World News Briefs -- November 23, 2009 (Evening Edition)

Obama is not expected to make an announcement on strategy
until after the Thanksgiving holiday [AFP]

Obama To Meet War Cabinet On Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama gathered his war cabinet Monday for what officials indicated could be the final time before he decides whether to dispatch tens of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan.

Among top administration officials expected to attend the meeting at 8:00 pm (0100 GMT) were Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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MIDDLE EAST

Middle East's regional and sectarian rivalries escalate Yemen conflict.

Palestinian president sees no new intifada.

Abbas to postpone PA elections.

Israel, Hamas near swap of prisoners for soldier. Hamas: Shalit swap hinges on one prisoner.

Iraqi lawmakers fail to resolve election law deadlock.

Iran stages war games, sits on West's nuclear offer.

ASIA

Sri Lanka sets date for Presidential poll.

Afghan attacks kill four US soldiers: NATO.

At least 30 killed in 'gruesome massacre of civilians' in the Philippines.

Pakistani forces attack Taliban in NW, kill 22.

Pakistan to US: Don't surge in Afghanistan, talk to Taliban.

Toll in Chinese mine explosion rises to 104.

Homes under threat as Australian wildfires blaze.

AFRICA

Congo fishing rights clashes ‘force thousands to flee’.

Feed the world? Band Aid 25 years on.

Egyptian President wades into Algeria soccer row; condemns attack on TV.

Ethiopia is now leasing farmland to outside agri businesses.

Start of ICC trial for two Congolese militiamen.

EUROPE

Romania's president, rival in runoff election.

Azerbaijan and Armenia make 'progress' on Karabakh.

N. Ireland on edge after huge car bomb planted.

Patrizia D'Addario: I was threatened and attacked after meeting Silvio Berlusconi.

Britain's Iraq war inquiry 'will not be a whitewash' says Sir John Chilcot.

French ship Russia wants to buy in St Petersburg.

Russia 'is now a criminal state', says Bill Browder.

AMERICAS

Honduras crisis ending with a whimper. Honduras election sets return to business as usual.

Venezuela to get 300 tanks, armored vehicles.

Venezuela vs. Colombia: Two leaders seek outside mediation.

Brazil’s President elbows U.S. on the diplomatic stage.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits Brazil.

Cuba: military exercise braces island for US attack.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Lawyer: 9/11 defendants want platform for views.

Major Hasan and Holy War (a commentary).

Lawyer: 9/11 defendants want platform for views.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Analysis: U.S. Fed under fire as public anger mounts.

The 'real' jobless rate: 17.5% of workers are unemployed.

Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q.

Wave of debt payments facing U.S. Government.

Gold jumps to record as slumping dollar spurs investment demand.