World News Briefs -- July 24, 2009

This Oct. 5, 2007 file photo shows a nurse filling a syringe with a flu vaccination at a CVS pharmacy in the Brooklyn Borough of New York. U.S. health officials say swine flu could strike up to 40 percent of Americans over the next two years and as many as several hundred thousand could die if a vaccine campaign and other measures aren't successful. Those estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mean about twice the number of people who usually get sick in a normal flu season would be struck by swine flu. Officials said those projections would drop if a new vaccine is ready and widely available, as U.S. officials expect.
(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Swine Flu 'Reaches 160 Countries' -- BBC

The swine flu virus has reached 160 countries and could infect two billion people within the next two years, the World Health Organization has said.

A senior WHO official, Keiji Fukuda, said the virus was still in its early stages and would continue to spread for some time.

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MIDDLE EAST

UN accuses Hezbollah of violating 2006 Lebanon cease-fire.

US slams alleged Hezbollah bid to impede arms cache probe.

Iran president caves in, dismisses his top deputy.

17 die as plane skids, bursts into flames in Iran.

ASIA

Delayed offensive wears at Pakistan's antiterror credibility.

Indonesian President wins second term.

Kyrgyz poll 'marred' say monitors. OSCE monitors slam Kyrgyz presidential election.

Suu Kyi trial resumes as spotlight leaves Burma.

China steps back from one child policy.

AFRICA

UNHCR: 536,000 made homeless this year in E. Congo.

Mauritania's Constitutional Council upholds win for Aziz.

Troops crawl after Guinea attack.

Nobel laureate wades into Niger Delta crisis.

Nigeria's Q1 oil revenue cut by half: official.

EUROPE

US, Russia discuss nuclear arms reduction pact.

Biden supports Georgia's NATO aspirations.

Wildfires rage in southern Europe.

Angry French workers detain air cargo manager.

AMERICAS

Ousted Honduran president steps into homeland. Honduras imposes curfew as leader plans return.

Chavez to beef up Venezuela's military power.

Colombia seizes 63.5 tonnes of cocaine in first half of 2009.

Colombia discovers biggest oil reserve in decade.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

Geithner defends financial oversight reform.

Queen Elizabeth strapped for cash.