Top Story: According to a new U.N. report, over 1,000 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first half of 2009, up 24 percent from last year. The report attributes the rise to new insurgent tactics, which include coordinated suicide attacks aimed a civilian infrastructure.
Afghan government and international forces killed 310 civilians, the majority of them in airstrikes. New U.S. commander, Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal has made the reduction of civilian casualties a centerpiece of his counterinsurgency strategy.
The report noted that it is becoming more difficult to avoid civilian casualties as the Taliban are increasingly "basing themselves in civilian areas so as to deliberately blur the distinction between combatants and civilians."
Economy: Funding for the U.S. governments "cash for clunkers" rebate program was exhausted after nearly a month only ten days.
Asia
- A verdict for the trial of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been delayed until Aug. 11.
- With his poll numbers dropping, Japanese PM Taro Aso proposed a new plan to help the country's economy recover.
- Pakistan's Supreme Court will not launch a treason case against former leader Pervez Musharraf.
Europe
- Italy legalized the abortion drug RU-286, over the objections of the Catholic Church.
- Spanish authorities are on high alert for the 50th anniversary of ETA.
- The British government has begun a public inquiry into the country's involvement in the Iraq war.
Middle East
- Multiple bombings killed 24 people as they were leaving Friday prayers at three Shiite mosques in Baghdad.
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied any rift between Iran's supreme leader and himself.
- A new Israeli government report defends Israel's campaign in Gaza this year as "necessary and appropriate."
Africa
- As gun battles between police and Islamist militants continued in Nigeria, a sect leader was killed in police custody.
- The UN Security Council is calling for elections in the Ivory Coast.
- Scott Gration, the U.S. envoy to Sudan, recommended taking the country off the UN blacklist.
Americas
- The United States signed a UN treaty affirming the rights of the disabled.
- Honduran police are cracking down on pro-Zelaya protesters.
- The Venezuelan National Assembly is considering a new law to regulate private media.
SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images
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