Morning Coffee 29 December 2009

1. Execution of Briton Akmal Shaikh: China defiant in the face of criticism
   China has executed a British citizen for drug smuggling.
   
   Quote:

   
   Asked about comments from Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, who said he was "appalled" at the execution, Mrs Jiang replied: "We express our strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the British Government's unreasonable criticism of the case. We urge the British to correct their mistake in order to avoid harming China-UK relations."
   

2. Underbomber: More bombers on their way

   The Nigerian terror suspect tells the FBI that more bombers with even sillier ways to blow people up are on their way.

3. Iran Arrests Sister of Nobel Laureate; Holds bodies of slain protesters

   The Iranian regime, in an effort to shore up its tarnished public relations image and reach out to the families of those slain for tarnishing said image, is holding the bodies of slain dissidents and not allowing timely burial.

   [Update: Detroit Free Press confirms that Iran is holding bodies].

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