WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. missile defence system that would be based partly in the Czech Republic is designed to counter missile threats from the Middle East, not Russia, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser said on Tuesday.

CHOLET, France (AFP) - Australia's Cadel Evans struck a first blow to Alejandro Valverde at the Tour de France here Tuesday after leaving his yellow jersey rival trailing on the fourth stage time trial.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser said on Tuesday.

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran warned on Tuesday it would "set fire" to Israel and US forces in response to any attack over its nuclear drive, as the world's leading industrial powers told Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment.

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The United States and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on Tuesday to build part of a U.S. missile defense shield, prompting Russia to say that if deployed it would respond with "military-technical methods."

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday it would use military means if the United States deployed a missile defence shield close to Russia's borders.

PARIS (Reuters) - Israel's checkpoints in the West Bank and blockade of Gaza are preventing an economic recovery there and limiting the impact of international aid, France, the European Commission and Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair said.

NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - Iraq said on Tuesday it will not reach any security pact with Washington unless it sets a date for the pullout of US-led foreign troops, a proposal turned down by US President George W. Bush.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will hit Tel Aviv, U.S. shipping in the Gulf and American interests around the world if it is attacked over its disputed nuclear activities, an aide to Iran's Supreme Leader was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will hit Tel Aviv, U.S. shipping in the Gulf and American interests around the world if it is attacked over its disputed nuclear activities, an aide to Iran's Supreme Leader was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

TOYAKO, Japan (AFP) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Tuesday agreed to resolve a decades-old territorial row "as soon as possible," Japanese officials said.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Declining physical activity and a shift towards a Western diet are driving up obesity rates in China, with more than 25 percent of adults now considered overweight or obese, a study warned Tuesday.

BRUSSELS (AFP) - The European Commission said Tuesday it aimed to release up to 600 million euros (940 million dollars) in aid to EU fishermen to help them cope with soaring fuel prices.