World News Briefs -- November 24, 2009

Obama Says He Intends To ‘Finish the Job’ In Afghanistan -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama said on Tuesday that he will announce his decision on how many more troops to send to Afghanistan next week, and that it is his intention to “finish the job” that began with the overthrow of the Taliban government in the fall of 2001.

Mr. Obama, offering a tantalizing preview of what looms as one of the momentous decisions of his presidency, said he would tell the American people about “a comprehensive strategy” embracing civilian and diplomatic efforts as well as the continuing military campaign.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Abbas: Obama is 'doing nothing' for Middle East peace.

Jordan's King Abdullah dissolves parliament.

Iraq’s January elections face near certain delay.

Iran expanding effort to stifle the opposition.

Gilad Shalit: Breakthrough or another Groundhog Day? Netanyahu says Hamas prisoner deal might not happen.

'Saudi casualties' in border fight with rebels. Yemeni refugees caught up in Middle East's forgotten war.

ASIA

'World's biggest animal sacrifice' held in Nepal.

China executes two over tainted milk powder scandal.

Obama touts partnership with India.

Obama plans to send 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

Philippines declares emergency after 46 killed. More here.

Pakistani army officer arrested for alleged link to U.S. terror plot.

Pakistan military says significant progress made in fight with Taliban.

Long prison sentence demanded for Khmer Rouge jailer Duch.

AFRICA

Climate 'is a major cause' of conflict in Africa.

Darfur peacekeepers await news on abducted workers.

Obama issues sharp rebuke of Mugabe.

DR Congo war crimes trial starts at The Hague.

Peacekeepers should prepare to leave Darfur: Sudan.

EUROPE

Russian officials beheaded in N. Caucasus: Ifax.

French warship on Russian sales call.

Britain opens inquiry into Iraq war, after years of delay.

Herman van Rompuy to visit Latvia as Belgian PM.

Prostitute linked to Berlusconi feels threatened.

AMERICAS

Venezuela: No direct talks with Colombia on bases.

Ousted Zelaya on sideline in Honduran vote. Ousted Honduran leader: US weakened anti-coup movement.

FBI: Hate crimes rising in US.

Security firms see border boom.

Bolivia election: Cocaine casts shadow on campaign.

Lula da Silva, Brazilian President, attacked over Ahmadinejad visit.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Civilian, military trials prosecute terrorism suspects differently.

US says Men ran Somali terror network.

Pentagon convenes Fort Hood shooting task force.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. economy's rebound not as strong as first thought.

Democrats push $150B stock tax on Wall Street.

U.S. Blacks hit hard by economy's punch.

Fed: super-low rates could fuel speculative bubble.

China is risking Japan 1980s-style bubble, BNP says.

Dollar slump persisting as top analysts see no bottom.

Bank of America, Feds at odds over TARP repayment.

World News Briefs -- November 20, 2009

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sean Cain, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, performs a radio check during a security patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 9, 2009. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is a ground combat element deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7, which conducts counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Harris, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

White House Aides: No Afghan Decision Before Thanksgiving -- Washington Post

SEOUL -- President Obama will not announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan before the Thanksgiving holiday, senior aides said Thursday.

The news came as the president greeted 1,500 troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, just before boarding Air Force One and heading back to Washington after an eight-day trip to Asia.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UN watchdog presses Iran over nuclear deadlock. 6 world powers meet about Iran nuclear issue.

Palestinians say Israeli move could kill peace process. Israel arrests 5 PA intelligence officers.

Iraq refugees face dwindling UN funds, creating concerns of unrest.

ASIA

Suicide bomber kills 16 in western Afghanistan.

China 'threatens U.S. influence on S.Korea'.

Japan, China agree to improve military, political exchanges.

Pakistan: 8 militants killed in reported US strike.

Afghanistan is world's worst place to be born: U.N.

AFRICA

African leaders left disappointed at end of UN Food Summit.

China helps the powerful in Namibia.

Clashes outside Algerian embassy in Cairo.

EUROPE

Mixed response as top EU figures named.

The modern Iron Curtain is made of gas pipelines.

Britain hit by floods after record rainfall.

AMERICAS

Honduran President to briefly step down during national elections.

Colombia says Venezuelan soldiers blew up 2 border bridges.

Canada rules out possible Afghan torture probe.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Inside Barack Obama's plan to close Guantanamo.

Lithuanian probe alleged CIA prison.

Army lacks guide on jihadists in ranks.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. Congress attacks Fed, Treasury.

What's Obama's trade policy? So far, there isn't much of one.

Goldman's chief executive apologizes for part in fiscal crisis.

Record 9.6 percent of homeowners are behind on their mortgages.

War And News Updates For January 20, 2009

The U.S. Capitol is illuminated the night before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama in Washington January 19, 2009. REUTERS/Scott Andrews/Pool

The media is not reporting this .... Families of 9/11 victims want to keep Guantanamo open.

Most Europeans do not want to send additional soldiers to Afghanistan. But NATO wants more soldiers.

Gas is now flowing into Europe.

El Salvador's Ex-Rebels are one step away from taking power.

Vigilante groups are now forming and threatening Mexico's drug gangs.

Zimbabwe talks collapse .... once again .

Somali piracy is down .... but not for the reasons of having an international flotilla off its coast.

The Sri lanka war is at its "end phase".

Pakistan's Taliban are destroying the country's educational infrastructure.

Chad's rebel groups are organizing together to overthrow the government.

The war in Darfur is getting worse.

Good people are dying in Russia.

The repair bill for Gaza will run into the billions.

News Updates And Summaries For January 19, 2009 (Evening Edition)

News Briefs From War News Updates

Vice-President Elect Biden still wants to be President.

Hillary Clinton's priorities at State are detailed by the Washington Post. Hillary was the second choice for the job at State.

A U.N. peacekeeping force for Somalia? It better come soon.

Nato is predicting a tough year in Afghanistan this year.

The Taliban are now deeply rooted in Karachi, Pakistan.

Iraq's famous shoe thrower wants asylum in Switzerland.

Is there a new U.S strategy/approach for Darfur?

Russia and the Ukraine sign a gas agreement. But no natural gas has been shipped since the signing. But this does not help the Russian ruble .... it has collapsed.

Sri Lanka's civil war is winding down, but the country's refugee crisis still exists.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to arrest officials of the Bush Administration for "misdeeds".

More proof that the world economy is tankng. President Obama's allies in the media are now back-pedalling. For Russia .... the ruble has collapsed. For Britain, they are bailing out the banks again.

Canadian border guards did not hesitate sending this guy back across the border to the United States.

A reason on why we should increase the U.S. Navy.

'Suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims'