In Brief

* ELUSIVE IRAN DEAL – UN Security Council powers held out hope for agreement this week on a statement to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but a deal still appeared elusive before a forthcoming ministerial meeting.

* TRIBAL CLASHES – At least 26 people have been killed in clashes between factions led by rival Muslim clerics in Pakistan’s tribal region on the border with Afghanistan, intelligence officials said. * NO CLUE ON HEIST – South African Police were still in the dark about the culprits behind the weekend theft of foreign currency at the Johannesburg International airport.* IMMIGRATION DEMOS – Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the United States against a proposed crackdown on illegal migrants, as President George W.Bush pushed for immigration reform at odds with tougher measures backed by some in his Republican Party.* ARAB SUMMIT – Arab leaders are poised at a summit to push for a stronger role in shaping the future of Iraq to counter growing Iranian influence, and mull support for a Hamas-led Palestinian government.* NEW COALITION – Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko launched talks on forming a new coalition government despite a stinging election defeat that has left him weakened and searching for allies.* JOBS PROTEST – France braced for a day of strikes and protest against the government’s contested youth employment law, with police on high alert for fresh outbreaks of violence.* SEPT 11 TESTIMONY – Al Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui told how Osama bin Laden ordered him to hijack a fifth plane on September 11 and ram it into the White House, in stunning testimony which appeared to boost his chances of getting the death penalty.* UNITY GOVT REJECTED – Opponents of Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rejected his offer to form a national unity government if he wins troubled elections next weekend.- Nampa-Reuters-AFP-Sapa* NO CLUE ON HEIST – South African Police were still in the dark about the culprits behind the weekend theft of foreign currency at the Johannesburg International airport.* IMMIGRATION DEMOS – Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the United States against a proposed crackdown on illegal migrants, as President George W.Bush pushed for immigration reform at odds with tougher measures backed by some in his Republican Party.* ARAB SUMMIT – Arab leaders are poised at a summit to push for a stronger role in shaping the future of Iraq to counter growing Iranian influence, and mull support for a Hamas-led Palestinian government.* NEW COALITION – Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko launched talks on forming a new coalition government despite a stinging election defeat that has left him weakened and searching for allies.* JOBS PROTEST – France braced for a day of strikes and protest against the government’s contested youth employment law, with police on high alert for fresh outbreaks of violence.* SEPT 11 TESTIMONY – Al Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui told how Osama bin Laden ordered him to hijack a fifth plane on September 11 and ram it into the White House, in stunning testimony which appeared to boost his chances of getting the death penalty.* UNITY GOVT REJECTED – Opponents of Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rejected his offer to form a national unity government if he wins troubled elections next weekend.- Nampa-Reuters-AFP-Sapa