The latest news on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Stocks, Shiite Alliance, Malaysia, Iraq, Brown Water in Greenville, Mexico, Taiwan, Health-Care Debate, Special Report: Christian in Egypt.

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C.I.A. Abuse Cases. Justice Dept. Report Advises Pursuing C.I.A. Abuse Cases "The Justice Department has recommended reversing the Bush administration and reopening nearly a dozen prisoner-abuse cases, potentially exposing C.I.A. employees to prosecution." CIA staged mock execution, wielded power drill in interrogations, secret report says "The CIA staged a mock execution and brandished weapons, including a gun and a power drill, during interrogation sessions with detainees according to a long-secret internal CIA report expected to be released Monday." Obama Approves New Team to Question Key Terror Suspects "President Obama has approved the creation of an elite team of interrogators to question key terrorism suspects, part of a broader effort to revamp U.S. policy on detention and interrogation, senior administration officials said Sunday."

Afghanistan. U.S. Military Says Its Force in Afghanistan Is Insufficient "Despite the addition of 17,000 U.S. troops and extra security for the presidential election, the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating." Amid claims of fraud, Afghans preparing early election tally "The preliminary tabulation of results, expected Tuesday, could inflame political tensions rather than ease them." More troops needed in Afghanistan, allies tell U.S. envoy "Allied military commanders in Afghanistan have told a senior U.S. envoy that they need more troops to deal with an intensifying insurgency in the country's east, raising the possibility that the Obama administration may refocus the war on the lawless border with Pakistan." Karzai Opponent Alleges 'Widespread' Fraud in Afghan Elections "The main challenger to Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that he has received 'alarming' reports of 'widespread rigging' in Thursday's presidential election by pro-government groups and officials, but he called on supporters to be patient and said he hopes the problem will be resolved through the official election review."

Obama Team. Obama’s Team Is Lacking Most of Its Top Players "President Obama has filled just 43 percent of more than 500 policymaking positions requiring Senate confirmation." Report: Obama Administration Missing Many Top Appointees "The vacancies span just about every major agency and include positions that would be critical to President Obama's ambitious agenda."

Pakistan. 13 Militants Arrested in Pakistan "Police arrested seven suspected militants from the outlawed group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, security officials said." Series of raids by Pakistan police foil attacks "Pakistani authorities arrested 13 Islamist militants in separate raids that police said Monday foiled major terrorist attacks and provided clues to how drug sales to Asia and the Persian Gulf help fund the Taliban."

Greece. Thousands Flee as Greek Fires Rage "Firefighting crews resumed their efforts early Monday across Greece after raging wildfires swept through the northern suburbs of Athens over the weekend." Greece fires spread despite lull in winds "Fire crews outside Athens scrambled today to exploit a lull in high winds, but the flames spread further and dozens of nuns had to be rescued from a convent threatened by one blaze, officials said."

Stocks. Global Stocks Build on U.S. Data "Wall Street opened higher, following Asian and European markets upward, as optimism about the state of the global economy once again gained the upper hand." Stocks open higher, investors build on momentum "Investors held on to their optimism about an economic recovery and extended the stock market's latest rally."

Shiite Alliance. New Shiite Alliance Excludes Iraqi Prime Minister "An alliance of major Shiite groups that excludes the Dawa Party is likely to stoke fears of growing Iranian influence." U.S. anxious over Shiite-Sunni relations in Iraq "Military officials are anxiously watching the brittle partnership between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq as U.S. analysts warn that renewed waves of violence have put the country at a crucial crossroads."

Malaysia. Malaysian Authorities Postpone Whipping of Woman "The authorities gave a temporary reprieve to a Muslim woman sentenced to whipping for drinking alcohol." Muslim model facing cane gets Ramadan pardon "Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno greets her five-year-old daughter after authorities returned her to her father's home on Monday."

Iraq. Iraq Military Broadcasts Confession on Bombing "Iraqi state channels showed brief video excerpts of a man explaining how he had organized the deadly bombing at the Foreign Ministry last week." Iraq says ex-Baathist confesses to Finance Ministry attack "Iraqi officials Sunday released what they called a confession from a man identified as a former Baathist police official, who says he helped organize one of last week's attacks on government buildings in Baghdad."

Brown Water in Greenville. Struggling With a Brown Water Problem, Greenville, Miss., Is Wondering When Obama Is Going to Deliver the Help He Promised "President Obama promised help for the impoverished Delta during his campaign. Now struggling communities wonder when economic stimulus money will flow their way."

Mexico. In Mexico, Ambivalence on a Drug Law "Under siege by drug traffickers, Mexico took a controversial step last week when it opted to stop prosecuting those carrying small quantities of drugs." Mexico quietly decriminalizes drug use "Now marijuana, cocaine, LSD, and heroine will be tolerated for personal use. It's part of a bid to free up resources and jail space so that authorities can focus efforts on big-time traffickers."

Taiwan. Taiwan’s Leader Faces Anger Over Storm Response "The government’s slow response to a storm that left at least 650 people dead or missing has shaken the presidency of Ma Ying-jeou." Hundreds to remain entombed in Taiwan village "Taiwan authorities will not attempt to recover the bodies of hundreds feared killed in a village by a mudslide this month, and will instead turn the site into a memorial park, a local leader said on Monday."

China. Without Explanation, China Releases 3 Activists "The unexpected releases of the men, including a lawyer whose case had drawn global attention, came a day after the new American ambassador to China arrived in Beijing." Beijing frees legal activist Xu Zhiyong "Chinese authorities, facing scathing criticism at home and abroad, on Sunday released from prison a celebrated legal scholar and two other activists."

Health-Care Debate. Senate Democrats Consider Tactic to Push Through Government Health Plan "Democrats said they were increasingly confident that they could pass a bill that includes a public plan with a simple majority in the Senate." Republicans offer seniors health 'bill of rights' "Republicans are targeting older Americans worried about President Barack Obama's health overhaul plans with a 'seniors' health care bill of rights.'" Various Takes on the GOP and Health Care "The Republican party plans today to introduce a Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights, according to an op-ed piece in The Washington Post by Michael S. Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee."

Special Report: Christian in Egypt. A Christian on the run in Egypt "Maher El Gohary is something his Muslim compatriots can't fathom: a convert to Christianity. He and his daughter live like fugitives, moving frequently to avoid those who'd like to see him dead."