Palestinians concern...Will Afghan vote go on?...More vaccine coming

JERUSALEM (AP) The Palestinians are rejecting Secretary of State Hillary Rodham CLinton's call for an unconditional resumption of peace talks. They say first Israel must freeze all construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. They're concerned that the United States seems to be backing away from that view, after Clinton praised an Israeli offer to curb some settlement construction.

KABUL (AP) President Hamid Karzai is now the only candidate in Afghanistan's runoff election, after his challenger withdrew in a dispute over how to prevent fraud. It's not clear whether Saturday's election will be held anyway. One Western diplomat says negotiations have been going on about a possible power-sharing deal.

Washington (AP) The top House Republican says the muddled election picture in Afghanistan shouldn't delay President Barack Obama's decision on whether to commit more U.S. troops. John Boehner (BAY'-nur) tells CNN "the longer this decision hangs, the more jeopardy" it presents for U.S. forces. White House adviser Valerie Jarrett tells ABC Obama will make the decision "when he's confident that he has all the facts that he needs."


WASHINGTON (AP) Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (GYT'-nur) says while the federal deficit is too high, the White House needs to stay focused on creating economic growth. He tells NBC that will "take some time." House Republican leader John Boehner (BAY'-nur) tells CNN, the president's economic stimulus has done nothing more than increase the size of government and made business people afraid to invest.

WASHINGTON (AP) A senior White House adviser says the swine Flu vaccine supply should catch up to the demand within a week.

Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," David Axelrod says while production has fallen behind original target dates, 10 million more doses are expected to be available this week.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-01-09 1045CST | save this article / add to your favorites list