World News Briefs -- Dcember 3, 2009

SENATE TESTIMONY - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 2009. The testimony focused on President Barack Obama's decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to the war in Afghanistan. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Logistical Problems Could Plague Afghanistan Troop Surge -- CNN

(CNN) -- Thirty thousand more troops by the summer. It's a daunting challenge laid out by President Obama, and it's now having the U.S. military scrambling to get it done.

Obama said Tuesday night the additional 30,000 troops would begin deploying early next year at "the fastest pace possible."

Gen. James Jones, Obama's national security adviser, said Wednesday that the president's six-month time frame is "an achievable goal."

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran President says nuclear enrichment will grow.

Arms smuggling heightens Iran fears.

Israeli PM to meet settlers angered by building pause.

ASIA

Kashmir: Thousands of bodies discovered in unmarked graves, rights group says.

Pakistanis kill 15 militants in several clashes.

Five sentenced to death over deadly China riots.

Bhopal marks 25th anniversary of Union Carbide gas disaster.

AFRICA

Bomb kills four Somali Ministers. Somali ministers among 18 killed in Mogadishu blast.

Dutch navy arrests Somali pirates.

Nigeria President Umaru Yar'Adua urged to stand down.

EUROPE

Putin says no plans to leave power. Putin: Will consider running for president in 2012.

Chechen rebels claim Russia train bombing.

Arms treaty likely to expire before new pact is set.

AMERICAS

Honduran congress votes down return by Zelaya.

Venezuela's Chávez threatens more bank takeovers.

Gatecrashers prompt White House to tighten security.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Petraeus: Afghan ‘surge’ to target terrorist leaders.

Bin Laden not in my country, Pakistan PM tells Brown.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Comcast to buy controlling stake in NBC Universal.

Oil rises above $77 despite weak US demand signs.