9/29/06

Friday Temple Mount prayers uneventful The first Friday prayers of the month-long Muslim fast of Ramadan finished without incident at Jerusalem's Temple Mount.

Iraq prays as Al Qaeda threatens new offensive Iraqis headed to their mosques for the first weekly prayers of Ramadan Friday under a threat from Al Qaeda to step up attacks in the war-torn country.

Abbas, Mashaal to meet in unity talks Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is expected to hold talks with Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal on a proposed Hamas-Fatah government and the release of kidnapped Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Rice to visit Mid-East for talks US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to travel to the Middle East next week to try to revive peace moves between Israel and the Palestinians.

'Settlements can't be evacuated' Vice Premier Shimon Peres said on Thursday that "the government cannot evacuate more settlements in Judea and Samaria."

Suicide bombers follow Quran, concludes Pentagon briefing With suicide bombings spreading from Iraq to Afghanistan, the Pentagon has tasked intelligence analysts to pinpoint what's driving Muslim after Muslim to do the unthinkable.

UN 'must drop' Darfur peace force Top UN officials say the world body must abandon efforts to pressure Sudan to accept UN peacekeepers in Darfur.

Iran rules out suspending nuclear activities Iran said Friday that there was no reason to suspend its nuclear activities.

Turkish PM rejects ceasefire call Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected a ceasefire call from jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Hussein judge brother-in-law shot dead Gunmen in western Baghdad have shot dead the brother-in-law of the new chief judge in the Saddam Hussein trial.

9/28/06

Middle East summit 'within days' Israel's prime minister says he hopes to meet the Palestinian Authority president for a summit within days, but warned against expecting quick results.

EU and Iran continue 'intense talks' Talks between the European Union and Iran over Tehran's nuclear plans will continue in Berlin on Thursday.

Bush seeks truce in leaders' spat US President George W Bush has appealed to the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan to put aside their differences and fight terrorism.

Military Intelligence: Syrian Front Now Cause for Concern For the first time in many years, IDF intelligence officials are signaling concern that President Bashar al-Assad�s administration may be contemplating a military offensive across Israel's northeastern border.

Sheikh: All must convert to Islam Prominent Palestinian preacher says pope's meeting with Islam delegates this week is 'Crusaders conspiracy' to force 'Christian-Zionist' worldviews upon Muslims.

New US security strategy launched A new national security strategy for the United States in the 21st century that would cut back sharply on the US veto at the United Nations was launched in Washington.

Vatican minister slams extremists' 'new barbarism' The Vatican's foreign minister said that misunderstanding between cultures is breeding a "new barbarism" of violent extremists.

Poll: Iraqis Back Attacks on U.S. Troops About six in 10 Iraqis say they approve of attacks on U.S.-led forces, and slightly more than that want their government to ask U.S. troops to leave within a year,.

Saniora, Merkel to discuss UN mission Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were to discuss the deployment of German UN peacekeepers during talks in Berlin Thursday.

Oil fuelling Islamic finance sector The Islamic finance sector is prospering due to a growing demand from investors, both Muslim and non-Muslim, and the flow of oil money from the Gulf.

9/27/06

Analysis: Taliban upgrades jihad strategy As Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai arrives in Washington to press for long-term support from the United States, the fiercest fighting between NATO forces and Taliban militants rages in the south.

Diskin: Egypt allowing arms smuggling Shin Bet chief tells cabinet some 19 tons of standard explosives, hundreds of rifles smuggled from Egypt to Gaza Strip since disengagement.

Pakistan explains stance on Israel Pakistan's government will eventually have to recognize Israel.

Iran TV: 'Pirates of Caribbean' a Zionist plot A new campaign on Middle East television tells viewers that Disney is linked to Zionism and its newest "ammunition" is "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Muslim anger fear halts opera A leading opera house called off a production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" that features the severed head of the Prophet Mohammed.

Assad: Syrians, return to Golan Heights A presidential decree published by Syrian President Bashar Assad offers monetary incentives to citizens returning to reside permanently on the "occupied" Golan Heights.

Olmert Addresses Religious-Zionist Public A day-long conference on the role of religious-Zionism in Israel was held yesterday at the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute.

Romania and Bulgaria hail EU deal Romania and Bulgaria have welcomed the announcement that they will be admitted to the EU in January 2007.

Iraq war a 'jihadist cause celebre' The Iraq conflict has become a "cause celebre" for militant Islamists that is attracting increasing numbers to their movements.

S Africa is losing its way - Tutu Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu has warned that South Africa is in danger of losing its moral direction.

9/26/06

Researcher: Temple treasure is in West Bank British expert on archeology of holy land says that despite claims that treasures of Temple are in Vatican, they are actually located in Palestinian Authority.

PM: Bush won't allow nuclear Iran US President George W. Bush will stop the Iranians from getting a nuclear bomb.

Russia to send nuclear fuel to Iran Russia has agreed to ship nuclear fuel to Iran for its atomic power plant in the city of Bushehr.

EU approves Bulgaria and Romania The European Commission has announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the EU in January 2007.

UN urges Jews, Muslims to use religious holidays for peace moves The United Nations issued appeals to coincide with the Jewish New Year and Ramadan, the month-long Muslim season of fasting.

Analysis: Nuclear power may spread in Mideast At a time of slowing oil production in some Middle Eastern countries, and the growing influence of a nuclear Iran, those states may turn to nuclear power to supplement oil and gas supplies.

Bin Laden's friends say he is alive: Taleban Afghanistan's Taleban movement said Tuesday that friends of Osama bin Laden had told it he was still alive.

China rolls out next generation Internet: report China has built its own version of an ultra-fast, next-generation Internet network that promises to reduce the nation's dependency on foreign firms.

Crises Make Mideast Peacekeeping Possible A series of crises, not a burst of goodwill, has made long moribund Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking possible again.

In Pharaohs' footsteps, Egypt eyes gold-mining era After a 2,000-year lapse, Egypt is looking to acquire a gold-mining industry again by revisiting ancient deposits of the precious mineral that symbolized the glory of the Pharaohs.

9/25/06

Pope stresses respect for Muslims Pope Benedict XVI has expressed "total and profound respect" for the Muslim faith, as he attempts to defuse a row between Islam and the Catholic Church.

African Union to expand Darfur force The African Union is to expand its peacekeeping force in western Sudan's Darfur province.

EU chief urges enlargement pause The EU Commission president has called for a pause in EU enlargement after Bulgaria and Romania join the bloc.

Iran: Busher reactor ready within 6 months Iran's vice president, who arrived in Moscow to request further assistance for construction of nuclear power plant in Busher, says that plant will be completed within six months.

Egypt unveils nuclear power plan Egypt is to revive the civilian nuclear power program it froze 20 years ago following the accident at the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine.

Abbas cancels meeting with Haniyeh Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has cancelled his planned visit to Gaza.

Oil below $60 as supply grows, economy worries Oil dropped under $60 to a six-month low on Monday.

Olmert denies talking with Saudi king A senior Saudi government official has flatly denied reports that a member of the desert kingdom's royal family recently held secret talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Iraq Forms Panel on Constitution Changes Iraq's feuding ethnic and sectarian groups moved ahead Monday with forming a committee to consider amending the constitution.

EU giving relief to 40,000 PA families The European Union said Monday it has begun paying social allowances to 40,000 needy Palestinian families.

9-22-06

Haniyeh says he wont head government that recognizes Israel PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said in a mosque sermon that he will not lead a government that recognized the state of Israel.

"Egypt will Pursue Nuclear Energy" President Hosni Mubarak called for his nation to pursue nuclear energy as the US ambassador called for peace in the Middle East.

Rosh Hashanah: Prayers, Shofars, Apples and Honey Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a joyous holiday of prayer, repentance, sounding the shofar, and festive meals.

Arab Leaders Urge Arab-Israeli Talks Arab leaders have urged the United Nations Security Council to get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hezbullah supporters gather in Beirut for 'divine victory' rally Thousands packed Beirut's bombed out suburbs for a rally where Hezbullah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah was to give an historic speech.

Lebanese President Castigates UN Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has lambasted the UN for failing to stop "barbarous aggression" by Israel in the recent conflict.

Islamists Tighten Grip on Somalia Somalia's powerful Islamist movement has announced that it is tightening the Sharia law in its territory.

Pope Invites Muslim Envoys to Rome Pope Benedict will meet Muslim ambassadors to the Vatican in an attempt to end the furor caused by his speech in Germany.

Israel opens ancient site near Jerusalem shrine Israel has opened an archaeological exhibit very near the Dome of the Rock.

Happy 5767 - But how did we reach that number? The count of the Jewish year is used throughout Israel and the coming year will be 5767.

9-21-06

Chavez: Bush 'devil' and US 'on the way down' Speaking at the United Nations, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez blasted President George W. Bush and the United States.

Olmert's Popularity Plunges The latest polls released in Israel show that public support for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is plunging.

Quartet Approves Government with Hamas The Quartet gave its support for PA Chairman Abbas' efforts to form a unity government with Hamas.

FM blasts Iran at General Assembly Israeli Foreign Minister Livni stated that Iran doesn't deserve a seat in the UN or among the family of nations.

Thai Military Bans Political Meetings The Military Goverment of Thailand has banned all political meetings in an attempt to maintain law and order after the coup.

Turkey Will Not Join EU by 2020 A minority of Europeans believe that Turkey and the Ukraine will not be admitted to the EU until 2020.

Pope Warned that his Life is in Danger if he visits Turkey The failed assassin of Pope John Paul II in 1981 has written to Pope Benedict and warned him not to go to Turkey this Fall.

Hezbullah gears up for 'victory' rally Hezbullah supporters head to Beirut to celebrate their 'victory' over the Israelis.

Israel opens ancient site near Jerusalem shrine Israel has opened an archaeological exhibit very near the Dome of the Rock.

Lebanese Druze Leader: Assad acting like Mafia head Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said that Hafez Assad was a cultural criminal, but his son is a mafia head.

9/20/06

Palestinian government to recognize Israel PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is expected to tell US President George W. Bush that the new Palestinian government will recognize the nation of Israel

Kofi Annan: United Nations must help to end conflict in the Middle East In his last address as Security-General, Kofi Annan warned that the Arab-Israeli conflict must be ended

Coup leader in Thailand: PM elections in two weeks General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the Thai coup, announced his plans for new elections in his country.

Mubarak's son offers Arab Vision President Hosni Mubarak's son says that Egypt must offer a vision of the future for the Middle East

Terror group targets Christians in Gaza The Huda Army Organization threatened Tuesday to attack all Christians living in Gaza unless the Pope apologizes for his statements

Darfur Peacekeepers Decision The President of Sudan has opposed the deploment of UN forces to Darfur

President George W. Bush: We are not at war with Islam Speaking to world leaders at the United Nations, President George W. Bush assured Muslims that the US is not at war with Islam.

Jerusalem ready to ring in Ramadan Jerusalem's municipality has announced plans to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Ramadan

New judge tosses Saddam Hussein out of court The new judge in Hussein's genocide trial has ordered Hussein out of court for protesting his appointment to the case

Lebanese Druze Leader: Assad acting like Mafia head Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said that Hafez Assad was a cultural criminal, but his son is a mafia head.

9/19/06

Bush to ask world to support Mideast democracy President Bush will challenge world leaders to do more to build democracy in the Middle East, when he speaks at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Report: Israel's Jewish Majority Declined in Last Five Years The Jewish majority in Israel has dropped 1.8% since the year 2000.

US, Israel press Abbas to shun Hamas The US and Israel have pressed the Palestinian president to reject any deal with a Hamas government that refuses to renounce violence.

UN chief warns of Iraq civil war UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned that Iraq is in danger of sliding into "full-scale civil war".

'Ishmaelites have Mecca and Medina' Rejecting a leading Muslim cleric's forecast that Jerusalem will soon be the capital of a new Muslim caliphate.

Jerusalem Municipality Agrees to Permit Gay Parade in November The agreement was reached after three hours of negotiations between the State Prosecutor's Office.

Oil market out of balance as price falls: OPEC OPEC ministers could hold an emergency meeting ahead of the next regular conference in December as the oil market is clearly "out of balance" and prices are falling.

Halutz: 'We'll Definitely Have to Operate in Gaza' Speaking at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today, Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said the army continues to act against terrorism centers in the Gaza area and thwart terrorist arms-smuggling intentions.

Brussels defends Pope's freedom of expression The European Commission has said it was wrong to pick out quotes from the pope's controversial speech.

IDF tackling Iran's WMD threat With Iran racing to obtain nuclear weapons, the IDF Home Front Command (HFC) has shifted its focus since the war in Lebanon.

9/18/06

Al Qaeda threat over pope speech A personal apology by Pope Benedict XVI failed to quell Muslim fury Monday as protests continued despite pleas for calm from world leaders and Islamic officials.

Chirac urges no sanctions on Iran French President Jacques Chirac has said referring Iran to the UN Security Council is not the best way to resolve a crisis over its nuclear program.

Federal Iraq: devolution or dissolution? Negotiations continue on a controversial bill that would section Iraq into at least three autonomous regions based on ethno-religious divisions.

China ups Lebanon force to 1,000 China will increase its peacekeeping presence in Lebanon to 1,000 troops.

EU asked to do more to end Darfur violence The EU has been called upon to do more to stop violence in Sudan's western region of Darfur which is experiencing renewed fighting and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Two anti-U.S. nations heap praise on each other Iran's president visited Venezuela for the first time on Sunday.

Gazans warn pope to accept Islam Citing the words of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslim religious leaders in the Gaza Strip on Sunday warned Pope Benedict XVI that he must "accept" Islam if he wanted to live in peace.

Saddam genocide trial resumes as judge under fire The trial of ousted Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein on charges of genocide resumed Monday amid accusations by Kurdish and Shiite groups that the presiding judge is biased toward the ex-dictator.

Abbas suspends Hamas talks The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has frozen talks on forming a unity government after Hamas said it would not accept existing peace deals with Israel.

IMF backs more influence to emerging economies International Monetary Fund policymakers Sunday backed the most sweeping overhaul of the institution for six decades to give fast-growing China, South Korea, Mexico and Turkey more influence.

9/15/06

EU talks on Palestinian embargo European Union foreign ministers are due to meet to discuss the aid embargo on the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.

Giora Eiland: Iran will get nuclear bomb Iran will not be deterred from its nuclear program and will ultimately reach a nuclear capability.

Islamic History Expert: Moslem Peace with Israel? Never! Islam History Professor Moshe Sharon of Hebrew University told a counter-terrorism conference Thursday, "There is no possibility of peace between Israel and the Palestinians whatsoever - ever."

US moves to scuttle Arab plan for international peace conference The US is trying to block attempts by Arab countries to turn the UN Security Council into a key player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Pope criticised over Islam remarks Muslim scholars and religious leaders have criticised Pope Benedict XVI for his remarks about Islam.

Two US Congressmen urge Olmert not to restrict rate of Ethiopian aliya Two American congressmen are urging Prime Minister Ehud Olmert not to reduce the number of Ethiopians coming to Israel each month.

Nationalists rally in Moscow Nationalist activists have held a rally in Moscow to demand the tightening of registration rules for migrants.

IDF: Egypt not stopping smuggling While Egypt is making efforts to stop the smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip, at least one ton of explosives is being conveyed across the Sinai border Gaza each month.

Analysis: Israel army in disarray over war failures A general resigns, a colonel is disciplined and a military command battered by an unrelenting storm of criticism.

Ukraine to stay on pro-EU course, new leader says Ukraine prime minister Viktor Yanukovych has said his country wants closer relations with the EU but is putting membership of NATO on hold for the moment.

9/14/06

Kissinger warns of possible "war of civilizations" Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger warned that Europe and the United States must unite to head off a "war of civilizations" arising from a nuclear-armed Middle East

Ahmadinejad: We can better lead the world Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says nuclear standoff resolvable by dialogue.

Annan: Iraq war a disaster for region Most Middle East leaders view the US-led invasion of Iraq as a disaster for the region.

Al-Qaeda 'issues France threat' Al-Qaeda's deputy leader has claimed that a radical Algerian Islamist group had joined al-Qaeda and is being urged to punish France.

Hamas makes way for unity government Palestinian cabinet ministers from Hamas have handed in their resignations so that a unity government can be formed with the Fatah party.

Former IDF chief: Soldiers were sacrificed for spin Former chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon believes the prime minister and chief of staff should resign.

Amnesty accuses Hezbollah of war crimes Human rights group Amnesty International has accused Hezbollah of possible war crimes during the war in Lebanon.

Prodi proposes to chop down EU constitution Italy's prime minister Romano Prodi has called for a slimmed-down version of the EU constitution, echoing proposals for a "mini treaty" made by French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy.

Judge-To-Saddam: 'You Were Not a Dictator' The chief judge in Saddam Hussein's genocide trial said Thursday that he does not believe Saddam was a dictator.

'Drastic' shrinkage in Arctic ice A Nasa satellite has documented startling changes in Arctic sea ice cover between 2004 and 2005.

9/13/06

Bibi: Iran president more dangerous than Hitler Knesset member Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could be more dangerous than Adolf Hitler

Nato tackles Afghan troop deficit Nato states are meeting in Belgium to discuss who will provide 2,500 troops requested by international force commanders in Afghanistan.

Syria blames US policies for attack Syria has accused the US of fuelling extremism and terrorism in the Middle East after four assailants attacked the US embassy in Damascus.

Unity won't mean Israel's recognition The political program of the proposed Palestinian unity government does not include any explicit or implicit recognition of Israel's right to exist, Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip stressed on Tuesday.

Pope: Islamic 'Holy War' Against God's Nature Pope Benedict XVI invited Muslims on Tuesday to join a dialogue of cultures based on the premise that the concept of an Islamic "holy war" is unreasonable and against God's nature.

Iranians shun Israelis at conference The second Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions wound up yesterday in the Kazakhstan capital Astana with a decision to reconvene in Astana in 2009.

Judge accused of favouring Saddam The chief prosecutor in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein has called for the judge to stand down, saying he is biased towards the former Iraqi leader.

Oil supplies could 'last 140 years' A Saudi oil executive has challenged the idea that supplies are running out, saying that just 18 per cent of the global supply of crude has been tapped.

Shooting victims found in Baghdad Iraqi police say they have found in the space of one day 60 bodies of people bound, tortured and shot in the capital, Baghdad.

Pope Calls for Harmony in the Church Pope Benedict XVI called Wednesday for harmony in the diverse and sometimes fractious Roman Catholic Church, comparing it to an organ that must be kept in tune.

9/12/06

Syria 'foils' US embassy attack A bomb attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say

Iran to aid Iraq on security As Nuri Al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, begins a two-day visit to Tehran, Iran has said it is willing to help establish security and stability in Iraq.

Hamas: 'No problem' with peace talks The spokesman for the outgoing Hamas-led Palestinian government said the new Palestinian coalition will have "no problem" holding peace talks with Israel.

Conference: Iran wants to be nuclear empire A number of experts at the Sixth Annual International Conference on Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya said Monday that Israel's war with Hizbullah was a new kind of confrontation.

Saddam to face angry Kurds again as trial resumes Ousted dictator Saddam Hussein's trial on genocide entered its fifth hearing Tuesday.

Al-Aqsa leader: Another 9/11 'on its way' American-trained leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in West Bank declares 'beginning of collapse' of US 'empire'; says wishes every day was September 11.

Catholic high-level group could fuel EU 'God' debate European bishops have commissioned a high-profile group of thinkers to draft a report on the EU's common values.

Struggle for civilization, says Bush The US president gave warning to Osama bin Laden that "America will find you".

Darfur risks catastrophe - Annan The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned of possible death and suffering on a catastrophic scale in Sudan's Darfur region.

Scientists test hijack-proof plane Tests have begun on a hijack-proof airliner that will steer clear of tall buildings if taken over by terrorists.

9/11/06

Al-Qaeda issues 9/11 anniversary warning Al-Qaeda's number two leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has called on Muslims to increase their resistance to the US on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks

US remembers 9/11 five years on Two minute-long silences have been observed at the World Trade Center site to mark the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks.

Abbas will dissolve Hamas-led government in 48 hours Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in statement that his Fatah party and ruling Hamas party have agreed to form a coalition government within days.

Angry Beirut protests greet Blair UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with the Lebanese government, amid angry protests against his visit

Iran denies offering 2-month enrichment halt Iran denied reports Sunday night that Tehran offered to suspend its uranium enrichment program for up to two months.

Saddam trial hears of gas attacks The genocide trial of Saddam Hussein has resumed in Baghdad.

Eitam: Expel Palestinians, dismiss Arab MKs Arab Knesset members responded harshly Monday to the remarks of Knesset Member Effie Eitam.

China tightens media controls China has announced new controls over the distribution of news by foreign news agencies.

'Syria will form own Hezbollah' Syria is considering forming its own Hezbollah-like guerrilla organization to fight Israel in hopes of "liberating" the Golan Heights.

Iraq Official Calls for Oil Partnerships A top Iraqi official called for partnerships with international companies to boost his country's oil industry.

9/8/06

Al-Qaeda video takes credit for 9/11 A new videotape aired on Aljazeera television has shown Osama bin Laden and senior al-Qaeda members meeting some of the men who carried out the attacks against the US on September 11, 2001.

Report: Sea blockade on Lebanon lifted UN commander of peacekeeping forces says Israel has ended naval blockade of Lebanese shores.

Russia to probe Hizbullah weapons Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, at her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday, reiterated Israel's concerns that Russian-produced weapons sold to Syria reached Hizbullah.

France rejects "war on terror" France issued an implicit criticism of U.S. foreign policy on Thursday, rejecting talk of a "war on terror."

Al-Qaeda seeks Iraq uprising support Al-Qaeda in Iraq's new leader has called on Muslims to support the Iraqi uprising.

Conference to debate 'axis of truth' Strategies for dealing with the growing threat of global terrorism will be the focus of the sixth annual international conference at the Institute for Counterterrorism.

UN warns of Gaza 'breaking point' Living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza have reached breaking point, a senior UN official has said.

Moscow will benefit from nuclear crisis Russia's position in the stand-off with Iran will continue to gain importance as the possibility increases that sanctions will be imposed on Tehran.

Ethiopian Immigrants Protest Olmert Government The United Jewish Communities of North America slammed the Olmert government for going back on promises regarding Ethiopian immigration to Israel.

Scientist: Planet going back to dinosaur era Global warming over the coming century could mean a return of temperatures last seen in the age of the dinosaur and lead to the extinction of up to half of all species, a scientist said on Thursday. "We don't agree with the theme of this story, evolution. We report it FYI."

9/7/06

US hands over control of Iraq military Iraq's government has taken control of its armed forces in a step hailed by US officials as a crucial milestone on the country's difficult road to independence.

French agree to monitor Lebanese coast France's foreign minister said Thursday that France had agreed to a request from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to monitor sea lanes off Lebanon.

Iran test-fires 2,000-pound guided bomb Iran on Thursday ended its large-scale military exercises by test-firing a 2,000-pound guided bomb.

Popular opinion backs EU foreign minister post A majority of EU citizens are in favour of having a single EU foreign minister for the bloc.

Terror leader: Gaza preparing for war Local terror groups are working with Hizbullah to turn the Gaza Strip into the Palestinian version of southern Lebanon.

Call to World Jewry: Have You Heard of the Iranian Threat? Sha'ul Schiff, veteran columnist for Israel's daily HaTzofeh newspaper, makes an impassioned plea to world Jewry to wake up to.

Key Iran talks 'set for Saturday' EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says his key nuclear talks with Iranian envoy Ali Larijani will now take place on Saturday.

Culture clashes expanding in Australia Question: How tolerant is Australia? Answer: Its tolerance is wearing thin. That's according to Sydney's highest rating breakfast show on 2GB radio.

The Evil You Know It's not hard to guess what CIS country the latest event in Georgia will have the greatest resonance in.

Iran's Leader Declares Intent To Speak at U.N. Diplomats at the United Nations were sent into disarray yesterday when President Ahmadinejad of Iran declared that he intended to attend the General Assembly of the world body on September 19.

9/6/06

Arab states to push Mideast peace plan Arab foreign ministers met Wednesday to promote a plan to revive the deadlocked Middle East peace process.

Iran-EU nuclear talks postponed Talks between Iran and the EU over Tehran's nuclear program have been postponed for several days.

Russia: No military force against Iran Russia's foreign minister said that any economic sanctions imposed by the international community on Iran for its nuclear programs would preclude the use of military force.

Bush warns of Iraqi caliphate President Bush vowed on Tuesday to prevent al Qaeda from setting up a violent, radical Islamic empire based in Iraq.

Anti-Semitic Hate Wave Rolls Across Britain and Australia TheAge.com in Australia reports that anti-Semitism is on the rise across university campuses in the country.

Annan lauds Turkey for joining UN force UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday praised Turkey's decision to join the expanded UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Judea and Samaria: Where do we go from here? The settlers in Judea and Samaria are beginning to plan a major offensive.

China asks EU to lift arms embargo China has called on the EU to lift its 17-year-old ban on arms sales to Beijing to improve the relations between the two.

Palestinians train to kidnap more Israelis A terror leader whose group in June abducted Israeli Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit said Palestinian terror organizations are currently training in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to carry out operations aimed at kidnapping Israeli soldiers.

Brussels seeks ways to keep EU-Turkey talks afloat In a bid to keep EU-Turkey talks from derailing completely, Brussels is considering ways of putting off dealing with the thorny Cyprus question until after Turkish elections next year.

9/4/06

Sudan wants peacekeepers to leave Sudan says the African Union (AU) force that is trying to keep the peace in Darfur must leave the country when its mandate ends later this month.

Iran calls Holocaust 'exaggerated' Iran said Sunday it would go ahead and sponsor a conference to examine the scientific evidence supporting the Holocaust in the autumn, dismissing it as exaggerated.

Israel begins new settlement push The Israeli government says it plans to build 700 new homes in two settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank.

'Arab vision' to advance peace process The Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Arab League are holding intensive talks in recent days in an attempt to formulate an "Arab vision" for advancing the peace process.

No UN advance on Iran nuclear row UN chief Kofi Annan has ended a trip to Iran with little apparent progress over its controversial nuclear program.

Race is on to save the Dead Sea Lord Foster, the British architect, has been enlisted by the King of Jordan for his most grandiose project yet.

Al-Qaeda urges non-Muslims to convert to Islam Al-Qaeda called on non-Muslims especially in the United States to convert to Islam and abandon their 'misguided' ways or else suffer.

Lebanon says no to peace Lebanese officials have rejected a number of overtures from Israel to "sit, shake hands and make peace."

Israel plans for war with Iran and Syria Threatened by a potentially nuclear-armed Tehran, Israel is preparing for a possible war with both Iran and Syria.

PM says unilateral West Bank pullout now off the agenda Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reportedly told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday that the realignment plan agenda "is no longer relevant."

9/1/06

EU talks on Mid-East peace plan Finland, current holder of the EU presidency, is to propose talks on a renewed peace plan in the Middle East.

Iran will not cede on nuclear issue Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, has repeated his stance that Iran will not give up "one iota of its nuclear rights."

The World's Most Powerful Women Angela Merkel, the first woman to become chancellor of Germany, has displaced Condoleezza Rice as No. 1 on our list of the 100 Most Powerful Women.

Annan upbeat over Syria talks Aides to the UN secretary-general have reported a positive meeting between Kofi Annan and the Syrian president.

China Trying to Tighten Media Control China's jailing of a Hong Kong reporter as a spy reflects a deepening dilemma for the communist government.

Khartoum rejects UN troops in Darfur The UN security council has approved a resolution authorising the deployment of up to 17,000 peacekeepers to Darfur.

Disney's Finger Scan Upgrade Raises Privacy Concerns An upgrade on Disney's finger scanning technology implemented to prevent ticket fraud or resale is raising concerns from privacy advocates.

Germany wants to bind Russia to EU Germany is considering a revamp of the bloc's policy towards the east with Berlin looking at how Russia can be "irreversibly" bound to the EU.

Mitt Romney Warns of 'Orwellian' Stem Cell Research Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a 2008 Republican presidential hopeful, said Thursday his administration's new restrictions on stem cell research are aimed at heading off an "Orwellian" future.

Israel thinks PA unity gov't unlikely The defense establishment is of the growing opinion that Hamas and Fatah will not succeed in joining forces.