* Emotional home coming for freed Palestinian prisoners More than 250 Palestinian prisoners, mainly members of the secular Fatah faction, have been released early by Israel in a “goodwill” gesture towards Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.

* Blair Debuts as Middle East Envoy Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair formally takes up his new position as special envoy for the Middle East Quartet.

* Taliban seize members of South Korean church Officials confirmed Friday that a group of South Koreans, apparently volunteers from a Christian church, appeared to have been abducted in Afghanistan.

* Sunnis Return to Iraqi Parliament Sunni legislators returned to Iraq’s parliament Thursday after a five-week boycott.

* Abbas’ dangerous game Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas called for new presidential and legislative elections.

* US, Europe Firm on Shunning Hamas The United States and Europe held firm Thursday to their boycott of the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

* Mideast quartet seen backing U.S. plan The quartet of Middle East mediators is expected to back U.S. plans to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace moves.

* Middle East Quartet restates support for independent Palestinian state The Middle East Quartet’s mediators restated their support here Thursday for an independent Palestinian state.

* Doctor remanded over failed car bombings A doctor was remanded in custody today charged with conspiracy to cause explosions in relation to the failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow.

* Israel slams Iran-Syria alliance Israel has denounced an alliance between Iran and Syria that it said cast doubts on Syrian peace intentions.