Al-Qaeda warns of more attacks.

1. Al-Qaeda’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahri has threatened more death and destruction in London. He blamed British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the recent bombings in London. Mr. Zawahri’s worrying message was shown on the Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera. His words were aimed at all countries currently fighting in Iraq. Zawahri stated: “Our message for you is crystal clear: You will not be safe until you withdraw from our lands, stop stealing our oil and wealth and stop supporting the corrupt rulers.” Mr. Blair has de clined to comment on the tape.

Crisis talks for Turkey to join eu.

2. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will host talks with European Union leaders in Luxembourg today. He will try to solve the latest crisis over talks about Turkey becoming a full member of the EU. Mr. Straw said: “Last December, the EU agreed that negotiations with Turkey should [start] October 3, subject to Turkey fulfilling various conditions.…These conditions have been met.” However, Austria has suddenly decided Turkey should not have full membership of the Union, but instead have a weaker "privileged partnership."

North Korea tests seven missiles

3. North Korea shocked its neighbors on July 5^th when it fired seven test missiles. One of the missiles was powerful enough to reach the USA. Most countries around the world are angry at the sudden testing. International leaders believe North Korea is a danger to world peace and that testing missiles makes the world more dangerous. The White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters: "The North Koreans have again clearly isolated themselves." Japan is very worried. A government spokesman Shinzo Abe had strong words for Pyongyang. He said: "This is a [serious] problem in terms of peace and stability - not only for Japan but also for international society."

Africa Rejects icc Gaddafi Arrest Warrant

4. The 53-member African Union (AU) has disregarded the arrest warrant issued for Libya’s Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by the International Criminal Court (ICC). It says the move by the ICC is an obstacle to peace in Libya. It also condemns the call for Gaddafi’s arrest as being colonialism. AU official Jean Ping said the ICC is "discriminatory" because it only pursues Africans. He said the Hague-based court ignores crimes committed by Western powers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim agreed, saying: “The ICC is a European Guantanamo Bay. It's only against the African leaders. It never deals with the crimes committed by the United States of America."

Syria Protests Getting Bigger

5. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters demonstrated in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and other cities on Friday. There were many clashes with security forces, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds. The demonstrators called for reforms and greater freedom, including the end of the five-decade-old emergency law, which bans public gatherings of more than five people. Some demanded the overthrow of President Bashar Al-Assad. Friday’s unrest is the biggest since people first took to the streets in the southern city of Deraa on the 15th of March. Unlike in earlier protests, Syria’s security forces did not use lethal force. They fired their guns into the air instead of on crowds.