>>Georgia - Yesterday Georgia accused Russia of violating its airspace with a MIG jet to shoot down a reconnaissance drone over Abkhazia. Russia denied the claim, saying that the drone violated UN ceasefire resolutions and was shot down by separatists. Georgia has video. Last week, Russia expanded relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, ratcheting up tensions.

>>Sudan - A census that is seen as an integral step toward holding democratic elections in 2009 has begun in Khartoum. The census will also help determine the distribution of Sudan's oil revenues. Many in the south and in Darfur fear that the massive amounts of internal displacement will skew the results; insecurity will as well. President al-Bashir was the first counted. The United Nations is assisting Sudan's government with this process.

>>Hamas - In a speech in Jerusalem capping his controversial nine-day visit, Jimmy Carter said that Hamas is willing to accept Israel's right to exist as a "neighbor, next door, in peace" if a peace deal is accepted by Palestinians. They also said that they would allow kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shilat to send a letter to his parents and accept an interim ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli officials expressed doubt about Carter's ability to follow through on the agreements and called his meeting with top Hamas officials "a disgrace."

• PK Salon: Peacekeeping's Future -
• PK Salon: First Question -
• UN Dispatch Salon: UN Peacekeeping's Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration -
• World Food Program Faces $750 million Shortfall -

Africa

• Uganda - Uganda rebels kidnap 350 people: Amnesty
• Somalia - Somalis storm hijacked UAE ship
• Nigeria - Obasanjo family face 'witch hunt'
• Nigeria - Nigerian oil sector to be probed
• Libya - Libya Seeks Exemption for Its Debt to Victims
• Tanzania - Tanzanian minister quits amid BAE probe
• Nigeria - China oils Nigeria talks with loan
• Zimbabwe - China may recall arms cargo bound for Zimbabwe
• Somalia - Residents Flee Capital After Scores Die in Clashes

Americas

• Brazil - Priest missing on balloon flight
• Cuba - Cuban women protesters arrested
• U.S. - Russian Court Jails American Pastor
• U.S. - White House Defends NAFTA as Bush Meets With Heads of Mexico, Canada
• Haiti - At Least 20 Dead After Boat Capsizes Off the Bahamas
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article37925... ">Paraguay - Paraguay victor Fernando Lugo faces huge challenge

Asia

• Thailand - Sit down protest lands Thai in royal trouble
• N. Korea - US nuclear team back in N Korea
• Afghanistan - Afghan Ministry Bans the Broadcast of 5 Foreign Soap Operas
• Russia - Georgia-Russia Tension Escalates Over Downed Drone
• Pakistan - Pakistanis Free Islamist Who Fought U.S.
• Singapore - Terror Suspect Fled Prison Through Window, Singapore Says
• Indonesia - Suspected Terrorists Given 15-Year Prison Sentences
• Pakistan - College Degree Requirement for Lawmakers Struck Down by Court
• Nepal - National Vote Gives Ex-Rebels Half the Seats in a New Assembly
• Sri Lanka - Aid Group Leaves Country Over Unresolved Massacre of Workers
• China - New rules fail to spark China equities
• Japan - Japan issues dire warning over declining workforce
• Pakistan - The tug of war over AQ Khan, the man behind Pakistan's nuclear programme
• China - New Data Link Heparin Deaths to Chinese Batches, FDA Says

Europe

• Greece - Greece challenges asylum critics
• France - France Tries to Limit Olympics Fallout

Middle East

• Iran - Iran women activists get suspended lashing sentences
• Iraq - Rice Presses Iraq's Neighbors to Give It More Support
• Iraq - Al Qaeda No. 2 Says Group Is Still Targeting West
• Yemen - Oil Market Rattled by Attack on Tanker
• Lebanon - Deadlock leaves Lebanon in presidential limbo
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3787685.e... ">Israel - Hamas 'ready to accept' Israel as peaceful neighbour