* Censorship lifted on September 6 IAF strike inside Syria Israel on Tuesday began to lift its strict veil of secrecy on an air strike in Syria last month, allowing the media to report on the raid without attributing such reports to foreign sources.

* Korean leaders in historic talks North Korea’s reclusive leader Kim Jong-il has welcomed South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to Pyongyang for a historic summit.

* Report: Russia sent technicians to Syria Russia has sent technicians to upgrade Syria’s air defense system.

* Putin eyes prime minister’s job Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of becoming a future prime minister by agreeing to enter the December parliamentary polls.

* Iran threatens to attack 170 US targets Iran threatened Monday to attack some 170 American targets in the Middle East and around the world if it is attacked by Israel or the US.

* US ‘biggest global arms dealer’ The US has reaffirmed its domination of global weapons trading, cornering nearly 42 per cent of the arms market.

* ‘USAF preparing Arab allies for Iran’ The United States Air Force (USAF) is working with military leaders from Persian Gulf states to train and prepare Arab air forces for a possible war with Iran.

* Syria Says No to Summit – Unless Golan is on the Agenda Preparations for the US-sponsored Middle East summit in Washington six weeks from now are underway.

* World church urges pullout from Iraq Christianity’s largest ecumenical movement said Monday that the US and its allies must settle their dispute over Iran’s nuclear program through negotiation.

* Slovenian EU presidency to push for further Balkan integration Slovenia has sent a letter to EU leaders and the European commission calling for “brave decisions” regarding the region.