World News Briefs -- March 27, 2009

With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at his side, President Barack Obama announces a new comprehensive new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Friday, March 27, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq car bombing kills 26 in Baghdad.

Saudi king names 2nd deputy PM in succession move.

Limited progress made, 30 years after Israeli-Egypt peace treaty.

Israel successfully tests anti-rocket system.

ASIA

Iran to join talks on stabilizing Afghanistan.

Burst dam in Jakarta kills scores in the night.

Homeless in northwest Pakistan.

Japan, US envoys begin talks on NKorea, US says.

AFRICA

Sudan alleges foreign airstrikes near Egypt border. Israel suspected in Sudan airstrikes.

Pirates seize tanker off Somali coast.

Algerian president visits militant stronghold.

Southern Africa hit by worst floods in years.

EUROPE

London protesters threaten bankers, evoke executions.

Russia considers major troop withdrawal in Chechnya.

Irish financier convicted of IRA's stolen millions.

AMERICAS

US Vice President in Chile for summit.

U.S. cities deal with a surge in shanty towns.

Brazil’s leader blames white people for crisis.

Colombian Police foil FARC plot to kill Santos, El Tiempo says.

U.S. Senate votes to expand U.S. public service.

Canada clings to small budget surplus in January.

U.S. freezes Venezuelan 'parallel market' account.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Qaeda claims Yemen attack on SKoreans. More news here.

In Pakistan, fighting terrorists the five-star way.

26/11 terror rerun feared in India: US think tank.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

UK recession is worse than forecast.