* Obama says Iran’s energy concerns legitimate President Barack Obama suggested that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy _ provided it proves by the end of the year that its aspirations are peaceful.

* Yesha Council: US using political terror against Israel Settler leaders launched a harsh tirade against the Obama administration on Monday.

* Sarkozy to meet Iran’s FM for nuke talks French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Paris on Wednesday for talks on a variety of issues.

* US inviting Iranian diplomats to July 4 parties In a new overture to Iran, the Obama administration has authorized US embassies around the world to invite Iranian officials to Independence Day parties.

* Lieberman ‘deeply disappointed’ over Russia-Hamas contacts Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the new US administration’s approach to Iran has increased chances of resolving the standoff over its nuclear program.

* N Korea ‘names Kim’s successor’ North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il has designated his youngest son to be the country’s next leader.

* Turning Point 3: Nation Practices Bomb Shelter Drill Israelis across the country, from the oldest to the youngest, re-enacted a scene already far too familiar for residents of the Gaza Belt.

* Somalia crisis ‘Africa’s worst’ The “very dire” humanitarian crisis in Somalia is the worst in Africa for many years, says Oxfam’s co-ordinator for the failed Horn of Africa state.

* Merkel and Sarkozy in joint call for ‘strong Europe’ With only a few days left to the 4-7 June European elections, Germany and France’s centre-right leaders, chancellor Angela Merkel and president Nicolas Sarkozy, have made a joint call on Europeans.

* Poll: Arab support for US increasing While support for America’s leaders has risen markedly throughout the Arab world with the coming of a new American administration, it has actually declined among Palestinians.