World News Briefs -- Spetember 15, 2009 (Evening Edition)

Admiral Mike Mullen testifies during a Senate armed services committee hearing in Washington. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

More U.S. Troops Needed For Afghan War: Top Officer -- Yahoo News/Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Even more U.S. troops will likely be needed in Afghanistan beyond the 68,000 who will have deployed there by the end of this year, the top U.S. military officer said on Tuesday.

Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not estimate how many more troops would be needed but said he expected a request for more resources from the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan in a couple of weeks.

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MIDDLE EAST

UN panel finds Israel, Palestinians committed Gaza war crimes.

Iran, world powers to hold nuclear talks in October. Iran nuclear talks likely in Turkey: EU's Solana.

Iranian conservative harshly criticises regime.

Peres met secretly with Palestinian negotiator.

Brother of Bin Laden dies in Saudi Arabia.

Military exercise to start amid regional tension.

Bush 'shoe thrower' unrepentant after jail release.

ASIA

Pakistan army said to be linked to Swat killings.

The next President of China? More news here.

North Korean ship fights off Somali pirates.

Bagram inmates win right to challenge detention.

Japan's new PM faces daunting in-tray.

AFRICA

Nigeria rebels 'to end ceasefire'.

24 dead in tribal clashes in Kenya, lawmaker says.

WFP to shut Somalia food centres.

U.S. State Dept Africa head on Somalia airstrikes, Zimbabwe, and more.

U.S. kills Top Qaeda leader in southern Somalia.

Ugandan army claims top rebel commander killed.

Multinational force keeps pirates at bay.

EU visit widens Zimbabwe split.

EUROPE

Russia to detain Georgian ships off Abkhazia.

UK poll: Britons prefer anyone but Brown.

Eastern Europe not feeling the love from Obama.

Caucasus weekend attacks kill 11.

Europe's $57 billion plan to put windmills in the ocean.

AMERICAS

Mexican city warily awaits Independence Day celebrations.

U.S. concerned over Venezuela-Russia arms deal.

Honduran presidential hopefuls to meet mediator.

Obama renews Cuba trade embargo.

Ecuador, Colombia talk again 1 1/2 yrs after raid.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Bin Laden appears weakened in new message: analysts.

Terrorism task force raids Queens apartments in New York City.

Life terms for plot to bomb Trans-Atlantic flights from London.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bernanke says recession 'very likely over'.

Economist warns of double-dip recession.

Obama says tariffs on tires won’t spark trade war with China.

US credit shrinks at Great Depression rate prompting fears of double-dip recession.