World News Briefs -- August 27, 2009

Afghan men look at the destruction caused by a bomb blast which killed 30 people on Tuesday, in Kandahar August 26, 2009. At least 30 people were killed and 57 wounded, all civilians, by a massive car bomb that exploded in the southern Afghanistan city of Kandahar, the governor of the province said. The blast happened shortly after dusk, when Afghans were breaking their fast during the Muslim month of Ramadan. REUTERS/Ahmad Nadeem (AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT POLITICS)

August Tied For Deadliest Month In Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP

KABUL – A U.S. service member died Thursday in a militant attack involving a roadside bomb and gunfire, a death that pushed August into a tie with July as the deadliest months of the eight-year war.

The death brings to 44 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month. But with four days left in the month, August is likely to set a new record.

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MIDDLE EAST

'No foreign link' in Iran unrest.

Iran’s factional disputes grow increasingly bitter.

Police: Iraqi forces recover stolen Picasso.

Iran nuclear expansion 'stalled'.

ASIA

Taiwan president approves Dalai Lama visit.

China moves to cut use of executed inmates' organs.

A car bomb in Southern Thailand and other recent trends.

Should a Muslim mother be caned for drinking a beer?

AFRICA

Sudan's Darfur no longer at war: peacekeeping chief.

Islamic radicalism slows Moroccan reforms.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma heads to Zimbabwe amid rumours of Robert Mugabe health scare.

SAfrican police clash with protesting soldiers.

EUROPE

Spain warns Eta 'a live threat'.

Auschwitz blueprints given to Israeli PM.

Russia vows to protect S Ossetia.

Russian anthem author Sergei Mikhalkov dies at 96.

AMERICAS

U.S.-Colombia deal prompts questions.

Latin America weighs less punitive path to Curb drug use.

NM gov. on Cuba mission, plans White House report.

Latam exports 'worst in 70 years'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Saudi Arabia disrupts Al-Qaeda finance, recruitment.

CIA prisoners faced chilling interrogation methods.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

White House, CBO debt forecasts challenge Obama.

Obama raises 2010 deficit estimate to $1.5 trillion.