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In Sri Lanka, there are concerns that government forces and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels may exploit the tsunami crisis to strengthen their positions. Mutual mistrust exists despite a fragile truce dating to 2002, and there are reports both sides are trying to control aid distribution. Some observers hope the crisis will underscore the need for both sides to end the war for good. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Handcuffed and under Iraqi guard, Saddam Hussein is charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity before an Iraqi court. Saddam questioned the court's jurisdiction and refused to sign the charge list. Earlier, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez relinquished leadership of the multinational force in Iraq to Gen. George Casey. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Philip Reeves.

We explore the tsunami's impact on the small village of Ondachchimadam, on the east coast of Sri Lanka. NPR will revisit the village periodically over the next year to chart its progress in the tragedy's aftermath. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Human rights activists are increasingly concerned about the prospects for fraud and abuse in next week's Afghan presidential elections. They say the greatest threat is voter intimidation by the country's ubiquitous warlords. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Last December, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf pledged to step down as head of the army at the end of 2004 and move the country back toward democratic government. But now Musharraf says voters want him keep his military post, fueling doubts he'll resign. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Saddam Hussein and 11 senior officials of his deposed regime are transferred into the legal custody of the Iraqi interim government, though they remain guarded by U.S. forces. Saddam will appear in court Thursday, where he faces charges including war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Relief assistance is only beginning to reach South Asian regions hardest hit by Saturday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake. While hundreds of millions of dollars in aid has been offered, impassable roads, rain and a shortage of helicopters have slowed relief deliveries to survivors.

A draft constitution has been presented to Iraq's National Assembly. But there was no vote, and discussions on its contents are ongoing. The news came six minutes before the midnight deadline. Minority Sunni representatives have threatened to hold up final approval.

Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr calls for calm after violent clashes between his supporters and a rival militia. This rift within Iraq's Shia erupted at an acutely sensitive time -- Iraq's politicians are supposed to agree on a draft constitution by midnight Thursday.

A year ago, people who predicted that Iraq was headed toward a Shia-Sunni civil war were scoffed at by supporters of the U.S.-led invasion. But sectarian strife appears to be on the rise in Baghdad.