Serb and Albanian leaders clashed over the future of Kosovo on Monday even before sitting down to negotiations and mediators said compromise between the sides seemed impossible.

President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Russia had information suggesting the United States influenced a decision by OSCE international observers not to monitor the December 2 parliamentary election.

Israeli army reservist Haim Gottfried and Palestinian security officer Samir al-Shakhshir are committed to fighting for their people’s security but both long for the day they can lay down their arms.