* Egypt: Syria thwarting cease-fire talks Syria may be attempting to deflect international scrutiny of its actions in Lebanon by thwarting Egyptian attempts to moderate a cease-fire between Palestinian factions and Israel.

* Iran sanctions vote signals a global rift Some developing nations may be starting to sour on push by world powers to control lucrative nuclear technology.

* Police chief: This isn’t a 3rd intifada Police Chief Insp.-Gen. Dudi Cohen on Friday said that Thursday’s terror attack could not have been prevented.

* Jordan’s Abdullah warns failure of Israel-PA peace talks may boost Iran Jordan’s King Abdullah II has warned that the failure of the peace process between Palestinian and Israel will increase Iran’s ambitions.

* Carter, Annan to head peace mission to Mideast The council of world leaders launched by former President Nelson Mandela is sending a three-person team to help ease tensions in the troubled Middle East.

* Professor Blair: former British PM to take up Yale position Former British prime minister Tony Blair is to take up a post teaching at Yale.

* Iraqi Leader Tries to Mend Relationship With Turkey The president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, visited Turkey on Friday as part of a joint effort to mend relations strained by a Turkish ground offensive.

* Afghans protest over Danish cartoon Thousands of Afghans packed a sports stadium in the western Afghanistan city Herat Saturday to protest the reprinting of the same Danish cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed that sparked rage in the Muslim world.

* North Korea’s leader expresses hope for stronger friendship with Syria North Korean leader Kim Jong II hopes for stronger friendship with Syria.

* Google-Double Click merger raises privacy concerns A €2 billion takeover by US-based search engine giant Google, of online advertising firm Double Click, is likely to be approved.