* Mashaal in Russia: Hamas not ready to recognize Israel Hamas’s political leader said Tuesday that the militant group is not ready to recognize Israel.

* Israeli Official: “Syria, Hizbullah Will Attack if Iran is Hit” Israeli security officials said if any war breaks out involving Iran, they expect Syria, Hizbullah and terrorist groups in Judea, Samaria and Gaza to join the fray and attack Israel.

* UN plans new resolution on Iran UN Security Council members, meeting in London to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, have agreed to begin work on a new UN resolution on Iran.

* Breakthrough in Iraq oil standoff Iraq’s cabinet has approved a draft oil law which aims to equitably share revenues from its oil revenues among the country’s ethnic groups.

* U.S. Finds Major Weapons Cache in Iraq U.S. officers said Monday they had discovered a factory for assembling sophisticated roadside bombs from Iranian-made components.

* Afghan base hit as Cheney visits At least nine people have died in a suicide bombing near the main US base in Afghanistan during US Vice-President Dick Cheney’s stay, US officials say.

* Hamas chief praises Russian support Khaled Meshaal, the political leader of Hamas, has praised the Russian government.

* Court names Darfur war suspects Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have named a minister and a militia leader who they suspect of war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region.

* Synagogues now terror firing zone The ruins of two large synagogues in Gush Katif, the evacuated Jewish communities of the Gaza Strip, have been transformed into a military base used by Palestinian groups.

* European research goes for gold Europe has a new flagship agency to fund the brightest ideas in science.