ASSANGE: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe said today that the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by the United States was “politically motivated” and had a “chilling” effect on the whole media landscape.

Mr Assange, whose site had published thousands of leaked diplomatic cables, won freedom in June after more than five years behind bars in a British prison when he pleaded guilty to a charge under the US espionage act.

GREECE: Hundreds of firefighters, assisted by water bombing planes and volunteers, have made significant progress in containing a deadly forest blaze burning for four days in southern Greece, authorities said today.

The fire service said that the fire, which killed two local residents on Sunday, is receding, with fire fighting forces focusing on putting out scattered smaller blazes within the devastated area.

JAPAN: An unexploded United States bomb from World War II that had been buried at a Japanese airport exploded today, causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of more than 80 flights but no injuries, Japanese officials said.

Officials said an investigation by the Self-Defence Forces and police confirmed that the explosion was caused by a 500-pound US bomb and there was no further danger. They were determining what caused its sudden detonation.

PORTUGAL: Hundreds of Portuguese firefighters protested for better working conditions outside the national parliament today.

Wearing full firefighting gear, the protesters occupied the steps leading to the Assembly of the Republic.

A line of police linked arms in front of them as the firefighters opened smoke canisters, lit flares and sounded sirens. One held up a sign saying: “Shame.”