• US plans to invite six Arab states to Mideast peace meeting

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Washington plans to invite six Arab states including Syria to a Middle East peace conference, Abbas's aides said.

• Opponents of Russia's Putin unveil plans for election

MOSKOVSKY, Russia (AFP) - Russia's Communist party vowed on Saturday to re-nationalise "strategic" industries as opponents of President Vladimir Putin on the left and right set out their pre-election stalls.

• GM, United Auto Workers close to deal on retiree health costs

DETROIT (AP) -- More progress was reported Saturday as negotiators for General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers worked on a historic new contract that would shift retiree health care costs from the company to the union.