Southeast Asia
Malaysia: churches under attack
Four Christian churches in Malaysia were attacked with petrol bombs amid tensions over a court ruling allowing the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims in the country.
Author: CounterVortex
South Asia
UN rights rapporteur urges Sri Lanka war crimes probe over execution video
The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings urged an investigation of possible war crimes after authenticating a video of Tamil Tiger members being executed by Sri Lanka’s military.
Afghanistan
Two Blackwater employees charged in 2009 Kabul shootings
US authorities announced charges against two former employees of security firm Blackwater in connection with the May 5 shooting death of two Afghans in Kabul.
Central America
Honduras: prosecutors charge military officials for Zelaya ouster
Honduran prosecutors filed charges against three military chiefs in the ouster of president Manuel Zelaya in June—but Zelaya himself dismissed the move as a political “trick.”
Central America
Honduras: arson attack on Garifuna community radio station
Unknown assailants carried out an arson attack against the Garifuna-language Radio Coco Dulce at Triunfo de la Cruz on the Caribbean coast of Honduras.
Planet Watch
EPA proposes stricter smog regulations
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stricter smog standards that would replace the Bush administration’s broader 2008 national smog regulations.
Planet Watch
Obama administration announces new rules for public land drilling leases
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced new rules for obtaining oil and gas drilling leases on public lands, increasing oversight and public input, and overturning Bush-era reforms.
Watching the Shadows
Afghan Gitmo detainee referred to military commission
The Justice Department has decided on a military prosecution for Afghan Guantánamo Bay detainee Obaidullah, the sixth Gitmo detainee to have his case referred for military trial.
Watching the Shadows
More ex-Gitmo detainees returning to terrorism: Pentagon
One in five detainees freed from the US military prison at Guantánamo Bay have returned to terrorist activities, according to a new Pentagon report.
Iraq
Blackwater settles lawsuits over Iraqi deaths
Blackwater reached a settlement in seven federal lawsuits filed by Iraqi citizens that claimed the security firm created a reckless culture that resulted in numerous deaths.
Greater Middle East
Copts riot in Egypt after drive-by attack on Christmas mass
Thousands of Coptic Christians clashed with police in southern Egypt during a funeral procession for seven people shot dead as they left a Christmas service hours earlier.
Afghanistan
2009 worst year for Afghan children: rights watchdog
War killed hundreds of children and adversely affected many others in 2009—the deadliest year for Afghan children since 2001—says a new report by the Afghanistan Rights Monitor.