World News Briefs -- April 26, 2009

Faithful wearing face masks, who managed to get inside a closed door mass, listen at the Metropolitan cathedral in Mexico City, Sunday, April 26, 2009. Churches stood empty Sunday in Mexico City after services were canceled, and health workers screened airports and bus stations for people sickened by a new strain of swine flu that experts fear could become a global epidemic. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills). Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israel rejects Syria preconditions for peace talks.

Mutual recriminations fly prior to 'last-ditch' talks for Fatah, Hamas.

Clinton urges fair, transparent Lebanese elections.

Lebanon arrests 3 on charges of spying for Israel.

Top militant 'arrested in Iraq' .

Jailed U.S. reporter refuses food in Iran.

ASIA

'Over 33 militant outfits active in Bangladesh'.

Kim's son joins N. Korea military board.

Baitullah despatches 300 terrorists to attack Pakistani cities.

Australia: White paper orders huge military build-up.

Thai protesters hold first rally since crackdown.

AFRICA

Final results show resounding victory for A.N.C. in South Africa.

6 dead in Somali parliament mortar attack.

Ethiopia arrests 'coup plotters'. More news here.

Guinea arrests over 'coup plot'.

Madagascar protests spark clashes.

EUROPE

Center-left claims victory in Iceland.

Energy summit discusses rival projects to supply Europe with natural gas, agrees on diversity.

Eurofighter pressure mounts on UK.

Spain's jobless rate soars to 17%.

Rising seas threaten renowned French coast.

AMERICAS

U.S. declares public health emergency over flu.

Mexico flu sparks worldwide fear.

Ecuador votes for new president.

As infamous Mexican cartel totters, violence grows.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Report: Region IN THE U.S. state of Virginia may be a hotbed for terrorist recruiting

U.S. promises review of Kuwait Guantanamo inmates.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

Wall Street on edge over earnings, banking sector.

Finance officials at odds over IMF funding plan.

Director of the White House National Economic Council says U.S. economy to decline ‘for some time’.

OPEC wants oil to reach $70 a barrel.

Super-rich ravaged by recession.