AP – Jewish settlers released balloons and broke ground on a kindergarten in celebration Sunday as a 10-month construction slowdown expired, while U.S. and Israeli leaders tried to figure out how to keep Palestinians from walking out of peace talks over the end of the restrictions. Read more

AP – Japan asked China to pay for damage to Japanese patrol boats hit by a Chinese fishing vessel near disputed islands, as simmering tension between the two Asian neighbors showed no signs of easing Monday. Read more

AP – Delegates to North Korea’s biggest political meeting in decades gathered in the country’s capital amid speculation that leader Kim Jong Il will appoint a son and other family members to key positions as part of a succession plan. Read more

AP – Pakistan’s federal minister for defense production resigned after being summoned by the prime minister to explain comments he made criticizing the army and accusing it of killing prominent politicians. Read more

AP – Afghan election officials ordered recounts Sunday in seven provinces after last week’s parliamentary elections, while security problems continued to plague the country with the kidnapping of four aid workers, including one British woman. Read more