World News Briefs -- May 21, 2009

US President Barack Obama delivers a major speech on national security at the US National Archives in Washington, DC. Obama Thursday vowed no retreat on closing Guantanamo Bay despite raging debate, branding the camp a "mess" and charging Bush-era anti-terror tactics were rooted in fear and ideology. (AFP/Jim Watson)

Obama Defiant On Guantanamo Closure, Slams Bush 'Mess' -- Yahoo News/AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama Thursday vowed no retreat on closing Guantanamo Bay despite raging debate, branding the camp a "mess" and charging Bush-era anti-terror tactics were rooted in fear and ideology.

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MIDDLE EAST

'Iran missile program may be more advanced than thought'.

UN doubts major Hezbollah rearming in south Lebanon.

Obama OKs nuclear deal with United Arab Emirates.

Israel removes West Bank settler outpost.

Court: Egypt tycoon to hang in slaying of pop diva.

ASIA

Red Cross barred from Sri Lankan refugee camp.

New Indian Government pledges to make security a priority.

FACTBOX-Who will head the key ministries in India?

Myanmar: Suu Kyi trial closed again.

Indonesia investigates military plane crash.

Philippines: Communist 'rebels' killed in south.

Nepal's Maoists to allow vote for prime minister.

AFRICA

Navy brings aid, training to Gabon.

U.S. outreach on rough seas off Western Africa.

Mozambique gets $3m in Chinese military aid.

Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe takes step to resolve impasse.

EUROPE

In Belgrade, Biden tours a city under lockdown.U.S. gets cheers in Kosovo after cool Serb welcome.

Georgian mutiny suspect killed, 2 wounded.

UK opposition leader dumps lawmaker over expenses.

Critics: Ireland slow to protect its children.

New French law on Internet piracy meets skepticism.

AMERICAS

US swine flu deaths hit double-digits.

Colombia's Uribe: Keeping up with Hugo Chávez.

U.S.: Disloyalty is costly for Hugo Chávez backers.

Arrests on southern border drop.

Mexican cartels break open new front in drugs war.

FBI looks for clues to missing Somali youths.

US diplomat seeks to ease tensions with Bolivia.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Feds: NY suspects disappointed couldn't attack WTC.

Sham colleges open doors to Pakistani terror suspects.

Obama says US prisons tough enough for detainees.

7 Iraq Al-Qaeda masterminds have entered Pak : Pak intelligence.

Yemen's terror problem (a commentary).

Accused East Africa Embassy Bomber held at Guantanamo Bay to be prosecuted in U.S. Federal Court.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

Day of reckoning looms for the U.S. dollar.

Fed open to buying more securities.

Britain's debt outlook lowered to negative.

GM, UAW reach deal with U.S. gov't on restructuring.