Saturday, February 23, 2008

2/23/08

* Iraq warns Turkey over incursion Iraq's foreign minister has warned that any escalation of Turkey's operation against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq could destabilise the region.

* Serbia: U.S. to blame for violence Serbian prosecutors said Saturday they were hunting rioters who targeted the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade leaving one person dead while a senior Serbian minister reportedly blamed Washington for the violence triggered by Kosovo's breakaway.

* Putin warns West over Kosovo dispute Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a sharp warning to the West on Friday about the consequences of recognizing Kosovo's independence, saying the decision would "come back to knock them on the head."

* Arab leaders: Peace initiative in danger Arab officials are warning they could withdraw their landmark offer of peace and full ties with Israel in exchange for a return of Arab lands, unless Israel explicitly accepts the initiative.

* 'Israel's disappearance inevitable' Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah on Friday said Israel's "disappearance" is an inevitable fact.

* Volleys fired on Baghdad Green Zone Baghdad's heavily protected Green Zone has been hit by mortar bombs or rockets, but there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

* Barroso to open 'Noah's Ark' for seeds Next week will mark the official opening of what has been referred to as both the 'Doomsday Vault' and more optimistically as the 'Noah's Ark' for seeds.

* Rice: UN has strong case for sanctions The United States wants quick action to punish Iran for refusing to roll back its disputed nuclear program, and a new report by the UN nuclear agency strengthens the case for additional sanctions, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday.

* Super-speed Internet satellite blasts off in Japan Japan launched a rocket Saturday carrying a satellite that will test new technology that promises to deliver "super high-speed Internet" service to homes and businesses around the world.

* Ramon: Push forward 'evacuation-compensation' for settlers east of fence Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon says 'evacuation-compensation' for West Bank settlers east of security fence will prove to world, Palestinians that Israel is serious about peace.