Afghanistan

Pakistan: deadly blast at Sufi shrine

Three people, including two children, were killed when a bomb planted in a donkey cart exploded at the Panj Peer shrine in Peshawar, as worshippers gathered for a weekly ritual honoring Sufi saints buried there.

Iran

Iran: labor activists detained

A meeting of 60 Iranian trade unionists was raided by security forces in the northern city of Karaj, and all were arrested. Nine remain in detention, and Amnesty International has issued a call for their release.

Greater Middle East

Egypt: “Algeria scenario” feared

As thousands of Egyptians fill Tahrir Square to protest the military’s assumption of new powers, Algerian Islamist leaders warned of an “Algeria-like scenario” —a reference to the country’s decade-long civil war.