People's Republic of China China sentences Tan Zuoren, who investigated poor construction after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, to five years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power".
Andal Ampatuan Jr. Andal Ampatuan Jr., former ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and 196 other people are charged with murder in the Philippines, in connection with the Maguindanao massacre in November 2009.
Iran The Italian Embassy in Iran is attacked by protesters unhappy with Italy's decision to scale back economic dealings and push for tighter sanctions and protests are also held outside French and Dutch embassies.
President The recently-elected President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolves his country's parliament one day after the arrest of Sarath Fonseka.
Philippine general election, 2010 The campaign period for the Philippine general election, 2010 begins.