Friday, July 17, 2009

07/17/09

* 'Iran greatest global security threat' US Defense Secretary Robert Gates believes that Iran's nuclear program is the greatest current threat to global security.

* Fatal blasts hit Jakarta hotels At least nine people have been killed, including two suspected suicide bombers, in two blasts at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

* Israeli warships rehearse for Iran attack in Red Sea Israeli and Egyptian officials said two ships had sailed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea.

* Ahmadinejad: Iran will "bring down" Western foes Newly re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday his next government "would bring down the global arrogance."

* Ultra-Orthodox Jews visit Hamas Four members of a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews opposed to the existence of Israel have visited Hamas in Gaza.

* Call for Iran protesters' release Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people jailed after protesting at the result of the recent election.

* Britain prepares for 65,000 deaths from swine flu The NHS has been told to plan for a worst-case scenario of 65,000 swine flu deaths this year.

* China's Rebound Carries U.S., Asia Toward Recovery China's economic comeback is under way, towing along companies from Intel Corp. to Hyundai Motor Co. and starting to make up for weak demand in other major economies.

* Syria: No Golan, No Talks Damascus has told the United States bluntly that unless Israel agrees as a precondition to hand over the Golan Heights, there will be no further peace talks.

* Israel: Lebanon Army helped Hezbollah hide arms cache The Lebanese Army helped Hezbollah militants destroy evidence of its continued military activity in the south of the country after a hidden arms cache exploded there earlier this week.