* Report: Syria removing Syrian Golan military checkpoints The London based Al-Hayat reported Saturday that Israel was “concerned” that Syria’s decision to remove military checkpoints on the road to Kuneitra on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights could be a preparation for war.

* EU downsizes Gaza-Egypt border monitoring mission The EU is scaling back its monitoring mission at the Gaza-Egypt border.

* Rice: Iran is increasingly dangerous Iran is becoming increasingly dangerous, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

* Brussels questions EU capitals over approach to Islam Following failed car bomb attacks at two UK airports leading to the arrest of Muslim suspects, Brussels is pooling ideas on how to tackle radical Islam.

* US concerns over China weapons in Iraq The US has raised concerns with the Chinese government about the discovery of Chinese-made weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan.

* Turkish government and military agree on Iraq incursion plans Turkey’s government and military have agreed on detailed plans for a cross-border operation against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.

* Report: Settlements spreading out Nine of every 10 Jewish settlements sprawl beyond their official boundaries in an attempt to grab more land in the West Bank.

* Jewish groups slam Vatican Latin prayer for conversion of Jews Some Jewish groups have complained about the prayer for the Jews contained in the old form of the Latin Mass.

* Al-Qaeda linked to operations from Iran Evidence that Iranian territory is being used as a base by al-Qaeda to help in terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere is growing.

* Arab Parliament stages Hamas, Fatah reconciliation bid The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammad al-Saqr, arrived in Amman Friday saying he was planning to meet Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.