Abbas takes on HamasGAZA (REUTERS):
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas-led government were locked in a stand-off yesterday over a senior security appointment, heightening political tension as the new administration's financial crisis deepened.
On Thursday, the new government appointed Jamal Abu Samhadana, a radical high on Israel's most wanted list, to supervise the Interior Ministry and set up a new police force from militants to crack down on anarchy and chaos.
US agency raises Venezuela's ranking
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AP):
U.S. aviation authorities upgraded Venezuela's safety ranking yesterday, averting a ban that would have blocked most U.S. airlines from flying to the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas said in a statement that the "Federal Aviation Administration is raising the safety rating of Venezuela to Category 1."
Iranians fire artillery at Kurds
SULAIMANIYAH, IRAQ (AP):
Iranian artillery opened fire yesterday at Kurdish rebel positions inside Iraqi territory but caused no casualties or damage, Kurdish officials said.
Kamal Karkouki, deputy speaker of parliament for the Kurdish regional administration, said the Iranians used rockets and cannon fire in the brief barrage near the village of Haj Omran, terming it a "violation of Iraqi sovereignty."
