Israeli Opposition Leader Shaul Mofaz says Iran's 'nuclear program must be stopped completely' (Seco

Israeli Opposition Leader Sha-ul Mo-faz says Iran's 'nuclear program must be stopped completely'. According to the Jerusalem Post, opposition leader Shaul Mofaz told the visiting Italian prime minister that the international community must work towards stopping Iran's nuclear program completely, and said anyone who believes Iran is pursuing a peaceful nuclear program is "deluding himself." He made the comments days before nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers were set to commence.

US Navy deploys 2nd aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf amid Iran tensions. According to the Associated Press, The U.S. Navy says it has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf amid rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. Commander Amy Derrick-Frost of the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said that the deployment of the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise alongside the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group marks only the fourth time in the past decade that the Navy has had two aircraft carriers operating at the same time in the region. The two carriers will support the American military operations in Afghanistan and anti-piracy efforts off Somalia's coast and in the Gulf of Aden.

Lao Officials Confiscate Church Building and Warn Of Future Church Closings. According to Compass Direct News and advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom, Lao officials confiscated and sealed a church building in southern Laos after holding a two-day seminar warning against religious belief. Besides sealing the church building in Kham-non-sung village, they also warned that other unrecognized churches in the district would soon be shut down. There are a total of 30 church buildings scattered throughout the province, but only seven are approved by the government.