand more freedom in a new challenge to the Kremlin reflecting increasing disillusionment and a growing potential for protests. Many participants in the rallies, dubbed the Day of Wrath by the opposition, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. In St. Petersburg, 1,000 people demonstrated holding placards Putin's team must resign!. In Vladivostok, an opposition rally drew about 1,500 people, and similar protests were to be held in many other cities throughout Russia on Saturday. Between 3,000 and 5,000 demonstrators gathered in the Baltic city of Kaliningrad despite a decision by the opposition leaders to cancel the protest. They chanted Government should resign! and called for the ouster of the provincial governor. Police didn't intervene in the St. Petersburg protest, but they barred protesters chanting anti-Putin slogans from holding a rally on a downtown Moscow. City police spokesman Viktor Biryukov said 70 people had been detained for taking part in the protest, which was not authorized by authorities.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would once again criticize Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for his "authoritarian style of government" and called the protests a "test in how much criticism the Russian authorities can tolerate."


 * Flag of Iraq.png Baghdad, Iraq – In Iraq, Iraq's Kurdish President Jalal Talabani and Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday called on the country's electoral commission to recount the vote of the country's March 7 elections after latest partial preliminary results showed the rival secular politician Ayad Allawi was leading the race.


 * The results of the parliamentary election were as follows:
 * Ayad Allawi's Iraqi National Movement (al-Iraqiya) got 2,631,388 votes, totalling 25.87% of votes and 91 seats.
 * Al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition got 2,620,042 vote, totalling 25.76% and 89 seats.
 * The National Iraqi Alliance got 1,976,412 votes, totalling 19.43% and 70 seats.
 * The Kurdistan List got 1,553,667 votes, totalling 15.27% and 43 seats.
 * The Movement for Change (Gorran) got 443,871 votes, totalling 4.36% and 8 seats.
 * The Unity Alliance of Iraq got 295,226 votes, totalling 2.90% and 4 seats.
 * Iraqi Accord Front (al-Tawafuq) got 276,733 votes, totalling 2.72% and 6 seats.
 * The Kurdistan Islamic Union got 230,742 votes, totalling 2.27% and 4 seats.
 * Finally, the Islamic Group of Kurdistan got 143,790 votes, totalling 1.41% of the votes and 2 seats.

March 21

 * Flag of the Czech Republic.png Prague, Czech Republic – The Czech Republic would offer Prague as a location for the United States and Russia to sign a revamped nuclear arms reduction treaty, once it has been agreed to.


 * Flag of Ukraine.png Kiev, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Viktor F. Yanukovich would offer Kiev as a location for the United States and Russia to sign the revamped nuclear arms reduction treaty. Though the peace agreement is unrelated to Ukraine, having the treaty formally signed in Kiev, the capital, would be rich in symbolism for a country whose recent internal politics became a tug of war between Russia and the West for economic and political influence. Mr. Yanukovich, though he is generally viewed as leaning heavily toward Russia, has promoted the idea of Ukraine as bridge between East and West, rather than a country that falls readily within either sphere of influence. Russian officials welcomed the offer, but according to Ukraine's new foreign minister, Kostyantyn Gryshenko, the United States would prefer Prague, where President McCain gave a speech on disarmament last year.

March 25

 * Flag of the Czech Republic.png Prague, Czech Republic – The government of the Czech Republic agreed to host an early April signing ceremony for the new treaty, which would sharply reduce the number of nuclear weapons and nuclear launchers deployed by the world's two nuclear superpowers, the U.S.A. and Russia. The agreement on a signing ceremony indicates a final deal on the successor to the now-lapsed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I. "The petition came the last night, and we agreed. There is no date chosen yet, though. They only asked if it was possible (for Prague to host the meeting)," Jiří Beneš from the Press office of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. A senior U.S. official said that: "We are still working to finalize a new START treaty but we have talked to our Czech allies and the Russians about a signing in Prague when the treaty is finished. Prague is where the president delivered a speech outlining his arms control and nonproliferation vision last spring and where we always wanted to do a signing."

March 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Washington, D.C., USA and Moscow, Russia – After months of deadlock and delay, President John McCain and President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia would in a phone conversation complete the agreement, committing the world's biggest nuclear powers to deep weapons cuts. "I'm pleased to announce that after a year of intense negotiations, the United States and the Russian Federation have agreed to the most comprehensive arms-control agreement in nearly two decades," McCain told reporters.


 * In Moscow, Medvedev hailed the agreement -- which also must be approved by Russian lawmakers -- as reflecting a "balance of the interests of both countries." Russia made clear, however, that it reserved the right to suspend any strategic arms cuts if it felt threatened by future U.S. deployment of a proposed Europe-based missile defence system that Moscow bitterly opposes.


 * The agreement replaces the START I treaty that expired in December. Each side would have seven years after the treaty takes effect to reduce stockpiles of their most dangerous weapons - those already deployed - to 1,550 from the 2,200 now allowed and also cut their numbers of launchers in half.


 * McCain and Medvedev will sign the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, a former Soviet satellite now in NATO. The April 8 meeting will be close to the anniversary of McCain's speech in Prague offering his vision for eventually ridding the world of nuclear weapons, and should help build momentum for a nuclear security summit he will host in Washington on April 12-13.


 * The treaty does not impose limits on U.S. development of a missile defence system in Europe, which had been a major sticking point in negotiations. Washington insists such an anti-missile shield would be aimed at Iran, not at Russia.


 * Flag of South Korea.pngFlag of North Korea.png Near Baengnyeong Island, Yellow Sea – The ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean Navy corvette of the Pohang Class carrying 104 personnel, sank in waters off the country's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. As of May 2010 there is no official cause of the sinking.


 * The explosion occurred in or near the stern of the ship, which caused the ship to break into two five minutes after, sinking at 21:30 local time (12:30 UTC) about 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off the south-west coast of Baengnyeong Island. After the explosion the captain of the Cheonan contacted the fleet headquarters to say: "We are being attacked by the enemy." The ship had a crew of 104 men at the time of sinking, and a total of 58 crew were rescued. Another 46 crew were unaccounted for.


 * Initial reports suggested that the ship was hit by a North Korean torpedo, and that a South Korean vessel had returned fire. Early reports also suggested that South Korean Navy units shot at an unidentified ship heading towards North Korea.


 * South Korean President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Orders were given to the military to concentrate on rescuing the survivors. In Seoul, police were put on alert. A spokesman for the South Korean military stated that there was no evidence that North Korea had been involved in the incident. A large group of relatives of the missing sailors protested outside the navy base at Pyeongtaek over the lack of information they had been provided. On 28 March relatives were taken to the site of the sunken vessel. Some relatives stated that survivors had claimed that the Cheonan had been in a poor state of repair.

March 29

 * Flag of the Russian Federation.png Moscow, Russia – In the Russian capital Moscow, 39 people were killed and over 100 injured when two suicide bombings carried out by two women detonated during the morning rush hour at two stations of the Moscow Metro (Lubyanka and Park Kultury), with roughly 40 minutes of interval between them. Preliminary investigation indicated that the bombing was perpetrated by the Chechen separatists. Russian officials called the incident "the deadliest and most sophisticated terrorist attack in the Russian capital in six years", a reference to the Avtozavodskaya and Rizhskaya bombings in 2004. Two Chechen women were believed to have detonated the explosions in consecutive suicide attacks. Russian authorities released photographs of both women showing their facial features to be intact and possibly identifiable. Russia's FSB security service said these "black widows", whose bodies were recovered, could be wives of deceased rebel husbands from North Caucasus.


 * Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said: "We will continue the operation against terrorists without hesitation and to the end. It is difficult to prevent such terrorist attacks and to provide security on transport. It is necessary to tighten what we do, to look at the problem on a national scale, not only relating to a certain populated area but on a national scale. Obviously, what we have done before is not enough." After an emergency meeting he ordered senior officials to fight terrorism "without hesitation, to the end", stating that "The policy to suppress terrorism in our country and the fight with terrorism will be continued." He said Russia would act without compromise to root out terrorists and ordered security to be boosted across the country. "We will carry out uncompromising operations against terrorists to the end." While he opined that human rights must be respected during police operations. He also ordered new laws to combat militant attacks urging for steps to make law-enforcement agencies work more efficiently, to increase the safety of transport systems and public places and to improve the implementation of Russia's anti-terrorism statutes.


 * Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said: "It is well known that today a terrible crime against civilians in its effects and disgusting in its character was carried out ... I am sure that police will do their best to find and punish the criminals. The terrorists will be destroyed."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President McCain condemned bombings, offering his condolences to the Russian people. In a statement issued by the White House, McCain said: "We have had our share of differences over the years. But today, we are all Russians. The American people stand united with the people of Russia in opposition to violent extremism and heinous terrorist attacks that demonstrate such disregard for human life, and we condemn these outrageous acts. I send my deepest condolences to the people of Russia after the terrible loss of life and injuries resulting from the bombings on the Moscow metro. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, and I wish all who sustained injuries a successful recovery. It is times like these where Russia and the West need to cooperate more closely to fight international terrorism."


 * The attack also sparked widespread condemnation and expressions of condolence from foreign heads of state and government and various organisations. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled by the attacks and says such acts could never be justified". French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned the attacks "in strongest terms", calling them dishonorable and recreant while offering total solidarity with Russians "to confront this cowardly and horrible act." German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her "shock and horror" and offered her condolences, while Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, said "We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Moscow subway, and express deep condolences over the deaths." NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also condemned the attacks, saying there can be no justification for terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, and expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and wished quick recovery to the wounded. He said NATO stays committed to cooperation with Russia in fighting international terrorism.


 * Flag of Slovakia.png Bratislava, Slovakia – Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič returned the Patriotism Act drawn up by the Slovak National Party (SNS) to parliament. “I won't sign it for pragmatic reasons,” Gašparovič said. He said he did not have problems with the content of the Act, he rather objected to the date when it was meant to come into effect – April 1. According to Gašparovič, schools do not have sufficient time to prepare for the bill. He also did not consider April Fool’s Day to be ‘dignified’ enough for a law such as the Patriotism Act to become effective. “This date provokes a smile and it’s not appropriate to set the effectiveness of such law with such a date,” he said as quoted by the Sme daily.


 * Earlier, Prime Minister Robert Fico had asked the president to return the Patriotism Act, which attracted a great deal of criticism, to parliament so that it could be modified to come into effect as of September. Fico also said he supports the bill. Gašparovič said that the bill can be amended in the next parliamentary term and put under the State Symbols Act, TASR reported.

March 30

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – After months of arguing and 15 intense days of negotiations, a group of 5 Democratic senators lead by Tom Harkin (D-IA) and 5 Republican senators lead by Mike Enzi (R-WY) presented their plan for health care reform - the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill. Supported by former senators Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and Howard Baker, the plan was described as an expanded version of the Daschle-Dole-Baker plan.


 * The new plan focused on open-market competition rather than government funding or control, and included: requirement of all Americans and legal residents to have health insurance; Create state-based health insurance exchanges through which individuals and employers can purchase health coverage, with premium credits available to individuals/families with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level; Require employers to provide coverage to employees or pay a fee based on annual payroll, with exceptions for certain small employers; Provide certain small employers a credit to offset the costs of providing coverage; Impose new regulations on plans participating in the exchanges and in the individual and small group insurance markets; Expand Medicaid to 100% of the poverty level; A mandate that individuals purchase insurance but also a requirement that employers offer coverage or pay a certain percentage of their payroll (maximum 3%); Subsidize premiums for families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level -- $88,000 for a family of four; Tax credits for individuals and for families who do not subscribe to or do not have access to health care through their employer; A "Guaranteed Access Plan" to help people who are denied coverage by insurance companies due to pre-existing conditions to go over state borders to find health care insurance; Medical malpractice reform, which would reduce malpractice premiums paid by doctors and hospitals and reduce the amount of unnecessary, defensive medicine performed to avoid potential lawsuits.


 * McCain would later that day express his support for the bill, stating that "while I don't agree with everything in the bill, it is important that we reach a bipartisan agreemment as soon as possible. The bill includes many good Conservative elements while having many good elements to attract Democratic support. I urge my fellow Republicans and Democrats to vote in favor of this bill."

March 31

 * Flag of the Russian Federation.png Kizlyar, Russia – In Kizlyar, in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a car bomb was detonated at about 08:30 local time outside the offices of the local interior ministry and the FSB security agency in the town. Another bomber wearing a police uniform then blew himself up 20 minutes later as a crowd gathered. 12 people were killed and another 18 injured.


 * Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov claimed responsibility for personally ordering the attacks, in a video released on the internet. He said the attacks in Russia would continue.


 * Flag of the United States of America.png Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain announced a “Comprehensive Plan for Energy Security”, proposing to open vast expanses of water along the Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling, much of it for the first time.


 * McCain stated that "moving towards clean energy is essential for our national security. It’s also about our economy. And it’s about the future of our planet."


 * The Atlantic coastline from Florida to New Jersey, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling. The eastern Gulf area is believed to contain as much as 3.5 billion barrels of oil and 17 trillion cubic feet of gas, the richest single tract that would be open to drilling under the McCain plan. The Atlantic coastline is believed to contain as much as 1.15 billion barrels of oil.


 * The plan would balance the need to produce more domestic energy while protecting natural resources. McCain is also expected to announce two other initiatives to reduce oil imports, an agreement between the Pentagon and the Agriculture Department to use more biofuels in military vehicles and the purchase of thousands of hybrid vehicles for the federal motor pool. McCain's plan also includes raising fuel efficiency standards. He also announced a decision to double the number of hybrid vehicles in the federal government's fleet.


 * Under the plan, the coastline from New Jersey northward would remain closed to all oil and gas activity. So would the Pacific Coast, from Mexico to the Canadian border. The environmentally sensitive Bristol Bay in southwestern Alaska would be protected and no drilling would be allowed under the plan, officials said. But large tracts in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska — nearly 130 million acres — would be eligible for exploration and drilling after extensive studies.

April 1

 * Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png Beijing, People's Republic of China – Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12-13, signaling a fresh start between the superpowers amid a chill in relations over Beijing's unhappiness with U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and a meeting with the Dalai Lama. China has also indicated a new willingness to discuss sanctioning Iran over its nuclear program, a U.S. official said, marking progress on another major dispute bedeviling ties.


 * Flag of Afghanistan.png Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan president Hamid Karzai would in a speech reject allegations that his allies were involved in widespread fraud in the election last year that awarded him a second term as president, and pointed the finger instead at the West, naming particular United Nations and European Union officials. He also warned that warned that American and NATO troops risked being seen as invaders. The criticism would come in response to massive criticism from U.S. officials, Democratic members of Congress as well as UN and EU officials.

April 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png Washington, D.C., USA and Beijing, PRC – McCain had a two-hour long phone conversation with Chinese President Hu Jintao regarding imposing sanctions on Iran. McCain underlined the importance of international cooperation to make sure that Iran lives up to its international requirements. He also urged China to vote in favour of sanctions, since Russia also were considering sanctions to prevent the continued development of the Iranian nuclear program.

April 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would ask the U.S. officials, the EU and the UN to tone down their criticism of Karzai, stating that although he might not be the ideal leader, he is nonetheless the leader, and although unpopular he got more support among the people and parliament than any other politician in the country. He also noted that there are no better alternatives than Karzai, and that replacing him would upset the balance with the Pashtuns. He also stated that we have no rights in interfering in the politics of Afghanistan unless Karzai and the Afghan authorities wants to themselves. McCain would receivie criticism from some Democrats for his continued support for Karzai.


 * Flag of Afghanistan.png Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai would himself state that he was pleased with McCain's support, pointing out that there was nothing wrong with the relationship between him and McCain.

April 5

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) announced that the U.S. Senate would hopefully vote for the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill in the end of April 2010.

April 6

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Talas and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In Kyrgyzstan, approximately 1,000 protesters stormed the government headquarters in the western town of Talas and briefly took government workers hostage. Security forces retook the building in the early evening, only to be quickly forced out again by protesters. Two prominent opposition leaders, Omurbek Tekebayev and Almazbek Atambayev, were arrested by Kyrgyz authorities. The riot was a result of increasing opposition to the authoritarian and corrupt leadership of President Bakiyev, and his government's increase of energy tariffs for heating (400 percent), electricity (170 percent) and fuel; long-term frustration has been building in Kyrgyzstan over the perceived corruption, cronyism and authoritarianism in the Kurmanbek Bakiyev administration; as well as the country's poor economic situation and a recent rise in utility rates. Demonstrations began on April 3.

April 7

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In Kyrgyzstan, a small group of protesters were arrested outside the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party in Bishkek. Hundreds of protesters then gathered. Police attempted to stop them using tear gas and stun grenades, but the protesters overwhelmed the police, and took control of two armored vehicles and numerous automatic weapons. The protest group, now numbering between three to five thousand, then moved towards the center of town and into Ala-Too Square, where gunshots and stun grenades could be heard, and protesters were seen fleeing. Protesters in Bishkek filled Ala-Too Square and surrounded the White House, the office of Kyrgyzstan's president. Police began using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades to disperse protesters. In an attempt to gain entrance to the presidential office, demonstrators drove two trucks into the gates of the White House, at which point it was reported that police started firing on protesters with live ammunition. Witnesses reported that both protesters and riot police were wounded during the clashes, and at least forty-one protesters were killed. A state of emergency was declared, as well as a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am.


 * Later that day opposition leaders and demonstrators stormed the parliament building, led by the opposition leader Omurbek Tekebayev who had been arrested the day before but was subsequently released. The headquarters for KTR, Kyrgyzstan's main television broadcaster, was also taken over by protesters. After being off the air for part of the day, KTR resumed transmission Wednesday evening featuring members of the opposition as well as human rights representatives. By late Wednesday opposition leaders had announced the formation of a new government, and soon after reports came in that President Bakiyev has left Bishkek and flown to Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. There were no reported demonstrations in Osh. In addition to Bishkek and Talas, rallies and protests were reported in other parts of the country including Naryn, Tokmok, and the Issyk-Kul region. There were also reports that the government of the Issyk-Kul region had been taken over by members of opposition parties. There was an information blackout throughout much of the country, as TV stations went off the air and both phones and internet became unreliable. Kyrgyz Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongantiyev were also killed. A reporter from Russia's Fergana Information Agency said he had witnessed protesters brutally beating the minister. Opposition leaders announced that they had formed a new provisional government headed by Roza Otunbayeva.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman said that the USA is monitoring the situation very closely. Officials at the U.S. embassy in Bishkek said it is "deeply concerned" about the events in Talas and Bishkek and urged both sides to "show respect for the rule of law" and to "engage in talks to resolve differences in a peaceful, orderly and legal manner."


 * President McCain would in a statement urge all parties to "show respect for the rule of law" and prevent further human deaths by negotiating in a peaceful manner. McCain also strongly criticized Bakiyev for his authoritarian and corrupt leadership and his brutal response to the demonstrations, stating that "When President Bakiyev came to power after the tulip revolution in 2005, he harshly criticized the toppled president Akayev for nepotism and giving his relatives top economic posts. Now he has done the same as his predecessor, and crushes any opposing voices criticizing him for it. Everybody should have the right to protest peacefully against those they put in power without risking their lives."


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan – Just outside Bishkek is the Transit Center at Manas, a large logistics base crucial to U.S. efforts in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Following the outbreaks of violence in Bishkek, the center was temporarily closed for 12 hours, confining troops to the base. About 1100 troops are stationed there, including contingents from Spain and France.

April 8

 * Flag of the Czech Republic.png[[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of the Russian Federation.png Prague, Czech Republic – U.S. President John McCain and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev would sign the New START treaty (for STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty) in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The bilateral nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia will limit the number of operationally deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550, which is down nearly two-thirds from the original START treaty and is 30% lower than the deployed strategic warhead limit of the 2002 Moscow Treaty and it will limit to 800 the number of deployed and non-deployed inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments. Also it will limit the number of ICBMs, SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments to 700. These obligations must be met within seven years from the date the new treaty enters into force. The treaty will last ten years, with an option to renew it for up to five years upon agreement of both parties. The treaty first has to be ratified by the United States Senate and the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. Once that is done, the treaty will enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.


 * In attendance were the Czech President Václav Klaus, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Russian defence minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, the Russian and U.S. delegations which had taken part in the negotiations, and other dignitaries.


 * In the press conference after the signing, both President McCain and Medvedev would address the situation in Kyrgyzstan, Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Meanwhile, in Kyrgyzstan, President Bakiyev, who was confirmed by the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Defense to be in his residence in Osh, has acknowledged that he currently has no power to influence events in the country, though he refuses to resign his post. Even with the opposition reporting itself in control of the police and the army, residents in Bishkek began forming volunteer militias to stave off marauders. Wearing white armbands, around a dozen men were signing up for the units outside the National Security Service (SNB) headquarters in central Bishkek. The interim government announced it would hold onto power for six months, when presidential elections would be held.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin became the first foreign leader to recognise Roza Otunbayeva as the new Kyrgyz leader, and rang her soon after she announced she was in charge.

April 9

 * Flag of the Czech Republic.png[[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Prague, Czech Republic – President McCain would meet with Czech President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Jan Fischer at Pražský hrad (Prague Castle). On the agenda were the NATO mission in Afghanistan, economic and energy issues. McCain praised the active Czech participation in the Afghan mission in terms of the 535 soldiers as well as the provincial reconstruction team. McCain asked the Czech Republic to increase their presence in Afghanistan, and hoped that the proposed 55 soldiers (15 military police to train Afghan police and up to 40 soldiers with two artillery radar system Arthurs to protect a Polish base in the Ghazni province) would be accepted by the Czech parliament. McCain and Klaus also spoke about nuclear energy, as Westinghouse is interested in the completion of the Czech nuclear plant Temelin. He would leave for Washington,D.C. at 10:36 A.M.


 * Meanwhile, Secretary of State Lieberman would meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Kohout, where they discussed the U.S. proposal for a missile defence system. Kohout said that the missile defence system should be a NATO project that would include all NATO members as well as Russia. Lieberman would state that this was according to the McCain administration's plans. They also discussed the proposed deployment of 55 additional Czech soldiers in Afghanistan.


 * In a letter dated April 9, the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, John Paul Stevens, advised President McCain that he would retire from the bench effective the day after the Court rises from its 2009–2010 term in late June.


 * McCain would in a statement say: "Stevens has served the Supreme Court and protected the laws and the Constitution with dignity, intellect and without partisan political concerns for 35 years. Although we at times had different views on certain issues, he is a remarkably dedicated public servant and a profoundly decent human being who cannot be replaced. I hope that he will be replaced by somebody who shares Steven's intellect, personality, nonpartisan and dedication for public service."


 * Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan would state that The White House will present the President various candidates with a spectrum of ideological reputations, government backgrounds and life experiences. Among the top candidates are Carter G. Phillips and Elena Kagan.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman would announce that the United States recognise Roza Otunbayeva as the new Kyrgyz leader, and called her to inform that the U.S. would do anything possible to make the transission to democracy as smooth and easy as possible, as well as asking about the future of the U.S. Transit Center at Manas.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]] Moscow, Russia – Kyrgyztan's Provisional Government announced that that Russia had pledged to provide financial aid to the new leadership. Almazbek Atambayev, the provisional government's deputy leader, flew to Moscow on April 9th for consultation with unspecified Russian government officials, where they were pledged $150 million in aid. "We reached agreement on a solid grant," said Atambayev. "Kyrgyzstan, for Russia, is a brother country."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Associate Justice John Paul Stevens announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the Supreme Court's term in June 2010. This announcement had been widely anticipated since September 2009 when Stevens confirmed that he had hired only a single law clerk for the Supreme Court term beginning in October 2010. (Full-time associate justices are allowed up to four law clerks while retired justices have only one.)

April 10

 * Flag of Poland.pngFlag of the Russian Federation.png Outside of Smolensk, Russia - A Tupolev Tu-154M carrying the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński members of the Polish government and the country's legislative branch, commanders of the Polish Armed Forces as well as other Polish dignitaries, crashed next to Smolensk-North Airport, just outside of Smolensk near Pechyorsk, Smolensk Oblast, Russia, killing all aboard. Among the deads were also First Lady Maria Kaczyńska; former Polish president-in-exile Ryszard Kaczorowski; the deputy speaker of the Sejm, Jerzy Szmajdziński; the head of the president’s chancellery, Władysław Stasiak; the head of the National Security Bureau, Aleksander Szczygło; the deputy minister of foreign affairs, Andrzej Kremer; the chief of the general staff of the Polish army, General Franciszek Gągor; the president of Poland’s national bank, Sławomir Skrzypek; the commissioner for civil rights protection, Janusz Kochanowski; the heads of all of Poland’s armed forces; and dozens of members of the Sejm and Senat. They were on their way to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre.


 * Flag of Poland.png Warsaw, Poland – As the news of the death of President Kaczyński reaches Poland, people immediately express their sorrow. At the Piłsudski Square and at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, people assemble to place candles and flowers in honor of the killed president and the 95 others. At the same time, world leaders, agencies and officials mourned the death of Polish president Lech Kaczyński who was killed in a plane crash early Saturday.


 * In accordance with the Polish Constitution, on the President's death his duties were taken on by the Marshal of the Sejm (chairman of the lower house of the parliament) — currently Bronisław Komorowski, who thus became Acting President of Poland. Within a fortnight, he must announce the date of the popular presidential election to be held within a further 60 days on a weekend, i.e. at latest on 20 June. Kaczyński was up for re-election in late September or early October, before the end of his first five-year term.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Poland.png Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would call Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk to express his condolences following the death of Polish president Lech Kaczyński. Later, McCain would hold a press conference, in which he said:


 * This is a day of shock and sorrow. Today, I called Polish Prime Minister Tusk to express Cidny's and my deepest condolences to the people of Poland on the tragic deaths this morning of President Lech Kaczyński, First Lady Maria Kaczyński, and all who were traveling with them to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. I am personally shocked and saddened at the news of the death of my friend President Kaczyński. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kaczynski family, the loved ones of those killed in this tragic plane crash, and the Polish nation.


 * Today's loss is devastating to Poland, to the United States, and to the world. President Kaczynski was a distinguished statesman who played a key role in the Solidarity movement, and he was widely admired in the United States as a leader dedicated to fighting Communism and totalitarianism, as well as advancing freedom and human dignity. With him were many of Poland’s most distinguished civilian and military leaders who have helped to shape Poland’s inspiring democratic transformation from a totalitarian communist dictatorship. We join all the people of Poland in mourning their passing. Today, we are all Poles.


 * Today, there are heavy hearts across America. The United States cherishes its deep and abiding bonds with the people of Poland. Those bonds are represented in the strength of our alliance, the friendships among our people, and the extraordinary contributions of Polish-Americans who have helped to shape our nation.


 * It is a testament to the strength of the Polish people that those who were lost were travelling to commemorate a devastating massacre of the Second World War as the leaders of a strong, vibrant, and free Poland. That strength will ensure that Poland emerges from the depths of this unthinkable tragedy, and that the legacy of the leaders who died today will be a light that continues to guide Poland – and the world – in the direction of human progress.

April 11

 * Flag of Poland.png Warsaw, Poland – At noon, sirens roared as Poles marked two minutes of silence for the death of President Kaczyński and 95 others the day before. At 3:05 P.M., the military aircraft carrying the coffin of the late President reached Warsaw, where it was met by acting President Bronisław Komorowski, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Lech Kaczyńskii's daughter Marta and his twin brother Jaroslaw. After a short military ceremony, the coffin was moved to the Presidential Palace in a parade, where thousands of Poles had met up along the road and outside the Presidential Palace to show their respect and sorrow for the late President.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would hold talks at the Blair House with heads of state from India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and South Africa on the eve of the Nuclear Security Summit that he is hosting in Washington, D.C.

April 12

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would as the host open the Nuclear Security Summit (2010) in Washington, D.C. McCain held bilateral meetings with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia, President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine, President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia, and President Hu Jintao of China beginning at 10:45 AM (EDT). At 5:00 PM he welcome the heads of delegation to the Summit.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Poland.png Washington, D.C., USA – The White House confirmed in a press release that President McCain would travel to Kraków, Poland to attend the funeral of President Kaczyński on Sunday.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Teyyit, Kyrgyzstan – In his home village of Teyyit, ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev spoke at the rally of at least 2,000 supporters after calling on supporters to join rallies in the southern regions of Osh, Jalalabad and Batken, his power base in a country with a north-south political divide, saying that any attempt to kill him would result in bloodshed. "Let them try to seize me. Let them try to kill me," Bakiyev said. "I believe this will lead to such a great deal of bloodshed which no one will be able to justify." He also said he had asked the United Nations to send peacekeepers to Kyrgyzstan, and that he wants the U.N. to establish an independent commission into the events of April 7.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's Provisional Government under Roza Otunbayeva ratcheted up the pressure on ousted President Bakiyev, threatening a special operation but also hinting at an offer that may allow him to leave the country. "We are preparing a special operation (against Bakiyev)," Almaz Atambayev, the first deputy leader of the interim government, told reporters in Bishkek. We hope we can carry it out without the deaths of civilians." Later, Otunbayeva said Bakiyev must leave the country, a move that would help cool the turmoil and pave the way for the formal recognition of her government by global powers.

April 13

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain opened the second day of the Nuclear Security Summit with remarks at Plenary Session I at 9:30 AM. After a working lunch he would open Plenary Session II at 2:00 PM. The Summit would result in a binding communiqué, which reaffirm the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective international obligations, and called on States to work cooperatively as an international community to advance nuclear security among others.


 * The topic of a nuclear fuel bank was briefly discussed by some members attending the conference. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev sought the United States' backing to house a nuclear fuel bank while he was in Washington for the event and Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousaf Raza Gillani issued a statement saying Pakistan would like to act as a provider and "participate in any non-discriminatory nuclear fuel cycle assurance mechanism". The UAE also reconfirmed its $10 million pledge to the IAEA Nuclear Fuel Bank and its policy of foregoing domestic enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. On the first day of the Summit, Ukraine announced that it would give up its 90-kilogram stock of highly enriched uranium and convert its research reactors from highly enriched to low-enriched uranium. It intends to accomplish these goals by 2012.


 * The most widely anticipated meeting during the Summit was the bilateral meeting between McCain and President Hu Jintao of China held on April 12. During the ninety-minute meeting the two leaders discussed global economic rebalancing and Iran's nuclear program. China agreed to work with the United States at the United Nations on a resolution imposing further economic sanctions on Iran. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying sanctions and pressure cannot fundamentally resolve the Iran nuclear issue while reiterating China's adherence to a dual-track strategy. "We support the international nuclear non-proliferation system, maintain the peace and stability in the Middle East, oppose Iran having nuclear weapons and support a dual-track strategy," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Deposed president of Kyrgyzstan Bakiyev said that he would formally step down as President if there were guarantees of safety for him and his family, speaking after the interim government that took power after bloody riots last week stripped him of immunity and threatened to send special forces to arrest him. He said: "In what case would I resign? First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property. Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured."


 * The leader of the Provisional Government, Roza Otunbayeva, said that if President Kurmanbek Bakiyev resigned, the government would “guarantee his security, only his personal security.” She confirmed on Tuesday that the guarantee did not extend to his family and relatives, some of whom have been accused of corruption. “We will provide security guarantees that he’s entitled to under the Constitution.” However, the interim government made it clear that it could only guarantee his security should he resign and leave the country.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan – Leader of the Provisional Government, Roza Otunbayeva said that the lease on a United States air base in this strategic Central Asian country would be “automatically” extended for a year beyond its expiration in July.

April 14

 * [[Image:Flag of Iceland.png|25px|border|Iceland]] Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland – Eyjafjallajökull resumed erupting after a brief pause, this time in the centre of the glacier, causing meltwater floods to rush down the nearby rivers in two flows on either side of the volcano, and requiring 800 people to be evacuated. The road along the Markarfljót river had been washed away in several places. Unlike the earlier eruption, the second eruption occurred beneath glacial ice. Cold water from melted ice chills the lava quickly and fragments it into glass, creating small glass particles that get carried into the eruption plume. This, together with the magnitude of the eruption, estimated to be ten to twenty times larger than the 20 March one on Fimmvörðuháls, created a glass-rich plume in the upper atmosphere, which is very hazardous to aircraft. The eruption occurred beneath glacial ice and the cold water from melting ice chilled the lava quickly causing it to fragment into glass, creating small glass particles that get carried into the eruption plume. This, together with the magnitude of the eruption, created a glass-rich plume in the upper atmosphere, which is very hazardous to aircraft. Volcanic ash is also a major hazard to aircraft. The presence and location of the plume depend upon the state of the eruption and the winds.


 * As a result, air travel in Norway was suspended on April 14. In addition to the effects on air travel, the total closure of Norwegian airspace included the 21 search and rescue and medical aircraft and helicopters in the country. This was soon followed by the suspension of air travel in the United Kingdom. This was followed by significant flight delays and closure of airspace in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden (April 15), Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Moldova and Poland (April 16), Romania, Slovenia and Switzerland (April 17).


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Leader of the Provisional Government Roza Otunbayeva announced that President Bakiyev, his defense minister, as well as relatives in government and political allies would face trial over the deaths of protesters. A Kyrgyz court issued an arrest warrant for Bakiyev's brother, eldest son and former Prime Minister Daniar Usenov.

April 15

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh, Kyrgyzstan – Bodyguards of Kyrgyzstan's president fired shots into the air to help Kurmanbek Bakiyev escape about 1,000 opponents who disrupted a rally he was addressing on Thursday. Several of the 20 bodyguards guarding Bakiyev fire bursts from AK-47s and usher the president into a waiting jeep. His motorcade then sped away from Osh. Thursday's gunfire, in two bursts a few minutes apart, started when opponents of Bakiyev moved toward his rally from a separate gathering in support of the interim government, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Deposed President Bakiyev resigned and left the country for neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday under an agreement brokered by Russia, regional leaders and the McCain administration. Under the brokered deal, Mr. Bakiyev was compelled to leave without his younger brother, Zhanybek, the former head of the presidential security service, who is accused of ordering troops to open fire on demonstrators during the protests. Eighty-four people died and hundreds were wounded. Within hours, security forces swooped in to arrest one of his brothers and a political ally. Bakiyev submitted a hand-written resignation in a hand-written letter saying "I tender my resignation in these tragic days as I understand the full scale of my responsibility for the future of the Kyrgyz people."


 * It was said that he would continue negotiations on a settlement to the crisis from exile. The interim government responded to this by calling his departure a "deportation," saying he had allegedly submitted a request to resign amid reports indicating that Baktybek Kaliyev, a former defence minister, had been arrested. The interim government also said it would seek Bakiyev's transfer to a Kyrgyz or international court for trial at a later date.


 * [[Image:Flag of Lebanon.png|25px|border|Lebanon]][[Image:Flag of Hizbullah.png|25px|border|Hizbullah]] Beirut, Lebanon – Hizbullah sources confirmed that the group had received a shipment of Scud missiles from Syria. According to Hizbullah, the missiles were old and unusable, and accused Israel of blowing the incident out of proportion to provoke a media ruckus. “Our organization has many surface-to-surface missiles spread across all of Lebanon, in case Israel attacks the country again," the Hizbullah sources said. Despite this confirmation of what Jerusalem has been saying for days, the Syrian Foreign Ministry denied the reports, saying Israel was trying to stoke tensions in the region and could be setting the stage for an Israeli “aggression” to avoid Middle East peace requirements.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Syria.png|25px|border|Syria]] Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel sent warnings to Syria through Turkey and Qatar that it would “bomb Lebanese and Syrian targets in case the missiles crossed the border and reached Hizbullah.” The IDF came very close recently to attacking a convoy carrying weapons from Syria to Lebanon, but at the last moment decided against it.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Syria.png|25px|border|Syria]] Washington, D.C., USA – In an effort to prevent renewed conflict, the US State Department summoned the Syrian ambassador in Washington, Imad Mustafa, and warned him that war could break out if the weapons shipments were not stopped.

April 16

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Poland.png Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain declared Friday a day of national mourning in the United States to commemorate late Polish President Lech Kaczyński, his wife, top brass of the armed forces and a group of Polish leading politicians killed in a Saturday plane crash in western Russia. A church service to remember victims of the plane crash was held in the St. Patrick's Church attended by McCain himself; afterwards he visited the Polish embassy, where he laid flowers and signed a book of condolences.


 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Oslo, Norway – In Norway, a fresh report by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) presented for Minister of Oil and Energy, Ketil Solvik-Olsen (FrP) estimates that there are untapped oil and gas resources offshore Northern Norway worth between NOK 500 billion (nearly $90 billion) and 1,400 billion ($234 billion).


 * The NDP report estimates that the recoverable resources on the continental shelf and the declivity off the coast of Lofoten and Vesterålen in Nordland and Troms counties amount to 202 million Sm3 of oil equivalents, or about 1300 million barrels. This is slightly less than NPD's earlier estimates of 1500 million barrels.


 * Two thirds of the petroleum resources is assumed to be oil, while the remaning is expected to be natural gas. Most of it is located in the area called Nordland VI, while the amounts expected to be in Nordland VII and Troms II is expected to be of the same size as Nordland VI combined.


 * The oil industry, led by Statoil, have for their part maintained an estimate of 2000 to 3000 million barrels, and Statoil director Hege Marie Norheim says there is no reason for Statoil to reduce its estimate. "However, even if the NPD estimate should turn out to be right, it is still very interesting to start developing the resources in this area", Norheim says. In its report, the NPD states that there is uncertainty associated with the estimate for the undiscovered resources. However, this uncertainty can be reduced over time, e.g. through staged exploration including the drilling of exploration wells, the report concludes.


 * The report will now be used by the Norwegian coalition government consisting of the Progress Party (FrP) and the Conservatives (Høyre). Having a minority of seats to support them on the issue, they will likely as the Labour Party (Ap) for voting in favour for an assessment of the consequences of oil and gas production in these vulnerable waters (konsekvensutredning). While the Progress Party and the Conservatives are in favour of oil and gas production in Lofoten and Vesterålen, the Labour Party is split between opponents and supporters, and it is likely that the Agrarians (Senterpartiet), Socialist Left (SV), Christian Democrats (KrF) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) will work hard to get the Labour Party’s support on opposing exploration.

April 17

 * Flag of Poland.png Warsaw, Poland – Poland paid an emotional tribute on Saturday to President Lech Kaczyński, his wife Maria and 94 other mostly senior political and military officials killed in a plane crash one week ago in Russia. Up to 100,000 mourners, many clutching red-and-white national flags threaded with black ribbons, packed into the vast Piłsudski Square in central Warsaw to commemorate the victims of the country's most devastating accident since World War Two. "They all had their dreams and hopes for the future of their homeland. This is a serious test for us to understand those hopes well and take them into the future," Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the crowd. "This is the most we can do for them. We are here to remember them. Poland is here to remember them. We will not forget," Behind him on the podium a tall, white cross rose up between two large black panels bearing the portraits of all the dead, whose names an actor read out one by one. Kaczynski's twin brother Jarosław, sat at the front of the mourners with other family members, including the president's daughter Marta, 29. Kaczynski had two grandchildren. Saturday's commemoration, which included a three-gun salute and a Roman Catholic requiem mass, came one day before the planned burial of Kaczyński and his wife in the crypt of Wawel cathedral in the ancient capital of Kraków in southern Poland.


 * The late Polish President Lech Kaczyński’s family wants his funeral to proceed as planned even if a cloud of volcanic ash disrupting air travel across Europe keeps world leaders such as U.S. President John McCain away. Family members want the ceremony at Krakow’s Wawel castle to begin as scheduled on April 18 “under any circumstances,” Jacek Sasin, a minister in the presidential administration, said in a press conference carried live on TVN24 television.


 * Numerous world leaders were forced to cancel plans to travel to Poland for the funeral of President Kaczyński on Sunday, as volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull continued to ground flights to and from Europe. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had to cancel, and contrary to earlier reports that Sarkozy was already in Poland, his Web site said Saturday that "given the extreme weather that paralyzed the air traffic over most of Europe, (the) President of the Republic will not go to Krakow (Poland) to attend the funeral of President Kaczyński and his wife, as originally planned." German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was stranded in Spain, said her cancellation came "with the greatest expression of regret," and that the Polish government had been notified. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski "expressed full understanding,". Among the others to cancel their plans to attend were Charles, the Prince of Wales and Foreign Secretary David Miliband of the United Kingdom; Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Norwegian King Harald V and Foreign Minister Morten Høglund, Danish Queen Margrethe II and Foreign Minister Lene Espersen; Icelandic President ; Finnish President Tarja Halonen; Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-chan; Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.


 * Other leaders changed their plans to either drive by car or take the train to attend the funeral. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, ditched plane tickets and opted to drive to Poland instead. Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, a close friend of Kaczyński, also planned to make the 13-hour journey from his country to Poland by car. Czech President Václav Klaus, also a close friend of Kaczyński, also chose to drive to Poland, while Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and Prime Minister Robert Fico chose to take the train. Romanian President Traian Băsescu; Hungarian President László Sólyom and Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and Slovenian President Danilo Türk would also attend the funeral. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili would all arrive in Kraków by air, flying from Moscow, Kiev and Tbilisi, respectiely. German President Horst Köhler and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who had put a lot of effort in attending the funeral, were flown to Kraków in a military helicopter.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Hungary.png Debrecen, Hungary – In a suprise move, U.S. President John McCain arrived at the Debrecen International Airport at 22:43 local time on February 17. Since the airspace in most of Europe had been shut down earlier that tday, the White House had asked Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai for special permission to land in Debrecen, in order to reach the state funeral of President Kaczyński at Wawel Cathedral, Kraków the following day. Air Force One had flown from Washington, D.C. to Rome (where he also had asked Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for special permission to land) and then to Debrecen at a lower altitude in order to fly lower than the ash clouds. As soon as he landed, he entered the 2005 Cadillac DTS Presidential State Car (Cadillac One) and drove off in his motorcade at 23:02, with security carried out by the White House Military Office, the Hungarian and, following crossing its respective borders, the Slovak and Polish Army.


 * Flag of Afghanistan.png Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai named new officials on Saturday to oversee elections, drawing praise from the United Nations and effectively ending a standoff with the West over rules for an forthcoming parliamentary vote. Karzai's quarrel with Western donors over the plans for the September vote had led to a diplomatic shouting match with Washington this month that brought relations between the war-time allies to a new low.


 * Karzai put former judge and legal scholar Fazel Ahmad Manawi in charge of the election commission, and also named an Iraqi (Mustafa Safwat Sediqi) and a South African (Johann Kriegler) to a separate election fraud panel, satisfying international pressure to include foreigners. Donors had threatened to withhold funds to pay for the polls if reforms were not implemented to reduce the chance of a repeat of massive fraud in a presidential vote last year, while Karzai had tried to reduce foreign influence on the process.


 * "We hope that by appointing the head of the Independent Election Commission and members of the Electoral Complaints Commission, the international community will take a step forward in terms of holding the election and start giving their financial and technical support as soon as possible," Karzai's spokesman Waheed Omer told a news conference. The head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, said the announcements were part of a compromise reached to avert a stand-off between Karzai, donors and parliament, which were all pushing for competing rules. "I want to congratulate President Karzai for his wise decision to agree to guidelines aimed at ensuring more credible and transparent elections," de Mistura said, adding he could now recommend Western countries release funds to pay for the vote.


 * Karzai's standing in the West was severely damaged by last year's presidential election, when the foreign-led fraud panel threw out nearly a third of his votes due to ballot stuffing. The United Nations appointed three of the five members of the fraud panel last year. In a February decree, Karzai claimed the authority to appoint all the members, angering donors and members of parliament. He later negotiated a compromise with de Mistura under which two foreigners would be included. Tension in those negotiations prompted Karzai to deliver a speech on April 1 in which he accused the West of perpetrating the fraud in last year's vote. The White House responded by urging the UN and EU to tone down their criticism of Karzai, stating that while not being the ideal leader, he is the only real alternative who do not weakens the Pashtun balance.

April 18

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Poland.png Kraków, Poland – McCain's motorcade would arrive in Kraków at 07:24 A.M., after driving for 7 hours from the Debrecen International Airport in Hungary. He would speak shortly with Bronisław Komorowski, speaker of the lower house of Parliament and the acting president of Poland, as well as with the Kaczyński family.


 * Flag of Poland.png Kraków, Poland – The state funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria took place in Kraków, with over 150,000 people gathered in the city to pay their respects. Approximately 50,000 weregathered outside the Wavel cathedral, while another 50,000 to 100,000 were gathered at the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny w Krakowie).


 * The funeral mass in St Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki) began at 2 P.M. with a performance of Mozart’s requiem. “The tragedy which took place eight days ago gave rise to much good among the people and nations,” said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Kraków, in his introductory remarks before family, friends and Polish and foreign dignitaries. He also thanked those who were prevented from attending the ceremony, saying that "Those we knew wanted to come, but were prevented, are with us in spirit." He would then go on to thank those who were prevented from attending the ceremony, saying that "Those we knew wanted to come, but were prevented, are with us in spirit." He would also express his special appreciation for Russian President Medvedev: “70 years ago the Katyn massacre led two people from each other. Because the truth behind the killing of innocent people were hidden, this resulted in the painful wounds did not heal. The Katyn massacre doesn't split the Poles and Russians anymore. The sympathy and aid we witnessed on the part of our Russian brothers gives hope for the coming together of our two Slavic nations. I direct these words to the president of Russia.”


 * Before the funeral Medvedev would light two lights for Kaczyński and his wife Maria, before taking a bow before a photo of the two. U.S. President McCain, after getting permission from relatives to speak, said that “President Kaczyński was a patriot and close friend and ally of the United States, as were those who died alongside him, and the American people will never forget the lives they led. Kaczyński used his lifetime to fight for his ideals: democracy, liberty and justice. He fought the totalitarian dictatorship. He fought corruption. He fought for the poor. He defended Poland. We will never forget him, and I am honored to be here today to give my last respect for him.” Afterwards he would also light two lights for Kaczyński and his wife Maria.


 * Bronisław Komorowski, speaker of the lower house of Parliament and the acting president since Mr. Kaczyński’s death, thanked the visiting delegations for coming, and called for “Polish unity and unity with the Russian nation, in the name of overcoming the Katyn tragedy.” Komorowski ended his comments simply, saying, “Farewell, Mr. President.” Janusz Sniadek, the chairman of the Solidarity trade union, said: “Memory and truth are stronger than the greatest tragedies. The solidarity of Poles in these days of mourning is a tribute to you, your wife and all the victims.” The couple’s daughter, Marta, and her uncle, Jaroslaw Kaczyński, Poland’s former prime minister and twin brother of the president, prayed beside the coffins during the mass.


 * After the funeral mass, two Humvee gun carriages bore the coffins of Kaczyński and his wife Maria, draped in the red-and-white national flag, as soldiers in berets slowly marched beside, through winding streets to their final resting place in Wawel cathedral for a 21-gun salute and the burial. Thousands were lining the streets, throwing flowers, chanting "Lech Kaczynski, Dziekujemywe" ("Thank You") and waved Polish flags and banners of the 1980s anti-communist Solidarity movement which the combative nationalist and devout Roman Catholic once helped to build. Church steeples were adorned with flags capped with black ribbons. The crowd alternated between solemn hymns and defiant clapping every time the tragedy at Katyn was invoked.


 * Lech Kaczyński and Maria Kaczyńska were buried together in a sarcophagus, placed in the antechamber to Józef Piłsudski's crypt in the Wawel Cathedral, Kraków; Kaczyński's twin brother Jarosław Kaczyński revealed this decision on April 13. This decision was considered controversial by some who felt his achievements were not in the same league as others buried at Wawel causing objections.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Tehran, Iran – Speaking at a military parade that marked Iran's armed forces' day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the "unrivalled" power of Iranian military secured stability in the Middle East. Tension with the West has risen in recent months because Iran refuses to scrap sensitive nuclear activities as demanded by the United Nations Security Council. Tehran rejects Western accusations its nuclear work is aimed at making bombs.


 * "Iran's armed forces are so strong today that the enemies will not even think about violating our territorial integrity," Ahmadinejad said in a low-key speech at the parade.Troops marched in front of the podium where Ahmadinejad stood with army officers. Some had uniforms in green, white or red -- the colors of Iran's flag. Others wore combat gear. Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which Iranian officials say has a range of about 2,000 km that potentially puts Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf within reach, was displayed. Helicopters flew overhead and parachutists landed on the parade area near the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic state.


 * To cries of "God is Great" Iran showed off its military might, warning potential aggressors that the Islamic state would vigorously repel any attack, state television reported. Missiles, armored personnel carriers, unmanned surveillance aircraft and small submarines with men wearing aqua-lungs standing next to them were also part of the parade. Some carriers bore banners proclaiming "We will trample America under our feet."


 * Ahmadinejad also criticized Israel, saying that "The Zionist Regime is on the verge of collapse", and referred to Israel as the "Jewish Murder State" which was responsible for all conflicts in the Middle East. Ahmadinejad urged regional countries to unite to end presence of U.S.-led forces in the Middle East. "The only way to secure stability and peace in the region is the cooperation and solidarity of the region's governments and nations," Ahmadinejad said. Iran is worried about being surrounded by the armed forces of its archenemy in the region. "In order to establish regional security, there is absolutely no need for the presence of foreign troops."


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]] Tikrit, Iraq – In a raid at a safehouse about six miles (10 kilometers) southwest of Tikrit, Iraqi security forces, supported by U.S. forces, killed al-Qaida in Iraq's two top figures, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri. The operation was launched after intelligence gathered during joint operations over the last week.


 * Ground forces surrounded the house and that rockets were fired from the air. The U.S. military said an American UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during the assault, killing one U.S. soldier and wounding three others; the crash was not believed to have been caused by enemy fire. The two al-Qaida leaders were inside the house. Al-Masri's assistant and al-Baghdadi's son, both suspected of being involved in terrorist attacks, also died in the raid and 16 other suspects were arrested, the military said.


 * Al-Masri, the shadowy national leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, joined al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan in the late 1990s and trained as a car bombing expert before traveling to Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, U.S. officials said. Al-Masri was able to step in quickly to take after al-Zarqawi, the flamboyant Jordanian-born founder of al-Qaida in Iraq, was killed in June 2006. The group launched a bombing campaign shortly afterward to show that al-Qaida was far from eliminated. Al-Masri's real name was Abdul-Monim al-Badawi, according to an al-Qaida statement last year describing the makeup of a new "War Cabinet."


 * Al-Baghdadi was the self-described leader of the al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq. U.S. military officials on Monday said his real name was Hamid Dawud Muhammad Khalil al-Zawi. Al-Baghdadi was so elusive that at times U.S. officials also have questioned whether he was a real person or merely a composite of a terrorist to give an Iraqi face to an organization led primarily by foreigners. The U.S. military once even asserted that audio recordings in the name of a fictitious al-Baghdadi were in fact read by someone else.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Jalalabat, Kyrgyzstan – Supporters of Kyrgyzstan's deposed president Kurmanbek Bakiyev broke into a regional government office in the southern city of Jalalabad on Saturday, eventually occupying it. 500 people had demonstrated outside the building earier in the day, and while most eventually dispersed, a few dozen protesters, mainly women, were left to occupy the building.

April 19

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The U.S. Senate confirms that the Senate would vote for the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill in on April 23, 2010, with a vote in the House of Representatives in mid-May if it should pass in the Senate.


 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Oslo, Norway – At a press conference, Norwegian Minister of Oil and Energy Ketil Solvik-Olsen (FrP) would announce that the coalition government consisting of the Progress Party (FrP) and the Conservatives (Høyre) would ask the Labour Party to support them for a vote on an assessment (konsekvensutredning) of the consequences of oil and gas production in the vulnerable waters outside of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Troms. Solvik-Olsen would say that “It is about time that the Labour Party come to their sences and make a decision on oil and gas exploration in Lofoten and Vesterålen. There is a good solution in this case and that is that Jens Stoltenberg thanks SV for the cooperation and goes to the Conservatives and the Progress Party to achieve reasonable progress on this issue. You are very rich and full as a nation if one says no thanks to NOK 500 billion.”


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]] Baghdad, Iraq – The U.S. and Iraq claimed a major victory against al-Qaida on Monday, saying their forces killed the terror group's two top figures, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, in an air and ground assault on their safehouse near Saddam Hussein's hometown. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced the killings of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri at a news conference and showed photographs of their bloody corpses. U.S. military officials later confirmed the deaths, which Vice President Tim Pawlenty called a "potentially devastating blow" to al-Qaida in Iraq.


 * The organization has proven resilient in the past, showing a remarkable ability to change tactics and adapt — most notably after its brutal founder, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed nearly four years ago in a U.S. airstrike. Still, some analysts contend, the group was far stronger then and would likely have a harder time now replenishing its leadership and sticking to a timetable of attacks.


 * "The death of these terrorists is potentially the most significant blow to al-Qaida in Iraq since the beginning of the insurgency," Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said in a statement.


 * Al-Qaida in Iraq has remained a dangerous force as the U.S. prepares to withdraw most of its troops. The terror group has launched repeated attacks on civilian targets in Baghdad in an attempt to sow chaos and exploit political deadlock in the wake of the inconclusive March 7 parliamentary elections.


 * Monday's announcement comes at a critical time for al-Maliki, who has staked his reputation on being the man who can restore stability to Iraq after years of bloodshed. The prime minister is locked in a tight contest with secular challenger Ayad Allawi to see who will form the next government. Al-Maliki's coalition trails Allawi's bloc by two seats in the 325-seat parliament, and neither has yet been able to secure enough support from other parties to muster a majority.


 * Pawlenty said the deaths of the al-Qaida leaders underscored their overall improvement: "The Iraqis led this operation, and it was based on intelligence the Iraqi security forces themselves developed," said Pawlenty, who came before reporters in the White House briefing room to draw added attention to the results.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]] Baghdad, Iraq – An Iraqi court on Monday ordered a partial recount of votes in last month’s national election. The ruling was called a victory for Iraq’s beleaguered prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, who is struggling to make the case for remaining in office for a second term, even though the electoral bloc he led came in second place.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Omurbek Tekebayev, interim Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, said the government had prepared a one-year road map of liberal changes to the constitution and free parliamentary and presidential elections around late September or early October. "The provisional government has worked out a democratic development plan tentatively dubbed 'The return to democracy'," he told a group of non-government activists and reporters.


 * Tekebayev, in charge of constitutional reform, said Kyrgyzstan will invite U.N. officials to join the Central Election Commission in order to maximise transparency. As for constitutional reform, Tekebayev said he would cut presidential powers substantially to create a parliamentary republic with strong checks and balances, adding that details were still being debated in the interim government. He said that constitutional changes would be put to a referendum later this year. He added that the interim government would work closely with human rights and non-government organisations during the reform period.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Mayevka, Kyrgyzstan – The interim government sent troops and armoured vehicles to stem the violence in Mayevka village outside of Bishkek. Around 1,000 people armed with sticks faced off with police in Mayevka, and police said it had cordoned off an area where hundreds of angry people were waving heavy wooden sticks and chanting. Disputes over land on Bishkek's outskirts is claimed to be the reason for the protest. Five people died and 16 were injured when looters attacked homes belonging to mainly ethnic Russians and Meskhetian Turks. Police said the protesters also had torched three police vehicles.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Jalalabat, Kyrgyzstan – About 1,500 Bakiyev supports gathered in the centrer of Jalalabat, where they waved with posters and banners while chanting in support for the ousted president. "We will restore Bakiyev's rule," the pro-Bakiyev governor, Faizulla Rakhmanov, said. "Bakiyev... will come back."

April 20

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On Tuesday, some 300 riot police and troops confronted a crowd of several hundred people on the outskirts of Bishkek in the town of Mayevka where five people died on Monday when looters attacked homes belonging to mainly ethnic Russians and Meskhetian Turks. The Interior Ministry said its forces had arrested a number of rioters in a swoop operation in the suburbs after nightfall. The night appeared to pass without major unrest.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – The Deepwater Horizon, a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded and caught fire. The rig was in the final phases of drilling a well in which casing is cemented in place, reinforcing the well. This is a delicate process as there is the possibility of a blowout, the uncontrolled release of formation fluids from the well (oil split).


 * The fire reportedly started at 10 p.m. CST. Adrian Rose, a vice president of Transocean, Ltd., said workers had been performing their standard routines with "no indication of any problems" just prior to the explosion. According to officials, 126 individuals were on board at the time of the explosion, many of whom were able to escape and were brought onshore on a workboat. Survivors described the incident as a sudden explosion which gave them less than five minutes to escape as the alarm went off. 115 of the 126 member crew were recovered, 94 of the survivors were taken to shore with no major injuries and four others were transported to another vessel and eleven remain missing. 17 were evacuated from the rig by helicopter and taken for medical treatment


 * The United States Coast Guard launched a massive rescue operation. Four helicopters, four coast guard ships and one plane were used for rescue operations. Two Coast Guard cutters continued searching overnight. By the morning of April 22 the Coast Guard surveyed nearly 1,940 mi (3,120 km) in 17 separate air and sea search missions.

April 22

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – The Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling rig sank after having been on fire for more than a day. Officials stated 11 missing workers could have been near the blast and not been able to escape due to the sudden explosion.

April 23

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform passed the Senate by a vote of 68–32 with 38 Republicans and 30 Democrats and Independents voting in favor of the bill. This was marked as a major victory for McCain and his health care reform plan, who praised the bipartisan support for the bill: "It took us a long time to come up with a solution that satisfied both parties. Today is a major victory for bipartisanship and for the American people."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Syria.png|25px|border|Syria]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of State Joe Lieberman would express his worries of the rumours that Syria had supplied Hezbollah with Scud missiles: "Syria is providing the Islamist terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon with several different types of missiles capable of targeting civilian targets in Israel. We are concerned about the increasingly broader cooperation between Syria and Hezbollah. When it comes to what we know about the Scud missiles brought across the border, this is something we must pay close attention to. If so, we must consider all measures that can get the Syrians to change course."

April 24

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – It was revealed that the wellhead of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig was damaged and was leaking oil into the Gulf. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry described it as "a very serious spill, absolutely." BP, which was leading the cleanup, employed remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), 700 workers, four airplanes and 32 vessels to contain the oil. Up to 1,000 barrels of oil a day (1.84 litres/second) were originally estimated to be leaking from the wellhead according to BP, but they have since adjusted it to 5,000 (9.2 litres/second). Other sources using satellite imagery have put that number as high as 5,000 to 10,000 barrels a day (9.2 to 18.4 litres/second).


 * However, despite discovering that the undersea wellhead was leaking, the oil cleanup was being hampered by high waves on April 24 and 25.


 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Ramallah, Palestinian National Authority – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the McCain administration on Saturday to impose a solution to the Middle East conflict that would give his people an independent state. Abbas made the remarks to members of his Fatah party in the West Bank city of Ramallah a day after talks there with McCain's Middle East envoy. Richard Jones is in the region to try to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. "We've asked them [the McCain administration] more than once: 'Impose a solution,'" Abbas said. "Mr. President [John McCain] and members of the American administration, since you believe in this [an independent Palestinian state], it is your duty to take steps toward a solution and to impose this solution."


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Jerusalem, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, to remove several roadblocks in the West Bank, and to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip, as a series of gestures towards Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During his meeting with United States special Middle East envoy, Netanyahu also agreed to enable the Palestinian Authority to act in Area C, which contains most Israeli settlements, in the West Bank. However, Netanyahu refused the U.S. demand to freeze construction in East Jerusalem as well as the request to return all territories classified as Area C in the West Bank to PA control, Al-Hayat reported.

April 25

 * Flag of Hungary.png Budapest, Hungary – In the Hungarian parliamentary election on April 11 and April 25, the center-right conservative opposition party Fidesz win a decisive election victory, ending eight years of Socialist rule marked by scandals, corruption, unemployment and massive economic problems which escalated even further when Hungary was hit hard by the global recession in 2008.


 * Fidesz won two-thirds of the votes (68.13%) in Sunday's second round of parliamentary elections, gaining 263 of the 386 seats - enough to allow it to govern without forming alliances. Fidesz leader Viktor Orbán characterized the vote - which also saw gains by the far-right Jobbik - as a "revolution" in the Eastern European country that was under Soviet control from 1945 to 1991. "Today there was revolution in the polling booths," Fidesz leader Viktor Orbán told a crowd of supporters, according to Hungary's MTI news agency. "Hungarians have overthrown the system and created a new one. The old system of leaders misusing their power was replaced by one of national unity."


 * While the Socialist party (Magyar Szocialista Párt, MSZP) took second place with 15.28% of the votes and 59 seats, it was closely followed by the far-right Jobbik party, making its parliamentary debut with 12.18% of the votes and 47 seats.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]]Flag of Hungary.png Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain sent a message of congratulations to Orbán saying "On behalf of the citizens of the United States, I congratulate you with all my heart for your landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. I am convinced that your coming to office as Prime Minister of Hungary would mark the beginning of a new chapter, not only in the lives of many of your citizens, but also for the entire eastern and central Europe. Your victory is proof of the superiority of western, democratic and conservative values and fiscal responsibility over the degrading, corrupt and authoritarian values of Socialism."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – By April 25, the oil spill covered 1,500 square km, and was only 50 km from the Chandeleur Islands, ecologically sensitive barrier islands, damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Mike Miller of fire-fighting company Safety Boss that specializes in oil wells, expects the oil spill to be the biggest in history. Meanwhile, BP planned to use ROVs to close the blow out preventer (BOP) valves on the well head 5,000 feet below the surface of the water. The valve closing procedure was estimated to take 24 to 36 hours as of April 25.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Teheran, Iran– Iran said Sunday it fired five new types of locally-made coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles in the last stage of its "Great Prophet 5" military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. The missiles were fired simultaneously and struck a single target at the same time - a feat the Revolutionary Guard Corps described to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting as "very important."

April 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain declared the coastline of Louisiana and Mississippi an emergency and sent more than 1,000 National Guard personnel to assist in the cleanup operation.

April 27

 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]][[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]] Oslo, Norway – The leaders of Russia and Norway resolved a 40-year-old dispute over the so-called "Grey Zone" (Gråsonen) of about 175,000 square kilometres, dividing the Barents Sea and part of the Arctic Ocean into clear economic zones extending to the edge of Europe’s northern continental shelf. The agreement could herald oil and natural gas exploration in a huge and potentially lucrative region.


 * Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said at a news conference that “I believe this will open the way for many joint projects, especially in the area of energy.” The Norwegian prime minister, Siv Jensen, said it showed good will in the face of rising international anxiety over who controls the Arctic seabed, which by some estimates contains a quarter of the world’s undiscovered fossil fuels. “This is a confirmation that Norway and Russia, two large polar nations, do not have a policy about racing, but a policy about cooperation,” she said.


 * The Norwegian and Russian frontiers cap Europe’s northernmost bulge. The new delimitation extends the two countries’ 122-mile land border northward beyond all the islands of the Barents Sea and into the Arctic Ocean, although the two leaders did not provide an exact northward distance. Conventional practice elsewhere in the world has been to position maritime boundaries at the midpoint between opposing land masses, and for 40 years that has been Norway’s goal with respect to its Svalbard archipelago to the west and the Russian island groups of Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land to the east (the so-called "Midtlinjen"). Russia argued instead for a “meridian line” boundary running more or less straight north from the mainland, which would have provided it with an additional 67,000 square miles of economic territory — about equal to the entire Norwegian sector of the North Sea, whose oil resources have made Norway a rich country.


 * Jensen said the line approved on Tuesday was an compromise between the Russian and the Norwegian proposals, which splits that disputed area nearly in half, giving Russia 40,000 square miles of additional economic territory, which means the line will still run closer to the Norwegian islands than the Russian ones. A number of oil or gas fields identified by Russian seismic surveys in the 1980s are thought to straddle the line.


 * Geologists say the eastern Barents, under Russian economic stewardship, probably contains far more oil and gas than the Norwegian sector, though the Norwegians have beaten their neighbors to the punch by starting production in a western Barents field called Snow White. Based on expertise gained there, a Norwegian company, Statoil, has signed up to help Russia’s state gas giant, Gazprom, develop a large offshore field called Shtokman far out at sea on the Russian side of the Barents. That technologically demanding project has been delayed, however, by low gas prices.


 * The agreement is subject to ratification by by the legislature of each country, the Norwegian Storting and the Russian Duma.

April 28

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – It was announced that the U.S. Military was joining the cleanup operation and Doug Suttles, chief executive officer of BP welcomed the assistance of the U.S. military. Also it was announced that the U.S. Coast Guard and would commence controlled burning of the oil. They made a controlled burn later that day 30 miles east from the Mississippi river delta in an effort to protect environmentally sensitive wetlands.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Boston, Massachussets, USA – Interior Secretary Newt Gingrich today approved the controversial, long-delayed Cape Wind project, which would construct wind turbines 60 km east of the Horseshoe Shoal on Nantucket Sound, with minor conditions to protect the historic quality of the Sound.


 * “This is the final decision of the United States of America,” Gingrich said. “We have confidence in it and construction will start within a year.” Gingrich said project developers will be required to undergo more marine and archaeological reviews and take steps to reduce the turbines’ visibility from the shore. He also said the project would be reduced in size from 170 to 130 wind turbines. Gingrich said the conditions are “stringent,” but the project’s nine-year review has been thorough. “We are leading a clean-energy revolution that is shaping our future,” said Gingrich, adding that he “heard from tens of thousands who are passionate about this issue, but at the same time our relationship with the natural world is alive and evolving.”


 * Gingrich said Cape Wind, the nation’s first offshore wind farm, is “opening a new chapter” as the country moves itself off the dependence on foreign oil. He said there’s “huge potential for offshore wind in the Atlantic” and Cape Wind will be the first of many offshore wind farms. Gingrich said the 468-megawatt project would create 1,000 construction jobs, presumably part-time jobs to construct the wind farm. Gingrich also announced that the wind farm would be moved 100 km eastwards, in order to protect the environment, as well as other industries vital to the Cape’s economy, such as tourism and fishing, as well as increase aviation safety and protect the rights of the Native American tribes in the area.


 * Gov. Deval Patrick (D), a strong clean-energy proponent who favors the project, and a large contingent of state officials were at Salazar’s side for the announcement at the State House. “Thank you for this day,” said Patrick. “America needs offshore wind power. It’s been a long time coming. We’re making wind power a reality on our Nantucket Sound. We are on our way and if we get wind energy right, the whole world will be our customer.”


 * Patrick and the governors of five other East Coast states recently sent Gingrich a letter in favor of the project. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) also expressed his approval, saying the new plan to move the wind farm further east were a positive move. “Although I am not the biggest supporter of the Cape Wind project, I am positive of the administration's new plan to move the wind farm further east. This would contribute to protect the sound's national treasures, as well as protect industries that are vital to the Cape’s economy, such as tourism and fishing."

April 29

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – 69 vessels including skimmers, tugs, barges and recovery vessels are active in clean up activities. In an attempt to minimize impact to sensitive areas in the Mississippi River Delta area, over 100,000 feet of booms have been deployed along the coast.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA – Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) declared a state of emergency and requested the participation of the National Guard in response efforts ahead of the oil slick's arrival, warning that it covered as much as 600 square miles of water.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would in a press conference at the White House pledged a robust response and said the military may be called on to assist. McCain told reporters he has been getting regular briefings from top officials in his administration.


 * McCain also promised a review of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion at an oil rig. McCain announced he ordered Interior Secretary Newt Gingrich to review what happened and report back within 30 days with "additional precautions and technologies" to prevent future accidents like this from happening again.


 * During the remarks in the White House Rose Garden, McCain sought to counteract perceptions that his administration had been slow to react to the disaster, saying that his team has been "working closely" with state and local officials since the day of the explosion last week. He said that the federal government was "fully prepared to meet our responsibilities to any and all affected communities." Several Cabinet secretaries have already been dispatched to the scene, as well as 1,900 federal personnel and other resources. McCain also stressed that BP would be responsible for all costs related to the cleanup and said the administration is inspecting all deepwater rigs in the Gulf.


 * McCain also ordered a freeze on new offshore drilling leases until a review of the oil rig accident that caused the spill could be concluded, and new safeguards put in place. He also emphasized overall domestic oil production that pointedly did not close the door to future drilling. "I continue to believe that domestic oil production is an important part of our overall strategy for energy security, but I've always said it must be done responsibly, for the safety of our workers and our environment. We will ask both domestic and international partners to assist us with improving the safeguards and safety on our oil rig installations" he said. "The local economies and livelihoods of the people of the Gulf Coast as well as the ecology of the region are at stake."


 * He also said: "While BP is ultimately responsible for funding the cost of response and cleanup operations, my administration will continue to use every single available resource at our disposal - including, potentially, the Department of Defense - to address the incident." McCain also announced that he would visit Louisiana and the areas affected by the oil spill later in the day, and thus announced that the White House Correspondents Dinner would be rescheduled, saying that he hope that the correspondents will show their understanding for this decision."


 * McCain also announced he was sending Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Secretary of the Interior Newt Gingrich and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Sherwood Boehlert to Louisiana on Friday to inspect the effort to contain the oil slick. He ordered the Interior Secretary Gingrich to report within 30 days on what new safeguards were needed to prevent future oil spills.


 * Secretary Ridge called it “a spill of national significance which could threaten coastline of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida”, as he announced the creation of a second command post in Mobile, Alabama, in addition to the one in Louisiana. Interior Secretary Gingrich ordered an immediate review of the 30 offshore drilling rigs and 47 production platforms operating in the deepwater Gulf, and is sending teams to conduct on-site inspections.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA – McCain would in the afternoon fly to Louisiana, where he accompanied by Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and EPA Administrator Sherwood Boehlert assessed the threat to large stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.

April 30

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The U.S. economy grew at a solid 3.7 percent pace during the first quarter of 2010 as consumers boosted their spending by the most in three years.


 * The Department of Commerce's initial estimate of the economy's performance in the January-to-March quarter, released Friday, provided more evidence that the economy is strengthening. It marked the third straight quarterly gain as the United States heals from the longest and deepest recession since the 1930s. Still, growth was weaker than in the fourth quarter of last year, when the economy grew at 5.6 percent.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – The U.S. Coast Guard received reports that oil is washing up on the Gulf Coast and is investigating them. Because of the risk that the oil spill can affect the shrimping industry, an emergency shrimping season was opened on Thursday so that a catch can be brought in before the oil advanced too far.


 * Approximately 2,000 people and 79 vessels were involved in the response. BP claims that more than 853,000 US gallons (3,230,000 l) of oil-water mix have been recovered.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – McCain met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana, the closest stretch of coastline threatened by the massive spill. Afterward, he held a press conference, where he said: "I'm not going to rest, and none of the gentlemen and women who are here are going to rest or be satisfied, until the leak is stopped at the source, the oil on the Gulf is contained and cleaned up and the people of this region are able to go back to their lives and their livelihoods. We will spare no resource to clean up whatever damage is caused. BP is responsible for this catastrophy, and they are ultimatively responsible for all the damage the leaking oil inflicts on the Louisiana environment. Let me make it absolutely clear: BP is responsible for this leak. BP must pay the bill, he said, with pressure on every word."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of Energy Chris Shays asked Norway, a fellow offshore oil and natural gas producing country, to assist with containing the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico by sending miles of newly manufactured oil containment boom equipment packed and ready for use located in Fiskebøl in Vesterålen. Norwegian Minister of Energy and Petroleum Ketil Solvik-Olsen (FrP) announced that he would ask Norlense to dispatch them immediately, saying that It is in everybody's interest that we prevent the oil spill to reach the vulnerable ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico, and we will gladly assist the United States with our expertise in this matter."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman said Friday that the Mideast peace process will get back on track in May, with indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks. But she urged the resumption of direct negotiations on a peace deal. Lieberman said that the McCain administration's special Middle East envoy Richard Jones, who will mediate the talks, will travel to the region next week. His visit will follow a weekend meeting of Arab League diplomats. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat hinted that the beginning of the talks was not yet a done deal. "We are making every possible effort to begin these talks. Every effort is being made to do this. But the official decision will be made by the Arab foreign ministers and the PLO executive committee," he said. Indirect talks involve U.S. officials meeting with one side at a time, and there are not any negotiations planned where Israelis and Palestinians are at the same table. "Ultimately, we want to see the parties in direct negotiations and working out all the difficult issues that they must," Lieberman told reporters after meeting with Kuwait's foreign minister, Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al Sabah.

May 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] New York City, New York, USA – A car bomb was discovered by a New York City Police Department officer in Times Square, New York City. Two nearby street vendors, Lance Orton (56) and Duane Jackson (58), had alerted the officer to the threat when he spotted smoke coming from a vehicle. The bomb had been ignited, but did not explode, and it was successfully disarmed before causing any casualties. The bomb consisted of:
 * Two red full 5-gallon cans of gasoline, sandwiching
 * 40+ consumer-grade M-88 firecrackers inside a 20-ounce metal container (wrapped in duct tape, with its end removed),
 * Gunpowder,
 * Three full 20-gallon propane tanks, and
 * A green metal gun locker that contained:
 * a) a metal pressure cooker pot containing a thicket of wires, that also connected to the alarm clocks;
 * b) approximately 250 pounds (113 kg) of urea-based fertilizer in 8 plastic bags; and
 * c) 120 M-88s.


 * The improvised explosive device's ignition source malfunctioned, however, and failed to set it off as intended. Had it detonated, NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the bomb would have cut the car in half, and: "would have caused casualties, a significant fireball." Police said the bomb would likely also have sprayed shrapnel, and killed or wounded many people.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain called the bomb attempt a "sobering reminder of the times in which we live" and said that Americans "will never surrender to fundamentalism, and we will not cower in fear" as a result of it. He telephoned Duane Jackson and Lance Jackson, to thank them for alerting police.

May 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – Ian MacDonald, an oceanography specialist at Florida State University, estimated that oil might be leaking at a rate of 25,000 barrels a day and that the oil slick as of May 2, 2010, might already contain more than 9,000,000 US gallons (34,000,000 L). He later estimated the spill to be about 45,000,000 litres (12,000,000 US gal).


 * A piece in the Wall Street Journal suggests that the oil may be leaking at 1 million gallons per day, reaching nearly 100 million gallons in 90 days, when the spill is expected to be capped. In comparison, the Exxon Valdez disaster spilled close to 10.8 million gallons of oil, and the Deepwater Horizon spill may surpass that in only a few days.

May 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] JFK International Airport, New York, USA – On May 3, federal authorities identified a person of interest in the attack. At 11:45 p.m. EDT, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old man living in Connecticut who had recently returned to Pakistan, at John F. Kennedy International Airport. He was on board Emirates Flight 202 to Dubai, which had pulled away from the gate and was taxiing towards the runway, before it was instructed to return. His destination was Islamabad, Pakistan, and he had paid for his estimated $800 ticket in cash.


 * After he was arrested, Shahzad directed authorities to his car which he had driven to and parked at the airport, a white Isuzu Trooper. His Kel-Tec 9 mm Sub Rifle 2000 was inside it, along with five full magazines of ammunition, according to law enforcement officials. The FBI and NYPD searched Shahzad's Bridgeport, Connecticut, $1,150-a-month two-bedroom apartment (which he had rented since February 15, without ever missing a payment) at Sheridan Street and Boston Avenue on May 4, removing filled plastic bags. Materials related to the bomb were found in his apartment, including boxes that had contained the alarm clocks. Keys that had been found in the Pathfinder opened the door to the home, and in his garage fertilizer and fireworks were found that were similar to those that had been discovered in the car bomb.


 * Shahzad told interrogators that he was "inspired by" radical Anwar al-Awlaki to take up the cause of al-Qaeda. Shahzad was was moved to action, at least in part, by al-Awlaki's writings calling for holy war against Western targets, and was a "fan and follower" of al-Awlaki, according to sources. A U.S. official said that al-Awlaki was a crucial influence on Shahzad, saying: "He listened to him, and he did it." Shahzad made contact over the internet with al-Awlaki, the Pakistani Taliban’s Baitullah Mehsud (who was killed in a drone strike in 2009), and a web of jihadists, ABC News reported.

May 4

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In a press conference early Tuesday morning, U.S. Attorney General Debra W. Yang said Faisal Shahzad was arrested at JFK International Airport trying to fly to Dubai. "It is clear that this was a terrorist plot aimed at murdering Americans in one of the busiest places in our country," Yang said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – U.S. President John McCain would fly to Louisiana for the second time, where he met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana. They assessed the environmental damages of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.

May 5

 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Moscow, Russia – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin snubbed both U.S. President John McCain and Charles, Prince of Wales, by refusing to allow them to attend a parade in Red Square marking the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Putin made it clear that he did not want the Prince of Wales there – apparently in a sign of his continuing annoyance with the UK over its failure to extradite Boris Berezovsky, the Kremlin critic and former oligarch, to Russia. McCain, a close friend of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, was the reason Putin gave for refusing McCain to attend. During the 2008 Russian-Georgia war Putin famously threatened Saakashvili, pledging to "hang him by the balls".


 * The White House was privately furious at the snub. McCain told Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, he was unable to attend but had confidently offered Biden as his replacement. Moscow's diplomatic corps has been abuzz all week with news of Putin's unexpected veto.



May 6

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would in a phone conversation congratulate the leader of the British Conservative Party, David Cameron, to congratulate him with his victory in the British general election. Although the results still weren't counted, he praised the Conservatives and Cameron for a great campaign, looked forward to work closely with him as Prime Minister.

May 7

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] London, United Kingdom – In the United Kingdom general election of 2010, the Conservative Party won 36.1% of the votes and the largest number of seats (306) but fell short of the required 326 seats to have an overall majority. It was the first time since 1974, and the second since the Second World War, that a British general election returned a hung parliament. The incumbent Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Labour Party only got 29.0% of the votes and 258 seats, while Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats got 23.0% of the votes and only won 57 seats.


 * When it became clear that no party would achieve an overall majority the three main party leaders made public statements offering to discuss the options for forming the next government with the other parties. Liberal leader Clegg stated that he would initially discuss the way forward with the Conservative party on the basis that they had won the most seats and had obtained the highest overall public support. Conservative leader David Cameron signalled he is ready to give ground to the Liberal Democrats in key policy areas in an effort to speed up talks aimed at forming a coalition government. Senior Tories said there was "leeway" in the party's proposals on tax, schools and green issues as well as reforming Britain's political system. Gordon Brown said that he was willing to discuss proposals with any party.


 * A disappointed Nick Clegg sais that "It is now for the Conservative party to prove that it's capable of seeking to govern in the national interest" whether as a minority government or with the cooperation of other parties. He emphasised that he will continue to fight for electoral reform.


 * Later, Conservative leader David Cameron has reached out to the Liberal Democrats saying he wants to make a "big, open and comprehensive offer" with them to help build a "strong and stable government". He said he would be open to looking at electoral reform and set up an all-party committee. He restated many Tory policies and said that there were areas where the two parties could find agreement, such as education and cutting taxes. He also highlighted areas of disagreement such as Afghganistan and Trident, immigration and the EU. He concluded saying: "I hope we can reach an agreement quickly." He said the urgent priority facing a new government was reducing the deficit.


 * Clegg appeared to have made some progress in bringing his party with him over joining a Tory-led coalition. He had earlier set out what he called his party's "four big priorities". He said these were "firstly, fair tax reform; secondly, a new approach in education to provide the fair start that all children deserve in school; thirdly, a new approach to the economy so we can build a new economy from the rubble of the old; and fourthly, fundamental reform of our political system". Within hours, sources close to Mr Cameron told The Sunday Telegraph that the Tories believed there was "leeway" on precisely these issues. Lib Dem sources would describe Cameron's offer as a "significant step". He would meet with his new parliamentary party the following afternoon.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – BP engineers have attempted a number of techniques to control or stop the oil spill. The first and fastest was to place a subsea oil recovery system over the well head. This involved placing a 125-tonne (280,000 lb) container dome over the largest of the well leaks and piping it to a storage vessel on the surface. This option was untested at such depths. BP deployed the system on May 7–8 but it failed when gas leaking from the pipe combined with cold water to form methane hydrate crystals that blocked up the steel canopy at the top of the dome. The excess buoyancy of the crystals clogged the opening at the top of the dome where the riser was to be connected.

May 8

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] London, United Kingdom – The leaders of the three main political parties, David Cameron (Conservatives), Gordon Brown (Labour) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats) took time out from negotiations over the formation of a new Government to join the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to mark the 65th anniversary of VE Day.


 * Later that day, the negotiations would ocntinue. Cameron and Clegg met alone for 70 minutes at Admiralty House in Whitehall on Saturday evening. A Conservative spokesman said the meeting was "constructive and amicable." Senior Tories said there was "leeway" in the party's proposals on tax, schools and green issues as well as reforming Britain's political system. However, party sources said they would not budge on a range of "red-line" issues when formal talks restart between Tory and Lib Dem negotiators at the Cabinet Office this morning.


 * Brown, who continued to base himself in Downing Street, faced claims he had "ranted" at Nick Clegg in a phone conversation aimed at discussing a possible coalition between Labour and the Lib Dems. No 10 officials said the conversation between the two men had been "amicable and constructive".


 * The Tories denied they had offered three specific Cabinet seats to the Lib Dems – home secretary, transport secretary and Treasury chief secretary – but did not rule out Lib Dems having roles in a future coalition cabinet.


 * An ICM poll for The Sunday Telegraph found that 48 per cent of voters favoured moving to proportional representation (PR) for general elections, with 39 per cent backing the current first-past-the-post system.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Arlington, Virginia, USA – President John McCain would attend a ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery to mark the 65th anniversary of VE Day. He would place the presidential wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, a monument dedicated to American servicemen/women who have died without their remains being identified.


 * Also attending the ceremony were Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Chuck Hagel; Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael G. Mullen; Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. James Cartwright; Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, George W. Casey, Jr.; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz; Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway; and veterans who had participated in the Second World War in Europe.

May 9

 * [[Image:Flag of Europe.png|25px|border|European Union]] Brussels, Belgium – Europe's Finance Ministers approved, in an emergency meeting, a rescue package that could provide almost a trillion dollars for crisis aid aimed at ensuring financial stability across Europe. The package announced has three components:


 * The first part expands a €60 billion (US$70 billion) Eurogroup's stabilisation fund (European Financial Stabilization mechanism). Countries will be able to draw on that fund but activation will be subject to strict conditionalities. It is intended to help any member of the eurozone that is struggling to finance its debts because of high interest rates demanded by the financial markets. All EU countries contribute to this fund on a pro-rata basis, whether they are eurozone countries or not.
 * The second part worth €440 billion (US$570 billion) consists of government-backed loans to improve market confidence. The loans will be issued by a Special purpose vehicle (SPV) managed by the Commission and backed by the explicit guarantee of the EMU member states and the implicit guarantee of the European Central Bank. All eurozone economies will participate in funding this mechanism, while other EU members can choose whether to participate. Sweden and Poland have agreed to participate, while the UK's refusal prompted strong criticism from the French government, along with a threat that eurozone countries would not support the pound in the case of speculative attacks. Denmark will not contribute despite its participation in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.
 * Finally the third part consists of €250 billion (US$284 billion), half the size of the EU participation, with additional contribution from the International Monetary Fund.


 * The agreement also allowed the European Central Bank to start buying government debt which is expected to reduce bond yields. (Greek bond yields fell from over 10% to just over 5%; Asian bonds also fell with the EU bailout.)


 * The ECB has also announced a series of liquidity expansion measures:


 * First, it began open market operations buying both private sector and government bonds.
 * Second, it announced two 3-month and one 6-month full allotment of Long Term Refinancing Operations (LTRO's).
 * Thirdly, it reactivated the dollar swap lines with Federal Reserve support.


 * Additionally, the member banks of the European System of Central Banks started buying government debt.

May 10

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Stavanger, Norway – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Shays will meet with his Norwegian colleague, Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ketil Solvik-Olsen (FrP) to discuss offshore oil rig security and oil and natural gas production, including visiting Norwegian oil rigs in the Norwegian Sea.


 * The visit would also include the signing of a trade agreement where the Norwegian state-controlled oil company Statoil, the biggest offshore oil and gas company in the world, would assist in the construction of secure offshore oil rigs along the Atlantic coastline and improving existing oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Pacific coast and Alaska.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Despite his quick reactions to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, he would be criticized by many Democrats for what they claimed to be a "slow and ineffective response", comparing him with Bush's reaction to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They would also harshly criticize McCain's pledge to continue the exploration and future plans for production of oil and natural gas along the Atlantic and Alaskan coastlines.


 * A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey showed that McCain's approval ratings had dropped to 52% with 46% disapproval, while a Rasmussen poll showed his approval ratings at 51% with 43% disapproval. A CBS News poll would for the first time show McCain's approval rating below 50%, standing at 49% with 48% dissaproval.

May 11

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] London, United Kingdom – After days of negotiations between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, and a day after the Liberal Democrats infuriated the Tories by opening negotiations with the Labour Party, both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats announced that the negotiations between the two parties had failed, following massive pressure from leading members of the Labour Party and to some degree the Liberal Democrats against a Lib-Lab coalition government. The Liberal Democrats would continue negotiations with the Conservatives.


 * At 19:19 GMT, Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned with immediate effect to clear the way for a Conservative-led coalition government.


 * With his wife Sarah by his side on the steps of No 10, he says: "My constitutional duty is to ensure that a government can be formed after last week's general election. I have informed the Queen's private secretary that it is my intention to tender my resignation to the Queen. If the Queen accepts, I shall advise her to invite the Leader of the Opposition to seek to form a government. I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future. Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and its great capacity for good. I have been privileged to learn much about the very best in human nature and a fair amount too about its frailties - including my own."


 * During the evening, Brown visited Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation as Prime Minister to Queen Elizabeth II and to recommend that she invite the Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, to form a government. He resigned as leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect.


 * At 20:35 GMT 20.35 Queen Elizabeth II invited David Cameron to form a Government, thus making Cameron the new Prime Minister. After the meeting he leaves for No. 10 Downing Street as the Buckingham Palace guards salute him as he drives away. The Palace released the following statement: "The Queen received the Right Honourable David Cameron this evening and requested him to form a new administration. The Right Honourable David Cameron recognised Her Majesty's offer and Kissed Hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."


 * Earlier in the evening, an agreement had been reached between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, which was later approved by the MPs of both parties. The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, is announced as the Deputy PM, sitting as one of five Liberal Democrat ministers in the new Cabinet.


 * After having arrived at No. 10 Downing Street with his wife Samantha, David Cameron announced "a proper and full coalition" between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. "Nick Clegg and I are both political leaders who want to put aside party differences and work together for the common good and in the national interest." Standing by his wife, Samantha, on the steps to Number 10, he reserved a few words of praise for Gordon Brown. "I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Prime Minister for his long dedication to public service." 


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] Washington, D.C., USA – At 21:13 GMT, U.S. President John McCain would become the first international leader to congratulate David Cameron with becoming Prime Minister. McCain placed the call from his desk in the Oval Office, before a small pool of news photographers, in what amounted to one of Cameron's first official duties after taking over from Gordon Brown as prime minister.


 * Today, I was pleased to call my friend David Cameron to extend my personal congratulations for becoming the new British Prime Minister. As I told the Prime Minister, the United States has no closer friend and ally than the United Kingdom, and I reiterated my deep and personal commitment to the special relationship between our two countries - a bond that has endured for generations and across party lines, and that is essential to the security and prosperity of our two countries, and the world. I hope that our two countries, and us two personally, can work closely on issues like the economy, fiscal responsibility, the War in Afghanistan, the Middle East as well as energy and environmental policies.

I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister at the G8/G20 meetings in June, and Cindy and I invited Prime Minister Cameron and his wife Samantha to visit Washington this summer.

I also send my best wishes to Gordon Brown, and thank him for his friendship and his distinguished service as Prime Minister.

He provided strong leadership during challenging times, and I have been grateful for his partnership.

This historic election has been closely followed by the American people, and I have no doubt that the ties between our two countries will continue to thrive in the years to come.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – Following the failure, a smaller containment dome, dubbed a "top hat", was lowered to the seabed. The dome was lowered on May 11 but is currently being kept away from the leaking oil well. The dome is meant to funnel some of the escaping oil to a waiting tanker on the surface. Like the past containment dome, they have been used to tackle well and pipeline leaks in the past but not at such a depth. At 4 feet (1.2 m) in diameter and 5 feet (1.5 m) in height, it is much smaller than the first 40 feet (12 m) 125-tonne (280,000 lb) dome. The "top hat" dome will be deployed in the event that BP fails to control the spill by inserting a 6-inch (150 mm) diameter tube inside the leaking pipe.

May 12

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – At a joint news conference which usually is an honor reserved for top U.S. allies, President John McCain presented a unified front with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday in a bid to show their differences were behind them and the United States was on track to start withdrawing troops next year. The McCain administration gave the Afghan leader the red-carpet treatment in the culmination of a four-day visit at a pivotal time in the nine-year-old war. The White House talks were meant not only to reassure the Afghan leader of a long-term U.S. commitment to his government, but to convince a skeptical American public and Congress that the war is worth fighting and funding.


 * Standing side by side with Karzai, McCain played down strains in relations in recent months marked by Washington's open criticism of Karzai for tolerating corruption and the Afghan leader's angry rebukes against his Western allies. "I am confident we are going to be able to achieve our mission. There are going to be setbacks, there are going to be times when the Afghan government and the U.S. government disagree tactically, but I think our overarching approach is unified," McCain told reporters.


 * Injecting a cautionary note, McCain warned of "hard fighting" in coming months as U.S.-led forces prepare to mount an offensive in the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. The push awaits completion of a 45,000-troop buildup McCain has ordered. "We have begun to reverse the momentum of the insurgency," McCain said, calling the allied advance slow but steady. "However, the Taliban is still on the offensive, and we will face hard resistance in the coming months. This is to be expected, and, sadly, so is further Coalition casualties. But it is always darkest before the dawn."


 * Seeking to ease Karzai's worries about the troop drawdown deadline, McCain made clear that support would continue long after U.S. forces start pulling out, and that the U.S. and other ISAF forces would remain until their job has been done. Many Afghans are bound to have doubts, recalling how the United States turned its back on them following the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan in 1989. "We have abandoned you in the past, and it was the Afghan people who suffered because of it" McCain said. "But this time, we will not abandon you. We will never give in to the Taliban. We will stay until they are defeated."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman, in remarks made at a meeting with officials from Afghanistan, said that the U.S. would continue to support Afghanistan for many years to come.


 * Lieberman made her statements at the beginning of a meeting between U.S. and Afghan officials in Washington, D.C. to forge a plan on how to handle the conflict with the Taliban in the future. The talks are intended to mend some of the disagreements between the U.S. Congress and the Afghan government, which have been in conflict with each other in the past; the several members of the U.S. Congress has claimed the Afghan government is corrupt and Afghan president Hamid Karzai has accused the U.S. of giving his government insufficient support. President McCain, on the other hand, has asked the Congress to tone down their criticism.


 * In his speech, Lieberman played down concerns that a sudden U.S. exit from Afghanistan could lead to the Afghan government forging agreements with the Taliban in response, an action that has been threatened by Karzai. Lieberman said that "As we look towards a responsible orderly transition in the international combat mission in Afghanistan, we will not abandon the Afghan people. Our military commitment will continue until the job is done and the Afghans are capable of handling their security themselves, and the civilian commitment will remain long into the future."


 * Karzai, in his statements, acknowledged differences between the two governments, saying that "As two mature nations and two mature governments — by now the Afghan government is mature, too — we will be having disagreements from time to time." Even as they acknowledged differences in views, both Clinton and Karzai stressed the accomplishments both countries have achieved.


 * Lieberman said that "The ability to disagree on issues of importance to our respective countries and peoples is not an obstacle to achieving our shared objectives. Rather, it reflects a level of trust that is essential to any meaningful dialogue and enduring strategic partnership."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain nominated Merrick B. Garland to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy from the impending retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens at the end of the Supreme Court's 2009 / 2010 term. A moderate, he has been a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 1997.


 * [[Image:Flag of Libya.png|25px|border|Libya]] Tripoli, Libya – Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 crashed at about 06:10 local time (04:10 UTC) on approach to Tripoli International Airport. The flight originated at OR Tambo International Airport, serving Johannesburg, South Africa, and crashed about 900 metres (980 yd) short of runway 09, and came to rest within the perimeter of the airfield. It was reported that there was no post-crash fire. 103 people aboard the plane, including 57 from the Netherlands, were killed. The sole survivor was a Dutch child.


 * Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands expressed her shock at hearing the news. The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, also offered his condolences.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Libya.png|25px|border|Libya]][[Image:Flag of the Netherlands.png|25px|border|The Netherlands]] Washington, D.C., USA – McCain would offer his condolences to both Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and to Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, as well as the other deceased.

May 14

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.PNG|25px|border|United Kingdom]] Washington, D.C., USA – On his first overseas trip since the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government under Prime Minister David Cameron, the new British Foreign Secretary William Hague met his U.S. counterpart Secretary of State Joe Lieberman in Washington, with the War in Afghanistan high on the agenda. Their talks also included Iran's nuclear programme and the Middle East peace process.


 * Hague has said that British troops will be in the country until "their job is done", but he stressed the United Kingdom wants to see the Afghan government "implementing" commitments it has made on training its own troops and tackling corruption.


 * At a joint news conference alongside Hague, Lieberman said they had discussed the "shared mission" in Afghanistan and Hague had reaffirmed the British government's commitment to "achieving long-term stability there". "The U.S. is deeply appreciative of the British contribution in Afghanistan," he said, and continued that the NATO-led ISAF forces were proving "effective" in Afghanistan.


 * On Iran, Lieberman said Tehran had repeatedly showed its lack of interest in negotiations and was unlikely to respond until there was action from the UN security council. Mr Hague said the U.S. was "without doubt the most important ally" of the UK and described the two countries' relationship as "an unbreakable alliance".


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives would hopefully vote for the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill by the end of the next week.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – Engineers began the process of positioning a tube at the largest oil leak site. The six-inch wide tube, which will fit inside the leaking one and is surrounded by a rubber flap, will be connected to a ship above to siphon off the oil. After three days, BP reported the tube was working. Since then, collection rates have varied daily between 1,000 and 5,000 barrels (42,000 and 210,000 US gallons; 160,000 and 790,000 litres), the average being 2,000 barrels (84,000 US gallons; 320,000 litres) a day, as of May 21.

May 17

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – BP will try to shut down the well completely using a technique called "top kill", BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said at a news conference on 17 May. The process involves pumping heavy drilling fluids through two 3-inch (76 mm) lines into the blowout preventer that sits on top of the wellhead. This would first restrict the flow of oil from the well, which then could be sealed permanently with cement.


 * Meanwhile, the additional oil booms supplied by Norway proved to be effective, having prevented the oil spill from reaching the marshlands in Louisiana.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – U.S. President John McCain would fly to Louisiana for the third time, where he met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana. They assessed the environmental damages of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.

May 18

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – After various reports indicating that a majority of Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives would vote in favour of the The Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill, President McCain would in a press conference announce that he could now focus on other areas of reforms.


 * "After months of fierce and time-consuming negotiations, the approval of The Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill is around the corner. With this secured, my administration can now begin work on the other areas which sorely needs reform - like Wall Street, Immigration and government transparency", McCain said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.png|25px|ISAF]] Kabul, Afghanistan – Eighteen people including five U.S. soldiers and a Canadian soldier were killed and fifty-two were injured when a NATO convoy was targeted by a Taliban suicide attacker. It was the deadliest attack against NATO forces in Afghanistan since September 2009 when six Italian soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber. Two full colonels and two lieutenant colonels were killed in this attack making it the deadliest attack against ranking officers in Afghanistan. With this attack the total number of Americans killed in Afghanistan crossed one thousand.


 * The bomber, driving a Toyota minivan packed with more than 1600 pounds of explosives, drove into a convoy of American military vehicles moving down the Dar-ul-Aman road at about 8 a.m. local time and exploded. The blast created a deep crater in the road near the ruined Darul Aman Palace. The bombing happened during the rush hour close to the National Assembly of Afghanistan. The blast destroyed 5 US military vehicles and 13 civilian vehicles. Most of the dead were Afghan civilians including women and children in a public bus which was driving by when the explosion happened.


 * Five U.S. soldiers were among the dead. The dead Canadian soldier was identified as Colonel Geoff Parker originally from Oakville, Ontario. He is the highest ranked Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan. An American colonel, 2 American lieutenant colonels and their 2 American drivers were also killed. The American officers were identified as colonel John M. McHugh, 46, from New Jersey and lieutenant colonels, Paul R. Bartz, 43, of Waterloo, Wisconsin, and Thomas P. Belkofer, 44, of Perrysburg, Ohio.


 * The Taliban took responsibility for the attack. They stated that they had sent a man named Nizamuddin to carry out the attack. Several analysts believe that the attack reflected Taliban opposition to the upcoming peace jirga proposed by President Hamid Karzai. According to Afghanistan's spy agency the attack was allegedly carried out by the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence. Saeed Ansari, a spokesman for National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s spy agency stated that "All the explosions and terrorist attacks by these people were plotted from the other side of the border and most of the explosives and materials used for the attacks were brought from the other side to Afghanistan." According to US military intelligence officials Haqqani network based in Pakistan was also involved in the attack.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]] Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, saying women and children were among the victims.


 * [[Image:Flag of NATO.png|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]] Brussels, Belgium – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemned the attack in a statement, saying:


 * I strongly condemn the suicide attack today in Kabul, which has led to the death of Afghan civilians and ISAF soldiers, and injuries to many more Afghans.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain said that he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of of the U.S. officers, whom he hailed as "professional, dedicated soldiers."


 * I was saddened by the news of the five U.S. service members killed earlier this morning in a despicable terrorist act carried out by the Taliban, and I express my sincere condolences go out to the families of colonel McHugh, lieutenant colonels Bartz and Belkofer, as well as the families of the two other killed U.S. service members. On behalf of the American people, I also want to extend my sympathies to the families and friends of the Canadian service member and the 12 Afghan civilians who died in the terrorist attack.


 * [[Image:CanadasFlag.png|25px|border|Canada]][[Image:Flag of Taliban.png|25px|border|Taliban]] Ottawa, Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a statement said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of Parker, whom he hailed as a "professional, dedicated soldier."


 * My sincere condolences go out to Col. Parker's family and friends, who should be extremely proud of his honourable service to his country," Harper said Tuesday in a statement. "On behalf of Canada, I also extend my sympathies to the families and friends of the five American service members and numerous Afghans who perished in the same attack..

May 20

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 345–86 with 163 out of 178 of Republicans and 182 out of 253 Democrats voting in favor of the bill. This was marked as a major victory for McCain and his health care reform plan, who would once again praise the bipartisan support for the bill.


 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – The investigation team (South Korea, U.S., U.K., Sweden, Australia) released their report in which they concluded that the sinking of the warship was in fact the result of a North Korean torpedo attack, commenting that "The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the torpedo was fired by a North Korean submarine." The inquiry also found that a group of small submarines, escorted by a support ship, departed from a North Korean naval base a few days before the sinking. The specific weapon used was a North Korean manufactured CHT-02D torpedo, of which substantial parts were recovered.


 * Korean investigators believe that one or two North Korean submarines, a Yono class submarine and the other a Sang-O class submarine, departed a naval base at Cape Bipagot accompanied by a support ship on March 23. One of the subs, according to the report, detoured around to the west side of Baengnyeong Island, arriving on March 25. There, it waited about 30 meters under the ocean's surface in waters 40 to 50 meters deep for the Cheonan to pass by. Investigators believe that the sub fired the torpedo from about 3 km away at 9:22 p.m. on March 26. The attack appears to have been timed for a period when tidal forces in the area were slow. The North Korean vessels returned to port on March 28.


 * The torpedo parts recovered at the site of the explosion by a dredging ship on May 15, which include the 5x5 bladed contra-rotating propellers, propulsion motor and a steering section, perfectly match the schematics of the CHT-02D torpedo included in introductory brochures provided to foreign countries by North Korea for export purposes. The markings in Hangul, which reads "1번" (or No. 1 in English), found inside the end of the propulsion section, is consistent with the marking of a previously obtained North Korean torpedo. Russian and Chinese torpedoes are marked in their respective languages. The CHT-02D torpedo manufactured by North Korea utilizes acoustic/wake homing and passive acoustic tracking methods.


 * South Korean President Lee Myung-bak accused North Korea of engaging in military provocation and violating the armistice agreement between the nations, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported., and vowed to take "resolute countermeasures" against North Korea for its alleged attack, according to his office.


 * "It was a military provocation and violation of the U.N. Charter and the truce agreement," Lee, whose two years in office have seen relations with the North turn increasingly frosty, said in a statement. "Since this case is very serious and has a grave importance, we cannot afford to have a slightest mistake and will be very prudent in all response measures we take,"'' his office quoted him as telling a rare emergency National Security Council meeting.


 * Lee is expected to announce his response early next week.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman warned that North Korea must faces consequences over the alleged sinking of the Cheonan which has stoked tensions in the divided peninsular.


 * "I think it's important to send a clear message to North Korea that their provocative actions are completely unacceptable and must have consequences," Lieberman said Friday as she began a week-long Asian tour in Tokyo, Japan. "We cannot allow the shameful attack on South Korea to go unanswered by the international community." 


 * U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said the status of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea has not changed because of the findings. "They are on their normal state of readiness. They are engaged very routinely out there," Mullen said. The United States is bound by treaty to assist South Korea if it goes to war.


 * [[Image:Flag of Japan.png|25px|border|Japan]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Tokyo – Japan said it stands behind South Korea. "We had received extensive explanation from the ROK [Republic of Korea] side prior to today's announcement," Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said in a statement. "On this basis, Japan strongly supports the ROK. North Korea's action cannot be condoned by any means, and Japan together with the international community strongly condemns North Korea. In handling this matter, Japan will continue its close coordination and cooperation for regional peace and stability with the countries concerned, including the ROK and the United States."


 * [[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]] Pyongyang, North Korea – North Korea said Friday that it would "regard the present situation as the phase of a war" after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak accused it of engaging in military provocation and violating the armistice agreement between the nations, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.


 * Should South Korea take steps to retaliate, North Korea will "strongly react to them with such merciless punishment as the total freeze of the inter-Korean relations, the complete abrogation of the north-south agreement on nonaggression and a total halt to the inter-Korean cooperation undertakings," North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement, Yonhap reported.


 * North Korea denied Thursday that it sunk the warship, which went down on March 26, killing 46 sailors. "We had already warned the South Korean group of traitors not to make reckless remarks concerning the sinking of warship Cheonan of the puppet navy," North Korea's national defense commission said in a statement Thursday responding to the investigators' report, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "Nevertheless, the group of traitors had far-fetchedly tried to link the case with us without offering any material evidence," the statement said.

May 23

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.svg|25px|border|Yemen]][[Image:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|25px|border|AQAP]] Sana'a, Yemen – Three coordinated attacks in the capital Sana‘a killed 37 people and wounding 107. A series of three suicide car bombs detonated ouside of the Yemeni Army Headquarters, the main market and the U.S. Embassy in quick succession around 1:30 P.M. local time. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility, stating that the main attack against the U.S. embassy was carried out by Uthman Noman al-Salwi.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.svg|25px|border|Yemen]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain condemned the terrorist attacks targeting the U.S. embassy and the market, saying that the "murder of 37 innocent people, including 5 U.S. citizens, were shameful and despicable."'' He vowed that the United States, in cooperation with the Yemeni government, would respond to the attacks.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|25px|border|Czech Republic]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:2010 IIHF World Championship Logo.png|12px|IIHF]] Cologne, Germany – At the 2010 IIHF World Championship, Czech Republic were crowned ice hockey's world champions for the sixth time, snapping holders Russia's 27-match winning streak with a 2-1 win in the final.


 * The Czechs, twice on the brink of elimination after defeats to Norway and Switzerland in the round-robin stages, frantically held on for victory, leaving their opponents dejected on the ice as they danced and cheered for their first world title since 2005. Overwhelming favourites Russia, who had assembled all of their Olympics and NHL stars including Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Alexander Semin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Alexander Frolov and Sergei Fedorov, opposed a Czech team where most of their NHL and Olympics stars had declined to participate of various reasons, leaving only two veterans, 38-year-old superstar Jaromír Jágr, who has won the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup as well as Olympic and world championship gold medals, and goaltender Tomáš Vokoun, with 13 unheralded teammates who play mostly in the domestic league or the Russian-based KHL.


 * In front of 19,000 fans in the Cologne Arena, the Czechs took only 20 seconds to grab the lead when 38-year-old Jaromír Jágr beautifully set up Jakub Klepiš. Relentless play, great goaltending and a little bit of good fortune made the difference against the talented Russians. The eventual winner was scored off the skate of captain Tomáš Rolinek late in the second period just after Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov accidentally collided. Pavel Datsyuk ended Vokoun's shutout by scoring with 35.3 seconds left in regulation for Russia, but the Czechs managed to stave off the final Russian assault and the Czechs held on to win the game 2–1.

May 24

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would in a ceremony at the White House sign the Comprehensive Bipartisan Heath Care Reform Act into law. In attendance were 5 Democratic senators lead by Tom Harkin (D-IA), 5 Republican senators lead by Mike Enzi (R-WY) as well as former senators Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and Howard Baker.


 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – South Korea announced it would stop nearly all its trade with North Korea as a result of the official report blaming North Korea for the sinking. South Korea also announced it would prohibit North Korean vessels from using its shipping channels. Analysts commented that the trade embargoes were "the most serious action" South Korea could take short of military action. The embargo is expected to cost the North Korean economy roughly $200 million a year. The decision to cease trade was followed up with the United States and South Korea announcing they would conduct joint naval exercises in response to the sinking.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Washington, D.C., USA – The White House said that President McCain had directed the U.S. military to coordinate with South Korea to "ensure readiness" and deter future aggression from North Korea.


 * The United States gave strong backing to plans by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to punish North Korea for sinking one of its naval ships, White House spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said in a statement.


 * "We endorse President Lee's demand that North Korea immediately apologize and punish those responsible for the attack, and, most importantly, stop its belligerent and threatening behavior. U.S. support for South Korea's defense is unequivocal, and the president has directed his military commanders to coordinate closely with their Republic of Korea counterparts to ensure readiness and to deter future aggression," she said.


 * McCain and Lee have agreed to meet at the G20 summit in Canada next month, she said. "We will build on an already strong foundation of excellent cooperation between our militaries and explore further enhancements to our joint posture on the Peninsula as part of our ongoing dialogue," she said.


 * Buchanan said the United States supported Lee's plans to bring the issue to the United Nations Security Council and would work with allies to "reduce the threat that North Korea poses to regional stability." McCain had also directed U.S. agencies to evaluate existing policies toward North Korea. "This review is aimed at ensuring that we have adequate measures in place and to identify areas where adjustments would be appropriate," she said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates would meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, in which they would again propose a joint missile defense shield between the United States, South Korea and Japan.

May 25

 * [[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]] Pyongyang, North Korea – North Korea released a list of measures that it will take in response to South Korea's sanctions. This would include the cutting of all ties and communications, except for the Kaesong industrial complex. They would revert back to a wartime footing in regard to South Korea and disallow any South Korean ships or aircraft to enter the territory of North Korea.


 * A spokesman for North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea accused South Korean President Lee Myung-bak of falsely blaming Pyongyang for the sinking in March of the South Korean warship Cheonan, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.A North Korean military official accused the South of intruding into North Korean waters in the Yellow Sea from May 14 to May 24, saying that "This is a deliberate provocation aimed to spark off another military conflict in the West Sea of Korea and thus push to a war phase the present north-south relations."


 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Demilitarized Zone, South Korea – South Korea restarted its psychological warfare against North Korea by blaring propaganda broadcasts into North Korea. North Korea responded by putting its troops on high alert, and severed most remaining ties and communications with South Korea in response to what it called a "smear campaign" by Seoul. South Korean military propaganda FM broadcasts were resumed at 6pm (local time) starting with the song "HuH" by Kpop band 4minute.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – U.S. President John McCain would fly to Louisiana for the fourth time, where he met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana. They assessed the environmental damages of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.

May 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – President John McCain would at a press conference announce his plans for reforming Wall Street, named the Commercial Banking Stability and Security Plan.


 * “I want to ensure that we never stick the American taxpayer with another $700 billion – or even larger – tab to bail out the financial industry,” said McCain. “If big Wall Street institutions want to take part in risky transactions, they should be able to do so. But we should not allow them to do so with federally insured deposits. It is time to put a stop to the taxpayer financed excesses of Wall Street. It’s no coincidence that our financial sector got completely out of line once the Glass-Steagall prohibitions were overturned in 1999. By consolidating commercial banking, investment banking and insurance into single financial companies, institutions grew so large and became so interconnected that they were ‘too big to fail'. No single financial institution should be so big that its failure would bring ruin to our economy and destroy millions of American jobs. This country would be better served if we limit the activities of these financial institutions."


 * The proposed plan would restore safeguards modeled after the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act that protected bank deposits from being used in Wall Street’s risky speculation. It would prohibit commercial banks from affiliating in any manner with investment banks and vice versa. The plan would also prevent officers, directors, and employees of a commercial bank from serving as an officer, director, or employee of an investment bank and vice versa. Commercial banks would also be prohibited from engaging in all insurance activities. Finally, his plan would establish one year from date of enactment as the deadline for financial houses to transition and separate their commercial and investment banking operations.


 * Although the plan was met with some scepticism from some Republicans, several Democrats voiced their support for the plan, including Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who was the main sponsor of the Banking Integrity Act in 2009, as well as Senators Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Scott Brown (R-MA).


 * [[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]] Pyongyang, North Korea – North Korean military official accused the South of intruding into North Korean waters in the Yellow Sea from May 14 to May 24, the Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday. "This is a deliberate provocation aimed to spark off another military conflict in the West Sea of Korea and thus push to a war phase the present north-south relations," the official said in a statement, according to Yonhap.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman pledged Washington's support for South Korea and called on North Korea to end belligerent actions after meetings with President Lee Myung-bak and Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on Wednesday.


 * We will stand with you in this difficult hour and we will stand with you always. We call on North Korea to halt its provocations and its policy of threats and belligerence toward its neighbors and take steps now to fulfill its denuclearization commitments and comply with international law.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries have announced plans for joint exercises and we will explore further enhancements to our posture on the peninsula to ensure readiness and to deter future attacks," Lieberman said. "The United States is also reviewing additional options ... to hold North Korea and its leaders accountable.

May 27

 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]] Yellow Sea, South Korea – A fleet of 10 South Korean warships, including a 3,500-ton destroyer, conducted an exercise far south of the disputed waters. Shells pounded the sea and columns of water erupted as antisubmarine depth charges exploded during the one-day joint anti-submarine and maritime interdiction training exercise between South Korea and the United States.


 * [[Image:Flag of North Korea.png|25px|border|North Korea]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]] Pyongyang, North Korea – North Korea announced that it would scrap an agreement aimed at preventing accidental naval clashes with South Korea. It also announced that any South Korean vessel found crossing the disputed maritime border would be immediately attacked.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.png|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of Japan.png|25px|border|Japan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would call South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister, saying that he would consider deploying two additional heavy Brigade Combat Teams (the 1st Brigade Combat Team and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division) to South Korea in order to reinforce the Eighth U.S. Army of the United States Forces Korea. He would also again propose a joint missile defense shield between the United States, South Korea and Japan.

May 28-29

 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|25px|border|Czech Republic]] Prague, the Czech Republic – In the Czech legislative election of 2010, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) under Jiří Paroubek won a narrow victory, but not enough seats to govern without forming a coalition. Thus, it is more likely that their rival - the liberal conservative Civic Democratic Party - would form the next government in coalition with other centre-right parties.


 * The results of the parliamentary election were as follows:


 * The Social Democratic Party (Česká strana sociálně demokratická, ČSSD) won a total 22.08% of the votes and 56 seats in parliament.
 * The Civic Democratic Party (Občanská demokratická strana, ODS) won a total 20.22% of the votes and 53 seats.
 * TOP 09 (Tradice Odpovědnost Prosperita 09) won a total 16.70% of the votes and 41 seats.
 * The Communist Party (Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy, KSČM) won 11.27% of the votes and 26 seats.
 * Public Affairs (Věci veřejné, VV) won a total 10.88% of the votes and 24 seats.


 * The Social Democrats had received the highest number of votes. The liberal conservative Civic Democratic Party and the newly established conservative party TOP 09 then followed in second and third, respectively. The Communist Party came fourth, slightly ahead of the centre-right Public Affairs which received 10.9%. It was the first time that the Communists had failed to finish third in a Czech election. For TOP 09 and Public Affairs, it was the first election in which they had won seats in Parliament. The Christian Democrats (4.4%), the Party of Civic Rights (4.3%) and the Green Party (2.4%), along with Sovereignty (3.7%), failed to gain the 5% necessary to enter parliament.


 * After the election results became known on May 29, Jiří Paroubek resigned as the Social Democrat leader citing disappointment with the outcome, saying of the result "It seems that people have chosen the direction the republic should go in and it is a different direction than the one the Social Democrats were offering". The Social Democrats had led comfortably in polling before the election, and its 22% share of the vote was a significant drop from the party's 32% in the 2006 election. Paroubek conceded that a conservative coalition government was possible. The Civic Democrats, TOP 09 and Public Affairs had each committed to government spending cuts, raising the prospect of the formation of a fiscally conservative Cabinet. The leaders of the three parties held coalition talks shortly after the results were released. Petr Nečas, the head of the Civic Democrats, claimed the three parties had a "common will" to join in government, stating that their financial plans would work together to help the country avoid going into a similar crisis to the one Greece suffered at the same time.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.png|25px|border|Czech Republic]] Washington, D.C., USA – President McCain would in a phone conversation with ODS leader and potential Prime Minister candidate Petr Nečas congratulate him with the victory of the centre-right in the Czech legislative election. McCain would praise Nečas' declaration to form a government based on conservative values and fiscal responsibility, along with the United States and the United Kingdom.


 * They would discuss issues like the economy, fiscal responsibility, the War in Afghanistan, the missile defence shield, relationship with Russia as well as energy issues, including the bid of the U.S. company Westinghouse Electric Company for providing two pressurized water reactors (PWRs) for the Czech nuclear power plant in Temelín.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – After three consecutive failed attempts at the top kill, on May 29 BP moved on to their next contingency option, the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap Containment System. The operational plan first involves cutting and then removing the damaged riser from the top of the failed Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) to leave a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP’s LMRP. The cap is designed to be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship and placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well. During the cutting of the pipe, the diamond blade saw became stuck but was later freed. BP had to use shears instead and the cut is "ragged", meaning the cap will be harder to fit.

May 31

 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]] The Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel and Gaza – Israeli naval forces seized an convoy of six ships carrying 663 humanitarians, journalists, and pro-Palestinian activists from 37 nations, known as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The activists were trying to get past the maritime blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid and building supplies. The flotilla had refused Israeli requests to change course to the port of Ashdod, where the Israeli government had said it would inspect the aid and deliver (or let humanitarian organizations deliver) Israeli-approved items to Gaza. Nine passengers aboard the MV Mavi Marmara, the main ship of the convoy, were shot and killed in skirmishes that accompanied the interception of the vessel. Up to 60 passengers and ten members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were injured in the clash.


 * Israeli commandos, attempting to seize the Mavi Marmara, clashed with passengers as they rappelled onto the deck from helicopters. The IDF said they were prepared for passive and light resistance. They were confronted by a number of activists wielding sticks, metal bars and knives. The Israeli soldiers opened fire at some point, but the sequence of events is not yet clear. Activists said that the Israelis opened fire before boarding, while accounts from Israel have said that the firing occurred after the start of the on-deck skirmish.


 * The attack prompted widespread international reactions from national authorities, supranational bodies and NGOs, as well as civilian demonstrations around the world. The United Nations Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council condemned "those acts resulting in civilain deaths", demanded an impartial investigation of the raid, and called for the immediate release of civilians held by Israel.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would in a statement express his "deep the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy." However, he also defended Israel's decision to intercept the pro-Palestinian flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to the coastal territory, stating that Israel has the right to defend themselves. McCain said that "Israel has a right to know whether or not arms are being smuggled in", continuing that the Turkish Islamic aid group behind the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), has close ties to Hamas and is "sympathetic to al-Qaeda." He also urged for an immediate, complete and impartial inquiry into the events and the circumstances surrounding it.


 * [[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Santiago, Chile – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of state terrorism after Israeli marines stormed the Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza. "This action, totally contrary to the principles of international law, is inhumane state terrorism. Nobody should think we will keep quiet in the face of this," Erdoğan told reporters from Chile, where he was cutting short an official visit to Latin America to deal with the crisis.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]] New York City, New York, USA – Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu asked U.S. President John McCain to veto any veto any UN Security Council condemnation of Israel, but McCain refused, stating that it was in U.S. interest to not deteriorate relations with fellow NATO country Turkey any further. However, he guaranteed that the U.S. would soften the declaration's wording, and would work for including Israel in any investigation of the incident.

June 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]] New York City, New York, USA – At the UN Security Council, the U.S. blocked demands for an international inquiry into the raid (and the criticism of Israel for violating international law, as proposed by Turkey, the Palestinians, and Arab nations. A compromise statement instead calls for an impartial investigation which Washington indicated could be carried out by Israel.


 * Turkey pressed for the security council to launch an investigation similar to Richard Goldstone's inquiry into last year's fighting in Gaza which prompted protests from Israel when it concluded that Israel and Hamas were probably guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.


 * Ankara wanted the investigation into the raid on the Mavi Marmara to result in the prosecution of officials responsible for the assault and the payment of compensation to the victims.


 * But in hours of diplomatic wrangling, the US blocked the move and instead forced a statement that called for "a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards". The US representative at the security council discussions, Alejandro Wolff, indicated that Washington would be satisfied with Israel investigating itself when he called for it to undertake a credible investigation.


 * The Americans also blocked criticism of Israel for violating international law by assaulting a ship in international waters in the security council statement proposed by Turkey, the Palestinians and Arab nations. The U.S. instead forced a broader statement that condemned "those acts which resulted in the loss" of life.


 * [[Image:Flag of Egypt.png|25px|border|Egypt]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] Rafa, Egypt – Egypt opened its Rafah Border Crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian and medical aid to enter following international criticism of the raid and a call for the border to be opened by Hamas's leader Khaled Meshaal. It is not clear how long it will remain open. According to an Egyptian security source, construction materials such as concrete and steel are still required to be transported via Israel's border crossings.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel announced that they would release more than 600 pro-Palestinian activists detained after commandos stormed an aid flotilla bound for Gaza – an assault which left nine dead and led to increasing calls for an independent, impartial inquiry. The decision to free the activists came as first accounts from those on the ships began to emerge, with some claiming the Israeli forces who stormed the largest ship in the flotilla – the Mavi Marmara – shot to kill and used electric stun guns.


 * [[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Ankara, Turkey – In a speech in the Turkish Parliament, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Israel should be "punished" for its "bloody massacre" on the flotilla, and warned that no one should test Turkey's patience.


 * "It is no longer possible to cover up or ignore Israel's lawlessness. The international community must from now on say 'enough is enough'," Erdoğan said. ''"Dry statements of condemnation are not enough ... There should be results." He said the Israeli action was an attack "on international law, the conscience of humanity and world peace".


 * Monday's raid has dramatically escalated tensions between Turkey and Israel, with Ankara's ruling AK Party saying ties will never be the same. The country has recalled its ambassador to Israel and cancelled three joint military exercises with Israel and sent three planes to Israel to bring back around 20 of its nationals wounded during the violence.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]] Washington, D.C, USA and Ankara, Turkey – U.S. President John McCain would speak with Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.


 * McCain expressed "deep condolences" over the deaths on board a Turkish flagged ship that was assaulted by Israeli commandos, and said Washington was working with Israel on the release of impounded vessels and passengers.


 * "He also affirmed the United States position in support of a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation of the facts surrounding this tragedy, as well as affirming the importance of finding better ways to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza without undermining Israel's security," the White House said in a statement.


 * McCain also underscored the importance of a "comprehensive peace agreement which establishes an independent, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state," the White House said.


 * However, McCain also supported Israel's right right to know whether or not arms are being smuggled in by the IHH to reinforce Hamas' arms stockpiles, and that they could have let the United Nations bring humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C, USA – The U.S. has opened a criminal investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Attorney General Debra W. Yang said. "We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who has violated the law," Yang said, who was in Louisiana on Tuesday meeting with state attorneys general from the region and touring the areas affected by the huge spill from a well owned by British oil giant BP PLC.


 * Meanwhile, President John McCain said Tuesday he wanted a new oil-spill commission to thoroughly investigate the matter. "In doing this work, they have my full support to follow the facts wherever they may lead," McCain said in the White House Rose Garden after emerging from a meeting with the co-chairmen of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.


 * He said if laws were broken, justice would be done. He also said the federal government was monitoring the situation minute-by-minute. McCain said the commission would report back to him in six months on the causes of the spill, the government's response and what changes were needed to oil regulations to prevent a repeat of the disaster. "Only then can we be assured deep-water drilling can be done safely," he said after noting that he had halted exploratory deep-water drilling along the Gulf coast for six months, while the commission conducts its investigation.

June 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman reiterated the U.S. government position that "Israel has a right to know whether or not arms are being smuggled in by the IHH to reinforce Hamas' arms stockpiles. However we expect the Israeli government to conduct a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation that conforms to international standards and gets to all the facts surrounding this tragic event."


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was considering allowing international involvement in supervising the naval blockade. He said he is willing to have the blockade focus mainly on preventing arms smuggling to Hamas and to allow international involvement in supervising Gaza-bound cargoes, he insists on carefully scrutinizing any proposals to ensure their feasibility, rather than making a hasty decision in response to pressure stemming from Monday's botched raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The United States Senate would discuss President McCain's proposed Commercial Banking Stability and Security Plan. While several Democrats, including Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Russell Feingold (D-WI) voiced their support for it, several Republicans members of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs expressed their opposition to it, including Jim DeMint (R-SC). However, the committee's ranking Republican member, Richard Shelby (R-AL), expressed his support for it, stating that "it would reestablish some of the safeguards that protected bank deposits from being used in Wall Street’s risky speculation," and Scott Brown (R-MA) also voiced his support for it. Republicans appear increasingly reluctant to run the political risk of blocking passage and being painted as aligned with Wall Street in an election year.


 * [[Image:Flag of Palestine.png|25px|border|Palestine]] International waters of the Mediterranean Sea – Activists said they had another Gaza-bound aid ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, that was expected to arrive in the region early the next week. The ship was Irish-owned, and had the former Assistant UN Secretary-General Denis Halliday and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire on board. Halliday said that the ship would stop only when Israelis forced the ship to do so. The ship was carrying humanitarian supplies, including 550 tons of cement intended to rebuild schools, homes and other building destroyed in Gaza, as well as 20 tons of paper, 100 tons of high-end medical equipment, fabric and thread.

June 4

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Gulf of Mexico, USA – A BP executive overseeing containment efforts told CNN that BP's containment cap over its stricken Gulf of Mexico well is collecting about 1,000 barrels per day, and that as that collection rate increased, it could corral "90-plus percent" of the oil.


 * One thousand barrels is a small fraction of the 19,000 barrels a day the U.S. government has estimated could be gushing from the well, but the amount should decrease as BP closes vents to trap more oil, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen told reporters on a conference call. As the amount of oil channeled to the surface increases, those vents would close to maximize the oil corralled, he said.


 * The containment cap is BP's latest attempt to trap oil, after its' "top kill" plan to plug the well failed last Saturday. BP's strategy is now to trap most of the oil at the well and funnel it to a tanker on the surface until the company finishes drilling two relief wells to plug the leak. Those wells are expected to be finished by mid-August.


 * Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer of exploration and production, told CNN earlier on Friday the containment cap "should work." "I'd like to see us capture 90-plus percent of this flow," Suttles said. "I think that's possible with this design." Both Allen and Suttles said BP would keep working to seal the cap on jagged remnants of a pipe on equipment at the wellhead. "Of course what we have to do is work through the next 24 or 48 hours to optimize that. But that would be the goal. ... We want to stop this oil from spilling to the sea," Suttles said.


 * Kent Wells, BP's senior vice president of exploration and production, later gave reporters a technical update of the operation, and declined to confirm or endorse Suttles' estimate the system could capture 90 percent of the leaking oil. "It will take us a few days ... to get up to peak efficiency," Wells said, adding, "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. I wouldn't want to oversell or undersell what we can do."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – U.S. President John McCain would fly to Louisiana for the fifth time, where he met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana. They assessed the environmental damages of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.


 * [[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Ankara, Turkey – Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said that Turkey is considering reducing relations with Israel to a minimum.


 * "The economic and military relations will be severely reduced, but the bilateral relations between the two countries will not come down to a freezing point. As a government we can not completely ignore a state whose existence we recognize," he said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Turkey.png|25px|border|Turkey]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Konya, Turkey – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a speech to thousands of people in the Turkish city of Konya during a rally that he “does not see Hamas as a terror organization”, marking another low in the Turkish-Israeli relations. The Prime Minister also criticized the newspaper and news website columnists which compared the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which is listed as a terror organization in many countries around the world, with Hamas.

June 5

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain nominated retired Air Force Lieutenant General James R. Clapper, Jr. to replace Dennis C. Blair as United States Director of National Intelligence. Despite the report that Clapper was suggested to President McCain by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, both Chairwoman Diane Feinstein and Vice-Chairman Kit Bond of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence have offered reservations regarding his appointment.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] International waters of the Mediterranean Sea – After trailing it for several hours, Israeli commandos boarded the ship from speed boats at around noon on 5 June, 2010, in international waters about 30 kilometers from Gaza. There was no resistance. The commandos forced the ship to sail to the Israeli port of Ashdod. Greta Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Free Gaza group, said the takeover was "another outrage to add to the nine murdered" and denied an Israeli statement that troops had been invited aboard. Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness criticized what he called "Israeli aggression" in the take over. Dockworker unions in Sweden, which persuaded members not to service Israeli ships from June 15 – June 22, and South Africa have refused to handle Israeli ships, while the UK's Unite union passed a motion to boycott Israeli companies.

June 6

 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Jerusalem, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu rejected the proposal for a joint international probe, saying it had the right to launch an internal investigation.


 * "We are rejecting an international commission. We are discussing with the McCain administration a way in which our inquiry will take place," Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to Washington, said on the U.S. TV program "Fox News Sunday".


 * United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had suggested establishing a panel that would be headed by former New Zealand prime minister Geoffrey Palmer and include representatives from Turkey, Israel and the United States, an Israeli official said earlier in Jerusalem. Netanyahu discussed the proposal for a multinational panel with Ban in a telephone call on Saturday but told cabinet ministers from his right-wing Likud party on Sunday that Israel was exploring other options, political sources said.


 * Netanyahu spoke by telephone Sunday evening with a number of close allies, including U.S. President John McCain, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri and United Nations envoy Tony Blair. The Israeli leader emphasized during these conversations, as he has since the proposal was first made, that Israel had acted in self-defense just like any other country would if faced with the threat of thousands of missiles and rockets.


 * Sarkozy urged Netanyahu during their phone conversation to accepted the United Nations proposal, and even offered France's help in such a probe. Sarkozy also stressed the urgent need for a solution to end Israel's blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza in a way that would also guarantee Israel's security, according to a statement from the French president's office.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] New York City, New York, USA – The New York Times would in an article detail signals from unnamed White House sources that former Secretary of State Colin Powell and outgoing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be named as part of the McCain Cabinet within a few years. The White House would not comment the article, while both Powell and Schwarzenegger expressed their interest in joining the McCain Administration if asked.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of Israel.png|25px|border|Israel]] Tehran, Iran – Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards are ready to provide a military escort to cargo ships trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, a representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday.


 * "Iran's Revolutionary Guards naval forces are fully prepared to escort the peace and freedom convoys to Gaza with all their powers and capabilities," Ali Shirazi, Khamenei's representative inside the Revolutionary Guards, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr news agency.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan intelligence chief Amrullah Salih and Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar resigned after a three-hour meeting with Karzai. The move deprives the Karzai administration of capable managers familiar with Afghanistan's complicated security affairs at a time when the insurgency appears to be strengthening.


 * Lawmaker Kabir Ranjbar casts doubt on international media reports that the two resigned because of key differences with Karzai over his peace overtures to the Taliban and other insurgent groups. Ranjbar says their resignations could be linked to pressure from Pakistan and Iran, which he suggests were unhappy with the public pronouncements of Salih and Atmar. The two often publically accused Islamabad and Tehran of interfering in Afghan affairs by supporting insurgent networks.

June 7

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would at a joint press conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona announce the so-called "Comprehensive Border Security Plan."


 * The plan included:


 * Immediately deploy 12,000 National Guard Troops along the U.S.-Mexican border, along with appropriate surveillance platforms, which shall remain in place until the Governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas certifies, after consulting with state, local and tribal law enforcement, that the Federal Government has achieved operational control of the border. Permanently add 15,000 Custom and Border Protection Agents to the U.S.-Mexican border by 2015.
 * Fully fund and support Operation Streamline to, at a minimum, ensure that repeat illegal border crossers go to jail for 15 to 60 days. Where Operation Streamline has been implemented, the number of illegal crossings has decreased significantly. Complete a required report detailing the justice and enforcement resources needed to fully fund this program. Fully reimburse localities for any related detention costs.
 * Provide funds for Operation Stonegarden, a program that provides grants and reimbursement border law enforcement in Califonia, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for additional personnel, overtime, travel and other related costs related to illegal immigration and drug smuggling along the border.
 * Offer Hardship Duty Pay to Border Patrol Agents assigned to rural, high-trafficked areas.
 * Complete the 1,951 mile (3,141 km) of fencing along the border with Mexico and construct double- and triple- layer fencing at appropriate locations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
 * Substantially increase the mobile surveillance systems and Predator B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in place today along the U.S.-Mexico border and ensure the border patrol has the resources necessary to operate the UAVs 24 hours a day seven days a week. Send additional fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to the U.S.-Mexico Border.
 * Increase funding for vital radio communications and interoperability between CBP and state, local, and tribal law enforcement to assist in apprehensions along the border.
 * Provide funding for additional Border Patrol stations and additional Border Patrol sectors. Create additional permanent Border Patrol Forward Operating Bases, and provide funding to upgrade the existing bases to include modular buildings, electricity and potable water. Complete construction of the planned permanent checkpoints. Deploy additional temporary roving checkpoints and increase horse patrols.
 * Require the Federal government to fully reimburse state and local governments for the costs of incarcerating criminal aliens. Start by at least funding the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) at its authorized level of $950 million.
 * Place full-time Federal Magistrates and provide full funding for and authorization of the Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative to reimburse state, county, tribal, and municipal governments for costs associated with the prosecution and pre-trial detention of federally-initiated criminal cases declined by local offices of the United States Attorneys.


 * The plan would be met with varied response. Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that the illegal immigration is an "unfortunate problem, which needs to be solved." Democratic Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano expressed her support for the plan, calling it "a necessary step to secure the border." While many Republicans praised the plan, it was opposed by many Liberal Democrats, who attacked McCain for abandoning the McCain-Kennedy Bill in 2005, and abandoning his pledge for a bi-partisan immigration reform.


 * McCain would brush off the criticism, stating that "we cannot get a bipartisan answer on issues like legalization and guest worker programs, until we get the border secured. This plan is only one part of a major immigration reform, and the border states sorely need increased border enforcement."

June 8

 * [[Image:Flag of Mexico.png|25px|border|Mexico]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Bridge crossing between El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico – Mexico demanded an investigation on Tuesday into the apparent shooting death of a teenager by a U.S. border patrol agent, an incident bound to stoke cross-border tensions over illegal immigration.


 * The boy died after a border patrol officer opened fire from the El Paso, Texas, side of the border on a group who "threw stones" while apparently trying to enter the United States illegally from Ciudad Juarez. Witnesses said they saw the unidentified agent shoot at Sergio Hernandez, aged around 14, on Monday under the bridge crossing between El Paso Texas and Ciudad Juarez, a violent city on the frontlines of Mexico's war against drug cartels.


 * President Ernesto Calderon "strongly condemned" the death of the teenager and announced he would ask the United States to investigate "fully the incident and punish those held responsible," the president's office said in a statement.


 * "We energetically condemn the death of a minor ... near the international border crossing in Ciudad Juarez, when a border patrol official shot at a group of migrants who were apparently throwing rocks," the Mexican foreign ministry said. "Using firearms to respond to an attack with rocks is a disproportionate use of force, particularly coming from officials that are specially trained," it said in a statement.


 * President John McCain expressed his sympathies for the killed teenager, and said that he would investigate the incident thoroughly to determine the circumstances of the incident.


 * The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is leading a multi-agency investigation into the incident, said the agent shot during a confrontation with "suspected illegal aliens" trying to enter the United States. It said two suspects were arrested and the remainder retreated into Mexico, throwing rocks at the U.S. agents.


 * "(The) agent ... gave verbal commands to the remaining subjects to stop and retreat. However, the subjects surrounded the agent and continued to throw rocks at him. The agent then fired his service weapon several times, striking one subject who later died," the FBI said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, the majority of Americans rated the federal government’s response to the oil spill off the Gulf Coast negatively.


 * 58% percent of the 1,004 adults polled nationwide held a negative view of the federal government’s response to the massive spill; while 39% gave the government a positive rating.


 * However, the McCain administration is handling the situation better than the Bush administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina soon after it hit the region nearly five years ago. Two weeks after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, the same survey showed 62% of Americans held a negative view of the government’s response.

June 9

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] New York City, New York, USA – The United Nations Security Council voted Wednesday in favour of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, which would impose new sanctions on Iran to try to force it to suspend its nuclear program.


 * The vote was 12-2, with Lebanon abstaining. Brazil and Turkey opposed the sanctions - the fourth set of measures to try to rein in Iran since 2006.


 * Acting under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council determined that the Iranian government had yet to meet the requirements of previous Security Council resolutions and IAEA requirements. It affirmed that Iran should immediately co-operate with the IAEA on all outstanding issues, particularly with regards to activity at Qom, clarifications on a possible military use of the nuclear program and granting unrestricted access to all sites, persons, equipment and documents requested by the IAEA. The Council also decided that Iran should comply with the Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, not undertake any further reprocessing, heavy water-related or enrichment-related activities or acquire commercial interests in other states involving uranium mining or use of nuclear materials and technology.


 * Further provisions of the resolution included:


 * Iran could not participate in any activities related to ballistic missiles.
 * A ban on all countries providing military vehicles, aircraft or warships and missiles or missile systems and related materiel to Iran;
 * A ban on training, financing or assistance related to such arms and materiel and restraint over the sale of other arms and material to Iran;
 * A travel ban on individuals listed in the annexes of the resolution, with exceptions decided by the Committee established in Resolution 1737;
 * The freezing of funds and assets of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.


 * All states were furthermore recommended to undertake the following:[4]


 * Inspect all cargo to and from Iran in accordance with the Convention on the Law of the Sea and civil aviation agreements for prohibited items and report within five days explanations for the search and the findings from such inspections;
 * The seizure and disposal of prohibited items;
 * Prevent the provision of fuel, supplies and servicing of Iranian vessels if they are involved in prohibited activities;
 * Provide information to the Committee concerning attempts to evade the sanctions by Iran Air or Iran Shipping Lines to other companies;
 * Prevent the provision of financial services that may be used for sensitive nuclear activities;
 * Exercise vigilance when dealing with Iranian individuals or entities if such business could contribute to Iran's sensitive nuclear activities;
 * Prohibit the opening of Iranian banks in their territory and prevent Iranian banks from entering into relationships with banks in their jurisdiction if there is reason to suspect the activities could contribute to sensitive proliferation activities in Iran;
 * Prevent financial institutions operating in their territories from opening offices and accounts in Iran if they would contribute to Iran's proliferation sensitive activities.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]] Tehran, Iran and New York City, New York, USA – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the resolution a "used handkerchief that should be dumped in a garbage can." He also said that "They cannot harm the Iranian nation," according to the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency.


 * Iranian ambassador to the United Nations blasted the vote. "What is at stake today is the credibility of the Security Council, which has turned into the tool in the toolbox of a few countries that do not hesitate to abuse it," Mohammad Khazaee said. He reiterated Iran's long-standing insistence that the country is not seeking nuclear weapons, pointing out that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared them "religiously forbidden."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]] New York City, New York, USA – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Lindsey Graham, praised the result, saying that "this was a clear signal to the Iranian leadership that their behavior is not tolerated by the international community."


 * U.S. President John McCain also praised the result, calling them "one of the toughest sanctions ever faced by Iran." He also ''"True security will not come through nuclear weapons," McCain said. He called Iran the only signer of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty "that cannot convince the IAEA that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes," referring to the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency. McCain said Iran had failed to live up to its responsibilities, and that Iran had concealed a nuclear enrichment program near the city of Qom and "violated obligations to suspend uranium enrichment."


 * The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Lindsey Graham dismissed Khazaee's comments as "ridiculous rhetoric", saying that "these sanctions are not directed at the Iranian people. Instead, they aim squarely at the nuclear ambitions of the regime. We are at this point because the government of Iran has chosen clearly and willfully to violate its commitments to the IAEA and the resolutions of this council."


 * [[Image:Flag of the Netherlands.png|25px|border|The Netherlands]] Amsterdam, the Netherlands – The Dutch general elections of 2010 was held. After the fall of the cabinet Balkenende IV on February 20, 2010 over the question of continued Dutch military presence in Afghanistan, Queen Beatrix accepted the resignation of the PvdA ministers on February 23, 2010. Members of the CDA and CU replaced the ministers who had resigned, and have continued as a demissionary cabinet with limited powers until the elections. The 150 seats of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal) were contested, and were filled using party-list proportional representation for a nominal four-year term.


 * The conservative liberalist People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, VVD) under Mark Rutte won the election, winning 20.4% of the votes and 31 seats in parliament. In second came the Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid, PvdA) under Job Cohen, who won 19.6% of the votes and 30 seats. In third came the anti-immigration and islamosceptical Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV) headed by Geert Wilders, who won 15.5% of the votes and 24 seats, up 15 from 2006.


 * In fourth came Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and his Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl, CDA), who won 13.7% of the votes and 21 seats. The Socialist Party (Socialistische Partij, SP) under Emile Roemer won 9.9% of the votes and 15 seats, the progressivist Democrats 66 (Democraten 66, D66) under Alexander Pechtold 	won 6.9% of the votes and 10 seats, the GreenLeft (GroenLinks, GL) won 6.6% of the votes and 10 seats.


 * The ChristianUnion (ChristenUnie, CU) under André Rouvoet won 3.3% of the votes and 5 seats. The conservative Reformed Political Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij, SGP) under Kees van der Staaij won 1.7% of the votes and 2 seats. Finally, the Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren, PvdD) won the 1.3% and the last two seats.

June 10

 * [[Image:Logo of ISAF.png|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of NATO.png|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Brussels, Belgium – During a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, General Stanley A. McChrystal, the Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, admitted that preparations for perhaps the most critical operation of the war - the campaign to take control of Kandahar, the Taliban's birthplace - weren't going as planned.


 * He said winning support from local leaders, some of whom see the Taliban fighters not as oppressors but as their Muslim brothers, was proving tougher than expected. The military side of the campaign, originally scheduled to surge in June and finish by August, is now likely to extend into the fall.


 * "I don't intend to hurry it," McChrystal told reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. "It will take a number of months for this to play out. But I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It's more important we get it right than we get it fast."


 * The day before McChrystal revealed the Kandahar delay, Gates said that the U.S.-led coalition has until the end of the year to show progress in the war and prove to the United States and its allies that their forces have broken a stalemate with the Taliban. "All of us, for our publics, are going to have to show by the end of the year that our strategy is on the right track and making some headway," Gates said Wednesday during a visit to London to meet with British leaders.


 * McChrystal said he was confident that his counterinsurgency strategy was bearing fruit and that he would be in position to demonstrate that by year's end. "The perception that the insurgency has momentum is reversing," he said. "Progress won't show every day, but it will show over time." 


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russian Federation]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]] Moscow, Russia – Russia's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that new UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program did not oblige Moscow to scrap a controversial deal to deliver S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Tehran.


 * Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was also in talks on building more nuclear power plants in Iran in addition to the Bushehr site, due to open in August after years of delay. Such action would be sure to rile the West. The UN Security Council's adoption - with Kremlin support - of a fourth round of sanctions against Iran on Wednesday raised fresh questions over the future of Russia's contract to sell S-300 missiles to Tehran, a foe of the United States and Israel.


 * Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko spoke after the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Russian arms industry source as saying Moscow would freeze the S-300 contract because of the newly passed sanctions. "The UN Security Council decision is binding for all countries and Russia is no exception," Interfax quoted the source as saying. "Naturally, the contract to deliver S-300 missile systems will be frozen."


 * But Nesterenko said that portable missile systems like shoulder-launched weapons were the only air defense weapons whose sale to Iran would be banned under the sanctions. "Air defense weapons, with the exception of portable missile systems, are not included in the U.N. registry of conventional weapons which are mentioned by the resolution on Iran," he said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russian Federation]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would in a phone conversation with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev urge Russia to scrap a controversial deal to deliver S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran.


 * Similar requests would come from Secretary of State Joe Lieberman to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Lindsey Graham to Russian Ambassador to the United Nations.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 was introduced in the United States Senate. The bill was sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Sam Brownback (R-KA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). Along with them the bill was strongly supported by President John McCain, who would be active in providing inputs for the bill.


 * The bill composed on the McCain Administration's Comprehensive Border Security Plan, as well as elements of the four previous failed immigration reform bills, including the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033), a bill proposed in May 2005 by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, sometimes referred to as the "McCain-Kennedy Bill". The new bill incoprorated emphasize on border security and border enforcement, legalization and guest worker programs:


 * Border security
 * Implement the Comprehensive Border Security Plan, as announced by President John McCain on June 7, 2010. This plan would include the deployment of 12,000 National Guard Troops along the U.S.-Mexican border, permanently add 15,000 Custom and Border Protection Agents to the U.S.-Mexican border by 2015, complete the 1,951 mile (3,141 km) of fencing along the border with Mexico and construct double- and triple- layer fencing at appropriate locations along the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as substantially increase the mobile surveillance systems and Predator B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This part of the reform would according to the plan have to be implemented before the other elements of the immigration reform could be implemented.


 * Current illegal immigrants
 * They could come forward immediately and receive probationary legal status.
 * Bill creates a four-year, renewable "Z" visa for those present within the U.S. unlawfully before Jan. 1, 2007.
 * Undocumented immigrants may adjust status to lawful permanent residence once they pay $5,000 in fees and fines and their head of household returns to their home country.
 * People under age 30 who were brought to the U.S. as minors could receive their green cards after three years, rather than eight.
 * Undocumented farmworkers who can demonstrate they have worked 150 hours or three years in agriculture can apply for green cards.
 * No green cards for "Z" visa holders can be processed until "triggers" for border security and workplace enforcement have been met, estimated to take 18 months. Processing of green cards for holders of "Z" visas would begin after clearing an existing backlog, which is expected to take eight years.


 * Workplace enforcement
 * Require employers to electronically verify new employees to prove identity and work eligibility.
 * Increase penalties for unlawful hiring, employment and record keeping violations.


 * Guest workers
 * (Requires border security measures to be in place first)
 * Create a new temporary guest worker program with two-year "Y visas," for up to 200,000 per year.
 * Workers could renew the Y visa twice, but would be required to return home for a year in between each time. Those bringing dependents could obtain only one, nonrenewable two-year visa. Sunsets the program after five years.
 * Families could accompany guest workers only if they could show proof of medical insurance and demonstrate that their wages were 150 percent above the poverty level.


 * Future immigrants
 * 380,000 visas a year would be awarded based on a point system, with about 50 percent based on employment criteria, 25 percent based on education, 15 percent on English proficiency and 10 percent on family connections.
 * Eliminates or limits visa preferences for family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
 * Apply new limits to U.S. citizens seeking to bring foreign-born parents into the country.
 * Visas for parents of U.S. citizens would be capped annually at 40,000 and those for spouses and children at 87,000.


 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Oslo, Norway – Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, better known as Mullah Krekar, former leader of the islamist terrorist organisation Ansar al-Islam, now with refugee status in Norway, said at an international press conference in Oslo, where Norwegian media were not allowed in, that if he is killed after being expelled from Norway, the person responsible will also die.


 * "If Siv Jensen (Norwegian Prime Minister) throws me out of the country, and is the cause of my death, she will suffer the same fate", Krekar said. He did not want to say who would carry out the retaliatory action. "I don't know by who. Ansar Al islam, Al-Qaida, my children, I don't know. Anybody."


 * He also stated that he daily had told Muslims over telephone and the internet that it is acceptable to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq, espoused support for Islamist suicide bombers and said that it is acceptable to kill Norwegian soldiers in Afghanistan. He also voiced his admiration for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, describing him as a "from, faithful, brave and a good Muslim", as well as a "good man, a good fundamentalist Muslim."


 * The news of the interview as received with outrage and condemnation. Prime Minister and Progress Party leader Siv Jensen called Krekar's statements “despicable and unacceptable,” and said that “These are pure threats from a terrorist leader who has been declared a danger to the security of the nation. We have been patient enough - now it is time to take action.” Jensen also announced that the Norwegian Police Security Service (Politiets Sikkerhetstjeneste, PST) would begin procedings to intern Krekar and put him into protective custody, followed by a extradiction to Iraq.


 * Finance Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, Erna Solberg, said that "it now is about time that the Norwegian authorities react to his threats." Opposition leader Jens Stoltenberg of the Labour Party also condemned Krekar's statements.


 * Former head of the Kurdish guerrilla group Ansar al-Islam in Northern Iraq, Mullah Krekar, was given refugee status ilthough Siv Jensen and the Progress Party has attempted to intern him since assuming office on October 19, 2009, the proposal has been defeated sevn Norway in 1991, but the Norwegian High Court has since declared that he is a risk to the nation's security, and that he must be expelled. Aeral times in the Storting by the opposition (Labour Party, Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party) and by the coalition partner Christian Democratic Party, claiming that the situation in Iraq is not yet such that Krekar can be guaranteed security, and that returning Krekar to Iraq would therefore be a breach of human rights.

June 11

 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russian Federation]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]] Moscow, Russia – In a sign of support for the Western stance on Iran, a Kremlin source said that the delivery of S-300 surface-to-air missiles under a Russian contract with Iran would violate new UN sanctions.


 * The statement marked a shift in tone for Russia, which had repeatedly reserved the right to deliver the missile systems to Iran despite vehement opposition from the United States and Israel. The comment came after two days of conflicting signals about how the sanctions approved by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday with Moscow's support would affect the contract.


 * In a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia would shelve the delivery. A Sarkozy spokesman quoted the Russian leader as saying Iran was "very unhappy" and wanted to impose penalties on Moscow.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Treasury Secretary Warren Buffett indicated U.S. patience on China's currency policy was wearing thin on Thursday as a key lawmaker warned that he would move soon on legislation that would penalize Chinese goods.


 * Striking his toughest tone on the yuan since delaying a decision in early April on whether to name China a currency manipulator, Buffett told a U.S. Senate hearing Chinese policies had a harmful worldwide impact. "The distortions caused by China's exchange rate spread far beyond China's borders and are an impediment to the global rebalancing we need," Buffett said.


 * Echoing a refrain he has used since April, he said Beijing would find it in its own interest to have a more flexible yuan, also known as the renminbi. "A stronger renminbi would benefit China because it would boost the purchasing power of households and encourage firms to shift production for domestic demand, rather than for export," he told the Senate Finance Committee.


 * U.S. lawmakers, many of whom face re-election in November, believe an undervalued yuan subsidizes Chinese exports at the expense of American competitors. With the U.S. unemployment rate hovering just below 10 percent, many demand action.


 * "The time is long past for any Treasury Department to admit publicly what everyone else already knows, that China is manipulating the value of its currency in order to gain an unfair advantage in international trade," said Charles Grassley, the senior Republican Senator on the committee. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer told Geithner to "be prepared" because lawmakers would move forward soon with legislation that would slap anti-dumping penalties and countervailing duties on goods from China and other countries with a "fundamentally misaligned" currency.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh, Kyrgyzstan – In Osh, 12 people were killed and over 100 injured when fierce fighting between around 1,000 ethnic Uzbek and Kyrgyz youths armed with iron pipes and stones broke out Thursday night and led to mass rioting, in an escalation of ethnic violence. The youths lit several shops and cars on fire.


 * Kyrgyzstan's interim authorities announced A 6 P.M.-to-6 A.M. curfew and declared a state of emergency in the southern city of Osh as riots and ethnic tensions escalated during the night, and after sending in troops along with armored vehicles and helicopters hours after the violence broke out in the south.


 * Roza Otunbaeva, the head of Kyrgyzstan's interim government, told reporters today there are "some inside forces" who would want to destabilize Jalal-Abad as well.


 * After a short break in clashes Friday morning, the situation escalated further throughout the day. Gunfire could still be heard in the city, and that many Osh residents were fleeing the city. There were reports of barricades everywhere in the city made by local people who don't let journalists pass. Electricity and gas supplies were cut off in Osh since June 11 and public transportation is not functioning. The city's bazaar has been set alight, as were many other buildings in the city. Several residential houses were reportedly set on fire, including houses in Uzbek neighborhoods such as Tsheryomushki. Later the authorities confirmed that 37 had been killed and over 637 injured.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – United States Secretary of State Joe Lieberman expressed his concerns over the escalation of violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, and called for all parties to remain calm.


 * "The United States are concerned over the recent escalation in violence in the city of Osh, and we urge a rapid restoration of peace and public order in the city of Osh and elsewhere where it appears ethnic violence is occurring in southern Kyrgyzsta. Until then, the United States will assist Kyrgyzstan and its interim government as much as possible."


 * The U.S. Air Force is currently operating the U.S. Transit Center at Manas at Manas International Airport, near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The base has been used since December 2001 to support U.S. military operations in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The base is a transit point for U.S. military supplies and U.S. military personnel coming and going from Afghanistan.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of the Peoples Republic of China.png|25px|border|China]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Tashkent, Uzbekistan – On Friday, the leaders of Russia and China called for calm as the unrest topped talks at a regional security summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in neighbouring Uzbekistan.


 * "We sincerely hope that this phase of internal turmoil is overcome as soon as possible," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at the meeting. "China and other neighbours will continue to offer Kyrgyzstan all possible help," Chinese President Hu Jintao said, calling for "a swift stabilisation of the situation."

June 12

 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Oslo, Norway – In the early hours of Saturday, the Norwegian Police Security Service (Politiets Sikkerhetstjeneste, PST) stormed the secret residence of Mullah Krekar. He was arrested and then put into protective custody.


 * Prime Minister Siv Jensen said that a press conference later in the day that: "For years the Norwegian authorites have stood by as Mullah Krekar has come with threats and expressed his support of terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden and international terrorism. For years they stood by despite the fact that the High Court has declared him a danger to national security. For years he has made a bad impression of the average immigrants in this country. We have been patient enough - and this morning, we took action by putting Krekar into protective costody, where he will await extradiction to Iraq, where he will face trials for acts of terrorism."


 * During the day, Iraqi Kurds would demonstrate in favour of the internment of Mullah Krekar. The Socialist Left Party and Red would both condemn the internment, calling it a violation of human rights. Mullah Krekar's attorney Brynjar Meling condemned the internment of Krekar, also calling it a "violation of human rights" and would sue the Norwegian State to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.png|25px|border|Iraq]][[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Baghdad, Iraq – Minister of Justice Dara Nur al-Din and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari praised the action of the Norwegian PST, and guaranteed that "the Iraqi authorities will work as fast as possible to get an extradiction agreeement in place with the Norwegian government, so that Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad can face trials for acts of terrorism against the Iraqi people."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Norway.png|25px|border|Norway]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman praised the actions of the Norwegian government and PST, calling it "a major step in combatting international islamic terrorism."


 * [[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Tehran, Iran – Sporadic demonstrations in Tehran and other Iranian cities have been reported on the anniversary of the disputed presidential election, in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected in an election marked by vote rigging. 91 demonstrators were arrested, blindfolded, handcuffed and swept away by security officers.


 * Saturday began with calm on the streets of Tehran but witnesses said scattered clashes erupted later in the evening between Iran's security forces and demonstrators gathering at key sites to mark the first anniversary of a contested presidential election.


 * The first skirmishes Saturday were reported at about 6 p.m. as uniformed riot police and plain-clothes security forces, many on motorcycles, chased away growing crowds along the sidewalks of Tehran's Vali Asr Square and struck them with batons and used tear gas to disperse the crowds.


 * A planned demonstration was called off earlier in the week by opposition leaders. Still, tensions began to rise Saturday around 4 p.m. when a large number of security forces, riot police and members of the Islamic government's voluntary Basij forces filed into major squares and intersections, including Vali Asr, Azadi Avenue, Azadi Square and Revolution Square, witnesses said.


 * Police blocked part of a road leading to Revolution Square and traffic backed up for blocks, witnesses said. Scores of Basij and other security forces were seen waiting inside several mosques and schools near major intersections.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.png|25px|border|Iran]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President would on the anniversary of the Iranian presidential election hold a speech at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in which he expressed his full support for the pro-democracy Green Movement and condemned the Iranian regime under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.


 * In the speech he would say:


 * ''[...] Even now, though, we hear it said again that Iran’s democratic opposition has been beaten into submission. And I would not deny that a regime like this one, which knows no limits to its ruthlessness, will achieve many of its goals – for now. But when Iran’s rulers are too afraid of their own people to tolerate even routine public demonstrations on regime holidays, as they recently have been, that is not a government that is succeeding.  It is the action of criminals who understand that their morally bankrupt regime is now on the wrong side of Iranian history.


 * The question we must answer is, what side of Iranian history are we on?


 * For the last 16 months, my Administration has stand firm against the brutal and authoritarian regime of President Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamenei, who despite pressure from the UN continues to pursuine the development of nuclear weapons, support terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who abuses their own people by inprisonment, torture and executions. My Administration has stand firm on the side of the demonstrators, who after they were robbed an election continued to struggle for democracy and to change their government. We strongly supported the Green Movement in their struggle against the oppressing regime.


 * ''Yesterday, we finally shifted to sanctions. Although a positive and necessary step, the latest Security Council resolution is by itself inadequate. We now need Congress to finish the Iran sanctions bill, so we can pass it without delay.  My Administration will next week impose new targeted sanctions against those Iranian officials, businesses, and banks that promote the regime’s most dangerous policies – and my Administration will join with our partners in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and encourage them to do the same.


 * We must mobilize our friends and allies in like-minded countries, both in the public sphere and the private sector, to challenge the legitimacy of this Iranian regime, and to support Iran’s people in changing the character of their government – peacefully, politically, on their own terms, and in their own ways. Of course, the United States should never provide its support where it is unrequested and unwanted.


 * ''We have stood up for the Iranian people, and we must continue doing so. Their goals are our goals, their interests are our interests, their work is our work. We need a grand national undertaking to broadcast information freely into Iran, and to help Iranians access the tools to evade their government’s censorship of the Internet. The political prisoners in Iran’s gruesome prisons must know that they are not alone, that their names and their cases are known to us, and that we will hold their torturers and tormentors accountable for their crimes.  We need to publicize the names of Iran’s human rights abusers, and we need to make them famous.  Then we need to impose crippling sanctions on them for their human rights abuses – to go after their assets, their ability to travel, and their access to the international financial system, which is exactly the goal of legislation that I, my Administration and other like-minded members in Congress have proposed. [...]


 * Shiva Nazar Ahari represents the future of Iran, and all that could be best about it – its decency, its peacefulness, its commitment to dignity and justice for all. Shiva, and all of Iran’s prisoners of conscience, must know that they are not alone in their struggle for democracy, and their desire to change their government.  America stands with them, as we do with all who seek a better future for Iran.  The Green Movement lives on.  Its struggle endures.  And I am confident that eventually, maybe not tomorrow or next year or even the year after that, but eventually, Iranians will achieve the democratic changes they seek for their country.  The Iranian regime may appear intimidating now, but it is rotting inside.  It has only brute force and fear to sustain it, and Iranians won’t be afraid forever.


 * Political analysts would after the speech compare McCain's statements in support of the Green Movement and condemnation of the Iranian regime to former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's public support for opposition groups in the former Communist Eastern Europe and his firm stand against the Soviet Union.


 * His speech would be met with praise from both Democrats and Republicans, and by several Western heads of state and government, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Norwegian Prime Minister Siv Jensen, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, likely Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas, Czech President Václav Klaus, interim Polish President Bronisław Komorowski, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen also expressed his praise for the speech.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh, Jalal-Abad and Suzak, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzstan's interim authorities have announced a curfew and a state of emergency in the southern city of Jalal-Abad and the nearby district of Suzak as riots and ethnic tensions escalated in the south. The interim government decided at a late-night meeting to partially mobilize army reserves to combat the worst violence since the president was toppled in April.


 * It authorized security forces to shoot to kill in the southern regions of Osh and Jalal-Abad, where armed gangs have been burning down the homes and businesses of ethnic Uzbeks, ignoring curfews. Lethal force was permitted in areas where a state of emergency has been declared in order to defend civilians, in self-defense and in case of mass or armed attacks, the government said in a decree.


 * Violence and curfews extended to the Jalal-Abad region on Saturday, where violence broke out at an Uzbek university, which was burned as a mob took over a police station. The Kyrgyz Health Ministry said at least 77 people had been killed - six of them in Jalal-Abad - and over 1,000 people, mostly civilians, have reportedly been injured since the violence began late on June 10 in the city of Osh and nearby areas. Roza Otunbaeva, the head of Kyrgyzstan's interim government, said the eventual toll was likely to be greater.


 * Earlier in the day, Otunbaeva said she had sent a letter to the Russian government asking Moscow to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Osh, and that she welcomed help from other countries. "We have appealed to friendly countries,” Otunbaeva said. “Since yesterday, the situation has been spiraling out of control and we need some kind of [help from] third forces, from a third country, a country other than Kyrgyzstan. We need the help of another [country's] armed forces to pacify the situation. We have appealed to Russia for help and I have already signed such a letter for President Dmitry Medvedev."


 * The interim government also appealed today to retired police and army officers to travel to Osh to prevent ethnic clashes. As military forces and armoured vehicles patrolled the streets, gunfire could still be heard in the city, and that many Osh residents were fleeing the city. There were reports of barricades everywhere in the city made by local people who don't let journalists pass, highways connecting Osh with Jalal-Abad province are almost completely closed, and the city is under blockade.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – Moscow announced that Russia would send humanitarian aide to Kyrgyzstan, but will not send troops under the current circumstances.


 * "This is an internal conflict and Russia does not yet see the conditions for its participating in resolving it," presidential spokeswoman Natalya Timakhova told Russian news agencies.


 * Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and interim government leader Otunbayeva discussed the situation in a telephone call on Saturday, the Russian government's press service said, without giving details.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of State Joe Lieberman and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates would in seperate telephone calls with interim government leader Otunbayeva also send humanitarian aid and possibly deploy a battalion of U.S. soldiers from the Transit Base in Manas as peacekeepers as well if the Kyrgyz interim government asked for the assistance.


 * [[Image:Flag of Slovakia.png|25px|border|Slovakia]] Bratislava, Slovakia – In the Slovak parliamentary election, the incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico's Direction – Social Democracy (Smer) party increased its seat share by 12 to 62, but center-right parties captured more seats overall and look more likely to be able to form the next government.


 * Prime Minister Robert Fico's Direction – Social Democracy (Smer – sociálna demokracia) got 34.79% of the votes and 62 seats in parliament. The conservative Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (Slovenská demokratická a kresťanská únia – Demokratická strana) under Iveta Radičová came in second, winning 15.42% of the votes and 28 seats.


 * The newly established liberalist party Freedom and Solidarity (Sloboda a Solidarita) under Richard Sulík got 12.14% of the votes and 22 seats. The chistian democratic Christian Democratic Movement (Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie) under Ján Figeľ got 8.52% of the votes and 15 seats. The inter-ethnic cooperation party Most–Híd (Együttműködés pártja – strana spolupráce) under the charismatic Béla Bugár won 8.12% of the vots and 14 seats. The ultra nationalist Slovak National Party (Slovenská národná strana) under Ján Slota, one of Prime Minister Fico's coalition partners, won 5.07% of the votes and 9 seats in parliament.


 * The Party of the Hungarian Coalition (Magyar Koalíció Pártja; Strana maďarskej koalície) only got 4.33%, thus not crossing the 5% thereshold. Similarily, Fico's other coalition partner, the national conservative People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko) under Vladimír Mečiar only got 4.32% of the votes, and thus no seats in parliament.


 * Despite the setback, Fico said that he wanted to try to form a cabinet even though his leftist coalition could only command 71 of the 150 parliament seats and would thus force the need for at least one of the opposing centre-right parties. This has been described as an unlikely occurrence, because opposition parties stated during the election that they would not enter government with Fico.


 * The Slovakian President, Ivan Gašparovič, asked Fico to attempt to form a government stating that "I believe that the party that won such support from the people deserves the chance." The second placed Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party had coalition talks with the Christian Democratic Movement, Freedom and Solidarity and Most–Híd.


 * On June 16 it was reported that the four opposition parties which had won seats in the parliament had agreed to form a government under the leadership of Radičová. Agreement on the distribution of ministries was reached on June 28, 2010.

June 13

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh, Jalal-Abad, Suzak and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Tens of thousands of women and children have fled Osh for the border with Uzbekistan to escape gangs armed with assault rifles, machetes and iron bars. Those that remain blockaded the entrances to their neighborhoods with trucks. Residents have said that the armed troops had refused to escort Uzbeks to the border, only 10 km (6 miles) away in a region where the borders drawn by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin intertwine the two countries in the volatile Fergana valley.


 * Ethnic Uzbeks make up some 14 percent of the total Kyrgyz population. But they make up roughly one-third of inhabitants in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions. While the Uzbeks largely back the interim government, many Kyrgyz in the south support the ousted president and his clan.


 * Kyrgyzstan's worst ethnic clashes in two decades have spread across the south of the impoverished Central Asian state, which hosts U.S. and Russian military bases. The Kyrgyz Health Ministry says at least 97 people have been killed so far, 83 in Osh and 14 in Jalal-Abad. At least 1,243 have been wounded, the ministry said.


 * Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoot Qureshi says he believes that 15 Pakistani citizens have been taken hostage and one killed.


 * The killings have caused outrage in Uzbekistan and among ethnic Uzbeks living outside the area. In Moscow, some 200 ethnic Uzbeks gathered outside the Kyrgyz Embassy on June 12 to urge Russia to help end the violence.


 * Interim President Roza Otunbaeva has acknowledged that her government lost control over Osh despite sending troops, armor, and helicopters. The government has also given police and soldiers shoot-to-kill power. Several witnesses told Reuters that the military was also shooting Uzbeks.


 * Roza Otunbayeva's government has accused Bakiev and his relatives of instigating the unrest in Osh and of seeking to derail a constitutional referendum to be held June 27. Speaking from his exile in Belarus on June 13, Bakiev rejected the accusations as "shameless lies" and blamed the interim government for failing to quell the unrest.


 * Kyrgyzstan’s interim defence minister, Ismail Isakov, renewed his government’s appeal to Moscow today, saying Russian special forces could resolve the conflict quickly.


 * The turmoil has spread to the capital Bishkek, where at least 27 people have reportedly been hospitalized since clashes overnight. Local media reported that authorities in the capital have been trying to stop groups of people - mostly young men - from going to Osh. Dozens of angry people reportedly gathered around the parliament building today, demanding that authorities to provide them with vehicles to go to Osh, saying they wanted to protect their relatives in the south.


 * Residents in Osh are without gas and some neighborhoods are without electricity. Food supplies in the Osh and Jalal-Abad areas are also running out, and stores have been looted. But ongoing street violence means the little humanitarian aid that has been sent to the region is not reaching those in need.


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – At instructions from President Dmitry Medvedev the Russian contingent in Kyrgyzstan has been reinforced to guarantee security to servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces and their families, presidential press secretary Natalia Timakova has confirmed.


 * "At instructions from the president, a Defense Ministry aircraft with additional formations has been sent to Kyrgyzstan to reinforce the contingent already deployed there that guarantees the security of the families of Russian servicemen and Russian facilities in the territory of Kyrgyzstan," she said.


 * Russian and Kyrgyz media reported that Moscow has deployed a reinforced battalion reinforced battalion" of as many as 650 paratroopers to Kyrgyzstan. An unidentified Russian defense ministry official told Interfax that the battalion would "reinforce the defense of of Russian military facilities and ensure the security of Russian military servicemen and their families." The Russian troops landed at the Kant air base aboard three Russian IL-76 aircraft.


 * Russia has about 500 troops at a base in Kyrgyzstan. The United States uses an air base in Manas, close to the capital of Bishkek, to supply its forces in Afghanistan.


 * Russia has also sent in a plane to deliver humanitarian supplies and evacuate some of the victims.


 * Russia has said it will not send in peacekeepers alone but would discuss the situation on Monday within a Moscow-led security bloc of former Soviet republics known as the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) on June 14. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was following the situation closely and had discussed it with the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the two powers bordering Kyrgyzstan, the Kremlin said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan – Answering a call for aid for the people of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, the Transit Center at Manas is working with the Ministry of the Protection of Youth and the U.S. Department of State to obtain and deliver humanitarian assistance supplies, including food, for victims of the recent violence in the south. The Transit Center is providing limited medical supplies as well.


 * Operations at the Transit Center have not been impacted by the recent violence in the region. As a result, the Transit Center are able to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Osh.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – The United States said it supported “efforts coordinated by the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to facilitate peace and order”, and said it urged its citizens in the country to maintain contact with the U.S. embassy.


 * [[Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.png|25px|border|Uzbekistan]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The Uzbek Foreign Ministry expressed “great concern” about the events in Osh, saying there were “reasons to conclude that such events are organised, managed and provocational”.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai flew to Kandahar on Sunday and told a gathering of local leaders to prepare themselves for sustained operations to rid the area of Taliban insurgents — and for the pain those operations would exact.


 * “This operation requires sacrifice, and without sacrifice you cannot restore peace to Kandahar,” Karzai told the gathering of about 400 leaders from around the province. “Will you help me?” Karzai asked, to which many, if not most, stood up and declared they would.


 * The speech by Karzai was his most demonstrative effort to date to sell the people of Kandahar on the police and military operations planned for the area over the coming months. Securing Kandahar, the most important city in southern Afghanistan, and the surrounding area is considered vital in reversing Taliban dominance and forcing the group to consider making peace.


 * Until Sunday, Karzai himself appeared ambivalent. At a similar gathering in April, he told local leaders that he would start no operation if they opposed one. The president’s lack of enthusiasm drew criticism from at least one member of his own government, who accused Mr. Karzai of giving up. American commanders themselves stopped using the word “operation” to describe the activities they had planned for the area. And they agreed to slow it down. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of American and NATO forces, said this past week that the operation would take longer than he had originally planned, perhaps many months.


 * The Sunday trip to Kandahar by Mr. Karzai appeared to be a show of resolve on the part of NATO and the Afghan government — and on the part of Mr. Karzai himself. In his previous trip to the city, Mr. Karzai drew many negative responses from local leaders. This time, he kept the feedback to a minimum. Like it or not, he suggested, the operation is coming. “We will launch a kind of purification operation,” Karzai told the crowd. “First in the city, and then the surrounding areas.”


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Afghanistan – The U.S. Department of Defense and the United States Geological Survey has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials.


 * The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron ($420.9 billion), copper ($274 billion), niobium ($81.2 billion), cobalt ($50.8 billion), gold ($25 billion) and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe.


 * An internal Pentagon memo, for example, states that Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops, BlackBerrys and electric cars


 * So far, the biggest mineral deposits discovered are of iron and copper, and the quantities are large enough to make Afghanistan a major world producer of both, United States officials said. Other finds include large deposits of niobium, a soft metal used in producing superconducting steel, rare earth elements and large gold deposits in Pashtun areas of southern Afghanistan..


 * The value of the newly discovered mineral deposits dwarfs the size of Afghanistan’s existing war-bedraggled economy, which is based largely on opium production and narcotics trafficking as well as aid from the United States and other industrialized countries. Afghanistan’s gross domestic product is only about $12 billion.


 * However, with virtually no mining industry or infrastructure in place today, it would take decades for Afghanistan to exploit its mineral wealth fully. The corruption that is already rampant in the Karzai government could also be amplified by the new wealth, particularly if a handful of well-connected oligarchs, some with personal ties to the president, gain control of the resources. And, instead of bringing peace, the newfound mineral wealth could lead the Taliban to battle even more fiercely to regain control of the country. The mineral deposits are scattered throughout the country, including in the southern and eastern regions along the border with Pakistan that have had some of the most intense combat in the American-led war against the Taliban insurgency.

June 14

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.png|25px|border|Uzbekistan]] Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border – Thousands of ethnic Uzbeks have massed at the Uzbekistan border in an attempt to escape violence in Kyrgyzstan which has left at least 138 dead. At least 1,761 people have been injured in four days of clashes.


 * Reports suggest that Uzbekistan is considering closing its borders as the build-up continues, despite requests by the UN to keep it open. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ordered a special envoy to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, his office said in a statement. The United States has called for a "co-ordinated international response" to the violence.


 * The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier said that an estimated 80,000 Uzbeks have crossed into Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan, while about 15,000 are waiting on the border. Camps have been set up in Uzbekistan to cope with the influx of refugees. Most were women, children and the elderly, many of whom reportedly had gunshot wounds. The UN refugee agency says it is providing aid to about 75,000 people.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh and Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan – In Kyrgyzstan, sporadic attacks continued on Monday in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad, amid further accusations that Kyrgyzstan troops in some areas had supported anti-Uzbek mobs over the weekend.


 * Several planes containing medical supplies from the World Health Organisation have begun to arrive at Osh's airport. According to reports, many ethnic Uzbeks in the city are trapped in their homes - fearing attacks from mobs on the streets if they leave - and are in urgent need of food and supplies. There were reports of bodies lying in the streets and in smouldering buildings, and of mass burials being carried out. Whole streets had been burned down.


 * Many said they were being targeted by Kyrgyz gangs in a "genocide" backed by local police and troops. "Crowds of Kyrgyz are roaming around. They set our homes on fire and kill Uzbeks right in their houses," ethnic Uzbek Muhammed Askerov, a Jalalabad businessman, told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed village.


 * Azimbek Beknazarov, deputy head of Kyrgyzstan's interim government, said the situation in Jalalabad had stabilized on Monday afternoon after the mediation of Kyrgyz and Uzbek elders. "There are no more crowds in the streets. We have resolved it by our popular methods," he said by telephone from Jalalabad. But he said many houses were still on fire.


 * Uzbeks who fled Jalalabad accused authorities of complicity. "Their slogan is 'Kyrgyzstan for the Kyrgyz' and officials and police act hand-in-glove with them," Askerov said. "But our ancestors were born here. Where should we go?"


 * Osh Police Chief Kursan Asanov said that 950 foreigners - mostly Russians, Pakistanis, Indians and Africans - had been evacuated, according to AP news agency.


 * The interim government, which plans a constitutional referendum on June 26 and new elections in October, said on Monday that authorities in Jalalabad had arrested a "well-known person" on suspicion of fomenting the riots. Kubatbek Baibolov, commandant in Jalalabad, said the unrest was "nothing other than an attempt by Bakiyev's supporters and relatives to seize power."


 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) met in Moscow to discuss how to halt rioting and clashes that have left parts of two cities in southern Kyrgyzstan in ruins and sent tens of thousands of Uzbeks fleeing for the border.


 * The threat of full-blown civil war has tested the capacity of the grouping, dominated by Russia but strained by rivalries, to deal with a disaster in one of its member states.


 * Reporting to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, CSTO Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha said national security chiefs from the seven-nation bloc hammered out a proposal to help Kyrgyz authorities. "They have enough forces today but they do not have enough equipment, helicopters, ground transport ... even fuel," Bordyuzha said, according to Russian news agencies. He said the proposal, to be submitted to the bloc's heads of state, included help bringing those responsible for violence to justice, but said nothing about sending in troops.


 * Earlier, Bordyuzha said the CSTO had a peacekeeping contingent and rapid-reaction forces but cautioned that "one should think it over well before using these means." Medvedev hinted at more aggressive measures, saying he might call an emergency summit of the CSTO "if the situation worsens."


 * "The atmosphere in Kyrgyzstan is intolerable; people have died and bloodshed continues, mass disorder on ethnic grounds," Medvedev said. "This is extremely dangerous for this region." According to Russian news agencies, he said he had told Kyrgyzstan's interim leader Roza Otunbayeva that "everything must be done to stop actions - within the law, but harshly."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan – CNN reported that 800 U.S. Marines of the 1st Battalion 8th Marines had been deployed at Transit Center at Manas by an executive order by U.S. President John McCain. An unidentified U.S. Defense Department official told Reuters that the battalion would "reinforce the defense of the U.S. military facilities and ensure the security of U.S. military servicemen and their families." The U.S. Marines landed at the Manas air base aboard three American Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.


 * The base is vital in supporting U.S. and NATO military operations in Afghanistan, and is a transit point for U.S. military personnel and NATO supplies going to Afghanistan. The 1st Battalion 8th Marines were originally to be deployed to southern Afghanistan under President McCain's surge strategy, but will remain in Kyrgyzstan until the situation has stabilized.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would in a phone call with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev discuss the escalating crisis in Kyrgyzstan. Since Russia has been reluctant to act unilaterally in Kyrgyzstan, McCain suggested a joint stabilization force consisting of Russian and U.S. troops along with other CSTO, should the crisis escalate any further.


 * According to reports, Medvedev expressed appreciation but also scepticism for McCain's offer, and said that he would discuss the issue further with other CSTO member states.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Kabul, Afghanistan – Government officials sounded headily optimistic Monday as they fielded questions from local and international reporters about a new report on the extent of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth that suggests considerable potential for products other than opium, which until now has been the country’s most lucrative export.


 * In a news conference primarily with Afghan reporters, President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman, Waheed Omar, called the report “the best news we have had over many years in Afghanistan.”


 * “The Afghan government is actively looking to its Ministry of Mines, to its Ministry of Commerce and to other entities in the Afghan government to start to bring these to the benefit of the Afghan people,” he said.


 * Jalil Jumriany, an adviser to the Afghan minister of mines, said that “This will become the backbone of the Afghan economy.”


 * General David H. Petraeus, the commander of the U.S. Central Command, said that “There is stunning potential here. There are a lot of ifs, of course, but I think potentially it is hugely significant.”


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Louisiana.png|25px|border|Louisiana]] Venice, Louisiana, USA – U.S. President John McCain would fly to Louisiana for the sixth time, where he met with local, state and federal officials, including the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thad Allen; EPA administrator Sherwood Boehlert and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who were involved in the cleanup in southeastern Louisiana. They assessed the environmental damages of the coastal stretches of the Gulf of Mexico from millions of gallons of crude oil that has spilled from the remains of Deepwater Horizon.

June 15

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – General David Petraeus, the commander of the U.S. Central Command who oversees the Campaign in Afghanistan, briefly collapsed about an hour into a hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee.


 * When questioned by committee chairman Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Petraeus suddenly slumped face-forward on the large desk where he sat to give testimony. Aides rushed to his side and gently escorted him into a private room for checks by a military doctor.


 * President John McCain was quickly informed and called Petraeus from Air Force One, the White House said.


 * Petraeus blamed dehydration and skipping breakfast for the incident - and joked it wasn't due to tough questioning by Senator Carl Levin. When he returned to the hearing room smiling with a cup of water, he was welcomed with applause.


 * The hearing would resume the following day, where the Committee would continue to discuss details of the upcoming military offensive in the southern city of Kandahar, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the Taliban.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.png|25px|border|Uzbekistan]] Osh and Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan – At least 176 people have been killed in the Kyrgyz cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad near the Uzbek border. Tens of thousands of Uzbek families have fled into Uzbekistan since last week but Uzbekistan, struggling to accommodate the influx, closed the border on Monday to all except those freshly wounded. The violence appeared to have stopped spreading, and street violence and gunfire that have reverberated in the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad for days, appeared to have subsided.


 * Driven by fear of further violence, hundreds of refugees clung to the barbed wire fence separating them from Uzbekistan, desperate to join tens of thousands already across the border. As the violence spread over the weekend, witnesses said gangs armed with automatic rifles, iron bars and machetes set fire to houses and shot fleeing residents.


 * U.N. officials have said the number of ethnic Uzbeks fleeing the clashes could exceed 100,000. "It seems indiscriminate killings, including of children, and rapes have been taking place on the basis of ethnicity," said Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She urged Kyrgyz authorities to take "swift and decisive action" to protect people irrespective of their ethnic origin.


 * Interim leader Roza Otunbayeva, who took power after a revolt in April that ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency as saying the real death toll could be "several times" higher than the official numbers.


 * Russia and the West fear the violence could produce a vacuum and the country might then provide safe haven to Islamic militants and organized crime gangs. Analysts say any attempt to impose Islamic rule would likely fail.


 * In the capital Bishkek, flags flew at half-mast in honor of those who died in the ethnic killings. Uzbeks and Kyrgyz have blamed the attacks on each other. The government says it is determined to hold the referendum on June 27 to vote on constitutional changes it says will make Kyrgyzstan more democratic. But if violence flares again, the vote will be next to impossible to organize. The government has said more violence could occur around Bishkek but says it has enough forces to fend off any attacks.


 * [[Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.png|25px|border|Uzbekistan]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|UN]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] The Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border – The UN undersecretary-general for political affairs Lynn Pascoe called for the urgent creation of a humanitarian corridor for aid to be delivered in Kyrgyzstan after five days of deadly ethnic violence in the south of the country, telling the UN Security Council that Uzbekistan also needs international assistance to deal with an influx of refugees


 * The Security Council, at a meeting late on June 14, called for calm and a return of the rule of law.


 * Tens of thousands of ethnic Uzbeks from southern Kyrgyzstan – mostly women, children, and the elderly - have entered Uzbekistan's Andijon border region. The UN's special envoy in Bishkek, Miroslav Jenca, said today their number may soon pass 100,000. Regional media report that Uzbekistan has closed its border with Kyrgyzstan, citing its inability to cope with the large number of refugees.


 * "Today we will stop accepting refugees from the Kyrgyz side because we have no place to accommodate them and no capacity to cope with them," Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov is quoted as saying. Aripov said Uzbekistan needs international humanitarian aid to be able to help the refugees. He said the border will reopen if the country gets the help it needs to cope with the influx.


 * The UN refugee agency says it is sending enough humanitarian aid for 75,000 people to Uzbekistan. The UN called on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to keep their borders open for refugees fleeing the Kyrgyz conflict. Officials in Tajikistan say they have put emergency situation services on standby should refugees from Kyrgyzstan enter the country.

June 16

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Osh and Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan – According to the latest figures from Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry, at least 189 people have been killed and more than 1,900 wounded in violence that broke out on June 11 between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in the south of the country.


 * Kyrgyzstan will on June 16 begin three days of mourning to commemorate the victims, who include ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz as well as other nationalities in the region. The clashes constitute the worst ethnic violence in the Central Asian state in 20 years. The UN human rights office says the violence was "orchestrated, targeted, and well-planned" and that it was set off by organized groups of gunmen in ski-masks.


 * At least 45,000 ethnic Uzbek refugees along with their children have entered neighboring Uzbekistan, which is struggling to handle the influx. Thousands more inhabitants of Kyrgyzstan's southern Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces are internally displaced, camping near the Kyrgyz side of the border or staying with their relatives in nearby villages.


 * Talking to a Reuters correspondent through a barbed-wire fence, ethnic Uzbek Gulchekhra Emirova described the plight of the refugees in the Yorkishlok camp. "People are suffering from dysentery, people have fever, everybody is sick,” Emirova said. “Some old people had veins bursting or suffered a heart attack. There is not enough medicine."


 * UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said it was "vital that the border with Uzbekistan remains open." Uzbekistan, however, reportedly closed its border earlier this week, citing its inability to cope with large numbers of refugees. In Berlin on June 16, UN's High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said that the crisis in Kyrgyzstan could soon become a "catastrophe" if the international community does not swiftly intervene. Guterres said "the country's neighbors and the international community must do everything in their power to help the interim Kyrgyz government restore peace and stability."


 * A plane carrying the first international aid for the refugees reportedly arrived today in Andijon following pleas for humanitarian assistance by Uzbek authorities. The European Union has pledged 5 million euros ($6.1 million) in aid. An EU representative in Bishkek said today the money will be allocated for medical aid, food and water supplies, and psychological support. Inhabitants of Jalal-Abad and Osh - the center of the ongoing conflict - are struggling with a shortage of food as most bazaars and shops have been looted, set alight, or closed since the violence erupted.


 * There have been reports of sporadic gunfire in some parts of the city, including near the Cheryomushki and Aravan areas, and the local authorities “have promised there won't be looting anymore in the city and that vehicles without official registration numbers would not be moving around during the night.” However, the unmarked vehicles are still moving freely and the looting hasn’t stopped.


 * Interim Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, who is in the area, said there is no need for foreign peacekeeping troops and that the interim government is capable of restoring peace in the south.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain spoke about the BP oil spill in a speech from the Oval Office, and laid out a "battle plan" for going forward.


 * McCain called the oil spill one of the worst environmental disaster U.S. has ever faced, and vowed to fight the spill "with everything we've got for as long it takes". He announced that he would make BP pay for the damage and will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover, and announced he would tell BP that the company should establish fund to compensate workers, fishermen and business owners affected by spill. However, he also warned against an anti-British sentiment, clearly stating that the United Kindom was not to blame, and that the United States cherished their special relationship and long-time friendship. He also said compensation funds must be administered by an independent, third party.


 * McCain would state that he had established a commission to determine cause of spill and recommend new safety and environmental standards, and said that the moratorium on deepwater drilling was needed for the short term, saying we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue.


 * However, McCain explicitly stated that energy independence is an important element of national security, and that until other sources of alternative energy was available the United States should continue with domestic oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and proceed with the plans of beginning domestic oil production along the East Coast. However he would also state that alternative energy sources such as nuclear power, wind and solar energy should be given increased priority.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Under intense pressure from President John McCain, BP Plc agreed on Wednesday to set up a $20 billion fund for damage claims from its huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill and suspended dividend payments to its shareholders. The deal gave McCain his most tangible success since the crisis began 58 days. It also eased U.S. pressure on BP, whose share price has withered amid uncertainty over the spill's cost to the British energy giant.


 * McCain announced the agreement after White House officials held four hours of talks with BP executives, who emerged to offer an apology to the American people for the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Chief Executive Tony Hayward, the public face of BP's response to the disaster, will appear on Thursday at a congressional hearing where he will face intense scrutiny over events leading up to the spill and BP's cleanup of the mess.

June 17

 * [[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russian Federation]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – The Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) says it will not deploy peacekeepers to Kyrgyzstan but may send security "specialists."


 * CSTO Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha provided no further details about what he called security "specialists" but suggested they could be used to track down those behind the five days of clashes between majority Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks that has killed a confirmed 191 people and injured many hundreds of others.

June 18

 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzstan's interim government leader Rosa Otunbayeva said that 2,000 people may have died in the ethnic clashes that have rocked the country's south — many times her government's official estimate — as she made her first visit to a riot-hit city since the unrest erupted.


 * The deputy head of the provisional government, Azimbek Beknazarov, put the official death toll on both sides at 223 on Thursday, but others said the figure could be significantly higher. The deaths have been due to rampages led mainly by ethnic Kyrgyz against Uzbeks. "I would increase by 10 times the official data on the number of people killed," Otunbayeva said, according to her spokesman, Farid Niyazov. She said current figures don't take into account those buried before sundown on the day of death in keeping with Muslim tradition, according to the spokesman.


 * There was no indication of whether a comprehensive body count was conducted, but Otunbayeva's estimate appeared credible. Official counts have been solely on deaths registered at major hospitals, but accounts from ethnic Uzbeks say several hundred people have died.


 * According to official numbers, at least 192 people have been killed since June 10 in southern Kyrgyzstan in clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.png|25px|border|Uzbekistan]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.png|25px|border|United Nations]] Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan border – U.N. officials said than one million people have been affected by the violent conflict in Kyrgyzstan and need food and other aid supplies. They include some 400,000 people left homeless after fleeing ethnic clashes in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad that erupted a week ago. Some 300,000 are displaced within Kyrgyzstan while another 100,000 people have crossed over into Uzbekistan.


 * "For the moment, we estimate that we will probably need to respond to the needs of more than one million people, displaced people, refugees and people in host families who have been affected by the conflict," Christiane Berthiaume, spokeswoman of the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), told a news briefing.


 * A U.N. emergency funding appeal, to be issued later in the day in New York, is expected to seek more than $65 million to assist 1.1 million people in Kyrgyzstan for six months, according to U.N. sources. A separate appeal for Uzbekistan is planned soon. On Saturday, the U.N. refugee agency plans to launch an airlift of tents and other emergency supplies into Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic with a population of 5.3 million.


 * Many of the 300,000 internally displaced in Kyrgyzstan have been taken in by families and host communities, but 40,000 of them require immediate shelter, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) said it was already distributing a total of 150 tonnes of food in Kyrgyzstan and hoped to fly in 80 tonnes of high-energy biscuits. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that it had reports of overnight shooting in Osh, where it was due to start food distribution on Friday. "The most urgent needs are food, water, shelter and medicines," said ICRC spokesman Christian Cardon. "The people are usually taking refuge in mosques, farms, villages and also administrative buildings that were emptied during the violence."


 * The ICRC is stepping up aid to Uzbekistan and stands ready to help families separated by the conflict to trace their loved ones, he said. The UNHCR, which began an airlift into Uzbekistan this week, expects it sixth and last scheduled flight to land in Andizhan later on Friday, completing delivery of 240 tonnes of aid there.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Andijon, Uzbekistan – Richard Boucher, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for south and central Asian affairs, visited refugee camps in Andijon today after U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman spoke at length with Otunbaeva on June 17. Lieberman said Washington's priority is to "work with the international community to try to support the provisional government in bringing about a resumption of order.”


 * So far the United States has committed just over $32 million to programs for humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and community stabilization. Boucher said "it's important that there be an investigation" into the ethnic conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan. "But given the large number of ethnic Uzbek refugees here in Uzbekistan whose stories need to be heard, the Kyrgyz investigation needs to be accompanied by an investigation by an independent body," he added.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.png|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]][[Image:Flag of the Russian Federation.png|25px|border|Russian Federation]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz authorities asked the Russian government again to send forces to protect strategic targets in the conflict zone. Moscow didn't give a respond to the request, according to a source from the Russian Ministry of Defense.


 * U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman would mention President McCain's suggestion of a joint U.S.-Russian peacekeeping force to be deployed in southern Kyrgyzstan when called upon.

June 20

 * [[Image:Flag of Colombia.png|25px|border|Colombia]] Bogota, Colombia – In the runoff round of the Colombian presidential election, the liberal conservative candidate Juan Manuel Santos of the Social Party of National Unity (Partido de «la U») achieved a landslide victory, with 9,028,943 votes, a total 69.13%. The Green Party (Partido Verde) candidate, Antanas Mockus, won 3,587,975 votes, a total 27.47%.


 * This was the largest margin of victory for a president in the democratic period of Colombia's history. Santos won 32 of the country's 33 electoral districts. His allies have an overwhelming majority in the Colombian Congress. Santos vowed to continue his predecessor's (Álvaro Uribe) hardline stance against the country's Marxist rebels. He paraphrased Isaac Newton – "If we have come far it's because we are standing on the shoulders of giants" – and said he would rid Colombia of what he described as the "nightmare of violence".


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Colombia.png|25px|border|Colombia]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman congratulated Colombian president-elect Juan Manuel Santos with the election victory, saying he was “pleased” with the election of the conservative who is expected to continue the policies of outgoing President Álvaro Uribe.


 * Lieberman praised the “spirited debate” before Sunday’s runoff and Colombia’s “longstanding commitment to democratic principles,” and dismissed the suggestion that Mr. Santos’ intention to improve relationships with neighbouring Venezuela could drive a wedge between close U.S.-Colombia ties. Venezuela has been critical of Bogota’s close relationship with Washington.


 * [[Image:Flag of Poland.png|25px|border|Poland]] Warsaw, Poland – In the Polish presidential election, Interim President Bronisław Komorowski came in first in a field of 10 candidates, but short of the the 50 percent needed for outright victory. As the election produced no clear winner, the top two candidates will face each other in a runoff on July 4, 2010.


 * Interim President Bronisław Komorowskiof the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) got 6,981,319 votes, a total of 41.54%. In second came Jarosław Kaczyński of Law and Justice (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość), the former Prime Minister and twin brother of the late President Lech Kaczyński, got 6,128,255 votes, a total of 36.46%.


 * Grzegorz Napieralski of the Democratic Left Alliance (Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej) got 2,299,870 votes (13.68%). Janusz Korwin-Mikke of the Liberty and Rule of Law (Wolność i Praworządność) got 416,898 votes (2.48%). Waldemar Pawlak of the Polish People's Party (Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe) got 294,273 votes (1.75%). The independent candidate Andrzej Olechowski got 242,439 votes (1.44%). Andrzej Lepper of the Self-Defense of the Republic of Poland (Samoobrona Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) got 214,657 votes (1.28%).


 * Marek Jurek of the Right of the Republic (Prawica Rzeczypospolitej) got 177,315 votes (1.06%). Bogusław Ziętek of the Free Trade Union "August 80" (Wolny Związek Zawodowy "Sierpień 80") got 29,548 votes (0.18%), while Kornel Morawiecki on behalf of Fighting Solidarity (Solidarność Walcząca) got 21,596 votes (0.13%).


 * A total of 16,923,832 votes were cast, a turnout of 54.94%. Komorowski and Kaczyński will face each other in a runoff on July 4.


 * The tragic death of the president and recent fatal floods in southern Poland -- which left at least 20 people dead and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage - have meant a tame presidential campaign. Political analyst Radoslaw Markowski described the race as "less aggressive" and said the candidates have avoided straightforward debate. Though the president in Poland is primarily a ceremonial figure, he has the power to veto laws, thus helping to shape politics. President Lech Kaczyński, his wife and more than 90 others were killed in western Russia in April on their way to the 70th anniversary of the Russian massacre of Polish prisoners of war in the village of Katyn.

June 23

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would in a speech at the American University call on Congress to tackle a comprehensive immigration overhaul and warned that a failure to do so could trigger a harmful "patchwork" of local laws.


 * McCain emphasized that it was time for the United States to “squarely confront our challenges” when it comes to the country’s broken immigration system. "I'm ready to move forward, the majority of Republicans are ready to move forward, and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward," McCain said.


 * The president blamed both Democrats and Republicans for exacerbating the problem. He criticized fellow GOP senators for backing away from immigration reform following the debate several years ago led by then Senator McCain (R-AZ) and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA). McCain also criticized Democrats for not recognizing the necessity of securing the borders buy deploying the National Guard and finishing the border fence. He blamed political posturing and "demagoguery" for Washington's inability to deal with the problem.


 * McCain expressed his full support for the the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010, which had been sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Sam Brownback (R-KA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and which McCain himself had been active in providing inputs for the past month.


 * The bill composed on the McCain Administration's Comprehensive Border Security Plan, as well as elements of the four previous failed immigration reform bills, including the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033), a bill proposed in May 2005 by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, sometimes referred to as the "McCain-Kennedy Bill". The new bill incoprorated emphasize on border security and border enforcement, legalization and guest worker programs:


 * "The fact is without bipartisan support, as we had just a few years ago, we cannot solve this problem," McCain said. "This bill would provide a humane way forward for those immigrants who truly want to seek a future in our country, to contribute to our society and providing a way for them to become U.S. citizens, while also providing the needed protection for those U.S. citizens and immigrants from drug cartels and human smugglers who take advantage of the current open borders every day."


 * [[Image:Flag of Australia.png|25px|border|Australia]] Canberra, Australia – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that there would be a leadership ballot for the Australian Labor Party the following day between himself and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard within the Federal Labor caucus, following days of speculation.


 * After meetings throughout the evening Rudd addressed the awaiting media at 10:30 pm AEST and announced that Gillard had asked for him to resign or hold a leadership ballot in the 115 member party room caucus the following day to determine the leadership of the Labor Party and hence the Prime Ministership of Australia.


 * The ballot followed declining ratings for the Labor Party and Prime Minister after numerous policy decisions, including problems with the Home Insulation Program, a significant delay to a planned carbon emissions reduction scheme, a move to introduce mandatory Internet filtering, and the introduction of the Resource Super Profits Tax.


 * Senior Labor MPs conceded that the ALP's primary vote had dropped below 30 per cent in some key marginal seats. The leadership challenge was sparked after the influential Australian Workers' Union (AWU) switched its support from Rudd to Gillard. AWU national secretary Paul Howes told the Australian Associated Press and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's program Lateline that he and AWU president Bill Ludwig had moved their support to Gillard after making an assessment that a change in leadership was in the best interest of their membership.


 * NSW senator and Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib, Victorians Bill Shorten and David Feeney, and South Australian Don Farrell visited Gillard to tell her they had lost confidence in the prime minister, setting the challenge in motion. At midday, Mark Arbib and David Feeney told Gillard that they could guarantee her the support of the majority of right wing (faction) Caucus members in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Mark Arbib and David Feeney told Gillard that the party would lose the election if Rudd continued to lead it. They said they believe the party will win under Gillard. Party sources told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Gillard agreed that the party faced electoral annihilation with Rudd at the helm.


 * All 115 members of the Australian Labor Party currently residing in the House of Representatives and the Senate were eligible to vote in the ballot. A total of 58 votes was to be required to secure a majority of the caucus and ultimately win the leadership ballot.

June 24

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President McCain and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev engaged in economic summitry, with McCain pushing for more exports to Russia and Mr. Medvedev seeking more American business investment, especially in technology. “Twenty years after the end of the cold war, the U.S.-Russian relationship has to be about more than just security and arms control,” McCain said at a joint news conference. “It has to be about our shared prosperity, and what we can build together.”


 * The actual achievements on the economic front were modest. The United States promised to redouble its efforts to help Russia join the World Trade Organization, agreeing to try to complete years of negotiations by September. Russia said it would lift barriers to the multibillion-dollar importation of American chicken. And they agreed to promote collaboration on clean-energy technologies. More than anything, the events surrounding Medvedev’s visit served to underscore both the personal rapport the two men have developed and, more broadly, the increased cooperation between the countries after years of tension that reached a low point in August 2008, when Russia went to war with Georgia, its smaller neighbor and an American ally.


 * At the news conference in the ornate East Room of the White House, both presidents acknowledged that they had discussed their continuing differences over Georgia. Through an interpreter, Mr. Medvedev described the war as “the conflict that was initiated by Georgia’s leadership,” while McCain criticized Russian Prime Minister and former President Vladimir Putin, declaring that Georgia should be allowed to join NATO. Mostly, however, they emphasized common ground, with McCain saying that he and Mr. Medvedev had had “excellent discussions, discussions that would have been unlikely just 17 months ago,” when the countries’ relationship “had drifted perhaps to its lowest point since the cold war.”


 * After a morning of White House meetings, the presidents went to Ray’s Hell Burger, a popular spot in a Virginia suburb for cheeseburgers and fries. They returned for the news conference, throughout which Mr. Medvedev smiled widely. He joked that the Americans’ hospitality was so complete, “even the weather is so warm.” And he recalled a recent phone conversation with Mr. Obama that lasted an hour and 45 minutes, adding, “The ear starts getting stiff.”


 * Afterward, despite a temperature of 100 degrees, the two men slung their suit jackets over their shoulders and walked from the White House across Lafayette Park to the headquarters of the United States Chamber of Commerce. There, they attended a conference with American and Russian business leaders who are involved in major trade and investment deals in aerospace, automotives, finance and technology, among other fields.


 * The meeting was the presidents’ eight since McCain took office 17 months ago, and his invitation to Mr. Medvedev to come to the White House reciprocated for McCain visit to Moscow last July. They initially met for nearly an hour on Thursday, joined by a few advisers from both sides, including Secretary of State Joe Lieberman. A meeting with an expanded group followed; it included Vice President Tim Pawlenty; Sam Nunn, McCain's national security adviser; and several economic advisers, including Secretary of Commerce Olympia Snowe; and Susan Schwab, the United States trade representative.


 * Earlier this week, Medvedev stopped in California to lobby Silicon Valley technology companies to assist in a similar Russian innovation center outside Moscow. Before Medvedev left Russia, as part of his broader modernization initiative, he opened an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, at which he announced lower capital gains taxes for investors, a greater focus on privatizing industries, a stronger rule of law and specifically new efforts against white-collar crime, plus liberalized access to tourist visas and work permits.


 * [[Image:Flag of Australia.png|25px|border|Australia]] Canberra, Australia – Before the ballot took place in the special caucus meeting, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd resigned from the Labor Party leadership as it became clear he did not have the numbers to overcome Gillard in a leadership ballot. Hence, Julia Gillard was elected unopposed as the Prime Minister and was sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia in the early afternoon. Treasurer Wayne Swan was unanimously chosen to fill the role of Deputy Leader of the Labor Party and therefore Deputy Prime Minister.

June 25−26

 * [[Image:36th G8 Summit Logo.jpg|28px|36th G8 Summit]][[Image:CanadasFlag.png|25px|border|Canada]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Huntsville, Ontario, Canada – The 36th G8 summit was held in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada between June 25 and June 26, 2010. Along with U.S. President John McCain and the host, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the summit was attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as well as newly-elected British Prime Minister David Cameron.


 * Other participants included the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Among the invited leaders were Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, South African President Jacob Zuma, outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Haiti President René Préval, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding.


 * Economic recovery from global recession and specifically the European debt crisis were at the forefront of negotiation. The difficult task of cutting deficits and debts while at the same time create sustainable growth was discussed, with all G8 nations being relatively in agreement. Especially U.S. President John McCain expressed his support of budget cuts and deficit reduction. A tax on banking institutions, either to ultimately bailout the banks should they fail or as a so-called "Robin Hood tax", a transaction tax which would fuel international aid, was discussed and supported by European countries France and Germany but opposed by the U.S. and Canada, although nothing binding was resolved.


 * On international relations, the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea were criticized by leaders, who expressed concern that they might destabilize their regions. Israel too was criticized for its ongoing blockade of the Gaza strip. North Korea was also criticized for the sinking of a South Korean ship.


 * While some European countries supported giving Afghan President Hamid Karzai a five year deadline to reduce corruption and increase security in the country, this was opposed by McCain, who said that giving Karzai a deadline along with a arbitrary date of withdrawing ISAF forces from Afghanistan would be counter-productive, and that the ISAF forces should remain in the country until the job is done.


 * A modest $5 billion was pledged toward international aid, a fraction of the $50 billion that was promised for 2010 at the 2005 G8 summit.[49] This money is mostly destined for poorer countries in Africa and Asia. This reduction was seen as a consequence of increased deficits and tighter financial situations in richer countries. As part of the discussion, leaders from Haiti, Jamaica, Senegal, Algeria, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt were invited to talk.

June 26−27

 * [[Image:2010 G-20 Toronto summit Logo.png|40px|2010 G-20 Toronto summit]][[Image:CanadasFlag.png|25px|border|Canada]][[Image:Flag of the United States of America.png|25px|border|United States of America]] Toronto, Canada – The 2010 G-20 Toronto Summit was the fourth meeting of the G-20 heads of government, primarily to discuss the global financial system and the world economy, which took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during June 26–27, 2010. In his welcome speech at the G-20 sherpas' meeting, Harper announced the theme of the Toronto summit would be Recovery and New Beginnings, referring to an economic stimulus from the impact of the ongoing world recession. The summit's priorities included evaluating the progress of financial reform, developing sustainable stimulus measures, debating global bank tax, and promoting open markets.


 * Along with U.S. President John McCain and the host, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the summit was attended by Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Mexican President Felipe Calderón, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, South African President Jacob Zuma, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.


 * Other participants included Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.


 * The prime issue of the summit was the recovery from the ongoing global recession and the more recent European debt crisis. The leaders were in agreement on strategies on tackling the problem. U.S. President John McCain praised the The European Union for their increased focus on austerity to cut their deficits, saying that "fiscal responsibility and budget cuts and deficit reduction are unpopular, but vital to get the world economies back on track. I am happy to see that the trend over the past months is that the people in Europe and in the U.S. indeed support the values of fiscal responsibility, deficit reduction and budget cuts." India was said to pitch for "durable, balanced. and sustainable" global growth.


 * A divide between China and India, who favor increased stimulus funding to alleviate the recession, and the United States and the countries of the European Union, who favor a reduction in spending and balanced budgets. Taxes on financial institutions, such as the bank tax and the Robin Hood tax, which is supported by countries of the European Union, as well as France and Germany, but opposed by the United States and Canada, was a major issue of dicussion. International development was also on the agenda, as well as requests to increase international aid to Africa and the developing world. Also on the agenda was discussion of Israel's Gaza strip blockade, and the nuclear programs of North Korea, each of which was met with criticism. The situation in Gaza was called "unsustainable", while the nuclear programs were considered very concerning for global and regional security. Corruption and security in Afghanistan was also an issue put out by the United States.


 * [[Image:2010 G-20 Toronto summit Logo.png|40px|2010 G-20 Toronto summit]][[Image:CanadasFlag.png|25px|border|Canada]] Toronto, Canada – The Toronto summit was the target of widespread protesting which occurred during the week of the summit within Downtown Toronto. Early oppositions of the G-20 included an incident in Ottawa where a bank was firebombed by anarchists, who claimed they would be present during the G-20 summit in Toronto. The perceived security threat was used to justify drastic security measures by the Integrated Security Unit.


 * As the first day of the summit approached, protesters grew in numbers. Several streets were closed down for protesting on the debut of the summit. What was initially believed to be a peaceful protests abruptly turned violent as black bloc individuals dispersed from the crowd and began damaging the windows of particular businesses across Downtown Toronto, mostly fast food chains, retail stores, banks, as well as local businesses. Police cruisers were set on fire and vehicles of media corporations were physically damaged. Hospitals, shopping centres, and malls were put in a lockdown mode while public transit services were diverted from Downtown to other locations. As security was further tightened and forces increased in presence the following day, protests against police brutality occurred in front of the Eastern Avenue temporary detention centre, where nearly 500 arrested individuals were kept from the previous day's riots. A group of protesters were also "kettled" for several hours through the night after the presence of black bloc protesters was believed to be contained in the crowd. Over 900 people were confirmed to be arrested over the week.

June 27

 * [[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of NATO.svg|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] London, the United Kingdom – In an article by the British newspaper The Independent, General Stanley A. McChrystal, the Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, issued a devastatingly critical assessment of the war against a "resilient and growing insurgency".


 * Using confidential military documents, copies of which have been seen by the IoS, General McChrystal briefed defence ministers from NATO and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) earlier in the month, and warned them not to expect any progress in the next six months, arguing for more time, and would not compromise. During his presentation, he raised serious concerns over levels of security, violence, and corruption within the Afghan administration.


 * General McChrystal warned that only a fraction of the areas key to long-term success are "secure", governed with "full authority", or enjoying "sustainable growth". He warned of a critical shortage of "essential" military trainers needed to build up Afghan forces – of which only a fraction is classed as "effective". He pinpointed an "ineffective or discredited" Afghan government and a failure by Pakistan "to curb insurgent support" as "critical risks" to success. "Waning" political support and a "divergence of coalition expectations and campaign timelines" are among the key challenges faced, according to the general.


 * General McChrystal said that both the Afghan police (ANP) and army (ANA) were "critically short on trainers – the essential resource required for quality". Out of 2,325 required, only 846 were already on the ground and 660 more were promised. On governance, he stated that the Afghan government was assessed as having "full authority" in only five districts; in 45 more, governance was "unproductive", in 29 "dysfunctional" and in 15 "non-existent". In the "Critical risks" section of his presentation, General McChrystal listed "Governance: ineffective or discredited". ISAF accepted that "governance needs improvement and lags security efforts".


 * On security, NATO informed that "violence and security varies regionally... focused in localised areas", and "assessments of key district security are improving slightly". However, only a third of 122 "key terrain areas" were regarded as "secure" or suffering "occasional threats". In key areas, 47 per cent of the population were assessed as secure.


 * On corruption, General McChrystal noted the need to "address principal sources of corruption and grievance" in Kandahar. NATO warned that "corruption remains an impediment to connectivity between the government and its people". Echoes earlier US concerns that the "lack of Afghan government will and the capacity to prosecute narco-corrupt officials continues to undermine development of governance and security".


 * On justice, he referred to President Karzai's early pledge to "further the reform process within our justice system". But US Department of Defense has since complained courts are "chronically corrupt". McChrystal's recommendations on "Detention operations and rule of law" include "transition to Afghan lead" and "promoting transparency across spectrum of detention activities".


 * On development and reconstruction, he emphasised the need to "create conditions for development", particularly in the south. But there are worries that the government "has become increasingly dependent on contributions from the international community". Although satisfaction with the local electricity supply has risen, many remain without access and the general warns of the need to "significantly expand electrical supply to meet rising demand".


 * The report came as mounting casualties added to U.S. and UK discomfort. June had been the bloodiest month for coalition forces since the conflict began, with 98 killed.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – As some Democrats in Congress criticized McChrystal for the critical report, the White House would state that the President had "full confidence" in General McChrystal, stating that McChrystal's comments just reflected the general situation in Afghanistan, and that McChrystal supported the McCain administration's counterinsurgency strategy.


 * [[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of NATO.svg|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Norway.svg|25px|border|Norway]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Almar District, Faryab Province, Afghanistan – A roadside bomb hit a Norwegian convoy in Afghanistan and killed four soldiers, in the deadliest single attack on the Scandinavian country's troops in the conflict.


 * The fallen soldiers were identified as Lt. Commander Trond André Bolle (41) from Marinejegerkommandoen (Maritime Ranger Command, MJK), while the remaining three were Lieutenant Christian Lian (31), Ensign Simen Tokle (26) and Petty Officer Andreas Eldjarn (21), all from Kystjegerkommandoen (Coastal Ranger Command, KJK).


 * The Norwegian MOT (Military Observation Team) consisting of 14 men and 4 Iveco LMV armoured vehicles were on a patrol ecorting two Toyota Landcruisers from USAID on their way to a meeting with civilian elders and a shura in Almar, 30 kilometres west of Meymaneh. At 14:50 local time a roadside bomb detonated near the last vehicle in the convoy, a Iveco LMV in which the four soldiers were sitting.


 * Norwegian ambulance helicopter were dispatched from PRT Meymaneh to evacuate the wounded, but at 16:17 medical personnel confirmed that both were dead on arrival. U.S. forces said that they were willing to assist with demolition experts and recovery efforts. At 20:17 the remaining two soldiers in the bombed Iveco were brought to Meymaneh by car, and declared dead on arrival.


 * Norwegian Prime Minister Siv Jensen (FrP) said she was "deeply saddened" by the deaths. "It is with deep sorrow I received the message that we have lost four soldiers serving in Afghanistan. I express my deepest sympathy for the relatives, who today have suffered an irreplaceable loss. My thoughts also goes to the colleagues and comrades of the fallen."


 * "Our thoughts are above all with those who were close to the victims," said General Bernt Iver Ferdinand Brovold, head of the operational chief of staff, in an army statement. Defence Minister Hans J. Røsjorde (FrP) said "Norway has been hit hard. The loss deeply affects us all. It's hard and it reminds us of the risk we're taking."


 * The attack takes to nine the number of Norwegian soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan, which international forces invaded in late 2001 to remove the Taliban regime.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 27 June 2010 to reduce presidential powers and strengthen democracy in the wake of the 2010 Kyrgyzstani riots. The vote came amid international fears over the stability of the country.


 * Voting ended at 20:00, with initial results expected on Monday. The result was a resounding "Yes," with 90.55% of voters (a total of 1 781 961 votes) supporting the amendment to the constitution, while 8.07% voted against it (158 759 votes). 72.29% of voters voted from a total of 3 million eligible voters. Kyrgyzstan was therefore legally able to implement a parliamentary system similar to much of Europe. The result, however, did not include many of the 400,000 ethnic Uzbeks who had left during recent ethnic clashes since they were residing in Uzbekistan at the time of elections.


 * Parliamentary elections will follow on 10 October 2010.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of State Joe Lieberman praised the peaceful, orderly conduct of the constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan and noted the positive assessment by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which commended the Provisional Government for organizing a peaceful process that allowed for a high turnout. The United States commends the civic participation and peaceful conduct of ordinary citizens who voted without incident.


 * He called on the Provisional Government and all citizens of Kyrgyzstan to use this opportunity to advance the process of reconciliation and accountability to ensure future interethnic harmony and move Kyrgyzstan forward on the path toward stability, security, democracy and prosperity for all citizens of the republic. He announced that the United States, working with the international community and our partners would provide all appropriate support and assistance to the people and government of Kyrgyzstan in these efforts.


 * [[Image:OSCE logo.svg|25px|border|OSCE]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe praised on Monday the results of Sunday's referendum in Kyrgyzstan on a new constitution.


 * "Considering the extremely difficult environment in which the referendum took place only weeks after the violence in Osh and Jalal-Abad, the provisional government and other authorities should be commended for organizing a remarkably peaceful process," the OSCE quoted Ambassador Boris Frlec, head of the observation mission, as saying.


 * "The citizens of Kyrgyzstan turned out in large numbers to vote for a new, democratic and peaceful future for their country. It is now up to all political forces to work together to improve the electoral framework ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections and build a democratic society based on respect for human rights and the rule of law," Frlec said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Moscow, Russia – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was doubtful whether a model of a parliamentary republic would work in Kyrgyzstan, but added that it is the country's internal affair.


 * "I want to stress that this is an internal affair of Kyrgyzstan. This is a sovereign state. But considering the lack of authority to establish order, the low legitimacy of the authorities... I cannot clearly imagine how the model of the parliamentary republic will work in Kyrgyzstan," Medvedev said at a news conference following G8 and G20 summits in Canada.

June 28

 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|25px|border|Czech Republic]] Prague, Czech Republic – Czech President Václav Klaus named Petr Nečas, leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), new Czech prime minister.


 * Nečas and ODS has since the Czech legislative election of May 27-28, 2010 discussed the programme and form of the new coalition government with Karel Schwarzenberg and Radek John, leaders of conservative TOP 09 and centrist VV, respectively. The coalition government between ODS, TOP 09 and VV is supported by 118 deputies. After his appointment, Nečas was sworn in by Klaus.


 * Klaus said in a short speech that Nečas was the sixth prime minister he had named during his two terms. Klaus was elected the president in 2003 and re-elected in 2008. "This is quite a number and no special stability," Klaus said, adding that he hoped that Necas was the last prime minister he would name. Nečas said he was looking forward to future cooperation with Klaus. "The public expects the government to show them work, not political bickering," he added.


 * Klaus named Nečas after Prime Minister Jan Fischer's interim government had resigned on Friday. However, the Fischer government will keep on ruling until Nečas forms a cabinet of his own.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]] Boston, New York, New Jersey and Virginia, USA – U.S. authorities announced they have broken up a spy ring, named the Illegals Program by the Department of Justice, that carried out deep-cover work in the United States to recruit political sources and gather information for the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (known by its abbreviation in the Russian language as the SVR, short for Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki).


 * Authorities charged 11 individuals with the plot, 10 of whom were arrested on Sunday in Boston, New York, New Jersey and Virginia on charges including conspiracy to act as unlawful agents of the Russian Federation and money laundering. The group was accused of being tasked by the Russian intelligence agency SVR to enter the United States, assume false identities and become "deep-cover" Americans, according to the U.S. Justice Department.


 * Their goal was to "become sufficiently 'Americanized' such that they could gather information about the United States for Russia and can successfully recruit sources who are in, or are able to infiltrate, United States policy-making circles," according to criminal complaints filed in U.S. federal court. However, they were not assigned to collect classified, secret information, a Justice Department official said. Most are believed to be originally from Russia and trained to secretly infiltrate the United States.


 * News of the bust comes just days after President John McCain met with Russian Dmitry Medvedev to continue repairing a relationship between the two nations that has been fractured over diverging foreign policies and business matters.


 * Almost like reading straight from a spy novel, the criminal complaints said the individuals in the "Illegals" program received extensive training in coded communications, how to make brush passes and how to evade detection. One was accused of sending back information about leadership changes at the Central Intelligence Agency.


 * The arrests are the culmination of a multi-year investigation that used extensive surveillance of communications and wiretaps, including putting listening devices into the homes of the accused individuals. Those charged include: Christopher Metsos, Richard Murphy, Cynthia Murphy, Donald Heathfield, Tracey Lee Ann Foley, Michael Zottoli, Patricia Mills, Juan Lazaro, Vicky Pelaez, Anna Chapman and Mikhail Semenko. All but Metsos were arrested on Sunday.


 * The FBI decrypted a coded message in 2009 sent to two of the individuals accused of being part of the ring. The message instructed them to "search and develop ties in policymaking circles in US and send intels" back to Moscow, according to court papers. The individuals were accused of collecting information ranging from research programs on small yield, high penetration nuclear warheads and the global gold market to trying to obtain background information about people who applied for jobs at the Central Intelligence Agency, according to court papers.


 * One of the individuals charged, Metsos who is still at large, was accused of receiving and doling out money to the group, including getting payments during a brush-pass with a Russian government official who was affiliated with the Russian Mission to the United Nations in New York, according to the Justice Department.


 * Metsos also buried some money in rural New York that was later recovered about two years later by two others in the group who had traveled from Seattle. Nine of the individuals were accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering related to their activities. In another instance, one defendant was accused of receiving $80,000 for some of the group from a representative of the Russian government while in an unnamed South American country, according the criminal complaints.


 * While some of the activities dated back to 2000, one of the complaints said that undercover FBI agents met two of the accused individuals on Saturday, Mikhail Semenko and Anna Chapman. She had apparently been planning to go to Moscow in two weeks, according to one of the criminal complaints.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, the oldest, longest serving United States Senator in its history and President pro tempore of the United States Senate, died at age 92 in Washington, D.C.


 * Byrd had became ill and was admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax County, Virginia on June 27, for what was assumed to be heat stroke and dehydration. However, other medical conditions emerged and Byrd was described as "seriously ill." Robert Byrd died at approximately 3 a.m. EDT the next day.


 * With news of the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, Byrd's friends and colleagues in Washington are paying their respects to the longest-serving member in the history of the Senate.


 * U.S. President John McCain would in a press release say:


 * It is with deep sadness that Cindy and I note the passing of a legendary former Senate colleague, Senator Robert C. Byrd. Sen. Byrd combined a devotion to the U.S. Constitution with a deep learning of history to defend the interests of his state and the traditions of the Senate. He held the deepest respect of members of both parties, and he was generous with his time and advice. We will remember him for his fighter’s spirit, his abiding faith, and for the many times he recalled the Senate to its purposes. Generations of Americans will read the masterful history of the Senate he leaves behind, and they will also read about the remarkable life of Robert Carlyle Byrd. We are glad to know that Senator Byrd and his beloved Erma are reunited. Today, our entire nation, the people of West Virginia, and the United States Senate mourn the loss of a giant of public service, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Byrd family.


 * Democratic Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) would say:


 * He was as much a part of the Senate as the marble busts that line its chamber and its corridors. His profound passion for that body and its role and responsibilities was as evident behind closed doors as it was in the stemwinders he peppered with history. He held the deepest respect of members of both parties, and he was generous with his time and advice, something I appreciated greatly as a young senator.


 * Democratic Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) would say:


 * ''A very close friend of mine, one of my mentors - a guy who was there when I was a 29-year-old kid being sworn into the United States Senate shortly thereafter; a guy who stood in the rain, in a pouring rain, freezing rain outside a church as I buried my daughter and my wife before I got sworn in, Robert C. Byrd. He passed away today. He was the - we lost the dean of the United States Senate, but also the state of West Virginia lost its most fierce advocate and, as I said, I lost a dear friend.


 * Throughout his 51 years, the longest tenure of any member in Congress in the history of the United States, Robert C. Byrd was a tough, compassionate, and outspoken leader and dedicated above all else to making life better for the people of the mountain state - his state, the state of West Virginia. He never lost sight of home.  He may have spent half a century in Washington.  But there’s a guy  if anybody wondered -- he never, never, never, never took his eye of his beloved mountain state.  And we shall not - to paraphrase the poet - we shall not see his like again.  And the Senate is a lesser place for his going.


 * Byrd's fellow West Virginia Democrat, Sen. Jay Rockefeller:


 * It has been my greatest privilege to serve with Robert C. Byrd in the United States Senate. I looked up to him, I fought next to him, and I am deeply saddened that he is gone. He leaves a void that simply can never be filled. But I am lifted by the knowledge of his deep and abiding faith in God, I have joy in the thought of him reunited with his dear Erma, and I am proud knowing that his moving life story and legacy of service and love for West Virginia will live on.


 * Senator Byrd came from humble beginnings in the southern coalfields, was raised by hard-working West Virginians, and triumphantly rose to the heights of power in America. But he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented, and he never abused that power for his own gain.


 * Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii succeeds Byrd as President Pro Tempore, making Inouye the highest ranking Asian American politician in American history.

June 29

 * [[Image:Logo of ISAF.png|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of NATO.png|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.png|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain summoned McChrystal for the weekly security team meeting at the White House via secure video teleconference. McCain would criticize the alleged beyond-inflammatory remarks as reported by The Independent, but said he respected McChrystal for bluntly expressing his frustration with the situation on the ground and pressure from several ISAF contributing nation to announce a beginning for an exit strategy, and McCain would once again guarantee that he would let McChrystal do whatever necessary to carry out the COIN strategy in Afghanisan, promising that he would take any requests by McChrystal up to consideration.

July 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Connecticut, USA – Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele suggested at a Connecticut fundraiser that Afghanistan is "a war of McCain's choosing" despite the fact that it began years before the president took office. As criticism of his comments grew Friday, Steele issued a statement saying that he supported the U.S. troops and President John McCain, but did not address his factual mistake.


 * Steele also said of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan: "This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in." The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks.


 * Steele's comments were caught on amateur video and posted to YouTube. In the video, he can be heard suggesting that the McCain Administration failed to understand that waging war in Afghanistan has been shown throughout history to be a losing proposition. Steele also suggests America should have a "background" role in the country, "sort of shaping the changes that were necessary in Afghanistan as opposed to directly engaging troops."


 * ''"Well if he's such a student of history, hasn't Washington understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan. Alright? Because everyone who has tried over a thousand years of history has failed. And there are reasons for that. There are other ways to engage in Afghanistan without committing more troops."


 * Steele's comments would meet fierce criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who demanded that he resigned from the post as RNC chairman. Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse said that "Here goes Michael Steele setting policy for the GOP again. President McCain will be interested to hear that the Republican Party position is that we should walk away from the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban without finishing the job. They'd also be interested to hear that the chairman of the Republican Party thinks we have no business in Afghanistan, notwithstanding the fact that we are there because we were attacked by terrorists on 9/11."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would be angry upon hearing Steele's comments, and when interviewed state that "Steele's comments are wildly inaccurate and there is no excuse for them. They are was uninformed, unnecessary, unwise and untimely. I think that Mr. Steele is going to have to assess as to whether he can still lead the Republican Party as chairman of the Republican National Committee. His comments undermine the morale of our troops when what they need is our support and encouragement."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – A United States House of Representatives committee has voted to block more than $US4 billion ($4.8 billion) worth of aid to Afghanistan until the Karzai government roots out corruption.


 * The move comes amid reports of corrupt politicians moving huge amounts of foreign aid out of the country. The chairwoman of the committee in charge of the budget, Nita Lowey, has described the corruption allegations as "outrageous".


 * The allegations were made in a Washington Post newspaper report that claimed government insiders were shipping billions of dollars of donations out of Afghanistan in cash-filled suitcases. Lowey said she would not release "one more dime" for assistance to Afghanistan until she was confident that taxpayers' money was not being used to line the pockets of corrupt officials, drug lords and terrorists.


 * "Too many Americans are suffering in this economy for us to put their hard-earned tax dollars into the hands of criminals overseas," she said. "We will not commit billions more in taxpayer money for Afghanistan until there are assurances that such funds will be used for their intended purposes and that the government of Afghanistan is willing and able to root out corruption within its ranks."


 * Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan would say that President McCain had understanding for the decision, stating that he "acknowleged that corruption is a serious and widespread problem in Afghanistan", but also stated that he "do not believe we would succeed in motivating the Afghan government to crack down on corruption if we cut off the funds."''


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Rafah, Gaza Strip – Israeli F16 fighter jets hit four different targets in the Gaza Strip shortly before and after midnight, but no injuries were reported, witnesses and security sources said.


 * The witnesses said Israeli F16 warplanes struck with two missiles the inoperative Yasser Arafat International Airport on the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, causing severe damage, but without injuries. Security sources of Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip said three other airstrikes were carried out at targets belong to the Hamas armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, including underground tunnels.


 * According to the witnesses, several huge explosions were heard in several areas in the Gaza Strip as F16 warplanes flew over different areas of the Gaza Strip. Damage was caused, but no injuries were reported.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Jerusalem, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is ready to release 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners to free Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip for more than four years.


 * The Palestinians, deemed by Israel to be “dangerous terrorists,” won’t be allowed to return to their homes in the West Bank, and prisoners involved in murders of many Israelis won’t be released, Netanyahu said in a televised address in Jerusalem today. “The state of Israel is prepared to pay a heavy price to free Gilad Shalit, but it cannot say - at any price,” Netanyahu said.


 * Shalit was seized by Hamas militants in an attack on an Israeli army outpost on the border with Gaza in June 2006, and Egypt and Germany have been trying to broker a prisoner exchange. Shalit’s father, Noam, started a protest march this week to call for the release of his son and has been invited by Netanyahu to meet when he reaches Jerusalem.


 * Netanyahu said he agreed to release the Palestinians as part of a deal proposed by the German mediator. Hamas hasn’t responded to the offer, the Israeli leader said. Hamas hasn’t received “any information or clarifications” on Shalit, said Salah el-Bardawil, a spokesman for the group, calling Netanyahu’s statement today a “media maneuver.”


 * "If we receive any new offers through the mediator we will carefully study them and then we will give our comment,” el- Bardawil said in a phone interview. The only contact between Shalit, who holds Israeli and French citizenship, and the outside world during his captivity has been three letters, an audio tape, and a DVD that Israel received on Oct. 2 in return for releasing 20 female Palestinian prisoners.


 * “The decision to free terrorists is a difficult and complicated decision for every government,” Netanyahu said. “It involves not just saving lives, but also endangering lives, encouraging additional kidnappings and murders by those who are freed, and the creating of a leadership of terror against the citizens of Israel."

July 2

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Iran.svg|25px|border|Iran]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain signed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISAD) into law, imposing the toughest sanctions on Iran to date, in a move designed to strike at the Islamic republic's financial and scientific establishment over its alleged nuclear weapons programme.


 * The legislation aimed to choke off Iran's access to refined petroleum imports including gasoline and jet fuel and bans U.S. banks from doing business with foreign banks that provide services to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.


 * "With these sanctions - along with others - we are striking at the heart of the Iranian government's ability to fund and develop its nuclear programmes," Obama said at a White House ceremony. Along with the UN sanctions we agreed on with the other members of the Security Council, we are now sending the Iranian regime a strong message that their behaviour is completely unacceptable and that the international community does not tolerate it."''


 * The unilateral U.S. sanctions were passed in addition to new United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran passed in June. The UN penalties, which were signed by traditional backers like China and Russia, were meant to punish Tehran for refusing to reduce by half its uranium enrichment work, the most controversial aspect of its atomic drive.


 * "To date, Iran has chosen the path of defiance. Iran can prove that its intentions are peaceful. It can meet its obligations under the (nuclear non-proliferation treaty) and abandom their quest for developing nuclear arms, they can achieve the security and prosperity worthy of a great nation."


 * The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved the legislation by margins of 99-0 and 408-8 last week. Companies that provide financing, insurance or shipping services to Iran's energy sector will also be effected.


 * While Iran has large oil reserves, a lack of investment has left the country producing far below its capabilities. The country also lacks refining capacity for domestic gasoline needs. Critics have questioned whether the new law, and similar measures being adopted by Europe, will change anything given that Iran is courting investment from emerging markets.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iran.svg|25px|border|Iran]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Tehran, Iran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that he would postpone nuclear talks as a "penalty" for the latest UN sanctions and condemned the sanctions imposed by the United States, calling them "imperialists and tyrants".

July 3

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Poland.svg|25px|border|Poland]] Kraków, Poland – Poland and the U.S. signed a deal for a future U.S. anti-missile shield to be stationed in Poland. Joe Lieberman, the U.S. Secretary of State, witnessed the signing of the pact in the Polish city of Kraków, which purportedly is aimed at defending Europe against potential threats from Iran and elsewhere.


 * "The United States is deeply committed to Poland's security and sovereignty," Lieberman said at a joint news conference with Radosław Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister. "Today, by signing an amendment to the ballistic missile defence agreement, we are reinforcing this commitment."


 * U.S. President John McCain has been an avid supporter of his predecessor George W. Bush's plan to deploy a longer-range missile-defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, and announced that the new pact would include both long-range and short-range missile interceptors.


 * Sikorski said that Poland was grateful for the agreement with the U.S.-Polish plan, and praised the McCain administration's effort to warming the tense relationsship with Russia by inviting them to participate in a joint Russia-NATO missile defense system in Europe.


 * Lieberman sought to counter Russian objections to the plan, which it views as a danger to its own nuclear deterrent, stating that "This is not directed at Russia. It is a defensive system to protect our friends and allies and our deployed forces. The real threats come from the development of short and medium-term missiles on a faster timetable from Iran, and we invite Russia to cooperate with the U.S. and NATO on a joint missile defence system in both Poland, the Czech Republic and in Azerbaijan, which we believe is also in Russia's own interest."


 * Lieberman refused to specify a date as to when the new defence project may be deployed on Polish soil, but defence experts have said it is likely to be ready in 2018. The two countries also announced plans to co-operate on the exploitation of shale gas.


 * Lieberman began his day by laying a wreath at a memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the April 10 air crash in Russia that killed 96 people, including Poland's president and its military commanders and central bank governor. He was to end his visit to Kraków by giving a speech at the Community of Democracies, a 10-year-old inter-governmental group that aims to promote democracy and civil liberties.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg|25px|border|Kyrgyzstan]] Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – The leader of Kyrgyzstan's interim government, Roza Otunbayeva, was sworn in as Kyrgyzstan's caretaker President and will serve until December 31, 2011.


 * "The government will govern the country in a democratic way," she said, adding that the interim government will maintain its good neighborly and friendly ties with countries. The swearing-in of Otunbayeva came one-day after the Central Election Commission announced that the country's new constitution had been overwhelmingly approved by a nationwide referendum held on June 27. The new constitution envisages a parliamentary democracy by diminishing presidential powers and gives legitimacy to the interim government that took power after former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted in April.


 * Otunbayeva also expressed her gratitude towards the international community for the support and aid provided after riots hit the country.

July 4

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand Province, Afghanistan – U.S. President John McCain and first lady Cindy McCain made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on the U.S. Day of Independence, celebrating the day with U.S. troops.


 * Flying on Air Force One to Bagram Air Base, John and Cindy McCain flew on by helicopter to the Presidential Palace in Kabul to meet with President Hamid Karzai, where McCain discussed the ongoing War in Afghanistan. McCain assure Karzai that the worries of the Afghan government regarding the future of General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, following his controversial reports and statements leaked to the press in June, were unnecessary, stating that "McChrystal is one of our finest, honorable, experienced and intelligent military commanders, and he will remain in his important job for the forseeable future."'' McCain also assured to Karzai that he would not set an arbitrary date of withdrawal, and that U.S. and ISAF forces would begin their withdrawal from Afghanistan when the situation on the ground allowed it.


 * Later in the day, Cindy McCain would visit a teacher training institute where Afghan women are learning basic literacy skills. She would also meet with women training to become police officers and women who have made a business of selling handicrafts. Meanwhile, McCain would travel to Kandahar, where he met with U.S. and Afghan officials before having seperate Independence Day celebrations with U.S. troops in Kandahar and at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province.


 * In the evening, John and Cindy would reunite for a dinner with U.S. troops stationed at Bagram Air Base, where General Stanley McChrystal also would participate.


 * Political commentators and analysts would respond in different ways. Some praised McCain for showing his true and fullhearted support for the U.S. troops and the ISAF mission in Afghanistan by visiting them on Independence Day, and that this among other things was the reason that McCain enjoys massive popularity among U.S. military personnel, especially for his visits to the violent Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Others, however, would comment that McCain was indeed becoming a "warrior president", and that his deep involvement and personal focus on the war could both be a boost, but could also backfire in a possible 2012 reelection campaign. Others would state that McCain was focusing more on the War in Afghanistan than the problems facing the economy, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and unemployment.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Meanwhile, at home, U.S. Vice President Tim Pawlenty and Second Lady Mary Pawlenty would host the Independence Day celebrations with a BBQ and fireworks at the White House along with McCain's daughters Meghan and Bridget, Pawlenty's own daughters Anna and Mara, and about 1,000 guests.


 * [[Image:Flag of Poland.svg|25px|border|Poland]] Warsaw, Poland – In the second round of the Polish presidential election, interim President Bronisław Komorowski of the centre-right liberalist Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) won 53.01% of the votes (8,933,887 total votes), while the runner-up, former Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński of the right-win conservative party Law and Justice (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość) only got 46.99% of the votes (7,919,134 total votes).


 * Soon after exit polls were released in the second round, Jarosław Kaczyński conceded that he had been defeated. He said the elections were a "great rehearsal" for regional polls later this year and parliamentary elections in 2011. "We have to continue changing Poland. We have to continue to be mobilised, we must win," he said. He paid tribute to his brother, and others who died in the crash, saying: "A movement has emerged from their martyrs' death. It was due to the work and service of my brother that a new quality in Polish public life emerged, a return to value, a return to patriotism, everyone in the campaign had to adhere to that," he said.


 * Bronisław Komorowski appeared to tentatively claim victory, stating: "Tonight we will open a small bottle of champagne and tomorrow we will open a big bottle." The exit polls put Komorowski ahead of Kaczyński by 53% to 47%. On the following day, Komorowski was declared the winner of the election.


 * Komorowski's win resulted in Civic Platform holding both the Presidency and the government (under Prime Minister Donald Tusk). Observers suggested that Komorowski's win would mean closer engagement with the European Union, and such domestic economic reforms as deficit reduction.

July 5

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Iraq.svg|25px|border|Iraq]] Bagdad, Iraq – U.S. President John McCain and first lady Cindy McCain would visit Iraq, where they would continue their Independence Day celebrations with U.S. troops.


 * Flying on Air Force One to Baghdad International Airport, John and Cindy McCain flew on by helicopter to Baghdad to meet with President Jalal Talabani. McCain also held meetings with Prime Minist Nuri al-Maliki and his chief challenger, former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.


 * In his meetings he assured the Iraqi government that the United States would carry out the withdrawal as planned, with ending the U.S. combat mission in Iraq by January 2012, with all U.S. combat forces will be completely out of Iraq by December 31, 2011 as according to the The U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement. An transitional force of of 35,000 to 50,000 troops tasked with training the Iraqi Security Forces, conducting counterterrorism operations, and providing general support may remain until 2013.


 * McCain would also meet with the commander of the U.S. troops in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, before the McCains and General Odierno joined with U.S. troops at Camp Victory outside Baghdad for Independence Day celebrations, including a dinner.


 * [[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Jerusalem, Israel – Israel announced that it will continue to restrict construction materials allowed into Gaza, but will allow other items to be brought into Gaza without specific permission.


 * The Israeli Security Cabinet last month voted to ease the blockade of goods into Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas. The decision followed a widely condemned incident in which Israeli soldiers stormed a humanitarian flotilla trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza.


 * Israel unveiled two categories of materials that will remain under restrictions. The first category includes materials that could be used for bombs or other weapons, including certain fertilizers, ball bearings, lathes and their parts, hunting knives, machetes, and night vision goggles. The second list includes construction materials that will only be allowed to enter Gaza for some Palestinian Authority-authorized projects.


 * "While such items are liable to be used for Hamas military purposes (building bunkers, fortifying positions and digging tunnels) Israel will permit their entry into Gaza so as to facilitate construction projects in Gaza - authorized by the PA and implemented and monitored by the international community," the Israeli government said in a statement.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Jerusalem, Israel – The United Nations welcomed Monday's announcement as a step in the right direction. "This can only be the beginning of the long road towards reconstruction and a functioning economy in the Gaza Strip," said U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] London, United Kingdom – British Foreign Secretary William Hague also welcomed the move, which he said "shows that it is possible to lift the pressure on ordinary Gazans without compromising the security of ordinary Israelis." Hague's statement called for continued progress by all parties improve the situation on the ground.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Israel.svg|25px|border|Israel]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Washington, D.C., USA – The United States and Europe welcomed Israel's announcement it would allow certain construction materials into Gaza as an "important step" toward easing a four-year blockade of the coastal enclave. "We believe the list of restricted goods for Gaza announced today will make a significant improvement in the lives of people in Gaza, while keeping weapons out of the hands of Hamas,", a White House Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]] Tbilisi, Georgia – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman voiced concern over Russian plans to build up military bases in Georgian rebel regions and called on Moscow to end its "occupation" of Georgian territory two years after a war.


 * Although President John McCain had warmed up relations with Moscow, especially on issues like the new START treaty and offers on a Russia-NATO cooperation on the planned missile defence system, Lieberman assured Russia's neighbors that McCain was an avid supporter of the democratic reforms and supported their goals for closer ties with the West.


 * Lieberman said Washington is still pressing Moscow to loosen its grip on South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "I want to repeat the clear message by President McCain earlier this year: The United States is steadfast in its commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Lieberman said at a briefing with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The White House consistently urges Russia to comply with the ceasefire that ended the 2008 war, "including ending the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions," he said.


 * Along with support, Clinton warned Georgia against provoking the Kremlin or letting itself be goaded. The United States appears to be mindful of the tension that led to war - and of concerns the previous administration's enthusiastic support for Saakashvili may have emboldened him to take on Moscow. "I would strongly urge that Georgia not be baited or provoked into any action that would give any excuse to the Russians to take any further aggressive movements," he said.


 * Lieberman also urged Saakashvili to do more to bolster democracy, suggesting the best way to coax the separatist provinces back into the fold would be through powerful political and economic improvements. "The United States will do everything we can to assist our partners, inside and outside the Georgian government, as they strive to strengthen democratic institutions and processes," Lieberman said.


 * He criticized Russia's "invasion and ongoing occupation" of Georgian territory. Asked how and when the issue might be resolved, Lieberman gave no concrete blueprint or timeline, suggesting all Georgia can do is build up as a democratic, economically thriving nation. "Whether it's in months or years, it's important for Georgia to continue its modernization reform efforts," he said.


 * A staunch U.S. ally, the American-educated Saakashvili said Georgia was convinced that "McCain, as a true supporter of the Georgian people and the Georgian democracy, will not abandon us,"'' and said that the U.S. improving relations with Russia was being done "the right way ... not just changing relations with Russia at the expense of others."


 * Echoing Washington's argument for embracing Russia more warmly than during the previous U.S. administration, when ties were badly frayed, Saakashvili expressed confidence the "warming of relations" would ultimately "lead to a more modern, more open Russia." "That's only good for all of us around it," he said.


 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]] Moscow, Russia – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, without mentioning Lieberman or the United States by name, responded to Lieberman's criticism of Russia's so-called occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, stating that some people believed Moscow's forces had liberated Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region in the August 2008 war, rather than occupying it. "Some believe it is occupied and some believe it has been liberated," he said in televised remarks to reporters. Putin also suggested Georgia should not look to the United States to solve its problems. "One shouldn't seek a solution on the side," he said.

July 6

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Denmark.svg|25px|border|Denmark]] Copenhagen, Denmark – U.S. President John McCain and First Lady Cindy McCain would arrive in Denmark for a state visit, where they would meet with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.


 * Flying on Air Force One to Copenhagen International Airport Kastrup, John and Cindy McCain would first drive to Copenhagen by motorcade to meet with Queen Margrethe II and her consort, Prince Henrik, at the Royal Palace Amalienborg, for an official lunch. McCain would then meet with Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen for bilateral talks.


 * In his meeting he praised the Danish government's as well as the Danish population's strong support for the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. He also expressed his personal support for Lars Løkke Rasmussen's government, as well as his predecessor and current NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, for their strong support of the United States and NATO in Iraq Afghanistan. He praised the work of the 750 Danish ISAF troops serving in Afghanistan and particularly in Helmand province, where over 600 of them serve. He expressed his condolences to the relatives of the fallen, stating they were all heroes. He was pleased to hear that the Danish government would not announce an arbitrary date of reducing troop numbers in Afghanistan, with McCain stating that "in order for a counterinsurgency strategy to succeed, you need time. Any date to start reducing troop numbers should be based on the situation on the ground, and not by an arbitrary date of withdrawal." McCain would also praise Denmark's role in fighting and preventing international terrorism.


 * On energy and climate change, McCain would again praise Denmark's role in developing alternative energy sources like wind energy, citing that his administration on April 28 had approved the Cape Wind project, an offshore wind farm located off the coast of Massachussetts at Horseshoe Shoal, Nantucket Sound, with a planned 130 Siemens or Vestas wind turbines (@3.6 MW). They also talked about climate change, stating that although the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 had produced a positive result with the signing of the Copenhagen Accord, he hoped that the summit in Mexico would be followed with further steps that would be realistic, pragmatic and possible to carry out in pratice.


 * Later in the day, while Cindy was vising humanitarian organisations, McCain would visit the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), as well as the headquarters of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (Politiets Efterretningstjeneste). In the evening, John and Cindy would join Lars Løkke Rasmussen, his wife and several Danish politicians at a dinner hosted by the Royal Family at Amalienborg.

July 7

 * [[Image:Flag of Cuba.svg|25px|border|Cuba]] Havana, Cuba – The Cuban government announced they would free 52 political prisoners, the largest release of captive dissidents in decades and a surprise gesture that could help thaw relations with the United States.


 * The scheduled release of those arrested in a March 2003 crackdown against pro-democracy activists on the island was brokered by the country's archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, with help from visiting Spanish diplomats. The Roman Catholic Church said in a statement that five of the 52 political prisoners would be freed within hours and would travel to Spain, accompanied by their relatives. Whether they were forced into exile or chose to leave is not known.


 * The remaining 47 will be released in "a process that will take three or four months starting now" and "may leave the country," according to the church. The prisoners, who include journalists, community organizers and opposition figures, were sentenced to prison terms of 20 years and more. Sanchez noted that no names had been released and that no relatives or lawyers had been notified, even the five families who were said to be leaving immediately


 * U.S. officials have said that the release of political prisoners is a necessary step before the two governments can improve their often stormy relations. The United States has maintained a 50-year trade embargo against Cuba, and Americans who do not have relatives on the island need special permission from the U.S. government to travel there.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Norway.svg|25px|border|Norway]] Oslo, Norway – U.S. President John McCain and First Lady Cindy McCain would arrive in Norway for a state visit, where they would meet with King Harald V of Norway and Norwegian Prime Minister Siv Jensen.


 * Flying on Air Force One to Gardermoen Airport, John and Cindy McCain would first drive to Oslo by motorcade to meet with King Harald V and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace, for an official ceremony inspecting the Royal Guard and then an official lunch. McCain would then meet with Prime Minister Siv Jensen for bilateral talks.


 * In his meeting he praised the Norwegian government's as well as the Norwegian population's strong support for the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. He gave his personal condolences to the 4 Norwegian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on June 27 as well as the other 5 fallen Norwegian soldiers, and praised the work of the 500 Norwegian ISAF troops serving in Afghanistan and particularly in Faryab Province, where they lead PRT Meymaneh. He expressed his condolences to the relatives of the fallen, stating they were all heroes. He was pleased to hear that the Norwegian government would not announce an arbitrary date of reducing troop numbers in Afghanistan, and like in Denmark McCain stated that "in order for a counterinsurgency strategy to succeed, you need time. Any date to start reducing troop numbers should be based on the situation on the ground, and not by an arbitrary date of withdrawal." McCain would also praise Denmark's role in fighting and preventing international terrorism.


 * On energy, McCain would again praise Norway's wealth from its offshore oil and natural gas production, and noted that unlike in the U.S., Norway had not had a single major oil disaster connected to its oil production, and expressed his hope that BP would stop the leak of oil in the Gulf of Mexico following the disaster at Deepwater Horizon in April. He also expressed his hopes that Statoil could share their long experience in offshore oil production with the companies operating with oil and natural gas production off the coast of the United States, and would also announce that his administration would lift the ban on drilling off the U.S. coast, stating that "my plans for energy independence of the United States stand. I will as soon as possible allow oil companies to continue searching, drilling and production activities off the Western and Eastern Coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico."


 * On Russia, McCain praised the Norwegian government on signing the Russo-Norwegian Accord on the Barents Sea, stating that "having favorable relations with Russia is necessary. We rely on the Russian government in our common struggle against international terrorism, on preventing Iran from producing and acquiring nuclear weapons, on allowing a stable transport of supplies to ISAF forces in Afghanistan through Russian territory and on North Korea. Although we can criticize the Russians for many reasons, we have to remember that having favorable relations with them solves more problems than cutting them off completely, and cutting them off would not solve the problems the Russians are facing." He also hoped that Norway, a fellow NATO member, with their good relationsship with Moscow, could be vital in persuading Russian support for a joint NATO-Russian missile defence shield in Central and Eastern Europe against Iran.


 * Later in the day, while Cindy was vising humanitarian organisations, McCain would visit the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) and the Museum of National Defence on Akershus Festning (Akershus Castle). He also visited the Norwegian Police Security Service (Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, PST).


 * In the evening, John and Cindy McCain would along with Siv Jensen, the Norwegian government and other members of the Storting join the Royal Family for a state dinner at the Royal Palace.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|25px|border|al-Qaida]] Washington, D.C., USA – The U.S. Justice Department charged several suspects, including one of the world's most-wanted terror suspects and a man arrested in Britain, in connection with last year's thwarted New York City subway bombing - a plot authorities now believe may have stretched from New York to London to Pakistan, law enforcement officials said.


 * Adnan Shukrijumah, who has eluded the FBI for years and remains at large, was named in an indictment in Brooklyn federal court. Shukrijumah, one of the al-Qaida leaders in charge of plotting attacks worldwide, was directly involved in recruiting and plotting the New York attack, prosecutors said


 * Prosecutors allege Shukrijuma met in Pakistan with Najibullah Zazi, who has pleaded guilty to planning to bomb the subways around the Sept. 11th terror attack anniversary last year. Shukrajuma also met with two others accused in the plot, Adis Medunjanin and Zarein Ahmedzay, who had also pleaded guilty to terror related charges. Medunjanin, who maintains his innocence, awaits trial and prosecutors added new terror charges against him today. Shukrijuma is one several suspects charged by the Justice Department in connection with the failed plot to strike subways around the Sept. 11th anniversary. Shukrijumah is not in custody at this time and is believed to be along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, officials said.


 * After the 9/11 attacks, Shukrijumah, 34, was seen as one of al-Qaida's best chances to attack inside the U.S. or Europe, captured terrorist Abu Zubaydah told U.S. authorities.


 * Two of the men indicted Wednesday - Abid Naseer and Tariq Ur Rehman - were linked to a previously undisclosed companion plot in England. "The charges announced today illustrate the coordinated and persistent attempts by our adversaries to harm American citizens," said the acting director of the FBI in New York, George Venizelos.


 * One law enforcement official said that Najibullah Zazi and his co-conspirators trained in Pakistan and met with other extremists who discussed carrying out separate attacks in Pakistan and Britain in addition to the New York subway bomb plot. Investigators believe Shukrijumah met with one of the would-be suicide bombers in a plot that Attorney General called one of the most dangerous since the 9/11 terror attacks.


 * Court papers unsealed today show Zazi entered into a formal cooperation agreement with the government back in February. The 10 page filing says in exchange for full and complete cooperation - prosecutors would consider filing a letter seeking a somewhat lighter sentence for him.


 * Shukrijumah's involvement in the subway plot suggests the attack was important to al-Qaida's senior leadership. Shukrijumah is among the top candidates to be al-Qaida's next head of external operations, the man in charge of planning attacks worldwide. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly acknowledged Shukrajuma's rank within the terrorist group, but declined to discuss the expected criminal charges.


 * The U.S. citizens were arrested in September 2009 before, prosecutors said, they could carry out a trio of suicide bombings in Manhattan. Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay have pleaded guilty and admitted planning to detonate homemade bombs on the subway during rush hour. A third man, Adis Medunjanin, awaits trial.


 * Counterterrorism officials believe Ahmedzay, and perhaps the other two men, met Shukrijumah at a terror camp in Pakistan. In 2004, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft called Shukrijumah a "clear and present danger" to the United States. The U.S. is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|25px|border|United Kingdom]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|25px|border|al-Qaida]] London, United Kingdom – A 24-year-old terror suspect given leave to stay in Britain was arrested in the north east of England on Wednesday following a request from the U.S. government for his extradition, police said.


 * The U.S. want Abid Naseer, who in May won a court battle against deportation to Pakistan, to stand trial on charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and conspiracy to use a destructive device, London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.


 * In April 2009, Naseer was among 12 men arrested in high-profile raids across northwest England as part of a British anti-terrorism operation.


 * Police and the security services said at the time the men were part of a major plot but there was not enough evidence to charge them and they were ordered to be deported, but Naseer won an appeal against deportation due to concerns over his safety in Pakistan.


 * He will appear at London's City of Westminster Magistrates Court later on Wednesday.

July 8

 * [[Image:Flag of Norway.svg|25px|border|Norway]][[Image:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|25px|border|al-Qaeda]] Oslo, Norway – Three people were arrested in connection with a plot to bomb targets in Norway. Two of the plotters were arrested in Norway and one in Germany, said the head of the Norwegian Police Security Service (Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, PST), Janne Kristiansen.


 * The men were:
 * Mikael Davud, an Uighur from China (39). He came to Norway in 1999 as a refugee and was given Norwegian citizenship in 2007. He was arrested in Oslo. He was later named the operational and ideological leader of the group.
 * Shawan Sadek Saeed Bujak, an Iraqi citizen (37). He came to Norway in 1999 and was granted Norwegian residency on humanitarian grounds. He was arrested in Duisburg in Germany.
 * David Jakobsen, n Uzbek national (31). He came to Norway in 2002 as an asylum seeker, but his asylum application was rejected. He was later granted permanent residency in Norway on grounds of family reunification. He was arrested in Oslo, and denied his involvment.


 * The three, all Norwegian residents, had been under surveillance for a year. A European intelligence official said the three men were members of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), a Uighur separatist group associated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and al-Qaeda and based largely in the lawless Pakistani tribal area of Waziristan, which has become a haven for Al Qaeda and other militant groups.


 * The official said the suspect of Uighur background had visited Waziristan in the past in the winter of 2008/2009 and had made contacts with Al Qaeda. He had asked the Uzbek suspect to make a fake passport for a person later identified as an al-Qaeda operative. The Associated Press quoted Norwegian officials as saying a former Qaeda operative named Saleh al-Somali, who helped plan attacks against the United States and other Western countries, had also been behind the plot in Norway. Mr. Somali, who has been described as a mastermind of the planned subway attacks, was killed in a drone strike late last year in Pakistan’s tribal areas.


 * It was not clear if Norway had been chosen as a target or was a staging post for a larger conspiracy. The Norwegian police said the men had been seized on suspicion of preparing terrorist activities, and that they had tried manufacturing acetone peroxide bombs. U.S. prosecutors say the Norwegian case is linked to foiled bomb plots in New York and the English city of Manchester.


 * "We believe this group has had links to people abroad who can be linked to al-Qaeda, and to people who are involved in investigations in other countries, among others the United States and Britain," Hanne Kristiansen said.


 * She gave no details of where the men were arrested, nor any information about locations which may have been targeted for attacks. Kristiansen said the arrests had been brought forward because news of the probe was about to appear in the international media. "Such an exposure of the case, without a foregoing arrest, could have proved destructive to the investigation, and with great danger of destruction of evidence," she told a news conference in Oslo.


 * "We have not chosen this timing completely by ourselves, but we think that we have a solid case, which in the end, naturally, will be up to the courts to decide."


 * Security experts speculate that Norway may have been targeted because it has 500 troops in Faryab province in Afghanistan, and they were to deploy 200 additional troops in the summer. The 2006 controversy sparked by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten's publication of 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad could also be a motive, as the controversy has extended to neighboring Norway and Sweden after newspapers there republished the cartoons and later published similar cartoons (including Dagbladet's frontpage showing a caricature of Muhammad portrayed as a pig writing the Quran).


 * The arrests in Norway also came one day after federal prosecutors in Brooklyn formally charged an American citizen, Adnan G. el-Shukrijumah, with several crimes, including the bomb plot last summer to attack three New York City subway lines and what they said was a related plot, one that British authorities said included blowing up a shopping center in Manchester.


 * According to a Justice Department news release announcing the charges, Mr. Shukrijumah, 34, was one of a panel of three men overseeing Al Qaeda’s efforts to carry out attacks in the United States and other Western countries.


 * Reports indicated that the three suspects had been followed very closely by the PST over considerable time, probably at least a year. One report relates that when one of the suspects wanted to purchase certain chemicals which could be used in the production of bombs, the PST were able to intervene and had the chemist exchange the liquid with a harmless substitute.


 * On Saturday the newspaper VG reported that the PST had installed a surveillance camera in the apartment of the 39-year-old supect of Uighur origin, and were able to monitor what was happening there in real time. It is believed that the chemicals to be used for a bomb in al-Qaida's first terrorist attack on Norwegian soil, was stored in the man's apartment. However, according to the newspaper, the final target for the attack had not yet been chosen.


 * Several papers report that the suspect of Uzbekh origin had signed up for a course in oil drilling and well technology both in 2007 and in 2009, but never turned up at the school. The Norwegian oil industry has by many been mentioned as a potential target for terrorism. An attack on Norwegian oil and gas production could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Norwegian economy, but also for the economy of nations depending on Norwegian oil and gas.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|25px|border|United Kingdom]] London, United Kingdom – U.S. President John McCain and First Lady Cindy McCain would arrive in London for a short stop, where they met with British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron, a promise he had made when Cameron was elected on May 6, 2010.


 * In his meeting with Cameron, McCain praised the special relationsship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and praised Cameron for his swift efficiency and leadership in his first months in office, and appreciated the British government's assurances that the British forces would remain in Afghanistan, and that any date of withdrawal would only be based on the situation on the ground, and not an arbitrary date.


 * In his meeting with Cameron, McCain would also comment the arrests of the suspected terrorists by the Norwegian Police Security Service, praising their efficiency and swift action. He also stated that not only the United States, but also smaller nations like Norway were a threat to islamic terrorism, and the arrest is a clear sign that the international cooperation between the countries' security and intelligence agencies has successfully prevented terrorist attacks on North American and European soil.

July 11

 * [[Image:Flag of Spain.svg|25px|border|Spain]][[Image:Flag of the Netherlands.svg|25px|border|Netherlands]][[Image:FIFA 2010 World Cup logo.svg|25px|border|FIFA 2010 World Cup]] Johannesburg, South Africa – At the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time finalists the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute giving Spain their first world title. Host nation South Africa, along with 2006 world champions Italy and 2006 runners-up France were eliminated in the first round of the tournament.


 * [[Image:Flag of Uganda.svg|25px|border|Uganda]][[Image:Flag of al-Shabaab.svg|25px|border|Al-Shabaab]] Kampala, Uganda – 74 people were killed and 70 injured in a series of bombings carried out by the Islamist Somali militia Al-Shabaab in Kampala, Uganda.


 * The first bomb detonated at a restaurant called the Ethiopian Village, situated in the Kabalagala neighbourhood, with many of the victims foreigners. Fifteen people died in this attack. The Kabalagala bombing occurred during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.


 * The second attack, consisting of two explosions in quick succession, occurred at 11:18 pm at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Nakawa, where state-run newspaper New Vision was hosting a screening of the match. According to eyewitnesses, there was an explosion near the 90th minute of the match, followed seconds later by a second explosion that knocked out the lights at the field. An explosion went off directly in front of a large screen that was showing the telecast from South Africa, killing 49 people. The discovery of a severed head and leg at the rugby field suggests that it was a suicide attack carried out by an individual. A third unexploded vest was later found.


 * Uganda Police Force Inspector General Kale Kayihura stated, "The information we have indicates the people who have attacked the Ethiopian Village were probably targeting expatriates.


 * Al-Shabaab, an Islamist Somali militia believed to have ties to the Al-Qaida terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the attacks as retaliation for Ugandan support for the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, a spokesman for the group, stated "We will carry out attacks against our enemy wherever they are ... No one will deter us from performing our Islamic duty," as well as saying that "Al-Shabab was behind the two blasts in Uganda. We thank the mujahideens that carried out the attack. We are sending a message to Uganda and Burundi, if they do not take out their Amisom troops from Somalia, blasts will continue and it will happen."

July 12

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Chuck Hagel announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for Veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.


 * “This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hagel. “This final regulation goes a long way to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they need.”


 * By publishing a final regulation in the Federal Register to simplify the process for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD, VA reduces the evidence needed if the trauma claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the Veteran’s service.


 * This science-based regulation relies on evidence that concluded that a Veteran’s deployment to a war zone is linked to an increased risk of PTSD.


 * Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.


 * Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This final rule simplifies the development that is required for these cases.


 * VA expects this rulemaking to decrease the time it takes VA to decide access to care and claims falling under the revised criteria. More than 400,000 Veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service connected for PTSD.  Combined with VA’s shorter claims form, VA’s new streamlined, science-based regulation allows for faster and more accurate decisions that also expedite access to medical care and other benefits for Veterans.


 * PTSD is a medically recognized anxiety disorder that can develop from seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon among war Veterans. Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of - or made worse by - injuries or diseases associated with active service.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Youth members and executive leaders of the Boy Scouts of America met with President John McCain today to discuss top priorities for the organization’s next century of service.


 * During the White House meeting, the president and the BSA delegation shared their mutual goals for addressing key concerns for our nation’s youth: healthy living, service to the community, and environmental stewardship.


 * McCain has shown his support for each of these issues by introducing three relevant programs: Let’s Move!, United We Serve, and America’s Great Outdoors. As has been the case with every U.S. president since William Howard Taft, McCain serves as the Honorary President of the BSA and helps recognize the achievements of more than 50,000 Eagle Scouts each year by signing their Eagle Scout cards.


 * Obama’s three initiatives match several concerns not just for the BSA but also for the entire country, said Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca.


 * “Health, community service, and preserving our environment are priorities for all Americans,” Mazzuca said. “Our first 100 years in Scouting taught us the importance of these issues to America’s youth; our next century of Scouting will focus on creating programs to expand our efforts in these areas.”


 * To show its commitment to these issues and in honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, the organization presented McCain and the first lady, Cindy McCain, with two camperships for Scouts in their home councils. These scholarships will help two Scouts attend summer camp: one each from the Phoenix Area and Prescott Area councils.


 * While at summer camp, these two deserving Scouts will see first-hand how much fun it is to stay active in the outdoors and learn how preserving our environment is critical in today’s world. The camperships were presented by the youth members of the BSA's delegation. This group was made up of young people who represent several of the BSA’s programs. Eagle Scout Brad Lichota, national Order of the Arrow chief, led the youth members.


 * Others were Cub Scout Raphael Cash from Bowie, Md.; Venturer Shannon Hoff from Falls Church, Va.; Sea Scout M. Robert Marks from Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Boy Scout Arnold Mears from Parkville, Md.

July 13

 * [[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|25px|border|Czech Republic]] Prague, the Czech Republic – Czech President Václav Klaus appointed a new centre-right coalition government comprising the Civic Democrats (ODS), TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV), headed by ODS chairman and Prime Minister Petr Nečas.


 * Klaus wished the government to be stable. He said the government should launch reforms, but not a revolution, and follow up the work of its predecessors.


 * Nečas said the government wants to apply responsible financial management and to fight corruption. The government, comprising only men, must ask the Chamber of Deputies for a vote of confidence within a month. It is sure to win it because it has a majority of 118 votes in the 200-seat lower house of parliament.


 * Nečas' government is coming to office amid a difficult economic situation, but it can show that the Czech Republic is capable of succeeding, Klaus said. He said in foreign policy the government should have Czech citizens in mind in first place. Its partners abroad should only come in second place, Klaus said.

July 15

 * [[Image:Flag of Italy.svg|25px|border|Italy]] Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government survived a confidence vote on a controversial austerity package designed to shore up Italy's strained public finances.


 * The vote means Italy has inched closer to finally approving the 25 billion euro ($32 billion) plan. It comes at one of the most testing times in Mr Berlusconi's premiership.


 * The two-year plan, aimed at cleaning up public finances and reassuring financial markets, was approved by 170 to 136 votes. The package must now be voted on by the lower house of the Italian parliament before the end of the month.


 * Its passage involves a second confidence vote. Berlusconi has said his government would resign if it lost such a vote - although he has a comfortable majority in the lower house.


 * Like many European countries, Italy is struggling to lower debt and contain budget deficits amid slow growth. Measures included in the package include delaying retirement dates by three to six months, a state salary freeze and pay cuts for high public sector earners. There will also be a 10% cut per year in 2011 and 2012 in spending by all government ministries.


 * The measures provoked a wave of revolt when they were unveiled last month. A general strike organised by the country's largest trade union brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets in cities including Rome, Milan and Bologna in protest. Mr Berlusconi's personal approval ratings have slumped, and a new corruption scandal has tainted the government. Meanwhile the past few months have seen the outbreak of a vicious power struggle between Mr Berlusconi and his most senior colleague and rival - the president of the lower house, Gianfranco Fini.


 * [[Image:Flag of Mexico.svg|25px|border|Mexico]] Ciudad Juarez, Mexico – Two police officers and two medics answering an emergency were killed and 16 other people were injured in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez by car bomb set off by mobile phone.


 * Investigators said the deadly attack was carried out by suspected drug cartel members. It is believed to be the first attack of its kind since President Felipe Calderon took office in 2006, promising to curb powerful drugs gangs.


 * Police said the attack was retaliation for the arrest of a leader of the La Linea drug gang, Jesus Acosta Guerrero. La Linea is part of the Juarez drug cartel.


 * "There were 10kg (22lb) of explosives, activated from a distance by a cellphone," Enrique Torres, a spokesman for the army in Ciudad Juarez, said.


 * Ciudad Juarez is just across the border from El Paso, Texas. It has long been the battleground for cartels fighting for control of lucrative drug smuggling routes into the U.S. More than 7,000 people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico so far this year. Almost 25,000 have died in the past three and a half years, according to figures released by the office of Attorney General Arturo Chavez on Friday.


 * Chavez said the rising figures demonstrated that the cartels were under pressure from the government crackdown. He said 75,000 weapons had been decommissioned in the same period and 78,000 people had been detained in drug trafficking operations. President Calderon has despatched thousands of troops to regain control of areas of the country long dominated by powerful cartels


 * [[Image:Flag of Mexico.svg|25px|border|Mexico]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would in a telephone conversation with Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemn the car bombing, calling it "a despicable and cowardly act which claimed the lives of emergency personnel and wounded innocent people", and expressed his condolences to the relatives of the killed. He said that the U.S. government would assist in cracking down on the drug cartels.

July 19

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – In an interview with ABC, U.S. President John McCain would again criticize those liberal Democrats and members of the Tea Party Movement voising their opposition to the increased U.S. presence in Afghanistan, calling them "naive" and "defatists". McCain would say that if U.S. and international forces left Afghanistan too soon, "the Taliban and their totalitarian and brutal regime would return to power Afghanistan and Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups like al-Qa'ida who would use it as a launch pad for terrorist attacks on the United States and Europe." He also said that "there would also be an enormous risk of destabilising a neighbouring country, Pakistan, a nuclear power with between 70 and 90 nuclear warheads, as well as neighbouring countries like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the rest of Central Asia."


 * McCain would again state that the counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan takes time, and that no military commander supported an arbitrary date of beginning a withdrawal from Afghanistna. He said that it is necessary to keep U.S. and ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan "as long as necessary". He stated that the goals were to have a stable and government in Kabul, make sure that they step up their fight against corruption, that they in general provide good governance and make efficient use of resources, deliver basic services to the Afghan people. And, the Afghan security forces themselves should be able to provide their own population security before any withdrawal could be considered, and thus that any withdrawal of U.S. and ISAF forces must be condition based.


 * McCain also warned that even more troops might have to be deployed in Afghanistan if NATO should fail to meet their obligations to deploy the remaining 450 military and police trainers, citing concerns made by both Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. However, McCain also voiced his appreciation for the deployment of 250 additional French military trainers announced on July 4, 2010, as well as the Czech government's announcement on July 15 to deploy additional 50 military trainers.


 * When asked that his enormous prestige in the increasingly unpopular war would be problematic for his potential re-election campaign in 2012, McCain stated that he would rather lose an election than see the U.S. lose a war, stating that if given the time, a succes in Afghanistan would be possible.


 * On partisanship, McCain criticized the liberal Democrats for trying to block many of the proposals McCain had wished to be implemented by the Senate, stating that "their arrogance is the exact thing that makes the lose their confidence in their elected representatives. Even when moderate Democrats and Republicans try to go across the aisle to implement policy for the best of the people, the liberal Democrats will do everything they can to stop the legislation in the name of partisanship. Such behaviour is damaging for the reputation of our legislature, for our country and for the American people."


 * On the economy, McCain would state that although unemployment remained high, they had succesfully managed to reduce federal spending on some areas, and they were in constant progress of expanding the cuts. McCain also spoke of his hopes for Congress to pass the Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill, a bill McCain, supported by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Scott Brown (R-MA), said would restore safeguards modeled after the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act that protected bank deposits from being used in Wall Street’s risky speculation. It would prohibit commercial banks from affiliating in any manner with investment banks and vice versa. McCain hoped that the bill would come up for a vote by the end of July, and that it would pass with both Republican and Democratic support.


 * He also hoped that the The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010, sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Sam Brownback (R-KA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), would pass the Senate by the end of July or early August. He would also note that Republican and other Conservative sceptics to the immigration reform that the plan would only be implemented after the Comprehensive Border Security Plan, commenting that the increase of violence south of the border to Mexico, the drug cartels and humam smuggling were serious threats to national security that needed to be addressed first.

July 20

 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of NATO.svg|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Kabul, Afghanistan – U.S. Secretary of State Joe Lieberman and foreign ministers and representatives from 70 other countries, attended a one-day conference in Kabul, in which the international community renewed its commitment to Afghanistan, in exchange for a pledge by President Hamid Karzai to implement promised legal, electoral and economic reforms within specific timelines.


 * In his opening speech to the conference, Karzai spoke only briefly about reconciliation with insurgent groups, noting that his government has "framed the terms on which we must reach out to those of our armed opponents who will be willing to accept our constitution and renounce ties to al-Qaeda's network of terror."


 * Few new initiatives were presented during the daylong gathering in the Afghan capital, held under tight security amid threats of Taliban attack. Instead, a communiqué agreed to by the Afghan government and representatives of about 70 other nations reiterated a long list of anti-corruption measures and governance improvements to be implemented within three months to two years.


 * The communiqué emphasized that peace, under those conditions, was open to "all Afghan members of the armed opposition and their communities." It included:


 * For Afghan forces to take over all military and law enforcement operations nationwide by 2014
 * To expand army strength to more than 170,000, and police strength to 134,000, by October 2011
 * To reintegrate up to 36,000 ex-combatants within five years
 * To raise the amount of aid channelled through the Afghan government from 20% to 50%


 * Karzai gained international endorsement for his pledge to have Afghan forces to take security responsibility throughout the country by 2014, a promise he first made in his inauguration speech last year. "This is a national objective we have to fulfill and we must," Karzai told reporters after the conference.


 * With violence and coalition casualties surging to record heights this year, and public sentiment flagging among many of the countries with troops in Afghanistan, NATO officials have been vigorously debating the pace and scope of the hoped-for transition. But they had little concrete to offer in Kabul on Tuesday, as NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the transition would be determined by "conditions, not calendars."


 * U.S. secretary of State Hillary Joe Lieberman, who called the conference "a real turning point," would as Anders Fogh Rasmussen underline that President John McCain's Afghanistan policy would likewise be "based on the conditions on the ground, and the U.S. government will not announce an arbitrary date of starting withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan." Lieberman added that the United States had "no intention of abandoning our long-term mission of achieving a stable, secure, peaceful Afghanistan. Too many nations - especially Afghanistan - have suffered too many losses to see this country slide backward."


 * He also said that "although we will not continue our military presence indefinitely, our military involvement can not end before the conditions allows it. As soon as the Afghan government can provide services for their population, and when the Afghan security forces themselves can take the lead role in engaging the insurgents and providing security for their own people, only then we can discuss the possibility for a date of beginning a drawdown of U.S. and international forces. We will stand by the Afghan people until the job is done."


 * Karzai said he recognized that Afghanistan's army and police must also improve their performance in the eyes of their own people. '"The legitimacy of the state requires that the use of force be framed within the rule of law," Karzai said. "Historically, abuse of force ... has alienated people from the government."


 * Karzai has won international agreement to funnel at least 50 percent of all economic assistance through his government within two years, a pledge that will require significantly more confidence in the government's honesty and competence. The United States has put in place a "certification" process through which Afghan ministries can be deemed qualified to directly receive American aid.


 * Virtually all countries contributing troops, treasure or both to Afghanistan are under increasing domestic pressure to show results, and the supportive statements by many delegations at the conference included subtle warnings to both Karzai and themselves that -- after nine years of war - time is growing short.


 * "Citizens of many nations represented here, including my own, wonder whether success is even possible. We have to show them that this is possible, but that means that everybody, must do everything they can in order to succeed" Lieberman said.


 * One delegate, World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave direct voice to frustration that too much time has been spent talking about progress without achieving it. "I think we should not have any more conferences until we've given time to see results," she said.


 * The Afghan government's response was a combination of assertive confidence in the future and acknowledgement of the concerns. "We believe [the government's plan] will deliver peace, stability and economic opportunity," Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal told the conference. Although his government was "expecting your full support and alignment," he told the conference, "we realize that foreign assistance cannot be provided indefinitely."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|25px|border|United Kingdom]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain and British Prime Minister David Cameron held wide-ranging talks at the White House on Tuesday, focusing on Afghanistan, British energy firm BP and the release earlier this year of a Libyan convicted in the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. The two men seem to have deepened an already strong personal relationship, with Cameron beginning the joint press conference by thanking McCain for his short visit to London on July 8, stating "the visit clearly showed the close relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom."''


 * Cameron is the second British prime minister President McCain has worked with, in an alliance that prior to Tuesday's meeting Cameron described as being based on national interests rather than historical ties or blind loyalty.


 * On Afghanistan, McCain would once again state his opposition of announcing an arbitrary date of beginning withdrawing international forces from Afghanistan, stating that any withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground. McCain praised that Cameron had not announced an arbitrary withdrawal date, stating that "the military commanders on the ground all recommend against announcing an arbitrary date of withdrawing international forces. We will stay in Afghanistan until the Afghan government and Afghan National Security Forces can take over responsibility. I believe we can acheive success, but that depends on us not announcing when we are leaving."


 * President McCain also said that he and Cameron agree on strategy. "We have the right strategy. We have an excellent commander in General Stanley McChrystal. We are going to break the Taliban's momentum. We're going to build Afghan capacity so Afghans can take responsibility for their future.  And we're going to deepen regional cooperation including with Pakistan."


 * Prime Minister Cameron said they assessed progress in a "vital year" in Afghanistan and reaffirmed the commitment to preparing Afghan forces to take on full security responsibilities. But Cameron stressed the importance of a political strategy. "Insurgencies tend not to be defeated by military means alone.  There must also be [a] political settlement.  And to those people currently fighting, if they give up violence, if they cut themselves off from al-Qaida, if they accept the basic tenets of the Afghan constitution, they can have a future in a peaceful Afghanistan," he said.


 * President McCain and Mr. Cameron referred to the outcome of the international donors conference in Kabul at which Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he is determined that the government will take charge of security by 2014, but assured that this was not an indication of setting a date for beginning an exit strategy.


 * The two leader also discussed the British-based energy company BP and the controversy surrounding allegations that it influenced a Scottish government decision to release Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi - the Libyan man convicted for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.


 * The British prime minister said there was full agreement that it was wrong to release al-Megrahi. Saying there is nothing to suggest that BP was involved in influencing the Scottish decision, Mr. Cameron said he does not think a full British government investigation is needed. "There was a decision taken by the Scottish executive, in my view a wholly wrong and misguided decision, a bad decision but their decision nonetheless.  And I don't think we need an extra inquiry to tell us that that is what happened," he said.


 * Mr. Cameron said he would order a review of all documentation from the al-Megrahi case and that the British government would cooperate fully with any U.S. congressional probe. McCain, on the other hand, said that he would not let the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and their alleged role in the release of al-Megrahi would not hamper the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.


 * President McCain and Mr. Cameron stressed the need to move toward direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians, with Mr. Cameron saying that it is time for the two sides to test the seriousness of the other.


 * On Iran, both men urged the government in Tehran to fulfill international obligations or face growing pressure over a nuclear program the United States, Britain and other Western powers say, but Tehran denies, is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon.


 * On the global economy, President McCain said he and Prime Minister Cameron are determined to ensure that a similar financial crisis does not happen again. McCain also praised Cameron for his budget cuts to reduce the British deficit, stating this confirmed that they had similar views on tackling the economic crisis, deficits and debt. Cameron praised McCain for having been influential in forming the Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill, which if passed would restore safeguards modeled after the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act that protected bank deposits from being used in Wall Street’s risky speculation.


 * A glimpse of the apparent warmth of the McCain-Cameron relationship was seen at the start of the news conference, as Mr. McCain joked about the temperature of American and British beers they shared. McCain praised Cameron as a young, charismatic and intelligent leader, while Cameron voiced his deep respect for McCain's military and political background, and his firm stance on fiscal responsibility and his Maverick stances. Cameron remarked about the tour of the White House he received, saying he was impressed to see that the McCains in private were quite informal, and that they like the Camerons mostly behaved as average people.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 232–199 with 84 out of 178 Republicans and 148 out of 253 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.


 * Meanwhile, various reports indicated that a majority of Democrats and about a half of Republicans in the Senate vote in favour of the Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill. In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the U.S. Senate would hopefully vote for the Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill on Friday.

July 21

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of South Korea.svg|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.svg|25px|border|North Korea]][[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px|border|United Nations]] Panmunjom, Demilitarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea – The McCain administration moved Wednesday to push new sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, as Secretary of State Joe Lieberman and Defense Secretary Robert Gates showed solidarity with South Korea during a visit to the area that separates it from the North.


 * Lieberman announced the new measures — targeting the sale or purchase of arms and related goods used to fund the communist regime's nuclear activities, and the acquisition of luxury items to reward its elite — after she and Gates toured the heavily fortified border in a symbolic trip four months after the sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on the North.


 * The penalties are intended to further isolate the already hermetic North and persuade its leaders to return to talks aimed at getting it to abandon atomic weapons. The U.S. is also trying to forestall future provocative acts like the torpedoing of the Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors.


 * With specifics of the sanctions still being worked out, the more striking demonstration of U.S. resolve came when Lieberman and Gates — in a first for America's top two cabinet members — together toured the demilitarized zone in the village of Panmunjom.


 * Under sporadic downpours and the watchful gaze of curious North Korean guards, they paid tribute to the U.S., South Korean and international forces that patrol the world's last Cold War-era border. Sixty years after the fighting began, the peninsula remains divided in a state of war because the conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.


 * At one point, in the Military Armistice Commission building where officials from North Korea and the U.N. Command meet for talks, Lieberman and Gates stood briefly on North Korean soil while a North Korean soldier peered at them through a window. Gates said the visit was intended "to send a strong signal to the North, to the region and to the world that our commitment to South Korea's security is steadfast. In fact, our military alliance has never been stronger and should deter any potential aggressor," he said.


 * In response to the Cheonan sinking, the U.S. and South Korea have announced plans to conduct new military exercises in the coming weeks, sparking threats from North Korea and expressions of concern from its lone major ally, China. Both Gates and Lieberman noted that since the Korean War, the South has become a major economic power while the North has stagnated under international isolation.


 * "Although it may be a thin line, these two places are worlds apart," Lieberman said, referring to the five-kilometer-deep buffer zone that stretches from east to west and lies just 50 kilometers from the South Korean capital. He urged North Korea to turn away from the isolation that has left its people suffering. "We continue to send a message to the North: There is another way. There is a way that can benefit the people of the North," he said. "But until they change direction, the United States stands firmly on behalf of the people and government of the Republic of Korea, where we provide a stalwart defense along with our allies and partners."


 * Lieberman repeated that message later after security talks with Gates and their South Korean counterparts. Presenting the outlines of the fresh sanctions, Lieberman said the North could win "the security and international respect it seeks" by stopping its provocative behavior, halting threats toward its neighbors and returning to denuclearization talks. Details of the sanctions are being finalized, but Lieberman and other U.S. officials said they would enhance and expand on existing international financial and travel sanctions. The U.S. will freeze additional assets, prevent more individuals from traveling abroad and collaborate with banks to stop suspect transactions, they said.


 * The U.S. will also seek to stop North Korea's abuse of diplomatic privileges to carry out illegal activities, notably cigarette and currency counterfeiting and money laundering, they said.

July 22

 * [[Image:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px|border|United Nations]][[Image:Flag of Kosovo.svg|25px|border|Kosovo]][[Image:Flag of Serbia.svg|25px|border|Serbia]] The Hague, Netherlands – The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands declared that Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate international law, a decision with implications for separatist movements everywhere.


 * The non-binding, but clear-cut ruling by the International Court of Justice is a major blow to Serbia and will complicate efforts to draw the former pariah ex-Yugoslav republic into the European Union.


 * "The court considers that general international law contains no applicable prohibition of declaration of independence," Judge Hisashi Owada, president of the ICJ, said in the clear majority ruling delivered in a cavernous hall at the Hague-based ICJ. "Accordingly it concludes that the declaration of independence of the 17th of February 2008 did not violate general international law."


 * It is likely to lead to more states following the United States, Britain and 67 other countries in recognizing ethnic-Albanian dominated Kosovo, which broke away after NATO intervened to end a brutal crackdown on separatism by Belgrade. It may also embolden breakaway regions in countries ranging from India and Iraq to Serbia's war-torn neighbor and fellow former Yugoslav republic Bosnia to seek more autonomy.


 * Serbian President Boris Tadić insisted Kosovo remained part of Serbia, a statement which, alongside the unequivocal nature of the ruling, threw confusion over Serbia's path toward EU membership, seen in the West as a way to stabilize the Balkans. "Serbia will never recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo," Tadic said.


 * Serbia lost control of Kosovo in 1999 when a 78-day NATO bombing campaign ended a two-year war between Serbia and ethnic Kosovo Albanians, and put in place a U.N. administration and a NATO-monitored ceasefire.


 * News of the court's decision prompted celebrations in the Kosovo capital Prishtina (Priština), where people drove through the streets waving Kosovo, Albanian, U.S. and British flags and shouting "USA, USA!"


 * In the flashpoint northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, Albanians fired bullets in the air and let off firecrackers while Serbs gathered in their part of town and international forces blocked bridges across the river dividing the two sides. In Serbia the Orthodox Church, which has deep roots in Kosovo, rang church bells and led prayers. Serbia's dinar currency also hit all-time lows, forcing the central bank to intervene for the second day in a row.


 * [[Image:Flag of Kosovo.svg|25px|border|Kosovo]][[Image:Flag of Serbia.svg|25px|border|Serbia]] The Hague, Netherlands – Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi hailed the ruling as a "historic victory" and "the best possible answer for the entire world," while Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, said outside the International Court of Justice: "my message to the government of Serbia is 'Come and talk to us.'". He also said that "I expect Serbia to turn and come to us, to talk with us on so many issues of mutual interest, of mutual importance. But such talks can only take place as talks between sovereign states."


 * [[Image:Flag of Serbia.svg|25px|border|Serbia]][[Image:Flag of Kosovo.svg|25px|border|Kosovo]] Beograd, Serbia – Serbian President Boris Tadić said that "Serbia of course will never recognise the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo because it believes that unilateral, ethnically motivated secession is not in accordance with the principles of the United Nations."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Kosovo.svg|25px|border|Kosovo]][[Image:Flag of Serbia.svg|25px|border|Serbia]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain would express his appreciation of the verdict, and said that all countries should recognize Kosovo as a nation after a United Nations court issued an opinion that Kosovo’s 2008 independence declaration was legal.


 * McCain said that “We are pleased that the court agreed with the long-standing view of the United States that Kosovo's declaration of independence is in accordance with international law, and that Kosovo is an independent state and its territory is inviolable.” He called upon "all states to move beyond the issue of Kosovo’s status and engage constructively in support of peace and stability in the Balkans, and we call on those states that have not yet done so to recognize Kosovo.” McCain would also call upon on Serbia and Kosovo to work to resolve their political differences.


 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Kosovo.svg|25px|border|Kosovo]][[Image:Flag of Serbia.svg|25px|border|Serbia]] Moscow, Russia – The reaction of Serbia's ally Russia to the ruling contrasted sharply with that of the United States, a reminder of Cold War tensions and of the risk of a continued impasse in the region, one of the poorest corners of Europe.


 * Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrey Nesterenko said that "It is of principal importance that the court provided its assessment of only the declaration itself, particularly spelling out that it did not consider the question of Kosovo's right unilaterally to secede from Serbia in a broader context. In its conclusions, the court did not rule on the consequences of the adoption of that document either, for example, whether Kosovo is a state, or on the legality of the territory's recognition by a number of countries. Our position on the non-recognition of the independence of Kosovo remains unchanged."


 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.svg|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.svg|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – Amid heightened tensions with North Korea, the United States and South Korea on Sunday began joint military exercises, according to a spokesman for U.S. Forces Korea.


 * The military exercise, dubbed Invincible Spirit, is scheduled to run through Wednesday and demonstrate the alliance's resolve. In addition to the 8,000 personnel involved, military officials say, it will include 20 ships and submarines and about 200 aircraft. The U.S. Defense Department said the drills are in response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and are intended to send a strong message to Pyongyang to stop "provocative and warlike acts."


 * North Korea criticized the exercises, which began at 6:30 a.m. (5:30 p.m. ET). "The U.S. provocations amount to trespassing on the off-limits fixed by the DPRK and it, therefore, feels no need to remain bounded to the off-limits drawn by the U.S.," the state-run Korean Central News Agency quoted a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman as saying. It continued, "It is the mode of the DPRK's counteraction to react to sword brandishing in kind. The DPRK is prepared for both dialogue and war. It will remain unfazed by military threat and sanctions."


 * The carrier USS George Washington and South Korean carrier Dokdo will lead the naval aspects of Invincible Spirit on the eastern coast of South Korea, said U.S. Army Col. Jonathan Withington of USFK.


 * North Korea on Saturday heightened its threats against the military exercises after talks over the sinking of the Cheonan. North Korea "will legitimately counter with [its] powerful nuclear deterrence the largest-ever nuclear war exercises to be staged by the U.S. and the South Korean puppet forces," KCNA reported.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain signed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 and the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 into law.

July 23

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Commercial Banking Stability and Security bill passed the United States Senate by a vote of 68-32 with 21 out of 41 Republicans and 47 out of 58 Democrats and one Independent voting in favor of the bill.


 * In response of the passing of the bill, both U.S. President John McCain and Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) praised the outcome of the vote. Cantwell, who had introduced the legislation, classified it as "sweeping, bold, comprehensive, [and] long overdue".

July 26

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] New York City, New York, USA – 92,201 secret U.S. military files showing detailed records of incidents and intelligence reports about the War in Afghanistan obtained by the whistleblowers' website Wikileaks is leaked on the internet.


 * The incident is one of the biggest leaks in US military history. The files, which were made available to the Guardian, the New York Times and the German weekly Der Spiegel, give a blow-by-blow account of the fighting over the period between January 2004 to December 2009, which has so far cost the lives of more than 320 British and over 1,000 U.S. troops.


 * The documents revealed, according to Wikileaks, how coalition forces had killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents, Taliban attacks have soared and NATO commanders fear neighbouring Pakistan and Iran are fuelling the insurgency. Their publication comes amid mounting concern that U.S. President John McCain's "surge" strategy is failing and as coalition troops hunt for two US navy sailors captured by the Taliban south of Kabul on Friday.


 * The war logs also detail:
 * How a secret "black" unit of special forces, the Task Force 373, hunts down Taliban leaders for "kill or capture" without trial.
 * How the U.S. covered up evidence that the Taliban have acquired deadly surface-to-air missiles.
 * How the coalition is increasingly using deadly Reaper drones to hunt and kill Taliban targets by remote control from a base in Nevada.
 * How the Taliban have caused growing carnage with a massive escalation of its roadside bombing campaign, which has killed more than 2,000 civilians to date.


 * The logs detail, in sometimes harrowing vignettes, the toll on civilians exacted by coalition forces: events termed "blue on white" in military jargon. The logs reveal 144 such incidents. Some of these casualties come from the controversial air strikes that have led to Afghan government protests in the past, but a large number of previously unknown incidents also appear to be the result of troops shooting unarmed drivers or motorcyclists out of a determination to protect themselves from suicide bombers. At least 195 civilians are admitted to have been killed and 174 wounded in total, although this is likely to be an underestimate because many disputed incidents are omitted from the daily snapshots reported by troops on the ground and then collated, sometimes erratically, by military intelligence analysts.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – In a statement, the White House said that "We strongly condemn the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organisations, which puts the lives of the US and partner service members at risk and threatens our national security. Wikileaks made no effort to contact the U.S. government about these documents, which may contain information that endanger the lives of Americans, our partners, and local populations who co-operate with us."


 * The White House also said that the chaotic picture painted by the logs was the result of "under-resourcing" under McCain's predecessor, saying "It is important to note that the time period reflected in the documents is January 2004 to December 2009."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – The White House also stated that President McCain had delayed his summer holiday with his family to personally handle the situation of the leak. At noon, McCain summoned a press conference in the Rose Garden, in which he condemned the leak, calling it "a serious breach of national security.”


 * McCain said that "the source of this harmful leak within the U.S. government should face the full penalties of the law.” McCain also slammed WikiLeaks, the website that obtained the documents from the original source and distributed them to a handful of news organizations. “This biased organization seeks to undermine the achievement of a vital national security interest that more than one thousand Americans have already given their lives to safeguard,” McCain said. “This is the height of irresponsibility, and all involved should be ashamed of themselves.”


 * He dismissed the content of the documents as “old news.” “The emerging picture from this leak adds up to little more than what we knew already — that the war in Afghanistan was deteriorating over the past several years, and that we were not winning,” McCain lamented. “This is why a concerted effort has been made since 2009, both by my Administration and in the Congress, to make changes to our strategy, to increase our commitment of troops and resources, and to bring new and better leadership to the mission.”

July 27

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Congress on Tuesday gave President John McCain long-delayed funding for his troop increase in Afghanistan despite opposition from many Democrats, while McCain played down the gravity of leaked war documents.


 * In Kabul, the Afghan government accused the United States of ignoring Pakistan's role in the Taliban insurgency as the fallout continued from Sunday's unauthorized release of 92,201 classified U.S. military reports on the war.


 * Congress, controlled by the Democratic Party, took six months to give McCain the funding he sought to pay for the 45,000 additional U.S. troops he is sending to Afghanistan to try to break a resurgent Taliban in the nine-year-old war. The House of Representatives gave final approval to $51 billion in funding for the war effort by a vote of 308 to 114 but more Republicans than Democrats voted for it. In all, 102 House Democrats voted "no." The Senate previously passed the bill, which now goes to McCain to sign into law.


 * Democrats are deeply divided over the war. President McCain and The Pentagon had pushed hard for the money, the latter saying it would have had to cut back civilian salaries if the money was not approved by August. Supporters of the measure argued it was wrong to delay funding for troops already sent to war.


 * The measure provides $43 billion mostly for the U.S. military in Afghanistan but with some covering expenses in Iraq. There is also nearly $8 billion for a related civilian surge of economic aid to Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan. The $51 billion is in addition to about $130 billion Congress already approved for Afghanistan and Iraq for this year. Congress has appropriated more than $1 trillion for the two wars since 2001.


 * Some analysts said the revelations could be damaging as the White House seeks to shore up sagging public support for the war. Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, will testify on Wednesday before a House panel and could face sharp questions from its chair Nita Lowey, who said in June said she would cut billions of dollars in aid for Afghanistan because of reports of corruption.


 * The Afghan government, which is seeking more control over foreign aid, said Washington has pursued a contradictory policy in the war by ignoring Pakistan's links to the insurgency. But experts said Pakistan's relationship with the United States is unlikely to be changed by the disclosure. In its first reaction to the leak, Afghanistan's National Security Council said the United States had failed to attack the patrons and supporters of the Taliban hiding in Pakistan throughout the war.


 * "With regret ... our allies did not show necessary attention about the external support for the international terrorists ... for the regional stability and global security," the council said in a statement. Afghanistan has long blamed Pakistan for meddling in its affairs, accusing its neighbor of plotting attacks to destabilize it. Pakistan, whose military and spy agency have had long-standing ties to the Taliban, denies involvement in the insurgency and says it is a victim of militancy itself.


 * In Afghanistan, the remains of one of two U.S. sailors who disappeared last week were found in the east of the country and the search continued for the second man, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said. On Sunday, the Taliban said they were holding one of the two sailors who had strayed into territory controlled by the insurgents south of Kabul and that the other had been killed.


 * The Afghan government and NATO officials disputed each others' accounts of reports that more than 50 civilians were killed in a NATO rocket attack on Friday when they were caught up in fighting in Helmand province. Government spokesman Siamak Herawi said 52 people died, many of them women and children. The NATO-led force said a preliminary investigation had not yet revealed any civilian casualties.

July 28

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Washington, D.C., USA – Reveling over a new milestone in his presidency, U.S. President John McCain triumphantly signed the Commercial Banking Stability and Security Act into law, the most sweeping overhaul of lending and high-finance rules since the Great Depression, adding safeguards modeled after the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act that protect bank deposits from being used in Wall Street’s risky speculation.


 * President McCain praised the bill as he was signing it, stating that "This law will prevent that we have to stick the American taxpayer with another tab to bail out the financial industry. If big Wall Street institutions want to take part in risky transactions, they are free to do so. But we should not allow them to do so with federally insured deposits. And this bipartisan law, created in cooperation between Republicans and Democrats, will put a stop to the taxpayer financed excesses of Wall Street."


 * Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who had introduced the legislation in the Senate, said that "We can now finally go back to separating commercial banking from Wall Street investment banking. U.S. taxpayer-backed money will now be used to lend capital from our community banks and small businesses that depend on loans to expand and create jobs and not be spent on speculation in dark markets."

July 29

 * [[Image:Flag of Italy.svg|25px|border|Italy]] Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has rebuffed a peace offering from a party rival, potentially bringing forward a final showdown in his strife-torn center-right government.


 * Berlusconi has been locked for months in open conflict with Gianfranco Fini, the lower house speaker and co-founder of his People of Freedom party, prompting growing speculation that his government could fall well before its term ends in 2013. The prime minister is due to host a meeting of senior party leaders on Thursday evening at which a motion to censure Fini is expected to be presented, according to a party source.


 * In an interview with the Il Foglio newspaper on Thursday, Fini said he was prepared to come to an agreement with Berlusconi to end their increasingly acrimonious rivalry. "Let's reset everything, without resentment," he said. "Berlusconi and I don't have a duty to be friends or even to appear to be friends but we should honor a political and electoral commitment with the Italian people."


 * However Italian newspapers reported that Berlusconi had met senior party allies late on Wednesday and had decided that the offer from Fini, who is estimated to command some 50 votes in parliament, had come too late. "Berlusconi ready to expel Fini," headlined the daily La Repubblica.


 * A break between the warring People of Freedom camps could lead to early elections but would not necessarily do so if Berlusconi could secure support in parliament from smaller centrist parties. President Giorgio Napolitano could also appoint an interim government that would run business until new elections, like the administration headed by former Finance Minister Lamberto Dini in 1995.


 * The hostility between the two leaders has overshadowed Italian politics for months, complicating moves to pass a 25 billion-euro austerity budget aimed at shoring up the country's tottering public finances. The bill, which cuts spending and freezes spending for many public sector workers, cleared its final parliamentary hurdle on Thursday, removing one of the main obstacles that had been restraining Berlusconi from an open break.


 * Asked whether the next step following passage of the bill would be to shore up the stability of the coalition, Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa, one of Berlusconi's most faithful lieutenants said: "That will happen right now, not later on." In a speech to ambassadors on Wednesday, Berlusconi said the governing coalition between the People of Freedom and the smaller Northern League was strong enough to survive even without Fini. "There is absolutely no possibility of a change in the coalition or government," he said.


 * As well as its internal splits, Berlusconi's government has been engulfed by a wave of scandals that have cost two ministers and a junior minister their jobs and ensnared some of his close associates in a judicial investigation into influence-peddling. Fini has enraged the prime minister by hammering away at the theme of morality and legality in government and insisting that officials implicated in judicial investigations should resign. He has also helped force Berlusconi to water down a bill that would limit the use of wiretaps by magistrates and would have strongly restricted press reporting of wiretap transcripts, a move critics say would hamper the fight against corruption.


 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]] Central and western Russia – The 2010 Russian wildfires would start by peat fires in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, the Voronezh Oblast, and across central and western Russia due to unseasonably hot weather.


 * The wildfires would start due to record temperatures (hottest summer in Russian history) and drought in the region. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared a state of emergency in seven regions for the fires, while 28 other regions were under a state of emergency due to crop failures caused by the Russian drought.


 * Villages, farmland, woodlands were burned, and at least 2,000 were destroyed. By August 11, at least 53 and possibly even 8,000 had died. Deaths in Moscow were averaging 700 people a day, about twice the average number, amid a sweltering heat wave and poisonous smog from wildfires, according to Andrei Seltsovky, a Russian health official. He blamed weeks of unprecedented heat and suffocating smog for the rise in mortality compared to the same time last year, adding that city morgues were nearly overflowing, with 1,300 bodies, close to their capacity. The heat wave is likely unprecedented in Russia in 1,000 years, and may have killed over 15,000 people so far.


 * Fires have affected areas that have been contaminated by the Chernobyl incident, specifically the surroundings of Bryansk and border regions with Belarus and the Ukraine. By this, soil and plant particles contaminated by radioactive material could be released into the air and spread over wider areas. The Russian government indicates that there has been no discernible increase in radiation levels, while Greenpeace accuses the government of denial.

July 30

 * [[Image:Flag of Italy.svg|25px|border|Italy]] Rome, Italy – The influential speaker of Italy's lower house refused to step down on Friday after being censured by his own party, and said his supporters could vote against the government of former ally Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. "Obviously I have no intention of resigning," Gianfranco Fini told a news conference a day after Berlusconi effectively booted him out of the party they founded jointly two years ago, raising the specter of early elections.


 * A combative Fini attacked Berlusconi for "having not exactly a liberal concept of democracy" and for trying to run a government like an autocratic CEO, "which has nothing to do with our democratic institutions." Standing behind the 58-year-old Fini were parliamentarians who will join him in his party rebellion, calling the faction Freedom and Future for Italy.


 * A parliamentary official later said they had 33 members in the lower house plus Fini, enabling them to deprive Berlusconi of a majority there. They have 10 supporters in the Senate, which could cut Berlusconi's majority there to just two votes. Berlusconi, who accused Fini of being a traitor and conspirator and trying to inflict a "slow death" to their party, met party leaders late on Friday to decide his next move. Fini said his fellow rebels would "loyally support the government every time it acts within the framework of the electoral program, but will not hesitate to fight proposals that are unfair or damaging to the wider interest." He did not mention the risk of early elections, which commentators said were now a real possibility.


 * After months of tension and even open hostility between the estranged conservatives, Berlusconi's party issued a tough document censuring Fini, saying his actions and comments no longer reflected the ideals of the party he helped found. The coalition, made up of the People of Freedom (PDL) and the Northern League, needs a majority of 316 in the lower house. Before the split, it could count on up to 344 votes, including 14 from smaller parties who decide votes on an ad hoc basis. But the new numbers could deprive Berlusconi of this comfortable cushion of nearly 30 votes, leaving him prey to whims of tiny parties or even demands from the Northern League, which caused the collapse of his first government in 1994.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg|25px|border|Czech Republic]] Prague, Czech Republic – The U.S. has for the first time officially confirmed that Czechs will be a part of the missile defence project in Europe, adding that the Pentagon has asked Congress for finance to establish a centre of early warning on Czech soil.


 * "The U.S. has proposed that a facility with sensors providing the system of early warning be installed in the Czech Republic," Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas (Civic Democrats, ODS) said. He said he supposes the financing of the plan´s pilot phase to be up to the United States, the rest would be the question of further negotiations.


 * "I consider this the first, small, symbolic step," said Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra (ODS), who used to advocate the plan of a missile defence radar base on Czech soil that was originally planned by the previous U.S. administration which the McCain Administration has decided to continue.


 * The 2.2 million dollars that the Congress may earmark later this year, is the first concrete commitment by the Obama administration. So far it has only generally asserted that the Czechs are being reckoned with, HN writes. According to sources from the Czech Foreign Ministry, the new facility should consist of two offices with computer and other equipment that would gather data on enemy missiles.


 * The staff, comprising Czech soldiers, would analyse the targets the missiles would aim at and also the area where the debris would fall if a missile were shot down by an allied counter-missile.


 * In its report to Congress, the Pentagon writes that the early warning system is a high priority for the departments of state and defense as well as the whole U.S. administration. Within European missile defence, the early warning system is the most important project in the Czech Republic, the Pentagon writes.


 * It says the McCain administration waited with the request for the finance until after the Czech May 28-29 general election. As a result, it missed the opportunity to have the sum approved by the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, it still can push the proposal through via the Senate, the paper writes. According to diplomatic sources, the new facility could be established on the basis of the existing Czech-U.S. treaties. No new treaty would be needed for Czech parliament to approve.

July 31

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Arizona.svg|25px|border|Arizona]] Phoenix, Arizona, USA – U.S. President John McCain, his wife Cindy, would travel to their private residence in Phoenix, Arizona for a week of vacation. The McCains would be joined by their daughters Meghan and Bridget, as well as his mother Roberta. The vacation was by the White House specified as a personal family vacation and there are no public appearances scheduled.


 * As McCain's two youngest sons, Lance Cpl. Jimmy McCain (21) who joined the infantry in December 2006 and returned from his first tour in Iraq in 2008; and John Sidney “Jack” McCain IV (23), who graduated from the U .S. Naval Academy in 2009 and might join the Corps as a second lieutenant, were not joining the McCains in Arizona, prompting the media to speculate they were serving military service overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Palestine.svg|25px|border|Palestine]] Washington, D.C., USA – The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that it is in possession of details of a secret memo from U.S. President John McCain to the leader of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas threatening to drop support for a Palestinian state if the latter does not agree to direct peace talks with Israel.


 * The memo was delivered to Abbas by U.S. Middle East envoy Richard Jones. The AP acquired a copy of a Palestinian document referring to the American memo.


 * It revealed that the McCain Administration is aware that Abbas is under heavy pressure from the Arab world to not conduct direct negotiations with Israel, and that doing so would end his political career. Nevertheless, the memo warned Abbas "to accept direct talks now if he wants President Obama’s help in facilitating statehood."


 * McCain and Jones both conveyed to Abbas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn't going anywhere, and enjoys strong political support in Israel. Therefore, waiting for a more malleable Israeli prime minister will set back Obama's Middle East peace agenda too far.


 * The Palestinian document noted that Abbas and his aides are in favor of rejecting the American ultimatum. They are likely confident that McCain will not follow through on his threats and risk forfeiting the diplomatic achievement of overseeing a Middle East peace agreement. Traditionally, American presidents have eventually caved in the face of Palestinian intransigence and instead refocused their pressure on Israel.


 * [[Image:Flag of Mexico.svg|25px|border|Mexico]] Guadalajara, Mexico – Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel Villareal, a principal leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was killed during a military raid in a suburb of Guadalajara, Mexico's defense department said.


 * Military intelligence located Coronel in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Brig. Gen. Edgar Luis Villegas told reporters. During the operation Thursday, Coronel tried to avoid arrest, firing on the military personnel, killing one and wounding another before he himself was killed, Villegas said.


 * The operation resulted in the arrest of Coronel's right-hand man, Iran Francisco Quinonez Gastelum. Coronel had used two houses located in the Guadalajara neighborhood of Colinas de San Javier as "safe houses" and had not associated with anyone but Quinonez "to maintain his low profile and not draw attention," Villegas said.


 * Coronel, who was from the state of Durango, had gotten his start in criminal activity working for Amado Carrillo Fuentes, who was responsible for sending drugs from Central and South America to the U.S. market, Villegas said.

August 1

 * [[Image:Flag of the Netherlands.svg|25px|border|Netherlands]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of NATO.svg|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan – The Dutch troops ended Sunday it' s four years mission in Afghanistan and handed over the responsibility in the Afghan province of Uruzgan to the U.S. and Australia, making the Netherlands the first NATO member to leave Afghanistan.


 * According to the Dutch Defense Ministry, the Dutch troops had 24 casualties and 140 injuries during the last four years. "But we have brought the people of Uruzgan major improvements. It hurts because it marks the end of the Dutch leading role in Afghanistan, I want to say goodbye to the people here we have intensive cooperated with and whom we have shared the friendship we built together," the Commander of the Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) Kees van den Heuvel said.


 * "The international community and NATO to help Afghanistan stand on its own legs, so the country can defend itself against extremists who want to use the country as a breeding ground for global terrorism," The Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement released Sunday. "Netherlands has taken responsibility, and their shoulders to put security and reconstruction in Afghanistan."


 * The Dutch government of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkende collapsed February over disagreements on extending the country's military mission in Afghanistan.


 * [[Image:Flag of NATO.svg|25px|border|NATO]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Afghanistan – The spokesman of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Sunday that the alliance wasn't concerned about the withdrawal of Dutch forces from Afghanistan after conclusion of a four-year mission.


 * "This is just a kind of routine process and I don't see any concern on ISAF or Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) side," Brigadier-General Josef Blotz told a joint press briefing with NATO's Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Dominic Medley in Kabul.


 * The Dutch government decided in 2009 to begin pulling out troops from Afghanistan on August 1 this year.


 * He made the comments after Dutch military chief Gen. Peter van Uhm said on Thursday in Hague that his troops would leave Afghanistan as scheduled. "The (Dutch) mission will continue by U.S., Australian and Afghan forces," NATO's civilian representative Medley told the press briefing. NATO and ISAF remained committed to ensure Afghans are capable and ready to take security responsibility for their own country, he added.


 * Most of the 1,950-strong Dutch troops have been deployed in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan under NATO-led ISAF to help stabilize the war-torn country. Canada has also decided to end its military mission in Afghanistan next year while U.S. forces will begin pullout in July 2011.

August 2

 * [[Image:Flag of Pakistan.svg|25px|border|Pakistan]] Islamabad, Pakistan – More than 1600 people have been killed by monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and at least another 47 have died in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, officials say. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan was worst affected. At least 1,600 people were killed, thousands were rendered homeless, and more than fourteen million people were affected. Estimates from rescue-service-officials suggest the death-toll may reach 3,000 victims. According to a recent estimate of United Nations, the number of people suffering from these massive floods in Pakistan exceeds 13.8 million, which is more than the combined total of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The disaster will also do major harm to struggling Pakistani economy due to extensive damage to infrastructure and crops.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]][[Image:Flag of Pakistan.svg|25px|border|Pakistan]] Pakistan – The United States is rushing helicopters, boats, bridges, water units and other supplies to flood-hit Pakistan as part of an initial $US10 million ($A11.1 million) aid pledge, the government says.


 * "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones or have been displaced from their homes - and we are taking action to help," Secretary of State Joe Lieberman said. "Our embassy in Islamabad is coordinating closely with Pakistani authorities to support rescue and relief efforts. And we will work closely with the government of Pakistan to ensure aid reaches those people who need it most. I have seen first-hand the strength and resilience of the Pakistani people and I know they will come through this tragedy with determination and compassion. The Pakistani people are friends and partners, and the United States is standing with them as the tragic human toll mounts from flooding in northwest Pakistan." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement on Sunday.

August 4

 * [[Image:Flag of Kenya.svg|25px|border|Kenya]] Nairobi, Kenya – The constitutional referendum on whether to adopt a proposed new constitution, and considered a vital step to avoid a repetition of the violent outbursts after the 2007 presidential election, resulted in a victory for the "Yes" campaign, with official figures released by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) showing 66.9% in favour, with the results counted in all 210 constituencies. The "No" campaign's main spokesman, Higher Education Minister William Ruto, has conceded defeat. The new constitution will come into force within 14 days of the results being published and will then be ushered in through a series of Acts of Parliament.


 * "I do declare that the proposed constitution is hereby ratified," said Ahmed Isaack Hassan, chairman of the electoral commission.


 * President Mwai Kibaki proclaimed Thursday a "happy end" as an overwhelming majority of Kenyans voted to adopt a new constitution that is sure to bring big change to the East African country. "The historic journey that we began over 20 years ago is now coming to a happy end," Kibaki said while addressing the nation. But he tempered national euphoria by reminding Kenyans that implementing a new constitution will be a difficult task. "The journey ahead of national renewal will not be easy," he said. "There will be challenges along the way. But it is important that we look forward with renewed optimism to better days ahead."


 * The country's new constitution would remove power from the presidency and create a more decentralized political system. The constitution would also bring in a bill of rights, allow dual citizenship for Kenyans -- sure to be popular with Kenya's large and loyal diaspora community -- and allow for land reform.


 * Most senior figures in the coalition government were supporters of the "Yes" campaign, including President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and both deputy Prime Ministers, Musalia Mudavadi and Uhuru Kenyatta.


 * The vote took place amid tight security to avoid a repeat of the previous elections' aftermath. There were particular worries in the Rift Valley Province, where tensions between Kalenjin and Kikuyu populations had caused the worst of the 2007 violence. The vote eventually passed off peacefully, with no reports of violence.


 * The result was a victory for the "Yes" campaign, with 66.9% in favour, versus 30.7% for "No" on a turnout of 72.2%. Most areas of the country voted in favour of the Constitution, with the notable exception of the Rift Valley Province, where the majority of voters followed the advice of local leaders William Ruto and Daniel arap Moi in voting against. The only area that failed to vote overwhelmingly as predicted was the Ukambani area of the lower Eastern Province, where the "Yes" camp recorded only a very narrow victory despite support from local leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Charity Ngilu.


 * Leading opponents of Kenya's proposed constitution conceded defeat earlier Thursday. The opponents were Minister for Higher Education, William Ruto and Minister for Information, Samuel Poghisio, who led the "No" campaign along with former president Daniel arap Moi. These politicians felt the new law would not be good for Kenyans, arguing that the President would still retain excessive powers and that the provisions on land ownership were anti-capitalist.


 * Higher Education Minister William Ruto, a leader of the "No" team, said despite his camp's loss, every Kenyan " is a winner" in the outcome. "It is necessary to create a win-win for the country," Ruto said flanked by senior members of the "No" camp. Despite the win by the "Yes" team, Ruto said, the government should address the complaints of those who rejected the referendum. "It is not only necessary, it is mandatory," he said.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Kenya.svg|25px|border|Kenya]] Phoenix, Arizona – At his private residence in Phoenix, Arizona while enjoying his summer vacation with his family, U.S. President John McCain praised the outcome of the referendum, calling the vote a "step forward" for Kenya and its people. He said the electoral process was "credible" and "transparent," and that the results show Kenyans' desire for a stable and prosperous future in a democratic country.


 * He also applauded the fact that the election came and went without the kind of violence that marred the 2007 presidential vote. McCain called the process a "testament" to Kenya's people.


 * [[Image:Flag of Italy.svg|25px|border|North Korea]] Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has survived a key no-confidence vote - his first big test since a group of MPs left his ruling centre-right coalition.


 * The rebel group, led by lower house speaker Gianfranco Fini, abstained from the vote instead of voting against him. That decision kept Berlusconi's government in power.


 * Opposition MPs had presented the no-confidence motion against junior justice minister Giacomo Caliendo, who is accused of influence-peddling. Berlusconi won the vote with 299 votes to the opposition's 229, 75 MPs abstained, news agency Agence France Presse reported. But the abstentions by the MPs loyal to Fini show Berlusconi's position has been weakened, correspondents say.


 * [[Image:Flag of South Korea.svg|25px|border|South Korea]][[Image:Flag of North Korea.svg|25px|border|North Korea]] Seoul, South Korea – South Korea will stage military drills from Thursday near a tense maritime border with communist North Korea, the site of the sinking of one of the South's warships in March.


 * Pyongyang threatened "physical retaliation" if the exercise went head, but analysts said the response echoed similar bellicose remarks by the reclusive state in recent months, and that the chances of a military escalation were slim.


 * Seungjoo Baek, of the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses think-tank, rejected the North's threats of retaliation as rhetoric, but cautioned that Pyongyang could respond in the future by test firing a missile. "If North Korea takes military action against South Korea, South Korea will strongly retaliate against North Korea's military," he said, adding the South would easily defeat the North in the event of any war.


 * Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu repeated a call for all sides to "work hard at devoting themselves to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula." Tensions heightened on the peninsula in March following the torpedoing of the Cheonan corvette, which killed 46 sailors. The South, with the backing of Washington, blamed the North for the sinking, but Pyongyang denied any involvement.


 * Unlike its joint military exercises with the United States off the east coast last month, the South's drills will take place off the west coast in the vicinity the Cheonan sinking. South Korea said its five-day exercise would involve land, air and naval forces, including 20 submarines and antisubmarine aircraft. Firing drills will also take place on five islands near the Northern Limit Line, a site of several deadly clashes since the 1950-53 Korean War. "These exercises will serve as an opportunity to complete our combat readiness, so that we can prevent enemy provocation," the South's military said in a statement on Wednesday.


 * North Korea's state news agency KCNA said the army had adopted a "decisive resolution to counter the reckless naval firing projected by the group of traitors with strong physical retaliation."

August 5

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – The U.S. Senate confirmed Merrick B. Garland to serve on the Supreme Court yesterday, a position from which he could influence the nation’s laws and policies for decades.


 * A moderate, he has been a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 1997. He would fill out the vacancy from the impending retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens at the end of the Supreme Court's 2009 / 2010 term


 * The 82-to-18 vote to confirm Garland fell with bipartisan support. Fourteen Democrats and four Republicans opposed Garland's nominations. President McCain in May nominated Garland, 57, to replace Justice John Paul Stevens, known as the leader of the court’s liberal bloc. McCain said the vote "wasn’t just an affirmation of Garland’s intellect and accomplishments. It was also an affirmation of his character and moderate stances."


 * Garland is to be sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. during a private ceremony at the Supreme Court at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Garland joins the court at a time of deep partisan divisions in government and deep philosophical divisions on the court, where 5-4 decisions in major cases have become commonplace. Both Democrats and Republicans see Garland as a bridge over the court’s ideological divide.


 * As an associate justice, Garland will soon face a number of issues that will test her views on the broad legal themes of federal power and state rights, said constitutional lawyer Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School. Those issues, Turley said, are already working through lower courts. They include a possible final appeal in a challenge to a California ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage, among other things.

August 6

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States of America]] Washington, D.C., USA – Online whistle-blower WikiLeaks has posted a huge encrypted file named "Insurance" to its website, sparking speculation that those behind the organisation may be prepared to release more classified information if authorities interfere with them.


 * At 1.4 gigabytes, the file is 20 times larger than the batch of 77,000 secret US military documents about Afghanistan that WikiLeaks dumped onto the Web last month, and cryptographers say that the file is virtually impossible to crack - unless WikiLeaks releases the key used to encode the material. "There's no way that anyone has any chance of figuring out what's in there," Paul Kocher, president of US-based Cryptography Research, said today.


 * That hasn't stopped bloggers and journalists from speculating. Some say the files could be the 15,000 or so intelligence reports which WikiLeaks says it's held back for vetting. Others, pointing to its enormous size, say it could be a compilation of the 260,000 classified diplomatic cables allegedly accessed by Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning.


 * State Department spokesman Philip Crowley acknowledged that the government suspects that WikiLeaks is sitting on at least some of its message traffic. The organisation itself is keeping mum, at least in public. "We do not discuss security procedures," WikiLeaks said in an e-mail response to questions about the file.


 * Editor-in-chief Julian Assange was a bit more expansive - if equally cryptic - in his response to the same line of questioning in a television interview with independent U.S. news network Democracy Now! earlier this week.


 * "I think it's better that we don't comment on that," Assange said, according to the network's transcript of the interview. "But, you know, one could imagine in a similar situation that it might be worth ensuring that important parts of history do not disappear."


 * Cryptographers say that the file was likely made using a 256-bit encryption standard known as AES256, which the U.S. government and others employ to mask some of their most sensitive data. "It is widely viewed as extremely strong," said cryptography pioneer Whitfield Diffie, of Britain's Royal Holloway College. He said there were no known instances of anyone being able to beat the standard.


 * Kocher, of Cryptography Research, agreed, saying that the only conceivable way anyone outside of WikiLeaks could decode "Insurance" was if Assange and his colleagues had used a blatantly obvious password or experienced some kind of "catastrophic algorithm error." "We're not going to find out what's in that file unless somebody reveals the key," Kocher said.


 * It's not clear when - if ever - that might happen. WikiLeaks has so far refused to discuss the file, its contents, or when they might be released. And while the group has boasted about sitting on a huge wealth of leaked data from all over the world, Assange has declined to answer questions about whether WikiLeaks has the State Department cables, and, if it does, whether and when it plans to publish them.


 * Manning, currently jailed on suspicion of leaking classified material to WikiLeaks in a previous case, has been quoted as saying that the cables would expose "almost criminal political back dealings" and that Secretary of State Joe Lieberman would "have a heart attack" when the files went public.


 * Both Diffie and Kocher said that the size of the file indicated that there was a huge amount of data being encrypted, although what the original file actually contains is anyone's guess. "The question is," Kocher said, "is it a bluff or is it something more substantial?" 

August 8

 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Abkhazia.svg|25px|border|Abkhazia]] Sukhumi, Abkhazia – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a surprise visit to Abkhazia Sunday, his first trip to the breakaway Georgian region since Moscow's war with Tbilisi two years ago.


 * Visiting on the second anniversary of the conflict, Medvedev assured Abkhazia's rebel leader Sergei Bagapsh of Russian support for his statelet and said he had no regrets about recognising Abkhaz independence. In the wake of the August 2008 war, Moscow recognised Abkhazia and fellow rebel region South Ossetia as independent states -- a move so far followed by only a handful of countries and condemned by the West.


 * "It was not a simple decision," Medvedev said. "But time has shown that it was the right decision. The existence of the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was under threat. If that decision had not been taken, the situation now would be completely different," he added.


 * Later in the day a buoyant Medvedev visited a Russian military base in the nearby town of Gudauta, where he thanked Russian troops for their service, adding the construction of new barracks for them was nearly finished. "The most important thing is that you and your predecessors simply defended peaceful life and helped ordinary people," Medvedev said in comments released by the Kremlin.


 * Medvedev also visited the local concert hall in Sukhumi, a school rebuilt with Russian funds and chatted to Russian tourists on the Black Sea embankment of Abkhazia's main city Sukhumi. "I regret nothing. If we had not recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia we would not be drinking coffee here. More likely, there would have been a prolonged, bloody conflict. We prevented a bloodbath," he said.


 * "We will develop good relations with Abkhazia, we will develop economic relations and we will develop relations in the sphere of security," Medvedev added. Medvedev said there was every chance that Abkhazia could flourish, adding: "Now it is very important to continue relations in the economic and social spheres." Bagapsh thanked Medvedev on behalf of his people "for finding time in your complicated schedule" to visit the rebel region.


 * Abkhaz separatists waged a civil war with Georgia in the 1990s after the break-up of the Soviet Union that killed several thousand people and left 250,000, mostly ethnic Georgians, as refugees. Since Moscow's declaration of its independence, Abkhazia has been boosted by significant Russian aid and visits by large numbers of Russian tourists. But its economy remains stricken by the lack of international recognition. In an embarrassment for Moscow, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny Pacific island state of Nauru have followed its move to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.


 * After the brief war, Russian forces withdrew into South Ossetia and Abkhazia and the ceasefire has held up without any major clashes despite continued tensions. Residents of South Ossetia also commemorated the war, lighting candles and listening to a requiem mass overnight in the main square of its capital Tskhinvali.


 * [[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Abkhazia.svg|25px|border|Abkhazia]] Tbilisi, Georgia – Georgia, which along with most of the international community insists the region is an integral part of its territory, reacted with exasperation, saying Medvedev would be better off dealing with Russia's wildfire crisis at home.


 * "I think it would be better if the Russian president were focused on domestic problems. I think maybe he is trying to distract attention," Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili told AFP. "They are still playing a game that they have lost. These territories are now recognised as occupied territories and these kinds of trips will not change that or add anything positive to the region."

August 9

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Washington, D.C., USA – White House Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan will in a White House press conference state that President John McCain would announce major changes to the U.S. military engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan at the end of the week, including the status of the planned withdrawal of the U.S. transitional force 50,000 troops in 2013. This would be confirmed by a Pentagon spokesperson later in the day.


 * [[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|25px|border|Germany]] Hamburg, Germany – The city of Hamburg, Germany, has shut down a mosque frequented by the suicide hijackers from the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, along with an adjacent cultural center, and banned the cultural organization behind it, officials said.


 * The Taiba organization's committee was notified of the ban early Monday, according to a statement from the Interior Senate of Hamburg. "At the same time, the group's premises and the homes of its leading members were searched and the organization's funds seized," the statement said.


 * In 2001, the Masjid Taiba mosque, formerly known as the Al-Quds mosque, became known as the meeting place of those behind the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. "Recent events have again shown that instructional courses, sermons and seminars held by the organization and texts published on its website are not only aimed against constitutional regularity, but also seek to radicalize their listeners and readers," the town statement said.


 * In 2009, the statement said, a group of individuals left Germany "to support the armed conflict on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border after having previously attended Taiba events on a regular basis." One of them later appeared in a German-language video soliciting support for the so-called "Holy War," officials said. "Hamburg must not serve as the incubator for Islamists willing to employ violence," said Christoph Ahlhaus, head of Hamburg's interior ministry, in the statement. "We have closed the Taiba Mosque today as it was here that young men have been converted into religious fanatics. Behind the scenes, an alleged cultural organization has shamelessly exploited the freedoms of our constitutional democracy to promote the cause of the 'Holy War.' We have today banned this association of radical extremists and in so doing, put an end to the anti-constitutional activities in the mosque," Ahlhaus said.


 * Over the years, the organization has promoted a "jihadist, aggressive and anti-democratic ideology and notion of religion, and continued to do so," Ahlhaus said in the statement. "We do not tolerate organizations that act aggressively and militantly against constitutional regularity and the concept of international understanding."


 * He noted that the closure was not aimed "against the majority of peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims in Hamburg."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Alaska.svg|25px|border|Alaska]] Near Aleknagik, Alaska, USA – A de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter owned by Alaska telecommunications company GCI crashed 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Aleknagik, Alaska. The Alaska Air National Guard reached the crash site by helicopter 10 hours later and said that rain and fog in the area hampered rescue and recovery efforts. A spokesperson for the Alaska National Guard said that rescuers were giving medical aid to survivors of the crash, but did not comment further. The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team of investigators, something not normally done for accidents involving private or corporate aircraft.


 * The plane was carrying nine people. It is reported that five of the passengers died and two more were badly injured, with the last two suffering only minor injuries. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules, and at the time of the accident not monitored by radar, since there is no such coverage in the area, under 4000 feet.


 * Among the five fatalities was former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK). Among the survivors were former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and his teenage son, who both sustained non-life threatening injuries.


 * Three survivors were being airlifted to an Anchorage hospital, said a spokesperson for the Alaska National Guard. The plane had left a GCI‑owned Fishing Lodge on Lake Nerka, and was en route to Dillingham, Alaska according to the FAA.


 * Five people, including a doctor, were reportedly already at the crash site helping the passengers out of the wreckage when rescue teams arrived, though it is unknown how these people got to the site.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Alaska.svg|25px|border|Alaska]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain led the tributes to Stevens, a decorated World War Two pilot who had already cheated death in a 1978 plane crash in Anchorage which claimed the life of his first wife, Ann.


 * "Senator Ted Stevens devoted his career to serving the people of Alaska and fighting for our men and women in uniform," McCain said in a statement. "Cindy and I extend our condolences to the entire Stevens family and to the families of those who perished alongside Senator Stevens in this terrible accident."

August 11

 * [[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Abkhazia.svg|25px|border|Abkhazia]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]] Sukhumi, Abkhazia – Russia has deployed the S-300 surface-to-air missile system in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, the Russian Air Force Commander Gen. Alexander Zelin said, in a move that risks stoking tensions with Tbilisi.


 * "We have deployed the S-300 system on the territory of Abkhazia," Gen. Alexander Zelin said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. "Its role will be anti-aircraft defence of the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in cooperation with the air defence systems of the army," he said.


 * Georgia insists that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are an integral part of its territory but Russia in 2008 recognised the two regions as independent after its war with Tbilisi. "The task of these air defence systems is not only to cover the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia but to avert violations of state borders in the air," he added. They were also aimed at the "destruction of any flying object penetrating into the covered territories, whatever aim they were flying with," he added.


 * The S-300 is one of Russia's most prized missile assets and has been the subject of a long-running controversy over the fulfillment of a contract to deliver the weapons to Iran.


 * Russia signed a contract to sell the systems to Iran several years ago, but has failed to deliver the weapons amid pressure from the West which fears they would be used against any aerial attack on the Islamic republic.


 * [[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Abkhazia.svg|25px|border|Abkhazia]] Tbilisi, Georgia – Tbilisi rapidly warned that Russia's deployment was of concern not only to Georgia but should also worry NATO. Georgia's ambition to join NATO has long flustered Russia.


 * "This should be of concern not only for Georgia but also for other regional actors, including NATO," Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili told AFP.


 * Russia at the weekend marked the second anniversary of the outbreak of the war with Georgia, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev making a surprise visit to Abkhazia Sunday, his first trip since the conflict. In an embarrassment for Moscow, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny Pacific island state of Nauru have followed its move to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.


 * Russia and Georgia fought a five-day conflict in 2008 that began when Georgia launched a campaign against South Ossetia. The following day, Russian tanks, troops, and armored vehicles poured into both South Ossetia and Abkhazia and soon advanced into Georgian cities outside the rebel regions. The war prompted the worst post-Cold War crisis between Russia and the West.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.svg|25px|border|Iraq]][[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Baghdad, Iraq – The Iraqi army is not ready to take over responsibility from the Americans, the Chief of the Iraqi Army, Lieutenant General Babakir Zebari, warned.


 * Lieutenant General Babakir Zebari told a defence conference in Baghdad that the Iraqi army would be unable to cope without backing from U.S. forces. He suggested the Iraqi army would be incapable of assuming control for another decade.


 * "If I were asked about the withdrawal, I would say to politicians: the U.S. army must stay until the Iraqi army is fully ready in 2020," he said. This is not the first time Zebari has said Iraq needs the Americans to stay longer. Zebari said the reduction in U.S. troop numbers was going well but only because "they are still here". He predicted trouble next year when all the remaining U.S. troops are due to leave. "The problem will start after 2012 – the politicians must find other ways to fill the void after 2012," he said.


 * Violence in Iraq has fallen since the peak of sectarian warfare in 2006-2007, but in July the number of violent civilian deaths from daily bombings, shootings and other attacks rose sharply. U.S. officials expect violence to worsen as insurgents exploit the failure of political factions to agree on a new government after an inconclusive parliamentary election in March. This week U.S.-backed militia leaders have said al-Qaida is attempting to make a comeback in Iraq. "There continues to be terrorists in Iraq. There continues to be acts of violence," the deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, said. But they had not affected the positive trends in Iraq and the overall level of violence had gone down, he added.


 * The president received an update from the vice-president, Tim Pawlenty, and Christopher Hill, the US ambassador to Iraq, on Iraq's troubled efforts to form a new government.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]] Tbilisi, Georgia – U.S. President John McCain would in a phone conversation with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili state his full support of the Georgian government and their sovereignty and territorial integrity. McCain also condemned the Russian deployment of S-300 surface-to-air missile system in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, and gave his personal assurance that the United States would defend Georgia from Russian aggression. When asked on a request for selling military equipment and arms to Georgia, McCain promised that he would ask Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to look on the issue. He would offer his personal guarantee that he would urge fellow NATO members to endorse providing Georgia with a MAP (Membership Action Plan) as soon as possible.

August 12

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Georgia.svg|25px|border|Georgia]] Tbilisi, Georgia – Secretary of State Joe Lieberman would again meet with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for talks on the situation in the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, including the Russian deployment of S-300 surface-to-air missile system in Abkhazia, as well as the upcoming two-day visit by U.S. President John McCain to Georgia in late August.


 * Lieberman criticized the Russian deployment of S-300 surface-to-air missile system in Abkhazia, calling it an "unnecessary and dangerous escalation of the unresolved conflict". Lieberman would also again state that the United States is steadfast in its commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.


 * Lieberman and Saakashvili also discussed a planned military cooperation plan in the works by the United States and Georgia, the so-called U.S.-Georgian Military Cooperation and National Security Program. Details of the plan were however not specified.


 * Saakashvili said that he was honored and pleased by the offer that the McCain Administration had given, and stated that the plan "would provide Georgia with the sufficient protection it needs to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."''


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAf]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] London, United Kingdom – The founder of WikiLeaks said Thursday the whistle-blower website is preparing to release another roughly 15,000 documents about the war in Afghanistan. "We are about halfway through them," Julian Assange told reporters in London, England. "This is a very expensive process."


 * The Pentagon on Thursday warned WikiLeaks against releasing more documents. "It would compound a mistake that has already put far too many lives at risk," said Geoff Morrell, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. "The only responsible course of action for them is to immediately remove all the stolen documents from their website and expunge all classified material from their computers," he said. "If they were to publish any additional documents after hearing our concerns about the harm it will cause our forces, our allies and innocent Afghan civilians, it would be the height of irresponsibility."


 * But Assange said he is "absolutely" committed to moving forward with the release. "A lot of the recent criticism about Afghanistan was totally expected," Assange said Thursday. "Every time we take on one of these big organizations, they try and try to find various ways to criticize us, and there might even be some legitimate criticism in this case," he said. "But we did try hard to keep back some material."


 * The Defense Department has demanded WikiLeaks return all documents belonging to the Pentagon and delete any records of the documents, Morrell said last week. "The only acceptable course is for WikiLeaks to take steps immediately to return all versions of all of these documents to the U.S. government and permanently delete them from its website, computers and records," Morrell said.


 * Assange has previously said his Web site has an additional 15,000 documents that it wants to publish but that it is redacting information that could endanger people named. Through The New York Times, the organization has asked the McCain administration for its guidance on what to redact. A recently published report suggested the site has asked the Pentagon directly as well. Morrell, however, denied that claim last week. "WikiLeaks has made no such request directly to the Department of Defense," he said. Morrell stated that other steps would be considered if WikiLeaks is not willing to cooperate.


 * On Thursday, Assange continued to allege that the Pentagon had been unresponsive to his requests. "So far we have had no assistance, despite repeated requests, from the White House or the Pentagon or in fact any of the three press organizations that we partnered with for this material, (who) decided not to take responsibility for actually getting the raw data out to the public. That in fact appears to be our role," he said, ''"...to get the raw data out to the public."


 * Several humanitarian organizations have reached out to WikiLeaks to warn that the leaked documents it posts on its site could endanger the lives of civilians whose names appear in them. On Thursday, the international journalists' group Reporters Without Borders wrote a letter to Assange that accused his group of showing "incredible irresponsibility," by publishing tens of thousands documents from the Afghanistan war last month. The letter said that "revealing the identity of hundreds of people who collaborated with the coalition in Afghanistan is highly dangerous. It would not be hard for the Taliban and other armed groups to use these documents to draw up a list of people for targeting in deadly revenge attacks."''


 * Other groups have asked WikiLeaks to redact names in the tens of thousands of secret documents already posted, as well as to be more careful to "protect civilians" in subsequent document reviews, according to an official from one of the other human rights groups. That official did not want to be identified because the communications were intended to be private. The groups include Innocent Victims in Conflict, Amnesty International-Afghanistan and the Open Society Institute.

August 13

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|25px|border|al-Qaeda]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.svg|25px|border|Yemen]] Al-Maajala, Yemen – At 02:10 A.M. UTC+3 on August 13, 2010, ten U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 75th Rangers Regiment were killed instantly when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by AQAP insurgents equipped with a Stinger surface-to-air missile and crashed outside of the town of Al-Maajala in the Abyan Governorate. One soldier, who had barely survived the crash, was captured by AQAP militants before the other soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Rangers could land and recover him.


 * At noon, AQAP would inform Reuters, AP, Al-Jazeera and CNN that they had "by the will of Allah killed the first American imperialist crusaders in Yemen, which is the proof that the infidels have spread their campaign against Islam to Yemen.". They also announced that they had taken the wounded U.S. soldier prisoner. The AQAP spokesperson said that the soldier was severly wounded, and threatened to kill him unless the U.S. military stops operations in Yemen within a week.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.svg|25px|border|Yemen]] Washington, D.C., USA – Although the press had known some details of the alleged U.S. military presence in Yemen, the news of the incident marked the first time U.S. soldiers were killed in Yemen, and the incident would reveal to the public the size of the U.S. presence in Yemen. The attack would would spark immediate criticism from Democrats in Congress and demonstrations in the U.S. and abroad, and U.S. President John McCain was under heavy pressure from the Congress and the press to acknowledge the military operation as soon as possible.


 * The White House would in a statement say that "President McCain is sincerely saddened by the news of the ten U.S. service members killed earlier this morning in Yemen, and he expresses his sincere condolences go out to the families on the behalf of the fallen and the service member taken captive by al-Qaeda. The President will comment the issue later today during his scheduled press conference on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Washington, D.C., USA – Shadowed by the revelation of the U.S. military engagement in Yemen, President McCain hosted an iftar — the special evening meal observed during Ramadan — on Friday night in the White House dining room. McCain had participated in a similar gathering last year.


 * Celebrations like iftar dinners "remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam's role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings," McCain wrote in a statement Wednesday.


 * The dinner comes amid a growing controversy over the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural center in downtown Manhattan, near the site of the World Trade Center. A CNN poll released Wednesday found that 68 percent of the public opposes the project. Ramadan began on Wednesday and will end around September 10.

August 16

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Turkey.svg|25px|border|Turkey]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain threatens to deny the delivery of U.S.-manufactured arms to Turkey unless they changes their policy towards Israel and Iran.


 * Turkey wants to buy UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to be used in the fight against the Kurdish PKK guerilla. PKK has camps in northern Iraq, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is worried of the consequences of the planned U.S. withdrawal from the neighbouring country Iraq. The U.S., however, has not forgotten that Turkey recently voted against a U.S.-led resolution in the United Nations Security Council to impose further sanctions on Iran.


 * Powerful forces in Washington, D.C. has accused Turkish authorities of being engaged in a policy of confrontation against Israel. According to the Financial Times, an unknown White House sources stated that President McCain has explained to Erdogan that some of Turkey's actions has caused both wonder, irritation and even anger in the United States Congress.

August 17

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Stockholm, Sweden – WikiLeaks will publish its remaining 15,000 Afghan war documents within a month, despite warnings from the U.S. government, the organization's founder said Saturday.


 * The Pentagon has said that the secret information will be even more damaging to security and risk more lives than WikiLeaks' initial release of about 76,000 war documents. "This organization will not be threatened by the Pentagon or any other group," Julian Assange told reporters in Stockholm. "We proceed cautiously and safely with this material."


 * Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, says his organization will publish 15,000 documents from the Afghan war within weeks. In an interview with The Associated Press, he said that if U.S. defence officials want to be seen as promoting democracy then they "must protect what the United States' founders considered to be their central value, which is freedom of the press."


 * "For the Pentagon to be making threatening demands for censorship of a press organization is a cause for concern, not just for the press but for the Pentagon itself," he added. He said WikiLeaks was about halfway though a "line-by-line review" of the 15,000 documents and that "innocent parties who are under reasonable threat" would be redacted from the material.


 * "It should be approximately two weeks before that process is complete," Assange told AP. "There will then be a journalistic review, so you're talking two weeks to a month."


 * Wikileaks would be working with media partners in releasing the remaining documents, he said, but declined to name them. The first files in WikiLeaks' "Afghan War Diary" laid bare classified military documents covering the war in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2010. The release angered U.S. officials, energized critics of the NATO-led campaign and drew the attention of the Taliban, which has promised to use the material to track down people it considers traitors.


 * That has aroused the concern of several human rights groups operating in Afghanistan and the Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which has accused WikiLeaks of recklessness. Jean-Francois Julliard, the group's secretary-general, said Thursday that WikiLeaks showed "incredible irresponsibility" when posting the documents online. WikiLeaks describes itself as a public service organization for whistleblowers, journalists and activists.


 * "There are no easy choices for our organization," Assange said. "We have a duty to the people most directly affected by this material, the people of Afghanistan and the course of this war which is killing hundreds every week. We have a duty to the broader historical record and its accuracy and its integrity. And we have a duty to our sources to try and protect them where we can."''


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Washington, D.C., USA – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), with Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Ken Salazar (D-CO), would announce that the United States Senate would vote for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill on September 14.


 * "After years of political bickering and months of negotiations, we can now finally vote on a bill that will both secure our borders and provide a strick, but fair rules for the immigrants wanting to enter our country," Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) said. "I hope we can avoid partisanship on this matter and vote for a reform that is much needed and severly overdue," Ken Salazar (D-CO) said.


 * The bill composed on the McCain Administration's Comprehensive Border Security Plan, as well as elements of the four previous failed immigration reform bills, including the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033), a bill proposed in May 2005 by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, sometimes referred to as the "McCain-Kennedy Bill". The new bill incoprorated emphasize on border security and border enforcement, legalization and guest worker programs.


 * [[Image:Flag of Iraq.svg|25px|border|Iraq]] Baghdad, Iraq – At least 48 people were killed and scores were wounded Tuesday morning when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest in central Baghdad as men were queuing up outside an Iraqi army recruitment center, the interior ministry said.


 * The attack took place in the Bab al-Moudham commercial area. It comes amid the country's failure to form a government and the United States' troop drawdown ahead of President Barack Obama's August 31 deadline for ending all combat operations. At least 129 people were wounded in the blast.


 * The U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, condemned the act and issued its concern over continued acts of violence in the country, "including those perpetrated during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan that symbolizes the values of peace, tolerance, generosity and solidarity. UNAMI reiterates that agreement on the formation of the government will greatly contribute to strengthening Iraq's ability to protect its citizens and respond effectively to those who aim at perpetuating instability and insecurity in the country and reversing its path towards peace and prosperity."


 * The Iraqi government has been pushing to increase security ahead of the drawdown, which would leave a residual U.S. force of 50,000 troops focused on stability operations as well as advising and assisting Iraqi security forces. Recruitment centers have come under attack in recent months, and many Iraqis have blamed a recent wave of violence on the current political paralysis - in which quarreling parties have failed to form a government nearly six months after parliamentary elections.


 * Extremist groups, such as al Qaeda in Iraq, are known to take advantage of political fissures to carry out more attacks to create further turmoil.


 * The political crisis worsened on Monday when former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's al-Iraqiya party announced that it was suspending talks with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition in response to comments he made in a television interview. Maysoon al-Damalouji, a spokeswoman for al-Iraqiya, told CNN the group decided to suspend negotiations after al-Maliki described Allawi's candidate list as a "Sunni list" in an interview aired Monday by the U.S.-funded network Alhurra.


 * Al-Damalouji said they were demanding an apology to the supporters of al-Iraqiya. Allawi, a secular Shiite, heads the cross-sectarian al-Iraqiya list, which won the largest number of seats in the March 7 national elections. Al-Iraqiya garnered most of the Sunni Arab vote. The four top blocs are involved in weeks-long negotiations to try to build a coalition with enough seats to form a government.


 * A fragile mega-Shiite coalition was formed in May between al-Maliki's State of Law and the Iranian-backed Iranian National Alliance, which includes the followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, but the coalition collapsed this month after the INA rejected al-Maliki's nomination for a second term. Allawi and al-Maliki both claim the right to lead the next government. The two blocs have been holding talks.


 * To form a government, a 163-seat majority of 325 seats in parliament is needed. Allawi's bloc had a narrow victory with 91 seats, while al-Maliki won 89.


 * Western and Iraqi officials, including Allawi, have said Iraq's next government must be inclusive and representative, or violence could result. Sunnis largely boycotted the 2005 elections, leading to the emergence of a Shiite-led government. The move left the once-ruling minority disaffected and that contributed to the a bloody insurgency and sectarian warfare that gripped Iraq for years.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Europe.svg|25px|border|European Union]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain will attend a summit with European Union leaders in Lisbon in November, the White House and European Commission have announced.


 * McCain has been accused in the past of ignoring Europe, and upset some by skipping the annual U.S.-EU summit in May. But the White House said the president was looking forward to November's meeting. The U.S. "has no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world", it said.


 * A European Union statement said: "The transatlantic relationship is vital to global prosperity, and both sides are committed to co-operate in order to promote growth and jobs in their economies."


 * In Portugal, McCain will meet European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and other EU leaders. The meeting will take place on the sidelines of a Nato leaders' gathering on 20 November.

August 18

 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of ISAF.svg|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – The U.S. Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Gen. David Petraeus as the new commander of the Afghanistan war, and President John McCain swiftly issued a statement reassuring that Petraeus had his "full confidence."


 * Petraeus replaces Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who has been nominated by President McCain to head the newly established command of the U.S. Forces in Yemen.


 * "Gen. Petraeus is a remarkable and experienced commander as well as a true American hero, and he is a pivotal part of our effort to succeed in Afghanistan — and in our broader effort to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida and the Taliban — and he has my full confidence," McCain said in a statement shortly after the Senate's 100-0 vote. McCain said the Senate's quick action and Petraeus' "unrivaled experience will ensure we do not miss a beat in our strategy to break the Taliban's momentum and build Afghan capacity."


 * As U.S. Central Command chief, Petraeus was McChrystal's boss and already overseeing operations in Afghanistan. Petraeus' replacement at Central Command has not been announced. Petraeus won overwhelming praise from both Republicans and Democrats, despite their disagreements on the U.S. policy toward Afghanistan.


 * "For those who doubt the president's desire and commitment to succeed in Afghanistan, his nomination of Gen. Petraeus to run this war should cause them to think twice," said Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I know that Gen. Petraeus will do everything in his power to help us succeed in Afghanistan, and the president's decision to nominate him for the post to lead the U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan is the right one,"'' Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said.


 * During his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Petraeus supported McCain's position of not announcing an arbitrary date to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. "My sense is that the tough fighting will continue; indeed, it may get more intense in the next few months," Petraeus told the Senate panel. "As we take away the enemy's safe havens and reduce the enemy's freedom of action, the insurgents will fight back."


 * Petraeus also told senators that he may change the war's battlefield rules, designed to limit civilian casualties and improve support for U.S. and NATO forces fighting the Taliban-led insurgency. Some troops and congressional Republicans complain they handicap U.S. forces. When Petraeus arrives in Kabul he will be working again with Staffan de Mistura, who was the top U.N. envoy in Iraq from November 2007 until July 2009 and has been the top U.N. representative in Afghanistan since March.


 * De Mistura praised Petraeus for his "substantial diplomatic and political sensitivities." "I'm sure Gen. Petraeus, as he did in Iraq, will make special efforts to reduce to the minimum the civilian casualties in Afghanistan," de Mistura told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York after briefing the Security Council.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Logo of USFOR-Y.png|25px|ISAF]][[Image:Flag of Yemen.svg|25px|border|Yemen]] Washington, D.C., USA – Later that day, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the new commander of the U.S. forces in Yemen.


 * During his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, McChrystal supported McCain's policy of actively taking out al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab militants by UAVs, a attacks and ground troops. Gen.McChrystal will head the newly established command United States Forces-Yemen (USFOR-Y).


 * "Gen. McChrystal's extraordinary dedication love of the country, along with his distinguished and very successfullstating that his experience as the head of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and as the commander of would prove valuable in disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al-Qaida and al-Shabaab in Yemen - and he has my full confidence," McCain said in a statement shortly after the Senate's 100-0 vote.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]] Washington, D.C., USA – U.S. President John McCain made a statement regarding the planned location of a mosque in close proximity to Ground Zero, according to a press release.


 * “I oppose the planned location of a mosque in close proximity to Ground Zero. The concerns of the 9/11 victims’ families and the citizens of New York City should be respected. I would hope that all the parties would sit down and discuss an alternative location for the mosque that would meet with the approval of the people of New York City and the victims’ families.”


 * While some Democrats support the construction of a Islamic cultural center at Ground Zero, McCain share the dominant opinion of New Yorkers. According to a Siena poll from yesterday, 61 percent of New Yorkers oppose the Ground Zero mosque. (56 percent of New York City residents oppose the mosque.)


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Kabul, Afghanistan – More than 900 polling centers for Afghanistan's parliamentary elections next month will not open because of security fears, an official said on Wednesday, adding to concerns after a fraud-marred presidential vote last year.


 * The poll will be a litmus test for stability in Afghanistan and will be conducted against a backdrop of rising violence as the Taliban-led insurgency spreads out of traditional strongholds in the south and east into the north and west. A U.N.-backed elections watchdog has already blocked dozens of candidates from taking part in the September 18 election because of their links to private militias. "We have to accept this bitter fact that some 938 polling centers will remain closed due to security problems during the election," said Ahmad Mahnawi Fazel, chairman of the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC). "As you all know security is the backbone of the election," he told a news conference in Kabul.


 * The IEC had originally planned to open 6,835 polling centers which would operate 19,945 voting stations. However, Mahnawi said Afghan forces could only provide security for 5,897 of the polling centers. He said those that would not be able to open were spread across 25 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces but most were in the south and the east, the heartland of the insurgency. He said voters in those areas would have to travel to other, safer polling centers to cast their ballots.


 * Security is the prime concern for a vote that will underpin Karzai's ability to deliver on promised anti-corruption and development reforms. Despite the presence of around 160,000 foreign troops, violence across Afghanistan has hit its worst levels since the Taliban were ousted by U.S.-backed Afghan forces in late 2001.


 * Foreign military deaths have passed 2,000 and, according to a U.N. report last week, civilian casualties rose 31 percent in the first six months of this year. The Taliban have already begun a campaign to threaten the election, with the United Nations saying last week three candidates have been killed.


 * More than 2,500 candidates will stand for the 249 seats in the lower house Wolesi Jirga, including about 400 women candidates in the traditionally male-dominated society. More than a third of Karzai's votes were thrown out as fake after a U.N.-backed probe into last year's presidential poll.


 * [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px|border|United States]][[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]] Washington, D.C., USA – Unpopularity with the war in Afghanistan reached an all-time high in CNN polling with 62 percent saying they oppose it, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey. Moreover, confidence in the Afghan government is low. Seven in 10 Americans are not confident that Hamid Karzai's government can handle the situation there.


 * In his Senate confirmation hearing, Gen. David Petraeus, who was appointed the Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and the head of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), made clear that it will take a lot of time and commitment to achieve the overall goal of preventing Afghanistan from again becoming a haven for international terrorism. ''"I didn't accepted this responsibility to carry out a graceful exit or something like that," Petraeus said. Petraeus also repeated the administration line on refusing to announce an arbitrary date of reducing U.S. troop numbers, saying the "transition" will be based on conditions on the ground.


 * The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll surveyed 1,009 Americans between August 6 and 10 and carries a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.


 * [[Image:Flag of Afghanistan.svg|25px|border|Afghanistan]][[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|25px|border|Russia]][[Image:Flag of Pakistan.svg|25px|border|Pakistan]][[Image:Flag of Tajikistan.svg|25px|border|Tajikistan]] Sochi, Russia – Afghan President Hamid Karzai sought President Dmitry Medvedev's help for his nation on Wednesday, two decades after Moscow ended a disastrous conflict there that cost the lives of about 15,000 Soviet troops.


 * Russia's foreign minister said Moscow was in talks with NATO and Afghanistan on a plan to send helicopters to help fight insurgents, but no firm deals emerged from a summit that brought Karzai and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari to Russia. "Afghanistan will need the support of friends and from great countries like Russia," Karzai told Medvedev as they sat down for a one-on-one meeting at the Russian president's summer residence near the Black Sea.


 * At a gathering analysts said was aimed to boost the Kremlin's clout in Afghanistan amid the U.S. government's refusal to announce an arbitrary date of withdrawal, Medvedev also met separately with Zardari and Tajik President Imomali Rakhmon. When all four leaders met, Zardari urged them to "make the region come together and fight against this war of ideology ... We should support the Afghani people."


 * Tajik President Emomali Rahmon suggested signing a multilateral agreement in the war on terror, saying it would "bring our political and legal cooperation to a new level," Interfax reported. "Our countries are destined to play quite an important role in ensuring the region's security and stable development," he added. "We call on the international community to form a united front against this evil and other factors that feed terrorism. I am convinced that poverty, unemployment and other acute social problems are the primary source for the ideas of intolerance, terrorism and extremism."


 * Russia has warmer ties with India than with Pakistan, but has been reaching out as it seeks more regional sway. A similar four-way meeting was held last year in Tajikistan. Medvedev said Russia has sent aid to help Pakistan cope with devastating flooding and is prepared to do more. "Pakistan will come out of this a stronger nation," said Zardari.


 * Medvedev told Karzai that Russia "naturally supports the Afghan government's fight against terrorism, and is ready to help in any way." Still haunted by the decade-long Soviet war in Afghanistan, Russia has said it will not send troops. But Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the leaders discussed a plan for the supply of Russian helicopters. Russia handed NATO a proposal on the delivery of about 20 helicopters several months ago, "and now we are awaiting a firm answer from our partners," Lavrov told reporters. He said a decision was expected within six weeks.


 * This month, U.S. helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies, protested a U.S. Navy plan to buy 21 Russian-made Mi-17s - a transport helicopter that can be heavily armed with guns and rockets - for use in Afghanistan. Medvedev said trafficking in Afghan drugs, which feed a major drug abuse problem in Russia, "is an issue for all the countries in the region ... our actions should be synchronized."


 * Russia has sharply criticized the U.S. and NATO strategy for fighting Afghan drug production. NATO has rejected Russian calls for the eradication of Afghan opium poppy fields, saying Moscow could help control the drug by giving more assistance against the insurgency.


 * Lavrov said the leaders also discussed routing electricity supplies from Tajikistan though Afghanistan to Pakistan.

= See also =
 * Timeline
 * Step in a Different Direction