FP roundup 9/29

Asia
U.S. and Pakistani ground forces exchanged fire over the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. There were no casualties.
China successfully launched its third manned space mission.
On the anniversary of last year's crackdown, the Burmese junta is on high alert after an explosion yesterday.

Middle East
Quoting unnamed European diplomatic sources, the Guardian reports that Israel gave serious thought to attacking Iranian military sites last summer but was talked down by President Bush. The Israeli government denies the report.
Israel's West Bank settler movement is increasingly relying on violent tactics.
Neil Macfarquhar's wide-ranging interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a must read.

Decision '08
Sarah Palin took questions from the press for the first time, but offered few specifics about her views.
Mississippi is planning on holding a debate, whether candidates show up or not.

Europe
European central banks moved to inject cash into troubled money markets.
The EU is imposing tighter testing standards on imported milk after China's contamination scandal.
Two Somali-born terror suspects were arrested aboard a KLM flight in Germany.

Africa
South Africa swore in interim president Kgalema Motlanthe.
Somali pirates seized a Ukrainian ship carrying 30 armored tanks.
Robert Mugabe called on the UN to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Americas
Vladimir Putin offered to help Venezuela's Hugo Chavez set up a civilian nuclear power program.
Brazil rolled out a somewhat lackluster deforestation plan.