“In their zeal to bring charges against the defendants . . . the government used compelled statements to guide its charging decisions . . . and ultimately, to obtain the indictment in this case” – Judge Urbina:

• Judge Throws Out Blackwater Guards’ Charges in Iraqi Deaths (LA Times)

Egypt’s offer meets with a divided response from the gathered humanitarians:

• In reversal, Egypt Allows Some Foreign Activists to Enter Gaza (Christian Science Monitor)
• Cairo Meets the Movement, with Tears and Chaos and Exaltation (Mondoweiss)

Surge in Palestinian deaths in 2009 is totally due to the attack on Gaza …

• In Sharp Contrast with Gaza, Casualties Decline in West Bank (Washington Post)

… but the continuing theft of private Palestinian private property is widespread:

• Secret Israeli Database Reveals Full Extent of Illegal Settlement (Haaretz)

In the multifaith  holiday spirit, Mukhtedar Khan reminds us:

• A Jew as an Islamic Hero (Khaleej Times Online)
• Muhammad’s Promise to Christians (Washington Post On Faith)

In his most bold statement since losing the election in January, Mousavi proclaims “the election law should be changed … political prisoners should be freed”…

• Iran Opposition Leader Mousavi ‘Ready to Die’ for Reform (Guardian)

… Meanwhile, the Iranian government denies any role in the death of a protester who was run over by a truck:

• Video of Attack on Protester Is a Fake, Iranian Police Say (NY Times)

“Western military sources said that the dead were all part of an Afghan terrorist cell responsible for manufacturing improvised explosive devices”:

• Western Troops Accused of Executing 10 Afghan Civilians, Including Children (Timesonline)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant