* Middle East peace talks set to resume Clinton to meet Binyamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas in Egypt for talks amid tensions over settlements.

* ‘Peace talks will fail if West Bank construction resumes’ In rare interview with Hamas media, top PA negotiator warns Israel against renewing W.Bank building when freeze expires on September 26.

* IAEA chief to Iran: Stop obstructing nuclear investigation Head of UN nuclear watchdog chides Iran for barring UN nuclear inspectors, stonewalling probe into its contentious nuclear program.

* Turkish reform vote gets Western backing The US and European Union have welcomed the result of the Turkish constitutional referendum.

* Turkish Jews: Reform strengthens Islam While international community welcomes referendum approving changes to Turkey’s constitution, some locals fear development will weaken army, allow promotion of ‘controversial’ Islamic laws .

* Israeli ambassadors to call for EU upgrade Israel has instructed its ambassadors in the EU to appeal for a resumption of talks on upgrading relations with the bloc.

* Ashton pursues closer links with China as EU reassesses global ties At a time when Europe is reassessing its role in the world, EU top diplomat Catherine Ashton has stressed the need for strong bilateral relationships, especially with China.

* Congress to be told of 60-billion US-Saudi arms deal In the largest US arms deal ever, the administration of US President Barack Obama is ready to notify Congress of plans to offer advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia worth up to 60 billion dollars, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

* Kuwait to announce launch of nuclear program this year Gulf state follows Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in plans to build nuclear reactors for energy purposes.

* Chicken-Waving: Superstition or Holy Custom? Each year at this time, the Kaparot ceremony using a chicken arouses controversy.