Following a failed attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up a flight into Detroit on Christmas morning, the Transportation Security Administration imposed tougher screening rules for passengers originating in 14 mostly Muslim nations. See more about the countries selected.

Umar Abdulmutallab’s audacious attempt on Christmas Day -- to ignite explosives that he had smuggled on board a Northwest Airlines flight approaching Detroit from Holland -- has been a top story for the past few days. Worldfocus blogger S. Azmat Hassan writes how the U.S. should rely more on soft power to prevent violent Islamic extremism.

The Canadian contribution to Afghanistan has generally received little attention, even though there are 2,500 Canadian troops in Afghanistan, mostly in the dangerous southern areas. The latest casualties are likely to increase the debate in Canada over their commitment to the war. In a Worldfocus Signature story, Martin Himel takes a look at Canada's war role.

Yesterday, a suicide bombing at a U.S. base in Afghanistan killed eight Americans, seven of whom were CIA employees. Today, a spokesperson for the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a Taliban bomber wearing an Afghan military uniform blew himself up. Jeff Stein, a former U.S. Army Intelligence officer, joins Martin Savidge for more information.

The Worldfocus newsroom celebrates the end of the decade with a look at some of the smartest ideas worldwide. We produced an eclectic list of ten innovative solutions to social and political problems. View a slideshow of the winners -- from Bangladesh and Bhutan to Guyana and Rwanda.