News & Views

Barack Obama has told the UN General Assembly the Palestinians deserve their own state, but that this would only be achieved through talks with Israel. The US president's speech came as diplomatic efforts for Palestinian UN membership intensified, while thousands rallied in the West Bank. He added there could be no "short cut" to peace, and is expected to urge the Palestinians to give up the initiative. A Palestinian official said the UN would be given time to study the bid. Mr Obama has held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and is to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas later.