Top story: The CIA conducted 20 drone strikes in Pakistan so far in September, the most ever in a single month and more than twice its monthly average. The increased focus on militants in the tribal areas come as U.S. military commanders attempt to show tangible improvements in the NATO-led war in Afghanistan before the Obama administration's comprehensive review of its Afghan policy in December. The strikes also represent growing U.S. frustration with Pakistan for not cracking down on militants operating inside its territory, particularly in North Waziristan.
U.S. forces have also stepped up the war in Pakistan in other ways. Military helicopters recently launched three attacks into Pakistani territory -- though officials say that only one of the attacks crossed into Pakistani airspace. Nevertheless, the raids provoked an angry response from the Pakistani government. U.S. officials, however, claimed that the attacks killed over 50 people associated with the Haqqani network, a bulwark of the anti-American insurgency in Afghanistan.
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is said to support efforts to increase pressure on Pakistan to shut down the safe havens for militants. U.S. military commanders have also been revisiting plans for ground raids into Pakistan -- but those will likely remain off the table, officials say, unless insurgents from those areas successfully carry out a large-scale terrorist attack in the United States. Terrorism experts, however, have recently warned of growing signs that militants might be planning to launch a high-profile attack in Europe.
Moscow mayor sacked: Yuri Luzhkov, who emerged as a major power broker in post-Soviet Russia and served as Moscow's mayor for almost two decades, was fired by President Dmitri Medvedev.
Asia
In a meeting of North Korea's ruling party, Kim Jong-Il was reelected as the country's leader, and his son, Kim Jong-un, was appointed a four-star general.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai broke down in tears during a speech at a local high school.
Japan welcomed 18 Burmese refugees as part of a U.N.-sponsored resettlement initiative.
Middle East
An Egyptian businessman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of a Lebanese pop star.
Israel intercepted a boat that was attempting to breach its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
A U.S. soldier is being held in custody in Iraq in relation to the death of two of his fellow servicemen.
Europe
Three men who were arrested in July are suspected of planning attacks against a Danish newspaper that published cartoons featuring the Prophet Muhammad.
Six Indian men were convicted by an Austrian court for an attack on a temple in Vienna.
The British economy grew at its fastest rate in nine years during the second quarter of this year.
Africa
A Somalian pirate leader was sentenced to death by a court in a breakaway Somalian state.
15 children were kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria.
The first round of elections in the island nation of Comoros has been delayed due to financial difficulties.
Americas
The Defense Department destroyed 9,500 copies of an Afghan war veteran's memoir, which it claimed contained classified information.
Venezuela's opposition forces are celebrating their performance in last weekend's elections.
Brazilian presidential candidate Dilma Roussef held her final rally in advance of Sunday's election.
Muhammad Kashif/AFP/Getty Images
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