News and Analysis Updates (8/8/06)

US contractor goes on trial charged with death of an Afghani prisoner:

• Trial Begins in Afghan Death Case (BBC News)

The speaker of the Palestinian Parliament hospitalized while in Israeli custody amid claims he was beaten:

• Seized Speaker in Israel Hospital (BBC News)

Iraq’s vice-president is pursuing the establishment of Sunni militia to act as “a counter to security forces that have been heavily infiltrated by Shia militias.”

• Sunnis Form Their Own Militias in Fight for Baghdad (The Times, UK)

Pictures show American troops firing on unarmed civilians, killing six:

• Brutal US Attack on Unarmed Afghans Captured by Photos (The Independent)

An advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister claims that several Iraqi military officers attempted to overthrow the government last month:

• Military Officers Attempted a Coup in Iraq (NY Sun)

Several office workers for Palestinian Prime Minister fall seriously ill after opening “poison-filled letter” addressed to the PM from Tel Aviv:

• Israel Is Accused of Sending Poison to Hamas Premier (LA Times)

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