WORLD NEWS MIDEAST-BIDEN MCT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden shake hands at Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, March 9, 2010. Israel Tuesday greeted the visit of Vice President Joe Biden with an announcement that it will build 1,600 new settler homes in East Jerusalem. The decision could topple the fledgling peace talks that US officials had hoped to begin mediating later this month. (Emil Salman/Flash 90/MCT)