"Peaceful nuclear energy is the right of the Iranian nation. The Iranian nation has chosen that based upon international regulations, it wants to use it and no one can stop it."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced defiance on August 29 and challenged U.S. President George W. Bush to a televised debate

"We are now, ourselves, major beneficiaries of China's rapid development. U.S. manufacturers, farmers and service providers have seen exports to China grow an average of 22 percent a year since China joined the WTO in December 2001, and U.S. consumers enjoy access to a wide array of high-quality, competitively priced products."

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, speaking at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce addressing Sino-U.S. trade issues

"Hamas and Hezbollah are not Al Qaeda. Besides their well-known responsibilities for terrorist actions, they have a political side, they are engaged in assistance."

Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, after the cabinet approved sending 2,500 troops to take part in the expanded U.N. peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon

"The Fed's indication of a halt in interest rate hikes, coupled with crude oil dipping below $70 a barrel, is a confidence booster for stock investors. These will create the perfect year-end shopping season for Asian exporters.''

Kevin Yang, who manages a $100-million-investment trust in Taipei, observing the rise in Asian stocks after oil prices fell

"Air traffic controllers are not responsible for making sure pilots are on the right runway...It would have been great if he or she did, but they have other duties up there."

John Nance, a U.S. pilot and aviation analyst, comments as investigators probe why a Comair jet took the wrong runway at the Lexington Kentucky airport, crashing and killing all 49 on board on August 27