* ‘No Israeli presence in our state’ Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Thursday rejected a call by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for an Israeli presence in a future Palestinian state, calling the demand “absolutely unacceptable.”

* ‘Hamas accepts Israel’s right to exist’ Hamas has accepted Israel’s right to exist and would be prepared to nullify its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel, Aziz Dwaik.

* Pakistan snubs US over new Taliban offensive Pakistan’s army has said it will launch no new offensives on militants in 2010, as the US defence secretary arrived for talks on combating Taliban fighters.

* Russia responds to U.S. missile plans for Poland Russia will strengthen its Baltic fleet in response to U.S. plans to deploy Patriot missiles in Poland.

* Elon: Real Danger to Jerusalem as Israel’s Undivided Capital Leading PA and Norwegian diplomats met for a high-level meeting in Jerusalem on Monday.

* China economy sees strong growth China has said its economy expanded by 8.7% in 2009, exceeding even the government’s own initial expectations.

* Knesset Speaker Rivlin and MK Eldad to Be ‘Tried’ in Jordan The Jordanian prosecution authorities have given the green light to a criminal proceeding in Jordan’s courts against Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin and MK Aryeh Eldad.

* Voice of Israel Angry at Radio Israel’s New Name A new local radio station that is supposed to serve the residents of Judea and Samaria – an area known in Hebrew by the acronym Yosh – has changed its name from Radio Yosh to Radio Israel.

* US to seek world cyber crackdown after Google China row The US is calling for tough action against people and states that carry out cyber attacks, following an alleged attack on search giant Google in China.

* Russia: Iran nuclear plant to start up this year The chief of Russia’s state nuclear corporation said on Thursday that the country would start up the reactor at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant by the end of this year.