07/12/12

* Never mind the nukes, Iran's other military means are also thriving, US report says While the world focuses on Iran's nuclear program, the Islamic Republic is also continuously improving and expanding its regular armed forces.

* Ashton boat trip seen as new chapter in China relations EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton believes Beijing is ready to step up co-operation after a meeting with her Chinese counterpart.

* 10 Years Later: Nefesh B'Nefesh Brings Hundreds More to Israel Welcome to a bright new day in the Summer of 2012 at Nefesh B'Nefesh.

* Pressure on Assad as envoy defects, West eyes sanctions Pressure mounted on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday after a first senior diplomat defected and Western powers drew up a 10-day sanctions ultimatum.

* U.S. moving submersibles to Persian Gulf to oppose Iran The Navy is rushing dozens of unmanned underwater craft to the Persian Gulf to help detect and destroy mines.

* Abbas urges US to pressure Israel over settlements Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his refusal on Wednesday to resume peace talks unless Israel halts construction in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

* Somali al-Shabab training base Lanta-Buro 'captured' Somali government soldiers and African Union troops have seized a major Islamist militant training base.

* Partial Tally in Libya Suggests Defeat for Islamists Libya's Islamists suffered a major defeat on their eastern home turf on Wednesday.

* Germany Investigates Nazi for Massacre of Ukrainian Jews German prosecutors have launched an investigation into a 91-year-old man suspected of taking part in a 1942 massacre of over 300 Jews from the Zhytomyr ghetto in Ukraine.

* UN arms treaty could put U.S. gun owners in foreign sights, say critics A treaty being hammered out this month at the United Nations -- with Iran playing a key role -- could expose the records of America's gun owners to foreign governments.