* Israeli officials: Obama to call world summit if Mideast peace talks fail U.S. President Barack Obama has told several European leaders that if Israeli-Palestinian talks remain stalemated into September or October, he will convene an international summit on achieving Mideast peace.
* Jordan's Abdullah: Israel playing with fire Jordan's King Abdullah II said Thursday that Israel was "playing with fire" in Jerusalem.
* J'lem fears PA may ask UN to recognize state on 1967 lines Ahead of proximity talks, many senior coalition figures dispute US assessment that Abbas wants negotiated peace, believe PA wants to establish Palestine and continue conflict.
* Israel Nixes Weapons Sales to Turkey Israel has begun turning down Turkey's requests to buy certain advanced weapons.
* When Saudi Arabia goes nuclear The Saudis realize that developing a nuclear industry may be good energy policy, but it is also good foreign policy.
* Clinton: Syria's provocations may plunge Middle East into war Syrian President Bashar Assad is pursuing dangerous policies that could unleash war on the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned on Thursday night.
* EU-China diplomacy fails to convince sceptics Some analysts doubt whether China sees the EU as an important player on the world stage despite Europe's diplomatic charm offensive.
* Ahmadinejad likely to get US visa Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is on track to receive a US visa to attend next week's UN meeting on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
* As Greek Drama Plays Out, Where Is Europe? With new European Union leaders practically invisible and some national leaders acting largely for domestic political reasons.
* Oil spill sparks new drilling ban The US administration has banned oil drilling in new areas of the US coast pending investigations into the cause of the oil spill off Louisiana.