World News Briefs -- February 16, 2010

Mullah Baradar is believed to have briefed local Afghan Taliban commanders on a new military strategy Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Afghanistan's No. 2 Taliban Leader Captured In Pakistan -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

The Taliban's second in command has been captured in neighboring Pakistan, Taliban, Pakistani and U.S. sources said Tuesday, dealing a serious blow to the insurgency and raising hopes that Taliban chief Mullah Omar could also be apprehended.

The capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, believed to be the key strategist of the Taiban's military campaign, also is likely to knock the Taliban off balance just as a massive U.S.-led offensive is pressing the insurgents on the battlefield in the southern province of Helmand.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq targets tailors to curb militant attacks.

Iran calls U.S. a ‘military dictatorship’.

U.S. encounters limits of Iran engagement policy.

Sex scandal involving Abbas’s top aide Rafiq Husseini rocks Fatah.

Dubai seeks global dragnet for Hamas slaying.

ASIA

Taliban second-in-command captured in Pakistan.

Civilian death toll rises in Afghan offensive.

North Korea celebrates Kim Jong-il's birthday.

India condemns attack by Maoists that killed 24 police officers.

200,000 Bangladesh cyclone victims still 'homeless'.

AFRICA

EU extends Zimbabwe sanctions for another year.

EU deplores Libya visa ban for Europeans.

Somali defense minister survives bomb attack.

EUROPE

Ukraine's Yanukovich to be sworn in on February 25.

Germany rejects European fund for Greece. Greece 'faces Europe sanctions without spending cuts'.

France used troops as nuclear "guinea pigs": paper.

Rail strike follows Belgian crash.

AMERICAS

Rainy season a new hardship for Haiti.

Haiti quake fear: What if recovery looks like Managua's?

New Orleans readies for Mardi Gras.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Generation Jihad: Young people 'brainwashed with Al Qaeda propaganda on the internet'.

Spain to accept five Guantanamo detainees.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dollar Up as Europe reels.

Virgin's Richard Branson takes on peak oil.

Eurozone predicts 'fragile' growth in 2010.

World markets buoyed by banks despite Greek fears.

Not expanding drilling may cost U.S. $2.4 trillion.