9/25/06

Pope stresses respect for Muslims Pope Benedict XVI has expressed "total and profound respect" for the Muslim faith, as he attempts to defuse a row between Islam and the Catholic Church.

African Union to expand Darfur force The African Union is to expand its peacekeeping force in western Sudan's Darfur province.

EU chief urges enlargement pause The EU Commission president has called for a pause in EU enlargement after Bulgaria and Romania join the bloc.

Iran: Busher reactor ready within 6 months Iran's vice president, who arrived in Moscow to request further assistance for construction of nuclear power plant in Busher, says that plant will be completed within six months.

Egypt unveils nuclear power plan Egypt is to revive the civilian nuclear power program it froze 20 years ago following the accident at the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine.

Abbas cancels meeting with Haniyeh Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has cancelled his planned visit to Gaza.

Oil below $60 as supply grows, economy worries Oil dropped under $60 to a six-month low on Monday.

Olmert denies talking with Saudi king A senior Saudi government official has flatly denied reports that a member of the desert kingdom's royal family recently held secret talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Iraq Forms Panel on Constitution Changes Iraq's feuding ethnic and sectarian groups moved ahead Monday with forming a committee to consider amending the constitution.

EU giving relief to 40,000 PA families The European Union said Monday it has begun paying social allowances to 40,000 needy Palestinian families.