World News Briefs -- February 23, 2010( Evening Edition)

A U.S. soldier with 4th Brigade combat team, 2-508, 82nd parachute infantry Regiment waits for a Black Hawk helicopter to land in the Arghandab valley in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, February 20, 2010. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

U.S. Afghan Death Toll Hits 1,000 -- Yahoo News/Reuters

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) – The number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan has reached 1,000, an independent website said on Tuesday, with deadly bombings in the south and east highlighting the struggle to stabilize the country.

The Pentagon disputed the figure, saying 916 had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan combined since late 2001 when the Taliban fell.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran arrests Sunni rebel leader Rigi.

Iran to 'hide nuclear plants inside mountains'. Iran plans 2 new uranium enrichment plants.

Top brass grilled over Turkey 'coup plot'.

'Duabi hit involved another four European passport-holders'.

ASIA

China tightens internet controls.

Afghan Helmand start of broader offensive, officials say.

U.S. military Afghan war casualties in 2010 almost double those from same period in 2009.

NATO air strike, Afghan suicide attack kill 41.

China encourages US, N.Korea to meet. North Korea seeks military talks with rival South.

Maoist rebel offers cease-fire, talks with India. India Maoist rebels 'attack police' after peace offer.

AFRICA

Sudan and Darfur rebel group sign key truce. Darfur rebels say Sudan attacked after ceasefire.

U.S. Navy rescues Tanzanian ship, nabs 8 pirates.

Soldiers to govern Niger until new constitution.

Darfur truce could pave way for peace. Resettling Darfur's displaced raises questions.

EUROPE

Serbia police raid Ratko Mladic house in Belgrade.

Madeira looks for 32 missing after island's floods.

Lufthansa disruption continues despite early end to strike.

Strike hits flights from Paris airports.

Courthouse bombed in Northern Ireland.

Ukraine leader to visit EU on Monday - EU source.

AMERICAS

Insults fly at Latin American "unity summit".

Latin America backs Argentina as Britain begins Falklands oil quest.

Chavez plan rattles Venezuelan ranchers.

Mexico captures Sinaloa cartel cocaine trafficker.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda video rails against Turkey.

Senior Yemen al Qaeda leader threatens U.S. attacks: site.

Mauritania-Mali row over al-Qaeda.

Hurdles hinder Counterterrorism Center.

Australia fights terrorism with tough visa checks.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Harvard’s Rogoff sees sovereign defaults, ‘painful’ austerity.

US regulators report 27 percent jump in problem banks.

Oil above $80 as traders eye low interest rates.

Goldman defends Greece debt swaps.

Finance troubleshooters in Greece as strike looms.