Gates: Iran in `bad spot'...Polanski arrested...Germans vote

Washington (AP) Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran is in "a very bad spot" because of its previously secret construction of a uranium-enriching facility. But Gates is playing down the effectiveness of military strikes against the site, telling CNN "there is no military option that does anything more than buy time."


TEHRAN (AP) Iran is vowing to "respond to any military action in a crushing manner." The head of the Revolutionary Guard Air Force says Iran is demonstrating its resolve with military drills it's conducting, including the test firing of short-range missiles today.

ZURICH (AP) Roman Polanski faces possible extradition to the United States after being arrested in Switzerland. He's been wanted by U.S. authorities for having sex with a 13-year-old girl more than 30 years ago. The director fled the country in 1978 after pleading guilty. Swiss officials say they arrested him when he arrived in Zurich yesterday because there was a valid request.

BERLIN (AP) Security is tight today as Germans go to the polls to decide whether to give Chancellor Angela Merkel a second term.

Islamic extremists have threatened attacks over Germany's role in Afghanistan.

BERLIN (AP) Officials at a German zoo say they don't know why a male brown bear attacked and killed a female bear in front of horrified onlookers. A zoo spokesman says the bears were kept apart when they first arrived at the zoo but were later brought together and had lately shown signs of having adjusted to each other.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-27-09 0958CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list