In the UK and international media today, the Independent reports that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met yesterday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to prevent the breakdown of Israeli-Palestinian exploratory talks. In other news, the Financial Times notes that the Iranian nuclear threat is high on the agenda at the World Economic Forum currently taking place in Davos. Reuters notes a report predicting Iran will not develop nuclear weapons in 2012, while the Daily Telegraph reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed international threats to impose an oil embargo. BBC Online and the Daily Mail notes that Ahmadinejad also hinted his willingness to renew talks with the West. Several news sources note fierce fighting between Syrian security forces and rebels in the town of Douma. The Independent notes tensions surrounding an Israeli West Bank settlement and efforts to reach an agreement for its removal. The Times carries a comment piece by Mehdi Hassan criticising attitudes of Muslims toward the Holocaust.

In the Israeli press, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report that Israeli negotiators presented principles on the borders of the future Palestinian state in an effort to avoid a breakdown in talks. Israel Hayom reports that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will travel to the Middle East to try and keep Israeli-Palestinian talks on track. The Jerusalem Post reports that The UN Security Council will meet next week to discuss the Arab League call for President Bashar Assad to transfer power. Maariv reports that settlers began voluntarily evacuating part of an illegal West Bank outpost. Ynetnews and Haaretz note that in an interview to ABC News, US President Barack Obama said sanctions on Iran are having a clear impact on the Iranian economy, but did not dismiss military action if Iran continues its nuclear programme. Several papers report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked his staff to work as usual while allegations of improper behaviour in the Prime Minister’s Office are being investigated. All papers report comments made last night by Republican presidential candidates on Israel, the Palestinians and US foreign policy.