Gates Tries to Ease Tension in Afghan Civilian Deaths

by THOM SHANKER

KABUL, Afghanistan — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sought Wednesday to defuse growing tensions with the Afghan government over civilian deaths, expressing his “sincere condolences” and promising speedier compensation and investigation after such casualties.

SOMALIA: Red Cross Calls Somalia One of World’s Worst Humanitarian Crises

by Lisa Schlein
Voice of America

The International Committee of the Red Cross says the humanitarian situation in Somalia continues to deteriorate and is among the worst in the world. The Red Cross says it is stepping up its emergency relief operation for hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Lisa Schlein reports from ICRC headquarters in Geneva.

The people of Somalia are being crushed by war and drought. The International Committee of the Red Cross is one of the few aid agencies still working in this increasingly dangerous environment.

PAKISTAN: Pakistanis Say 5 Are Killed by U.S. Missiles in Tribal Area

by Ismail Khan
The New York Times

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Five people were killed and three were wounded when a United States Predator drone fired missiles into a house in the restive South Waziristan tribal region, local residents said Wednesday.

IRAQ: Baghdad bombings kill 10

by CNN News

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Bombs in two parked cars detonated in western Baghdad on Wednesday in quick succession, killing eight people and wounding 25 others, an Interior Ministry official said.

LEBANON: Two killed in Lebanon in clashes over banner

by AFP

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (AFP) — Two people were killed and three others were injured early Wednesday in a northern Lebanese village after armed clashes broke out between rival Christian clans over a banner, a security official told AFP.