The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators - the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN - has now called for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians to resume within one month and finish within one year. Speaking after a meeting at the UN, the European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said the Quartet envoys would work with the parties and she hoped they'd react positively.
"We expect the parties to come together within four weeks, and we'll ask the Quartet envoys to prepare that meeting, to work with the parties, to bring them together."
Shelling and explosions are reported in the north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa in renewed clashes between forces loyal to President Saleh and armed tribesmen opposed to his rule. Unconfirmed reports say that at least 13 people have been killed. After his homecoming earlier on Friday, President Ali Abdullah Saleh called for a ceasefire to end the violence, in which around 100 people have been killed this week, mostly unarmed anti-government protesters.
Media organisations in the US and in Britain have condemned attempts by Iran to block independent reporting by jamming satellites, interrupting Internet connections or intimidating journalists.
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The White House has intensified America's criticism of Pakistan, accusing the government there of allowing a militant group to operate from safe havens in the country. A White House spokesman, Jay Carney, said Pakistan must break any links it had with the militants, the Haqqani network. Paul Adams reports.