The Two States Solution (Israeli and Palestinian states) to the Zionist/Arab conflict has been, lately, revived as the only practical solution to the conflict. This solution, with all its embedded dangers, had been unjustly and illegally imposed by the UN in 1948 giving the Zionists a starting foot hold in the Arab World. It was, then, welcomed by the Zionists but rejected by the Arabs. Ironically, after 61 years and due to the changing balance of power, reviving this solution, now-a-days, is welcomed and sought for by the Arabs, but is rejected by the Zionist Israel. 

By John Marty, State Senator and DFL Candidate for Governor of Minnesota

In challenging times like ours, it is important to step back and look at the big picture. In the Senate we wrestle with painful choices to balance the state budget. Some factors affecting the budget are outside of our control, some we can control, and others fall somewhere in-between. While most legislative work addresses things we have direct control over, we should at least understand other factors influencing the resources available.

By William F. Shughart II

Supporters of generating electricity with nuclear power cheered after learning that President Obama had included federal guarantees in next fiscal year’s budget to clear the way for starting work on the first two new U.S. nuclear power plant in decades. The same people jeered when they also saw that the president proposed eliminating funding for a national nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, originally scheduled to open this year, but delayed by congressional diversions of monies appropriated for the site to other spending programs.

Many factors contribute to the incarceration today of more blacks than whites even though blacks make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population.

The United States has expressed concern over reports that the Sudanese army launched offensives against rebels in Darfur after signing a peace deal with the main rebel group there last week.

The US president has embraced a handful of Republican healthcare ideas to lure unconvinced members of the Congress to support his top domestic policy priority.

The United States has criticised an Afghan government decision to ban live coverage of attacks by domestic and international news organisations.

Radovan Karadzic, the wartime Bosnian Serb leader, has told judges at his genocide trial that the worst alleged crimes during the Bosnian war are "myths".

Seven people have been arrested in Italy on suspicion of trafficking weapons to Iran, despite an international ban on trading arms with the Islamic Republic.

At least 29 people have been killed and 42 more wounded by suicide bombers who attacked two police stations and a hospital in a city northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The head of the Dubai police is planning to seek the arrest of the prime minister of Israel and the head of the country's secret service, Mossad, over the killing of a Hamas leader.

Jerusalem's mayor has decided to put off his plans for redeveloping the district of Silwan that would have seen many Palestinian homes demolished in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood.

The Arab League has agreed to a US proposal for indirect Palestinian-Israeli talks, a senior Palestinian official says.

Google has said it is continuing to review the future of its China operations, almost two months after the firm said it would stop complying with Chinese government regulations requiring it to censor search results.

Australia's economy enjoyed its fastest growth in nearly two years at the end of 2009, official figures have shown.