Leaders of the two rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas held reconciliation talks in the Syrian capital and said they wanted the discussions to continue.
The Chinese trawlerman whose arrest sparked a major row arrived home on Saturday as Beijing called for compensation and an apology for the "unlawful" detention.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki defended his decision to add more diseases to the conditions officials can presume in Vietnam War veterans to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.
President Obama warned the Holy Land was doomed to perpetual bloodshed, unless the world unites behind his plan for a Palestinian state and a secure Israel.
Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said it is recalling millions of containers of its best-selling Similac infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.