H1N1 Fears Keep Hajj Turnout Low

The Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims make at least once in their lifetimes, began today amid heavy rains, BBC News. Pilgrims from Egypt were required to receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine before beginning the journey, Voice of America. Complete coverage from CNN.
The Bariyapur festival, a celebration of Gadhimai, a Hindu goddess of power [...]

Militants Target Elders in Pakistan

Militants connected to the Taliban and al Qaeda have targeted two elder leaders in northwestern Pakistan who spoke out against the Taliban, BBC News.
The number of deaths from the H1N1 in the U.S. is 4 times higher than the Centers for Disease Control had previously predicted. 4,000 people in the United States have died [...]

Americans Sentenced to Prison in Italy Abduction Case

The Israeli Navy said today that it has seized an Iranian container ship carrying weapons. The large array, which included 600 tons of rockets, guns and other weapons, was expected to be shipped to the militia of the Islamist Hezbollah movement, Washington Post.
Officials have confirmed that a cat in Iowa has contracted the H1N1 virus, [...]

Karzai Agrees to Runoff Election

The CDC reports that over half of those hospitalized with the H1N1 virus in the U.S. are under the age of 25. Only seven percent are over the age of 65, and 12 percent of deaths from the virus are elderly. This is a huge difference from the seasonal flu, which finds that 90 percent [...]

Commandos Rescue Hostages from Pakistan’s Military HQ

Commandos raided the Pakistani military headquarters where three dozen hostages had been held by two militants since yesterday. Three hostages died in the mission as well as two special forces soldiers, Al Jazeera.
Mullah Muhammad Omar is leading an increasingly successful Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, New York Times.
The CDC says the H1N1 virus, aka swine flu, [...]

Ireland Votes in Favor of Lisbon Treaty

In a second referendum vote, Ireland has voted in favor of the Lisbon Treaty, which aims to reform the workings of the European Union. A first referendum was held in June 2008 and only 10 out of 43 parliamentary constituencies were in favor of the treaty. In contrast, this time 41 constituencies voted in favor. [...]

Indonesian Terrorist Killed in Police Raid

Noordin Mohammed Top, one of the most wanted terrorists in Asia, has been killed in a police raid, says Indonesian police. Top is believed to have been the mastermind behind the Bali and Jakarta bombings, which killed over 200 people. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned that despite Top’s death, there is a still [...]

Tensions Grow in Thailand Ethnic Fight

Tensions are rising in south Thailand as ethnic Malay Muslims are attempting to attain autonomy from the Buddhist rulers. Troops have been dispatched to the area for years, but violence is getting worse. 330 people have been killed this year alone and 3,500 have been killed since 2004, New York Times.
Police have arrested the man [...]