* Iraqis to Pay China $100 Million for Weapons for Police Iraq has ordered $100 million worth of light military equipment from China for its police force.

* Abbas sees six-month timeframe for peace talks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s government said on Thursday formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state could be completed six months after a U.S.-sponsored Middle East conference.

* Abbas ‘disappointed’ by Olmert’s stance ahead of Mideast parley Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is disappointed by the stance taken by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ahead of the upcoming US-sponsored Middle East conference.

* Ex-US officials: Divide Jerusalem Five former State Department and Pentagon officials are proposing Israeli and Palestinian capitals in Jerusalem and excluding Arab refugees from returning to Israel as part of an Middle East accord.

* Hizbullah getting stronger in Lebanon When 30,000 UN troops and Lebanese army soldiers were deployed across southern Lebanon at the end of last year’s Israel-Hizbullah war, Hizbullah’s presence shrank in the villages and hills.

* EU treaty talks leave several political loose ends Although the legal experts have given their blessing to the EU’s new draft treaty, there are plenty of political issues that may have to be dealt with by EU leaders.

* Senators slam lack of Arab support for ME conference Close to 80 senators – including all those running for president -signed a letter calling for greater Arab support for the peace process.

* Russia marks 50 years of Sputnik Ceremonies are being held in Russia to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the space age – the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik.

* Most Americans want tougher action on Iran About 80 percent of Americans believe Iran’s contested nuclear program is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

* Korean leaders issue peace call The leaders of North and South Korea have signed a joint declaration calling for a permanent peace deal on the Korean Peninsula.