In a surprise development, the US Supreme Court agreed June 29 to hear an appeal they had refused to hear in April, asking whether "foreign citizens imprisoned indefinitely" by the US military can go to federal court and whether their imprisonment amounts to "unlawful confinement" from which a federal judge might free them. The court is to hear arguments next term, which begins Oct. 1.

The press is abuzz with the June 26 release of the CIA's "family jewels," nearly 700 pages of documents concerning domestic meddling, foreign assassinations and other real and potential violations of the Agency's charter that then-director James Schlesinger ordered compiled in 1973 in response to the scrutiny focused by the Watergate scandal. The front-page coverage in the New York Times noted (on the front page, above the fold) that in a note to Agency employees, current CIA director Gen. Michael V. Hayden said the release of documents was part of the Agency's "social contract" with the American public, "to give those we serve a window into the complexities of intelligence." Added the Times: "General Hayden drew a contrast between the illegal activities of the past and current CIA practices, which he insists are lawful."

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says he is strengthening his army in preparation for an attack by regional rival Eritrea. "Our defence forces have the capacity to deter aggression and to repulse it if it occurred," Zenawi told Ethiopian members of parliament June 28.

Ethiopia's Federal High Court will hand down sentences to 38 imprisoned opposition leaders and journalists on July 9, the body has announced. Following reports that members of the opposition facing charges of "genocide" and attempted coup d'etat signed a document confessing to the crimes in return for their release, it was expected that the court would speed up the date of the ruling. The announcement dashed the hopes of friends and relatives of the accused.

The Paris-based media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) castigated the international community June 27 for "indifference" to a media crackdown in Eritrea. "Because of the world's indifference, we are reduced to just watching, appalled and powerless, as the authorities continue to pick off journalists who have been unable to flee the reign of terror in Asmara," RSF said. The statement said Fathia Khaled, a presenter on state-owned Eri-TV's Arabic service, was arrested earlier this month and taken to a military camp in the northwest. Asked RSF: "How much longer will we have to continue adding names to the list of people imprisoned by President Isaias Afwerki's government?"

From Reuters, June 25:

Man, 80, killed after round-Japan bike tour
An 80-year-old man on the verge of completing a round-Japan cycling tour was struck and killed by a truck only a few hours ride from his home, police say.

The Special Investigator (Fiscalía Especial) for the Acteal massacre in Mexico's southern state of Chiapas has announced the discovery in a cave of two AK-47 rifles which are believed to be those used in the Dec. 22, 1997 slaying of 45 Tzotzil Maya peasants. The rifles were found May 22 by police near the community of Los Chorros, Chenalhó municipality, where the attack was said to have been planned. The cave was searched based on information provided by one of the men serving time for the massacre at El Amate prison. His name was not revealed, but authorities said he would be transfered to another prison in Cintalapa for his protection.

Subcommander Marcos of the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) has arrived back in the Chiapas rainforest after concluding his tour of Mexico's northern states in the second phase of the "Other Campaign." Arriving first in the Chiapas highland city of San Cristobal de Las Casas, Marcos' caravan then proceeded to the jungle settlement of La Garrucha. Fifteen other Zapatista commanders who had also been on tour arrived back in Chiapas days ahead of the Subcommander. They will now start preparing for an "Intergalactic Encuentro," a meeting of their international supporters, to be hosted on their territory in a little over a month. (La Jornada, June 24) A highlight of Marcos' tour came in Guadalajara, where he unveiled his new erotic novel Noches de Fuego y Desvelo (Nights of Fire and Sleeplessnes), illustrated with drawings by the author. Proceeds are to go towards programs for Chiapas' autonomous indigenous communities. (La Jornada, June 15)