World News Briefs -- August 26, 2011

Forecast: A satellite view of Hurricane Irene, which is projected to follow a path up the East Coast from North Carolina to Maine and into Canada

Hurricane Irene Weakens, But Could Strengthen Again Before Slamming N.C. -- L.A. Times

Hurricane Irene has weakened somewhat over the Atlantic as it roars toward the U.S. East Coast, but it could intensify again before slamming into North Carolina, and federal officials Friday extended watches and warnings as far north as Martha's Vineyard, Mass.



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MIDDLE EAST

2 killed as thousands of Syrians protest. Bloody anti-regime protests sweep Syria.



Israeli strikes in retaliation kill 9 Gazans. Israeli airstrikes kill 10 in Gaza.



Iran's Ahmadinejad: No place for Israel in region.



Deploying troops in Sinai may need Knesset approval.

ASIA

Rivals jostle as Japanese PM Naoto Kan quits at last.



China expanding its nuclear stockpile.



Pakistan: Nine killed in Risalpur hotel blast.



Fukushima caesium leaks 'equal 168 Hiroshimas'.



6 killed, 1 wounded in Thailand's violent south.



Sri Lanka's President announces plans to end emergency laws.



Eastern Afghanistan improves, commander reports.

AFRICA

Rebels send in special forces to hunt for Gaddafi. Libyan rebels move on Sirte.



AU won't recognise Libyan rebel council-diplomats.



16 killed in bombing on UN building in Nigeria. At least 18 die in car bomb attack on Nigeria U.N. HQ.



Nigeria's EFCC 'failing to tackle corrupt politicians'.



Somali Islamists behead 11 civilians in capital.

EUROPE

Europe debt crisis forces officials to revisit creation of common eurobonds.



Russia grounds rockets after loss of space freighter.



Greece forced to tap emergency fund.



Breakaway Georgian region elects president.

AMERICAS

U.S. economic growth slows to crawl, GDP increase at 1%.



Mexico mourns casino dead in 'act of terrorism'.



U.S. widens role in Mexican fight.



Feds: Uptick expected in narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean.



Chileans brace for more education reform strikes.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

A bin Laden expert bets on al-Qaeda’s survival.



Cheney: 'No regrets' about waterboarding suspects.



NYPD confirms CIA officer works at department.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bernanke offers no plan for new stimulus. US economy: Ben Bernanke signals no new stimulus.



Steve Jobs: End of an era.



Facebook and Twitter to oppose calls for social media blocks during riots.