Saturday, October 09, 2010

10/09/10

* Abbas may circumvent Israel, ask U.S. to recognize Palestinian state Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told Arab leaders he may seek U.S. recognition for a Palestinian state.

* State Dept. welcomes Arab League backing for more time Arab League agrees to give US one month to revive talks, backs Abbas decision to stop negotiations if West Bank building continues.

* Nasrallah: Iranian money helped rebuild Lebanon after war Money that Hizbullah received from Iran helped rebuild Lebanese houses destroyed by Israel in the Second Lebanon War.

* Iran acknowledges espionage at nuclear facilities Iran revealed for the first time Saturday that some personnel at the country's nuclear facilities were lured by promises of money to pass secrets to the West.

* Nato to reach out to Russia on missile defence Instead of criticising a new security treaty between Europe and America, Russia should consider coming under the umbrella of a Nato missile defence shield.

* Pakistan 'to reopen key Nato Afghanistan supply route' Pakistan will reopen a crucial overland supply route for Nato forces in Afghanistan with immediate effect, the country's foreign ministry has said.

* In walkup to G-20, a game of nuclear chess on the Korean peninsula North and South Korea are playing a dangerous game of nuclear chess in which it’s hard to tell what’s more likely: another nuclear test or fresh talks on North Korea’s nukes.

* Syria: Sale of stealth fighters to Israel security risk A couple of days after Israel signed a $2.75 billion deal for the purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets from the US, Syria said the agreement poses a threat to security in the Middle East.

* Iran ready to hold talks with US in Oct or Nov Iran says it is ready to hold talks over its nuclear program with the United States and other major powers in late October or early November.

* Karzai appeals to Taliban in Kandahar heartland Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar on Saturday.