Monday, April 16, 2012

04/16/12

* "Jordan will regain Jerusalem from slayers of prophets" "The arrogance of the Jews will be defeated, Allah willing," imam tells worshipers on state TV at Friday prayers in Jordan.

* Israeli TV report shows air force gearing up for Iran attack, says moment of truth is near IAF expects losses, and knows it can’t destroy entire Iranian program

* International truce monitors begin work in Syria Six unarmed observers arrive in Damascus, remaining 25 expected to arrive within days to monitor ceasefire.

* Taliban lead attacks on US bases and government sites across Afghanistan Taliban-led insurgents opened a spring offensive Sunday with a wave of coordinated suicide missions, firing at embassies and government offices from seized buildings in Kabul and attacking US bases and police stations in three eastern provinces.

* US will veto any Palestinian statehood bid at UN Daniel Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel, calls on Palestinians to return to direct negotiations without preconditions.

* Web freedom faces greatest threat ever, warns Google's Sergey Brin Threats range from governments trying to control citizens to the rise of Facebook and Apple-style 'walled gardens'

* 12,000 Holocaust survivors died over the past year Needs of the aging greater than ever, Elazar Stern, chairman of Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel says.

* British Peer Lord Ahmed suspended after 'offering £10m bounty on Barack Obama and George Bush' A controversial British peer has been suspended from the Labour Party amid reports that he offered a £10 million bounty for the capture of President Barack Obama and his predecessor President George W Bush.

* Iranian nuclear scientists were present at failed North Korean missile launch Anonymous diplomatic source tells South Korea's state news agency 12 Iranian officials observed the failed missile launch last week in North Korea.

* US and Philippines begin South China Sea drills Joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines are getting under way in the South China Sea, even as Manila remained locked in a stand-off with Beijing over a disputed shoal.