Taliban suicide attacks struck government buildings in Kabul, killing at least 20, on the eve of a scheduled visit by Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Car bombs and other attacks in Iraq targeted Shi’ite pilgrims headed to Karbala for Arabeen celebrations, leaving up to 20 dead and some 60 wounded.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar issued a report urging the investigation and prosecution of Burma's top military generals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Mission "found patterns of gross human rights violations and abuses committed in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States that undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law," adding that there is likely sufficient evidence to establish "genocidal intent." (Photo: European Commission via Flickr)
The US North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to close waters off northern Alaska opened up by the break-up of the Arctic ice pack to commercial fishing pending further studies.
Scientists warn that climate change may make events like the devastating Australia bush fires more likely. The Victoria fires have left 200 dead, 7,000 displaced, and destroyed 900 homes.
A general strike that has paralyzed the island of Guadeloupe since Jan. 20 shows sings of spreading to other French holdings in the region following a one-day multi-sector walk-out in Martinique.
Hundreds of supporters of Haiti’s Lavalas Family demonstrated in Port-au-Prince to protest the barring of all 16 candidates from the party’s rival factions from running in April’s senate race.
Colombian lawmaker Sigifredo López and former governor Alan Jara, freed from seven years in captivity by the FARC guerillas, had harsh words for both their ex-captors and President Alvaro Uribe.
Ex-Argentine president Carlos Menem made his first appearance at a trial in which he is accused of clandestine arms sales to Croatia. He also faces charges in the deadly 1994 Buenos Aires Jewish center attack.
Immigrants’ advocates are demanding a federal investigation of civil rights abuses by Arizona’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and say his practices indicate the White House needs to reconsider Bush-era immigration policies.
Jonathan Freedland writes for The Guardian: “As British Jews come under attack, the left must not remain silent. It is possible to condemn Israel’s brutal action in Gaza while taking a stand against anti-Semitism.”
Muntader al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush, will face trial on Feb. 19 for assaulting a visiting head of state, with a maximum 15-year term, Iraqi officials announced.
