* Mashaal: Next war will span entire Mideast Hamas politburo chief Khalad Mashaal warned that should another war with Israel erupt, the fighting will not be limited to the Gaza Strip.
* Looming NATO offensive raises few Afghan spirits A NATO offensive is a hard sell to some Afghans, even if it breaks the Taliban's iron grip on their lives and eventually delivers Western aid.
* Quartet envoy Blair to work with Mitchell to renew Mideast talks Middle East envoy Tony Blair will "intensify" his work with U.S. negotiator George Mitchell to broker peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
* EU sanctions against Iran 'within days,' says minister The European Union could announce "very strong sanctions" against Tehran within "days or weeks."
* Iraq election campaign under way amid candidacy row Campaigning for the election in Iraq is getting under way amid a continuing row over the ban on scores of candidates.
* International broadcasters condemn Iran over 'jamming' Three major international broadcasters have strongly condemned Iran for its "deliberate electronic interference" in their broadcasts.
* Airborne Laser Testbed Successful in Lethal Intercept Experiment The Missile Defense Agency demonstrated the potential use of directed energy to defend against ballistic missiles when the Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile.
* China Moves to Tighten Curbs on Lending For the second time in less than five weeks, China’s central bank has moved to limit lending to consumers and businesses by ordering big commercial banks to park a larger share of their deposits at the central bank.
* Iran: We are now among world's top 15 nuclear states Iran is among the top states in terms of its nuclear technology, the country's atomic chief was quoted as saying Friday.
* Iran supreme leader lauds state rally, warns West Iran's supreme leader praised the mass turnout at the government-backed rally marking the 1979 Islamic Revolution and warned the West to stop putting obstacles in his country's path.