World News Briefs -- August 24, 2009 (Evening)

The logo of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is swept clean in the lobby of the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia March 3, 2005. REUTERS/Jason Reed

U.S. Prosecutor Named To Probe CIA Prisoner Abuses -- Yahoo News/Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday named a special prosecutor to probe CIA prisoner abuse cases, a move that could distract President Barack Obama from his drive to reform the healthcare system.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. anxious over Shiite-Sunni relations in Iraq. In Iraq's capital, fear of violence makes for a quiet beginning to Ramadan.

Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM.

Iran 'will co-operate with IAEA'.

Saudis set stage for Mid-East nuke race.

Ahmadinejad rivals rise within conservative camp.

Iranian authorities are accused of secret burials.

Fighting in Yemen escalates. Iran urges political solution to Yemen fighting.

Israel advocacy group calls Obama settlement policy 'ethnic cleansing'. Report slams Israeli claim of settlement freeze.

ASIA

More troops needed in Afghanistan, allies tell U.S. envoy. 3 NATO troops killed in southern Afghanistan.

Report: 200 to go on trial after Xinjiang riots.

Officials say NKorea must scrap nukes. S Korea's presidential office denies reports on DPRK's summit proposal.

Series of raids by Pakistan police foil attacks.

Malaysia delays caning of woman who drank beer.

Plugging Australian oil leak could take weeks.

AFRICA

US envoy praises Libya for Darfur crisis mediation.

Africa seeks climate change cash.

Kenya set for contentious census.

Chevron announces discovery offshore Angola.

Big welcome for SA runner in gender controversy.

EUROPE

Tens of thousands flee raging wildfires in Greece. Greek firefighters battle forest blaze for third day. Anger at government over Greek wildfires.

Ireland’s new blasphemy law labeled return to Middle Ages.

EU to draft new immigration policy by October.

Eight dead in Ukraine coal mine blast: officials.

Death toll in Siberian power plant blast at 69.

AMERICAS

Cuba publishes photo of fit-looking Fidel Castro.

Honduras confines Venezuelan, Argentine diplomats to embassies. Honduras court shuns Zelaya deal.

Bolivia's Morales slams as “traitors” those who allow foreign military presence.

Brazil finds alternative in big oil.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Scottish leader defends Lockerbie bomber release.

Young Guantanamo prisoner back in Afghanistan.

New unit to question key terror suspects.

Al-Qaeda 'very capable' of more attacks: US military chief.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Lines of U.S. jobless growing longer.

The risk of a double-dip recession is rising.

Large Texas bank shut down by federal regulators.

Ex-wives eagerly await tax-cheater UBS list. UBS chairman says clients "not harmless victims": report.

Millions of American seniors face shrinking Social Security payments.