|
Israel Arrests Palestinians in Jericho Jail as Western Monitors Slip Away
by Steven Erlanger and Greg Myre
Israeli military forces besieged a Palestinian prison in Jericho for 10 hours on Tuesday before seizing six Palestinian inmates. The men - five of whom were wanted in the assassination of Rehavam Zeevi, the Israeli tourism minister, in 2001 - had been held for four years in an unusual arrangement that involved the U.S. and Britain. Palestinian leaders had hinted recently at freeing them. The raid unleashed a wave of anger among Palestinians. (New York Times)
Israel Announces First Cases of Deadly Bird Flu Strain, in Turkeys
by Scott Wilson
 Israeli health officials announced Friday that they believe more than 1,000 turkeys have died in recent days from bird flu, the first reported cases in the country. Initial test results appeared to confirm that birds being raised on four farms in southern Israel died after being infected by the H5N1 virus, avian influenza's deadly strain. (Washington Post)
UN Approves New Human Rights Council Over U.S. and Israeli Opposition
by Warren Hoge
The UN last week approved a new Human Rights Council to replace the widely discredited Human Rights Commission. The vote was 170 to 4, with Israel joining the U.S. in opposing the resolution. (New York Times)
|
Hamas Ready to Form Government
 Hamas said Saturday it has completed the formation of a government, two weeks ahead of deadline, but apparently without coalition partners that might have softened the Islamic group's image. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has to approve the Cabinet line up before it can be approved by parliament, is tentatively scheduled to meet Hamas leaders on Sunday, Hamas officials said. (Ynet News)
Russian Expert: Iran Can Create Nuclear Bomb
by Viktor Litovkin
 Viktor Mikhailov, director of the Strategic Stability Institute of Russia's Ministry of Atomic Energy, said an interview: I was among the initiators...[of Iran's] Bushehr nuclear power plant. I am sometimes asked if Iran wants to create such [nuclear] weapons or is thinking about the possibility, and I always reply that it does and is. Q: Can Iran create its own nuclear weapons or not? Mikhailov: Of course it can. Any developed country can do this now, even through the Internet, but this takes much time and money. Iran can create its nuclear bomb in five to ten years. (Novosti-Russia)
|