* Ahmadinejad: Syria will continue to oppose ‘Zionist entity’ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Hassan Turkmani in Teheran on Monday, and expressed his certainty that Damascus would continue to stand on its previous stance of opposition to Israel.

* Ex-US president: Israel has 150 nukes One month after his visit to the region spurred criticism from Israeli officials for his willingness to meet with Syria-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, former US President Jimmy Carter is again making waves, this time in telling the London Times that Israel possesses 150 nuclear weapons.

* Olmert: Only delusional fantasists believe in ‘Greater Israel’ Fear of possible military conflict with Syria prompted renewal of negotiations, prime minister reveals at Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session.

* ‘J’lem offers 91% of W. Bank in new map’ Palestinian officials close to peace talks said Sunday that Israel has offered a West Bank withdrawal map that leaves about 8.5 percent of the territory in Israeli hands, less than a previous plan but still more than the Palestinians are ready to accept.

* Barak: Israel on crash course with Hamas Israel is on a crash course with Hamas, and if a cease-fire is not reached, the clash could come any time in the next few days, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday.

* Olmert: Israel hasn’t offered Golan Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a rare appearance Monday morning at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to discuss his diplomatic and defense policy, particularly in light of the recent revelation that Israel has been conducting secret negotiations with Syria.

* Historic pictures sent from Mars A Nasa spacecraft has sent back historic first pictures of an unexplored region of Mars.

* EU to seek new pact with Russia The European Union has given the go-ahead for the start of talks with Russia on a new partnership agreement, following about 18 months of delays.

* First tasks for Lebanon president Lebanon’s new President, Michel Suleiman, has arrived at the presidential palace to begin his first full day in office.

* EU foreign ministers to debate Kosovo mission delays EU foreign ministers are meeting on Monday (26 May) to discuss looming delays of the bloc’s mission to Kosovo, with the lack of a UN blessing for Europe’s judges and policemen proving a major obstacle.