By: BBC News

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has dropped out of the race to be European Council President – just as EU leaders meet to decide who to appoint.

The Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy is widely expected to get the job, with French and German support.

The socialist group of EU leaders is now urging the appointment of EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Catherine Ashton as the new foreign policy supremo.

A UK government spokesman revealed the dramatic twist in the British position.

EU leaders are in Brussels to select their first full-time president and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs – new posts created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into force on 1 December.

The heads of the 27 EU member nations are still divided over which candidates to choose, and after-dinner negotiations are expected to last into the night.

Mr Blair had been an early favourite for president and was the highest-profile candidate.

Lisbon Treaty

The EU leaders will have a working dinner together to negotiate the appointments.

They are widely expected to strive for a balance in the two posts, with one likely to be filled by a candidate from one of the bigger EU states, the other from a smaller country.

Similarly, the presidency is expected to go to a centre-right politician and the post of foreign affairs chief to the centre-left.

The BBC’s Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said Mr Blair had been an early frontrunner for the presidency, but some leaders feared he would overshadow them and so the mood shifted in favour of a lower-profile name instead.

The EU president will chair regular meetings of the European Council at which decisions are taken about the political position of the bloc.

However, correspondents say the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as the post is officially known, could have an even more powerful role.

Whoever is chosen will have a seat as vice-president of the European Commission, as well as a budget worth billions of euros and a new diplomatic service of up to 5,000 people.

‘Excellent candidate’

Mr van Rompuy is seen as a consensus-builder and has been described as a pragmatic rather than a charismatic figure

During his time as budget minister in Belgium’s Christian Democrat-led government, he took a tough stance on balancing the economic books, drastically reducing the country’s public debt.

Also in the frame to be president are former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE Chosen by 27 member states by qualified majority vote Two-and-a-half-year term Can be re-elected once Chairs EU summits Drives forward the work of EU Council of Ministers Facilitates cohesion and consensus Represents the EU on the world stage

Mr Blair had not put himself forward for the role, but had not ruled himself out either.

Currently working as Middle East envoy for the US, UN, EU and Russia, he was earlier described by Mr Brown as an “excellent candidate”.

The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband had been tipped as a possible contender for the job of EU foreign affairs chief, but he has said he is not available.

BBC correspondent Oana Lungescu says former Italian prime minister Massimo D’Alema has emerged as one of the favourites for the post.

But his communist past makes him unpopular for many Eastern Europeans, our correspondent says – so several other candidates have been mentioned, including British EU trade commissioner Baroness Ashton and another commissioner, Olli Rehn of Finland.

The European Union hopes to decide on Thursday who will be the new president to chair EU summits and represent the bloc on the world stage. The way was cleared by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic. There is intense speculation about potential candidates.

HERMAN VAN ROMPUY – BELGIUM

The low-key Belgian Prime Minister, Herman van Rompuy, is tipped as a frontrunner for the role of president, according to diplomats.

Profile: Herman van Rompuy

He is seen as a consensus-builder who would not upstage the leaders of the big powers who call the shots in Europe. He has been described as pragmatic rather than charismatic and is reported to be backed by France and Germany.

A Christian Democrat, he was appointed prime minister of Belgium in December 2008, having held the position of president of the lower house of parliament since July 2007.

During his time as budget minister in the Christian Democrat-led government, he took a tough stance on balancing the economic books, drastically reducing the country’s public debt.

An avid blogger, the 62-year-old has also penned several books, mainly on social and political issues.

He is seen in linguistically divided Belgium as a unifying force, taking an even-handed approach to resolving conflicts between the Dutch and French-speaking communities – skills that would serve him well if he secured the new top job.

TONY BLAIR – UK

The former British prime minister has not put himself forward for the role – but nor has he done anything to suggest he is not interested.

In a speech in January, Mr Blair called for new ideas on Europe

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called him “an excellent candidate” and Foreign Secretary David Miliband is also urging Britain’s EU partners to appoint him.

But the UK’s opposition Conservative Party – widely expected to win a general election next spring – has made clear its absolute opposition to the idea of Mr Blair getting the job.

Mr Blair is dividing EU states. At the EU summit in late October there was a deafening silence about his possible candidacy – apart from the UK government’s praise for him.

Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi – a friend of the Blair family – has given him wholehearted backing. France’s Nicolas Sarkozy started by signalling support for him, saying Europe needed a big-hitter, but also said it was a problem that Britain was outside the eurozone.

THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE Chosen by 27 member states by qualified majority vote Two-and-a-half-year term Can be re-elected once Chairs EU summits Drives forward the work of EU Council of Ministers Facilitates cohesion and consensus Represents the EU on the world stage Send us your comments

The smaller countries, particularly Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, fear their interests would not be represented by a high-profile president.

And there are misgivings in many capitals about Mr Blair’s role in backing the Iraq war.

Since leaving office as British PM, Tony Blair has worked as Middle East envoy for the US, UN, EU and Russia.

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER – LUXEMBOURG

There are few European figures with credentials as impeccable as Luxembourg’s prime minister.

He is the EU’s longest-serving PM and head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers from eurozone member states. He has been at the heart of major EU negotiations since the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in February 1992.

Mr Juncker may win the support of smaller countries

Mr Juncker is also one of the very few to have declared an interest in the job of president.

“If I were called on, I would have no reason to refuse,” he said.

While President Sarkozy might be happy with a centre-right candidate from Luxembourg, Gordon Brown would be unlikely to support him because of his federalist reputation. The newer member states might also be reluctant to be led by one of “old Europe’s” senior statesmen.

But smaller states would see him as someone prepared to build consensus and listen to their views.

Given his extensive EU experience and status as Europe’s longest-serving leader, he is seen as a frontrunner.

JAN-PETER BALKENENDE – THE NETHERLANDS

A third Benelux leader is seen to be a strong contender for the job – the Dutch prime minister.

Mr Balkenende has boosted the Dutch presence on the world stage

Jan-Peter Balkenende has remained at the helm of four successive Dutch governments, and has boosted the role of the Netherlands on the world stage, recently negotiating invitations to G8 and G20 summits.

Mr Balkenende hails from the centre-right – which may give him appeal for the predominantly centre-right EU leaders. He is also a veteran of Dutch coalition politics, and that may appeal to the smaller countries that want their voices to be heard at the top table.

Yet he will always struggle to shake off the comment made by Karel De Gucht, a former Belgian foreign minister, who compared him to Harry Potter.

VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA – LATVIA

Vaira Vike-Freiberga, 71, the former president of Latvia, is being pushed by her government and that of neighbouring Lithuania.

Sweden’s EU commissioner Margot Wallstrom has been urging EU leaders to appoint a woman.

Ms Vike-Freiberga was the first female president of Latvia – a former Soviet republic which joined the EU and Nato in 2004.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga was Latvia’s first female president

Dubbed the Iron Lady of Latvia, she served for eight years after being elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. She was a staunch supporter of intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Vygaudas Usackas, said she would be “a dynamic new face for Europe, with robust, strategic visions”.

Although she was born in Riga, Ms Vike-Freiberga’s family fled the Soviet occupation of Latvia after World War II, and she lived in Germany and Morocco before working as a psychology professor in Canada.

She returned from exile to Latvia in 1998.

WOLFGANG SCHUESSEL – AUSTRIA

The former chancellor of Austria is an outside bet, but as a conservative he could be well placed to win the support of EU leaders.

Mr Schuessel is parliamentary leader of his conservative People’s Party

Austria has never had a significant figure at the top of the Brussels hierarchy, despite becoming a member in 1995. Nevertheless, it is at the heart of Europe, a participant in all the EU’s major initiatives such as the Schengen border-free accord and the euro.

As chancellor, Mr Schuessel was widely criticised for going into coalition government with the Freedom Party of nationalist leader Joerg Haider in 1999.

For a period, Austria was shunned by the rest of the EU. But Mr Schuessel was later praised for weakening the Freedom Party’s influence, leading to its fall from grace and eventual internal division.

He may seem a dark horse in this presidential race, but could attract German support.

FELIPE GONZALEZ – SPAIN

A long shot for the job but with the necessary political weight and EU experience.

Mr Gonzalez is one of Europe’s most respected political figures

Felipe Gonzalez spent 14 years as Spanish prime minister (1982-96) and took Spain into the EU.

He is still a popular figure in Spain, where his name has been linked with the EU presidency.

As a socialist, he would garner the support of the Spanish government if he chose to stand. But his politics might be a disadvantage in the eyes of most EU leaders.

JOHN BRUTON – IRELAND

The former Irish prime minister is currently the EU ambassador to Washington, but is finishing his five-year term and has thrown his hat into the ring for the EU presidency.

Mr Bruton has spent five years as the EU’s representative in Washington

He headed up a three-party coalition government in Ireland between 1994 and 1997 at a crucial time for the Northern Ireland peace process.

His supporters also credit him with putting the Republic of Ireland on the road to prosperity that would last up to a decade.

His profile as the EU’s man in Washington and his time served as the vice-president of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) give him significant name recognition in Brussels and could make him a strong outside bet.

TOOMAS HENDRIK ILVES – ESTONIA

The Estonian government put forward President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, a centrist politician, as a contender for both the EU presidency and the new foreign affairs post this month.

President Ilves previously served as Estonian foreign minister

A former diplomat and journalist, he has served as Estonian president for three years. He played an important role in negotiating Estonia’s EU accession, which took place in 2004.

He grew up in the US. That could play well with those – especially fellow East Europeans – who argue that the EU needs to forge closer ties to the US.

But older EU member states might consider him inexperienced in the workings of EU politics and lacking influence among Europe’s heavyweights.

European Council leaders are set to elect a president under the rules of the newly-adopted Lisbon Treaty. But how does the position compare to that of other presidents, such as the President of the United States?

President of European Council

President of United States of America

European Union: Population: 490 million GDP: $18.7tn

United States: Population: 304 million GDP: $14.9tn

Military: 3,800 troops on European military missions

Military: 250,000 on deployment (Iraq/Afghanistan)

Land mass:

Land mass:

Elected by: European Council leaders. Liable to select candidate by consensus. If vote held, each country has different number of votes. Winner must gain 258 out of 345 votes from at least 18 of the 27 countries.

Elected by: Electoral College system. In general election, must win 270 out of 538 electoral college votes. President Barack Obama won 67 million votes in popular vote.

Term of two and half years – renewable once.

Term of four years – renewable once.

Salary reported to be 350,000 euros ($521,374) a year

President earns 268,521 euros ($400,000) a year

Position and key roles:

Position and key roles:

Chairs European Council. Duty to “facilitate cohesion and consensus”, without national bias.

Head of state. Partisan, elected on own platform of policies, usually with support of a party, eg Republican or Democratic.

Represents EU abroad on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy.

Negotiates treaties. Directs foreign policy. Can sign executive orders without Congress approval.

No powers of veto.

Power of Veto – President must sign any bill passed by Congress before it becomes law.

Must report to European Parliament after each European Council meeting.

President must report to Congress by delivering State of Union address.

Military control: No influence on military. EU Military staff receives “taskings” from EU Military Committee (which represents defence chiefs of all member states).

Military control: Commander-in-Chief of armed forces – responsible for strategy. Congress must approve going to war but president can decide when to launch nuclear missiles.

What will Europe president and foreign minister do?

Advertisement

This week European leaders are to meet in Brussels to decide who should fill two of the most important posts in the European Union.

There are two jobs – president of the Council – also known as the president of Europe – and the high representative for foreign affairs – in other words a European foreign minister.

Both of them were created by the Treaty of Lisbon to try and improve the workings of the EU and give it a stronger voice on the world stage.

But whoever gets the jobs, what will they actually do?

Europe Correspondent, Dominic Hughes investigates.

* Belgian PM named as EU president EU leaders have chosen the Belgian Prime Minister, Herman van Rompuy, to be the first permanent European Council President.

* Official: Major powers to discuss Iran sanctions on Friday Six major world powers will meet in Brussels to discuss what measures could be applied against Teheran for its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment program.

* Karzai sets target for Afghanistan forces to take over Hamid Karzai has been sworn in as Afghan president for a second elected term, saying he wants Afghan forces in charge of the nation within five years.

* Virtual reality, psych prep help IAF In the face of a growing anti-aircraft and ballistic missile threat against Israel, the IAF plans to conduct special seminars to prepare pilots and ground crews for future conflicts.

* Internet Group: Biometric Database is Dangerous The Israeli Internet Union issued an open letter to Knesset members Sunday, asking them to “act to stop the passage of the law that would require biometric identification measures and a biometric database, at least in its current form.”

* EU rebukes Israel for Jerusalem settlement expansion Israel’s decision to push ahead with settlement expansion in East Jerusalem in defiance of international community opinion generated a rebuke from the EU.

* Obama’s press on Gilo shows a continued misread of Israel US President Barack Obama is an extremely intelligent man surrounded by equally intelligent advisers.

* Poll: Record high support of peace talks According to the monthly War and Peace Index, some 75% of the Jewish public in Israel support holding peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

* Hamas: Terrorism to Eliminate Israel is a ‘Principle’ In an interview published Thursday in the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat, a Hamas spokesman said that the jihadist movement is loyal to “Palestinian principles”.

* Golden cross in Vatican’s collection gets new look One of the gems of the Vatican’s priceless religious art collection — a 6th century reliquary containing the purported fragments of the cross on which Jesus was crucified — has been restored to its Byzantine-era glory.

By: The Washington Post

Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, the Army psychiatrist believed to have killed 13 people at Fort Hood, was supposed to discuss a medical topic during a presentation to senior Army doctors in June 2007. Instead, he lectured on Islam, suicide bombers and threats the military could encounter from Muslims conflicted about fighting wars in Muslim countries.

By: Jason Koutsoukis – The Sydney Morning Herald

JERUSALEM: Yehuda Glick is a 44-year-old American-born Jew who spends most of every day preparing for the arrival of the Messiah in Jerusalem.

Since he became the executive director of the Temple Institute, Mr Glick’s main task has been to supervise the manufacture of the utensils the high priests will need when the day arrives.

Crowns and other instruments made of solid gold fill glass cases in the Temple Institute museum in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Other artefacts include an array of copper urns, trumpets made of silver and garments to be worn by the High Priest, woven from golden thread.

Musical instruments, including hand-made harps and lyres, lie ready to be brought to life upon the Messiah’s appearance.

So, when can we expect this momentous event?

”That is a very good question,” Mr Glick told the Herald.

”All that we know is that we are now living in the age of miracles and all of those miracles are predicted in the Book as happening on the eve of the end of days. It could well be tomorrow, but it might be another 100 years, or even 400 years.”

We were in the Quarter Cafe in the Jewish sector of Jerusalem’s Old City, high on an embankment that overlooks the most contested religious site on Earth.

Jews call it the Temple Mount, or Mount Moriah, and believe it to be the site of the Foundation Stone, the Holy of Holies from where God gathered the dust to create Adam.

Muslims call it Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, and believe it to be the third-holiest site in Islam, from where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

To Jews the Temple Mount is also the site of the first temple built by King Solomon. After it was destroyed, a second temple was built about 500BC, and stood for 500 years before the Romans destroyed it. Their religion holds that a third temple will be built upon the arrival of the Messiah.

”That is why we have engaged two architects,” Mr Glick said. ”It will be a modern building, with car parks and elevators, but it will look very much like the Second Temple.”

The Temple Institute museum contains a large-scale model of what the Third Temple will look like, with its main building set to reach a height of 60 metres.

Today, the Temple Mount is dominated by the al-Aqsa Mosque and the gold-topped Dome of the Rock.

”Al-Aqsa can stay,” Mr Glick said, pointing to the mosque. ”It’s not even on the Temple Mount proper. But we intend to just build over the Dome of the Rock. We might be able to find a way to include it in the Third Temple.”

Mr Glick envisages a house of prayer open to all believers in the monotheistic faiths, Christians, Muslims or Jews.

The Temple Institute has become a fixture on American evangelical tours of Israel. Thanks largely to their donations, it has so far spent $US27 million ($29 million) on preparations.

”We started with $US100,” Mr Glick said. ”There are 70 million evangelical Christians around the world, and most of them have become Israel’s strongest supporters.”

Ordinarily, Israel prevents Jews from visiting the Temple Mount. It so sensitive an area that when the then Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited, accompanied by hundreds of Israeli riot police, in 2000, it sparked a wave of violence that came to be known as the second intifada, or uprising.

”This ‘Temple Institute’ is a right-wing extremist movement interested in nothing more than provocation,” said Khatem Abdel Kaber, the Palestinian Authority minister in charge of Jerusalem affairs. ”We will vigorously defend our right to manage this site. No amount of insulting behaviour from these people will succeed in removing us.”

* Jews raise millions to be ready for coming of the Messiah Yehuda Glick is a 44-year-old American-born Jew who spends most of every day preparing for the arrival of the Messiah in Jerusalem..

* Obama warns Israel on settlements US President Barack Obama has said Israel’s approval of 900 extra housing units at a settlement in East Jerusalem could lead to a “dangerous” situation.

* EU no closer to consensus on names for top jobs One day ahead of an EU summit to agree the names for two new posts designed to make the European Union more coherent on the international stage, the nomination process remains in disarray.

* Obama Winds Up Asia Tour With South Korea Summit U.S. President Barack Obama has arrived in South Korea, where he is expected to show solidarity with the country’s president in demanding North Korea move toward ending its nuclear weapons programs.

* Israeli settlement plan denounced The US and UN have criticized Israel’s approval of 900 extra housing units at a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem.

* EU rejects request to recognise independent Palestine The European Union has rejected a request from the Palestinian Authority that it back plans to unilaterally declare the occupied territories an independent state.

* Proof that Fort Hood Shooting was Muslim Terrorism While the U.S. debate continues as to whether Maj. Nidal Hassan’s murder of 13 soldiers in Texas this month was a terrorist attack, researcher Barry Rubin says the murderer himself provided the affirmative answer.

* Gaza charity offers $1.4 million for capture of IDF soldiers A Gaza charity linked to the ruling Hamas militant group is offering $1.4 million to anybody who captures an Israeli soldier.

* Russia, EU Meet for Mending Relations Russian and European Union leaders are meeting in Stockholm Wednesday in an effort to mend relations damaged last year by Russia’s war with Georgia and a gas cut off.

* Clinton Visits Karzai on Inauguration Eve In what amounted to a stern pep talk by a nervous partner, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived here on Wednesday to exhort President Hamid Karzai and his government.

* PM: Iranian threat is ‘very grave’ for Israel, ME, entire world Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned about the dangers of a nuclear Iran after touring an submarine believed capable of firing nuclear-tipped missiles.

* EU against Palestinian state move The European Union has said proposals by the Palestinians to try to have the UN recognise an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza are “premature”.

* Age of cyber warfare is ‘dawning’ Cyber war has moved from fiction to fact, says a report.

* Will settlers become illegal residents of Palestine? Legal experts told Ynet Monday that if the Palestinians go through with their plan of unilaterally declaring a state in the West Bank, the settlers there could find their status changed to that of illegal residents.

* China joins supercomputer elite China has become one of a handful of nations to own one of the top five supercomputers in the world.

* EU foreign minister has ‘impossible’ task ahead The tasks of the proposed new EU foreign minister look relatively clear-cut and powerful on paper but analysts and politicians in Brussels suggest the person will need to be superhuman to manage all that is foreseen under the Lisbon Treaty.

* China and US ‘to work together’ The presidents of China and the US have agreed to work together to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems.

* Obama ‘Reaches Out’ by Naming ‘Devout’ Muslims to Security Posts U.S. President Barack Obama continues to “reach out to Muslims” by appointing them to key security posts amid charges he wrongly ignored internal Muslim terror.

* Temple Gate Prayers Welcome Month of Chanukah More than 1,000 Jews, under heavy security against Arab violence, sang and prayed Monday night in the monthly march around ancient gates to the Temple Mount.

* EU top jobs summit could drag on for days A deal on the EU top jobs remains far from reach ahead of a special summit on Thursday (19 November) that could require a follow-up meeting the next day.

* Italy’s Foreign Minister says post-Lisbon EU needs a European Army Italy is to push for the creation of a European Army after the “new Europe” takes shape at this week’s crucial EU summit following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty.

* PM warns PA against unilateral moves Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned that Israel might take unilateral steps if the Palestinians did not return to the negotiating table.

* Russia’s Iran reactor delayed Russia has said a nuclear power station it has been building at Bushehr in southern Iran will not be completed by the end of this year as planned.

* UN chief urges unity over hunger UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for a “single global vision” from world leaders to address the problems of world hunger and pollution.

* Ahmadinejad: Western nuclear pressure empowers Iran Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran would not negotiate its right to a nuclear program, adding that Western pressure was only pushing his countryharder to advance its technology.

* Google Earth Tracks the Battlefield Miracle of Chanukah Google Earth is helping Jews in Israel and all over the world understand the miraculous victory of the Jews over Greek invaders 2,000 years ago thanks to the initiative of a rabbi who brings history back to life on the computer.

* Survey: Israel best country for Israelis The majority of Israeli citizens believe that the Jewish State is the best place to live in the world, according to the annual Social Strength Index.

* Obama presses China over rights US President Barack Obama has told China that individual rights and freedoms should be available to all.

* UN, Denmark suggest 2010 deadlines for climate deal The United Nations and Denmark, the host of the Copenhagen UN climate change summit, on Monday suggested new deadlines next year for the conclusion of a binding treaty on greenhouse gas emissions.

* EU reforms to feature at jumbo ministers meeting Almost one hundred EU ministers will gather in Brussels for a jumbo-council on foreign affairs, defense and development, where corridor discussions are likely to focus on the EU’s top jobs and the institutional changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty.

* Erekat: PA may ask UNSC to recognize state on ’67 borders The Palestinian Authority is considering asking the UN Security Council to recognize the existence of a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines.

* US welcomes strong China – Obama President Barack Obama says the US “does not seek to contain” China’s rise as a big player on the world stage.

* ‘Medvedev, Obama may talk sanctions’ Russia is prepared to support further sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

* Turkey ‘could store Iran uranium’ Turkey and the UN’s nuclear watchdog have confirmed they are discussing a proposal to allow Iran to store some of its enriched uranium in Turkey.

* Assad in France: Let’s resume talks Following his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday, Syrian President Bashar Assad called for an immediate resumption of peace talks with Israel.

* Jewish Ties to Hevron Flourish The Jewish connection to Hevron is thriving, reports local resident and former politician Tzvi Katzover.

* French source to al-Hayat: Israeli military option against Iran alive In a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy got the impression that as far as Israel is concerned, the military option against Iran’s nuclear plans is very much alive.

* U.S. rejects Ahmadinejad call to choose between Israel and Iran The United States on Friday rejected a call by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for it to choose between supporting Israel or Iran.

* Wanted: People Willing to Lead the European Union The position will undoubtedly bring prestige, limitless travel and the chance to head a network of European Union diplomats stretching around the globe.

* Source says US holding off on Mideast peace talks American officials told London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper that Washington is not interested in pressuring the Israelis and Palestinians into commencing peace negotiations.

* Assad to Sarkozy: If Netanyahu is sincere, let us resume talks Following his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday, Syrian President Bashar Assad called for an immediate resumption of peace talks with Israel.

* Syria urges firm US plan on Middle East peace Syrian President Bashar Assad said that US President Barack Obama should come up with a firm plan of action to renew peace talks between Syria and Israel.

* North Korea Issues New Threat After Naval Clash North Korea threatened on Friday to take “merciless military measures” along a disputed maritime border with South Korea, escalating tensions as President Barack Obama began a weeklong trip to Asia.

* Turkey warm to storing Iranian uranium Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Friday that if asked, his country would be willing to temporarily store Iran’s enriched uranium.

* Golan Heights Mayor: We’re on the Alert Wary caution is the order of the day in the Golan Heights, in light of Netanyahu’s apparent readiness to enter into negotiations with Syria.

* IDF chief on Goldstone Report: Terror should not be rewarded IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi spoke to high school students in Beersheba on Friday and addressed such issues as the Goldstone Report, Hamas’ rocket launching capabilities and the Iranian threat.

* Top official: U.S. won’t accept partial settlement freeze The United States does not accept continued Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, a senior U.S. state department official has said.

* Eastern states counter EU’s secretive nomination process Eastern Europe is chipping away at the secretive nomination process for new EU posts created under the Lisbon Treaty.

* Hamas calls off Independence Day declared by Arafat Hamas authorities have called off annual Palestinian Independence Day celebrations in the Gaza Strip.

* Medvedev wants Russia to go hi-tech In his annual state of the nation speech Thursday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev painted his vision for the country’s future, saying that “modernization” was the key to its “very survival.”

* Jordan: Jerusalem is a ticking time bomb Jerusalem is a ticking time bomb where an attack by Jewish extremists on Muslim holy sites could erase any chances for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

* Medvedev calls for economy reform Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for profound reform of the economy in his annual state of the nation address.

* PM tries to jump-start talks with Syria Opening up hope for some sudden progress on the Syrian front, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sent a verbal message to Syria on Wednesday.

* CAIR speaker to Muslims: OK to attack Fort Bragg A Council on American-Islamic Relations adviser and regular speaker at its events has suggested Islamic law permits Muslims to attack C-130 military transport planes carrying the 82nd Airborne out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

* Barrick shuts hedge book as world gold supply runs out Global gold production is in terminal decline despite record prices and Herculean efforts by mining companies to discover fresh sources of ore in remote spots.

* Palestinians ‘should delay polls’ The Palestinian Authority’s electoral commission has said January’s presidential and parliamentary election should be postponed.

* Israeli Tourism’s Best October Ever: 330,000 Incoming Visitors 330,000 tourists visited Israel this past month, an all-time high for October, and a 9% increase over October 2008, Israel’s record tourism year.

* Sarkozy urges Abbas to renew Mideast peace talks French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday to renew stalled peace negotiations with Israel.

* Nasrallah slams Obama, warns Israel Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of absolute bias in favor of Israel.

* Obama sets off for Asia, China looms large President Barack Obama left for Asia on Thursday with the U.S. economy, jobs and a yawning trade deficit with China looming large on his agenda.