Tuesday, December 19, 2006

12/19/06

Schools shut amid Gaza 'anarchy' Schools have been closed in Gaza amid what officials say is a state of anarchy caused by fighting between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.

Olmert and Abdullah hold surprise meeting in Amman Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a surprise visit to Jordan Tuesday for talks with King Abdullah II on ways to revive the Middle East peace process.

Bush delays moving US embassy to Jerusalem United States President George W. Bush has delayed for another six months moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

US defence chief warns over Iraq New US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has warned that failure in Iraq would be a "calamity" that would haunt the United States for many years.

Report: US to boost Persian Gulf force The United States is planning a major naval build up in and around the Persian Gulf as a warning to Iran, CBS News reported late Monday.

Iraq attacks reach record levels Attacks on US and Iraqi troops and civilians reached their highest level since Iraqi sovereignty was restored in June 2004, a Pentagon report has said.

Bibi: World must prevent another Shoah Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu convened more than 50 ambassadors and diplomats on Tuesday.

Israeli housing to expand in Golan Israel is to speed up development on land it occupies in the Golan Heights.

Russia Concerned Over Middle East Turmoil, Pledges Support, Putin Assures Syria's al-Assad Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced concern at the turmoil in the Middle East and stressed Moscow's desire for a diplomatic role in the region.

Aliyah 2006: 25 percent increase in British immigrants Lower immigration figures for 2006 attributed to war in Lebanon, massive jump in aliyah from Britain.