AFGHANISTAN: NATO admits killing teenage civilians
In a press conference in Kabul on Wednesday, NATO officials clarified details of the two bombings in the Kapisa province on February 8. Director of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Lewis Boone said that the eight young men killed, between ages 14 and 16, appeared to be "moving ... in a tactical fashion," but local officials maintain the children were huddled around a campfire. On Monday, NATO released a statement neither affirming nor denying the accusations, but during the Wednesday NATO press conference in Kabul, commander of ISAF aerial operations Mike Wigston confirmed the deaths. The children "were not bombed because they were Taliban... [but] because we thought they were a threat," said Wigston, later calling the events a tragedy. Comment: NATO officials were not able to inspect the scene until two days after the bombing when "fragments that are believed to be weapons" were found, according to Wigston. A relative of one of the victims said the only weapon possessed by the group was an axe to cut firewood. (Telegraph, Tribune, Daily Mail, Le Monde)

MALDIVES: Leaders call for investigation into coup
Commonwealth states convened on Sunday to discuss sending three to four foreign ministers to the Maldives on February 17, and its London headquarters issued a statement declaring its commitment to "ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power, and to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles." The Commonwealth nations' nine-member Ministerial Action Group questioned the authenticity of the "transfer of power" that took place last week in Male. Many of the group's states, including Australia and the UK, have not recognized the new government, fearing the suspected Maldivian coup jeopardizes democracy and stability in the region. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said last Friday, "the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power need to be clarified," even though the U.S. has already recognized President Mohamed Waheed Hassan's government. Fresh violence throughout the island chain, including the beatings of hundreds of protestors on Sunday night, has prompted international requests for independent inquiries into the situation. Comment: Some reports suspect that the U.S. has recognized the new government because the former government, under Mohamed Nasheed, increased relations with China. It is still unclear whether the new government paid security officials to rebel against the allegedly ousted former president Nasheed. (The Australian, Huffington Post, Reuters, Minivan News)

PAKISTAN: PM Gilani denies charges of contempt
In a trial that lasted less than half an hour on Monday, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani pleaded not guilty in response to charges of contempt of court; he faces six months in prison and disqualification from office if he is found guilty. Gilani, whose charges stem from his refusal to reopen a Swiss-based corruptions case against President Zardari, called the case "politically motivated," and his supporters emphasized that Pakistani presidents have immunity while holding office. The Prime Minister's lawyer has until February 28 to record his defense, but Gilani himself is not anticipated in court again until further notice. Comment: Supporters of Gilani fear that the Supreme Court is exercising excessive power over an elected, civilian government. Fueling this sentiment is the recent move by the Supreme Court to indict President Zardari for his alleged involvement with the Memogate scandal. Some have raised concerns that the Court is acting on behalf of the military, which has overthrown the Pakistani government numerous times. The Court, however, maintains it is merely checking corruption, and pointed to instances when it also pressed charges against the military. (Dawn, Al Jazeera, Associated Press)