Newsline 15 July 2009: MEND rebels in Nigeria agree to a 60 day ceasefire; Israeli soldiers speak out about the Gaza conflict; Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim fails to postpone sodomy charges.

MEND rebels agree to 60-day ceasefire:
Nigeria’s main rebel group MEND – the Movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta has agreed to observe a 60-day halt to its attacks on the oil industry which will come into effect on Wednesday. Newsline talks to the group’s spokesman about the decision.  Listen to interview with MEND spokesperson "Tom".

Israeli troops speak out:
26 Israeli soldiers have spoken out about their role in the recent conflict with Gaza. Under the banner of a group called Breaking the Silence, the soldiers say their rules of engagement were unclear and that they were urged to fire on anyone that seemed suspicious. Newsline hears why they have broken their silence

Anwar Ibrahim fails to get delay in sodomy charges:
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim failed in his bid to win a postponement in his sodomy trial on Wednesday. It’s the second time he has been charged with the offence. Human rights group Human Rights Watch believes the charges are politically charged. Listen to Elaine Pearson of Human Rights Watch