Is this a low point in US-Israel relations? – Sir Cliff denies he’s a pedophile – The Pope rocks Korea – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The White House has ordered a halt to further shipments of Hellfire missiles to Israel.  This comes after published reports that Pentagon was sending the arms without the prior approval of the White House or State Department.  It demonstrates the growing mistrust between Israel and its biggest defender, the US, especially over Israel’s military action in Gaza.

Berlin, Germany is banning Uber for the safety of its customers.  Authorities say Uber puts customers at risk by allowing them to ride in cars that haven't been checked, and with drivers who haven't been vetted or are not properly insured.  The decision was hailed by taxi drivers (ha) who see Uber as unfair competition that tries to run around the regulations that they must obey.

Japan decided to piss off its neighbors, with two government ministers visiting the controversial Yasukuni War Memorial shrine to mark the 69th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two.  Yasukuni enshrines Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II.  South Korea’s foreign ministry said it “cannot help deploring” the visit and an offering sent over by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Pope Francis on his visit to South Korea met with the families of the Sewol Ferry Disaster in which some 300 people were killed.  After that, he celebrated Mass for the feast of the Assumption, held in the packed Daejeon World Cup Stadium.  The venue has a capacity of about 50,000 people.  Koreans are amazed that the pontiff is foregoing the usual limousine, and getting around in a compact KIA car.

One of China’s most prominent human rights lawyers was physically and psychologically abused by prison authorities during his three year sentence.  50-year old Gao Zhisheng was released a few weeks ago, but he’s said to be in bad shape.  The US-based advocacy group Freedom Now says Gao is emotionless, “basically unintelligible”, and had lost teeth through malnutrition caused by his prison diet of cabbage and bread.  He was sent to prison for defending political dissidents.

Chile fired the chief of security for the capital’s main airport after thieves stole more than A$11 Million from a security van at the airport.  The robbers was dressed like ground personnel when they entered the cargo area of Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez Airport and intercepted the armored vehicle carrying the money.  Not a shot was fired.  The cash was bound for the north of the country, for banks and mining companies to meet payroll.

In England, South Yorkshire Police searched a property belonging to singer Sir Cliff Richard in relation to sex assault allegations involving a boy younger than 16.  The alleged incident dates back to 1985 and coincided with a visit from US preacher Billy Graham.  Cliff Richard is at his holiday home in Portugal, and released a statement denying the allegations.

Crazy guy keeps a Japanese Giant Hornet as a pet.  I don’t recommend it.  I saw one of these up close once.  ‘Thought a truck was flying by.