World News Briefs -- July 15, 2009

U.S. Army soldiers fire mortar rounds at suspected Taliban fighting positions during Operation Mountain Fire in Barge Matal, a village in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. U.S. and Afghan forces secured the remote mountain village, which had been overwhelmed by insurgent forces. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

July Is Deadliest For US-Led Forces In Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP

KABUL – July is shaping up as the deadliest month of the Afghan war for U.S.-led international forces, with the number killed already matching the highest full-month toll of the nearly eight-year conflict, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press.

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MIDDLE EAST

168 killed in Iran plane crash.

U.S. held Iranians as 'hostages,' officials say.

Palestinians suspend Al-Jazeera in West Bank.

Hezbollah arms cache explodes in Lebanon.

ASIA

Chaos deepens in Japan's ruling party before poll.

India institutes national ID card.

Major bribery alleged in Rio Tinto case.

Death toll in China riots rises to 192.

Religious row flares in Malaysia.

AFRICA

Nigerian rebels declare 'oil war' truce.

I fought corruption, says Taylor.

S Africa stadiums strike ending.

Congo leader wins disputed poll.

EUROPE

For Poland, a milestone in choice for European post.

U.K. Government backs Blair for EU President.

Russian human rights activist kidnapped, killed.

Chechnya ambush leaves four dead.

Sarkozy uses Bastille Day to call for high-tech military spending.

AMERICAS

12 Federal agents are slain in Mexico.

US, Colombia near base access deal.

Discord seen in Colombian hostage release effort.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Algeria ex-rebels say cash key to weakening Qaeda.

India and Pakistan discuss terror.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

China's foreign reserves top $2tn.

Obama: Unemployment likely to keep ticking up.

Fed: unemployment will top 10 percent this year.

US treasury chief in Gulf to drum up support.