* Anti-Islam Parties Big Winners in European Union Anti-Islam parties scored big victories in European Union parliamentary voting that concluded Sunday.

* Washington Post to Obama: Back Down on Settlements President Obama’s demand that Israel stop all building for Jews in Judea and Samaria may leave him without Israel as an ally and without Arab support.

* Lebanon confirms Hariri election win Official results released a day after Lebanon’s hotly-contested parliamentary election have confirmed the pro-Western coalition has held on to its majority.

* Israel cautiously hopeful on Lebanon Israelis welcomed the victory of a Western-backed coalition in Lebanon’s elections, expressing hope that the political clout of the Hezbollah had been blunted.

* US envoy calls for immediate talks President Obama wants “immediate” talks between the Palestinians and Israel to forge a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement.

* Abu Marzouk: Obama must talk to Hamas An exiled Hamas leader urged President Obama to talk directly with the terrorist group, saying the drive for Mideast peace is impossible without them.

* Military spending sets new record Global military spending rose 4% in 2008 to a record $1,464bn (£914bn) – up 45% since 1999, according to the Stockholm-based peace institute Sipri.

* Saudi urges Obama to impose Mideast solution King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has urged President Obama to impose a solution on the festering Arab-Israeli conflict if necessary.

* EU Parliament horse-trading begins With barely a day up since the finish of the EU elections, the members of the newly elected parliament are taking stock and sounding out future political allegiances.

* Pakistani Tribesmen Rise Up Against Taliban There is a major change in the public mood against Taliban militants in Pakistan.