06/30/08

* Preparing the Battlefield Late last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources.

* Israel has a year to stop Iran bomb, warns ex-spy A former head of Mossad has warned that Israel has 12 months in which to destroy Iran's nuclear programme or risk coming under nuclear attack itself.

* Big personality and big problems to mark French EU presidency On Tuesday 1 July, France takes over the EU presidency armed with a big country's sense of the natural order of things, a hyperactive president and a lengthy list of priorities.

* 'Sunday Times' reports Iran targeting Dimona As rumors continue to circulate that Iran may find itself a target of a military strike aimed at destroying its nuclear capabilities, the country has stepped up deterrent efforts by moving ballistic missiles into launch positions and targeting various sites in Israel, including the Dimona nuclear plant, The Sunday Times reported defense sources as saying.

* Berlin forum calls for Israel's destruction Representatives of Germany's foreign and economics ministries are fumbling the hot potato of who, exactly, backed a conference in Berlin last week that became a mouthpiece for anti-Semitic Iranian propaganda and a call for Israel's destruction.

* Anglican conservatives form group Conservative Anglicans meeting in Jerusalem will create a global network to combat modern trends in the Church like the ordination of gay clergy.

* First World Noahide Conference Begins The conference is taking place at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hilton Hotel, and is designed to bring Jews and Noahides together. The organizers stated that for this purpose, the location was specifically chosen for its proximity to a large Jewish populace.

* Assad: Atmosphere in ME is good The general atmosphere in the Middle East is positive, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday.

* Oil prices pass $143 a barrel; US gas hits high Oil prices surged past $143 a barrel for the first time ever Monday, and the price for a gallon of gas hit an all-time high in the United States.

* Hospitals in north instructed to prepare for earthquake Health Ministry director-general sends letter to medical facilities in northern Israel, warning them Geophysical Institute believes large quake may hit area soon.

06/28/08

* 'Israel cannot stop our nuclear program' Israel is no match for Iran and cannot stop its nuclear program, Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said in an interview to Iranian daily Jam-e Jam Saturday.

* UNSC to discuss W. Bank construction Libya presented a document calling for "an immediate and complete end" to the building and expansion of settlements in the West Bank to the United Nations Security Council, Friday.

* 'IAF only air force to hit 2 reactors' Israel has carried out military strikes against two nuclear sites, President Shimon Peres boasted on Thursday, saying "this is the only air force in the world that has such an achievement."

* North Korea destroys most visible nuclear symbol North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program Friday, blasting the cooling tower at its main atomic reactor into a cloud of white and gray smoke as a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.

* Enough Rope for Russia Vladimir Putin's switch from running Russia as its president to running Russia as its prime minister has changed traffic patterns here but little else.

* US report says Taliban has 'regrouped' A new US Defense Department report says the Taliban has regrouped after its initial fall from power in Afghanistan.

* US doubts over NK nuclear plans There are still questions surrounding North Korea's nuclear bomb-making programme, according to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

* Kosovo Serbs launch new assembly Serbs in Kosovo are holding the inaugural session of an assembly set up in defiance of the majority ethnic Albanian government and the UN.

* Rafsanjani to West: You're small, Iran is large Tehran unimpressed by latest calls for suspension of uranium enrichment; ex-President Rafsanjani tells G8 'this type of doublespeak will not help youÉyou are too small to use this type of language. Iran is a large country.'

* The French connection On December 15, 1947, at approximately 1:45 P.M., about 20 fighters of the Haganah - the pre-state underground Jewish militia - seized a British truck south of Acre.

06/27/08

* Israel gives UN watchdog secret briefing on Iran Foreign Ministry Director General Aaron Abramovich secretly visited the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna Wednesday and briefed a group of ambassadors from countries involved in the agency's efforts to stop Iran's nuclear project.

* N. Korea destroys nuclear reactor tower North Korea on Friday destroyed a water cooling tower at a facility where officials acknowledge they extracted plutonium to build nuclear weapons, CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour reported from the scene.

* World shares in further decline Key European markets have suffered declines in morning trading, following sharp falls in Asia.

* Russians and EU to seek new pact Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and top EU officials have announced the start of talks on a new strategic partnership agreement.

* Muslim Terrorists May Be Trying To Sink the Dollar Mujahideen Muslim terrorists may be behind the sinking American dollar as part of a campaign to cripple the American economy, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported.

* Syrian VP: Next step may be direct talks with Israel Farouk al-Sharaa tells Al-Jazeera 'current negotiations exploratory, meant to prepare sides for direct talks', but qualifies this by saying talks could also remain indirect.

* Oil rises to $142 for the first time Crude oil rose to a record above $142 a barrel in New York on Friday and gold advanced as falling stock markets spurred investment in commodities.

* Israeli Breakthrough in Solar Thermal Energy An Israeli entrepreneur is harnessing the sun's energy in an industrial park in the northern Negev, where he plans to refine the technology and then replicate it in California's Mojave Desert.

* Special Report: Satellite Imagery Confirms Syrian Troops in Lebanon Jane's, the publishing house specializing in military matters, has demonstrated through commercially available imagery obtained by the company from DigitalGlobe, showing Syrian troops deployed on Lebanese territory and being reinforced in early 2008.

* Haniyeh urges all Palestinian factions to honor cease-fire Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has called on all Palestinian factions to honor the cease-fire with Israel.

06/26/08

* Week into cease-fire, fifth Qassam strikes Negev Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a Qassam rocket at the western Negev on Thursday.

* Aids epidemic a 'global disaster The Aids epidemic in some countries is so severe that it should be classified as a disaster, the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) has warned.

* Messianic Jews to protest 'discrimination' A contingent of about 300 Messianic Jews from the US will protest this weekend against what they call Israel's discriminatory immigration policy against Jews who believe that Jesus is the messiah.

* N Korea hands over nuclear data North Korea has handed over a long-awaited account of its nuclear programme to China.

* Plans underway for November Mideast peace summit in Moscow The Quartet of Middle East peacemakers decided this week to pursue the organization of a regional conference in Moscow in November.

* Russian boomtown hosts EU leaders Russian and EU leaders are gathering in the Siberian city of Khanty-Mansiysk - the first such summit since Dmitry Medvedev became Russian president.

* Israeli hackers penetrate Hamas website Israeli hackers boasted Thursday about breaking into the website of Izz al-Din al-Qassam, Hamas’ military wing.

* Crucial vote on internet's future A complete overhaul of the way people navigate the internet could begin following a crucial vote in Paris.

* 'Jihad' declared on Jerusalem Pride Parade Less than 24 hours before the Jerusalem Pride Parade kicks off, authorities are growing increasingly concerned of possible acts of violence at the hands of extremist groups.

* UN inspector: Syria probe 'inconclusive' Syria's vice president said Wednesday his country allowed UN nuclear inspectors to visit a site in the remote eastern desert allegedly destroyed by IAF jets.

06/25/08

* Middle East violence roils Berlin donors meet World powers called for calm in the Middle East on Tuesday after violence in the region shook a Gaza truce.

* Israel's Olmert averts early poll Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has struck a last-minute deal with the Labour party to save his coalition and avert fresh elections.

* Sarkozy moves to boost Palestinian economy French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish an industrial zone.

* Medvedev wants "serious" pact with EU Russia seeks a "serious" pact with the European Union reaffirming it as part of Europe.

* Israel closes Gaza after rockets Israel says it has closed its border crossings with Gaza in response to a Palestinian rocket attack on southern Israel that breached a ceasefire.

* Top Saudi official: Ball in Israel's court if it wants peace with us Prince Tourki M. Saud al-Kabeer, Saudi Arabia's assistant deputy minister for political affairs, said Wednesday that "the ball is in Israel's court".

* Majority of French pessimistic about their country's EU presidency No more than one French person in three believes Paris will be able to boost Europe after Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon treaty.

* Dubai 'shape-shifting skyscraper' unveiled Ambitious plans to build a revolutionary 420-meter shape-shifting skyscraper in Dubai have been unveiled by architects.

* Conservative Anglicans aim to avoid split A new organisation for traditionalists wishing to remain within the Anglican Church is being developed at a breakaway summit.

* MEPs move to make EU enlargement harder MEPs in the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Tuesday (24 June) approved an enlargement report.

06/24/08

* Netanyahu: Jerusalem won't be divided "Jerusalem will never be divided," Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu told French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

* Israel 'will attack Iran' before new US president sworn in, John Bolton predicts John Bolton, the former American ambassador to the United Nations, has predicted that Israel could attack Iran after the November presidential election.

* Arab World nuclear race / Who has what, and from where Israel is following with interest the closer nuclear ties France is forging with the Arab world.

* EU sanctions illegal, says Iran Iran has condemned as illegal new EU sanctions against Tehran over its uranium enrichment program.

* 'Rafah won't open until Schalit return' Egypt announced that it would not open the Rafah border crossing until kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit is returned to Israel.

* European nuclear weapons sites not secure, says US report Most European sites containing US nuclear weapons are failing to meet security standards set by the Pentagon.

* China quake death toll to 'exceed 80,000' Officially 69,181 people are dead with another missing 18,498, according to authorities.

* U.S. Evangelists Join the Battle for Souls in Egypt A third front in the battle for – literally – souls, in Egypt has appeared in the form of U.S.-based evangelical Christian churches.

* IAEA Chief: Iran Could Make Nuke In 6 Months The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Iran could create a nuclear weapon in six months.

* Sarkozy to meet Palestinian president in Bethlehem French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem on Tuesday as he wrapped up a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank.

06/23/08

* Sarkozy to the Knesset: Nuclear Iran is 'totally unacceptable' The French leader addressed the plenum and stressed that his country would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

* Oil price up despite Saudi pledge Oil prices have risen after emergency talks among the world's top oil powers and leading consuming nations over the weekend ended with no real resolution.

* Sarkozy: "Move Jews Out of Judea and Samaria" French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked the Knesset on Monday to recognize that "France will always be Israel's friend".

* Sarkozy urges Palestinian state French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said the creation of a Palestinian state is in the best interests of Israel and its citizens.

* King Abdullah: Failure of peace process largest regional threat Jordan's King Abdullah II told the Washington Post's Lally Weymouth that he was dissatisfied with US President George W. Bush's most recent visit to the region.

* Olmert met with Osirak attack planner Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Colonel (res.) Aviam Sela, who is said to have been the architect behind Israel's attack against Iraq's nuclear reactor.

* Bishops criticise Anglican leader Conservative Anglican leaders have opened talks in Jerusalem on the future of the Church with criticism of its leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

* Task force to probe Diaspora investment A new Jewish Agency committee set to be established on Tuesday will be charged with developing a serious plan to reshape the connection between Israel and Diaspora Jews.

* 'Shake-up' for internet proposed The net could see its biggest transformation in decades if plans to open up the address system are passed.

* 'PM says peace document likely this yr.' A temporary document outlining the general principles of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement can be expected to be compiled by the end of the year.

06/21/08

* Iran: Israeli drill jeopardizes global peace and security Iran criticized on Saturday a recent Israeli military exercise that US officials said was designed to show Jerusalem's ability to attack Teheran's nuclear sites.

* Iran dismisses 'attack by Israel' Iran has said it considers a military attack on its nuclear facilities by Israel as "impossible".

* ElBaradei: I'll resign if Iran attacked International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamad ElBaradei, will quit his position in the event of a military strike on Iran.

* Boost to oil output likely Saudi Arabia and other producers with oil to spare could agree to raise output at an emergency meeting of energy powers this weekend.

* Martian Ice Discovered Beneath Red Soil, NASA Says The existence of ice on Mars was confirmed today by NASA scientists.

* Israel shows abilities for Iran strike A large Israeli military exercise this month may have been aimed at showing Jerusalem's abilities to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.

* Ireland refuses to deliver timetable on EU treaty solution Over the course of hours of crisis talks in Brussels, Ireland found itself under heavy pressure to do something to fix its voters' rejection of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

* In Iraq's successes, the seeds of vulnerability Violence in all of Iraq is the lowest since March 2004. Its two largest cities, Baghdad and Basra, are calmer than they have been for years.

* Fans celebrate German soccer win with Nazi chants Dozens of far-right revelers celebrated the German national soccer team's victory over Portugal on Thursday night by chanting Nazi-era slogans in the streets of an eastern town.

* 'Hamas can't stop weapons-smuggling' Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh denied on Friday that Hamas had agreed to stop weapons-smuggling efforts on Gaza's border with Egypt.

06/20/08

* Russia warns against attacking Iran Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday warned against the use of force on Iran.

* U.S. says exercise by Israel seemed directed at Iran Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

* World population to hit 7 billion in 2012 The world's population will reach 7 billion in 2012, even as the global community struggles to satisfy its appetite for natural resources.

* Iran: We'll hit back with 'strong blow' Iran on Friday warned Israel it would retaliate to an attack with a "strong blow," after the New York Times reported that the IAF had conducted a drill.

* Czech threat looms for EU treaty EU leaders have admitted that the Czech Republic may not be able to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, which has already been rejected by the Irish.

* Hamas TV Teaches Youth to Kidnap IDF Soldiers While Gaza terrorists replenish their arms and ammunition during the temporary truce that began Thursday morning, Hamas TV is broadcasting a training video.

* Jerusalem officials to High Court: Gay parade desecrates holy city Jerusalem's mayor and city manager urged the High Court of Justice on Thursday to prevent the Gay Pride parade from taking place in the capital next Thursday.

* UN classifies rape a 'war tactic' The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war.

* Ireland's Choice may Affect European Clout The affairs of Ireland would seem on the surface to have little to do with the Middle East.

* Israel's Messianic Jews: Police indifferent to threats against us Safety pins and screws are still lodged in 15-year-old Ami Ortiz's body three months after he opened a booby-trapped gift basket sent to his family.

06/19/08

* Israel and Hamas ceasefire begins A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has begun, despite a last-minute flurry of cross-border attacks.

* IAEA has proof Syria built nuclear reactor The website of the French news agency Le Monde reported that information originating in different countries other than the US and suggesting that Syria did indeed build a nuclear reactor in Al Kibar.

* Irish 'No' on EU leaders' agenda European Union leaders are due to attend a summit in Brussels which is likely to be dominated by Ireland's rejection of the EU treaty last week.

* Peres confronts Arab League leader at Jordanian convention President Shimon Peres on Wednesday confronted Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa during the Petra Convention in Jordan.

* Deals with Iraq are set to bring oil giants back Four Western oil companies are in the final stages of negotiations this month on contracts that will return them to Iraq.

* Netanyahu: Government's consent to ceasefire inconceivable Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) harshly criticized the government decision to declare a temporary ceasefire with Hamas.

* UK ratifies Lisbon Treaty ahead of EU summit The British parliament has ratified the Lisbon Treaty amid unruly protests.

* Israel's EU upgrade Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and EU foreign ministers ushered in a new era in Israeli-European relations this week at a meeting in Luxembourg.

* Iraq launches offensive in Amara Iraqi security forces backed by US troops have launched a major operation in Amara, southern Iraq, overnight to drive out Shia militia groups.

* US N-weapons parts missing, Pentagon says The US military cannot locate hundreds of sensitive nuclear missile components, according to several government officials.

06/18/08

* As truce nears, IDF told to be ready Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday he hopes the Gaza truce will hold.

* Sarkozy aide: Olmert and Assad could meet in Paris next month Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could meet on the sidelines of a summit in Paris next month.

* Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire Israel has approved a ceasefire to end months of bitter clashes with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, Israeli officials have confirmed.

* Israel says it's ready to begin peace talks with Lebanon Government spokesman Mark Regev said on Wednesday that Israel is interested in direct, bilateral talks with Lebanon.

* Peres, King Abdullah meet in Petra President Shimon Peres arrived in Petra on Wednesday morning, where he met with King Abdullah II.

* Knesset Committee Passes Golan Bill in First Reading By an 8-4 vote, the Knesset House Committee passed an early version of a law requiring a popular referendum before the Golan could be given away.

* ANALYSIS / Cease-fire deal means Hamas is calling the shots The main points of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas grant the Islamic organization a political and diplomatic achievement.

* Syria: Peace with Israel will be 'bliss' A senior Syrian official has expressed confidence regarding the possibility that indirect peace talks with Israel will come to fruition.

* MEPs in passionate war of words over Irish No Supporters and opponents of the Lisbon Treaty in the European Parliament have crossed rhetorical swords in a debate over the consequences of Ireland's No to the document.

* Abbas to visit Gaza for dialogue with Hamas Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is planning to visit the Gaza Strip for the first time since Hamas's violent takeover of the area in June 2007.

06/17/08

* Egypt, Hamas, PA confirm Gaza truce to start Thursday at 6 a.m. A Hamas spokesman said Tuesday that his was committed to an Egyptian-mediated truce deal with Israel.

* French defence to counter terror Terrorism is the main threat facing France and its defence system needs to change to reflect that.

* 'Israel, Syria making progress in talks' Indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria are making progress and both sides agreed to two more rounds under Turkish mediation next month.

* France refuses EU treaty revision The European Union must not embark on drafting a new treaty after Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty.

* Rabbis against Pride Parade: God is testing us Jerusalem's Open House announces city's Pride Parade to be held next week.

* Tourism to Israel breaks all-time record in May Nearly 300,000 tourists visited Israel in May, an all-time record.

* Ramon: Truce a victory for radical Islam Objecting to the ceasefire: Vice Premier Haim Ramon said Tuesday evening that he opposes the Gaza Strip truce agreement.

* EU unanimously upgrades Israel ties, turning aside PA objections The European Union, turning aside Palestinian objections, has announced upgraded relations with Israel.

* Iran insists nuclear suspension a 'red line' Iran on Tuesday insisted any demands it should suspend sensitive atomic activities would cross its "red line".

* Jerusalem hotel proprietor Valentine Vester dies Valentine Vester, who witnessed history as the proprietor of one of the Middle East's most storied hotels, has died. She was 96.

06/16/08

* Bush and Brown's warning to Iran Gordon Brown and President George Bush have warned Iran to accept their "offers of partnership" or face tough sanctions and international isolation.

* Historian: Jewish Towns Populated by Arab Late-Comers Historian Dr. Rivka Shpak-Lissak has embarked on an ambitious project, detailing the history of Jewish towns in the Land of Israel that are now known as Arab.

* UN chief: Saudi to boost oil production Saudi Arabia plans to increase its oil production by 200,000 barrels a day next month, the kingdom's oil minister told U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday, according to Ban's spokesman.

* 'Rice's criticism ruffles few feathers' US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's harsh criticism of Israel's plan to continue building in east Jerusalem met with little panic and no formal response on Sunday, a sign - one government source said - that with less than five months to the US elections, "it is not that important what she says anymore."

* Egypt says it wants Iran to play positive role Egypt constantly calls on Iran to use its influence in the Middle East in a positive manner, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

* Gov't approves e. J'lem housing project A Jerusalem Municipality plan to build tens of thousands of new apartments in the city, including a couple thousand flats in various Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, has received final approval, the municipality said Sunday.

* Get Osama Bin Laden before I leave office, orders George W Bush President George W Bush has enlisted British special forces in a final attempt to capture Osama Bin Laden before he leaves the White House.

* Nuclear ring reportedly had advanced design American and international investigators say that they have found the electronic blueprints for an advanced nuclear weapon on computers that belonged to the nuclear smuggling network run by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the rogue Pakistani nuclear scientist, but that they have not been able to determine whether they were sold to Iran or the smuggling ring's other customers.

* Split emerges in EU after Ireland rejects treaty After Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, a split began to emerge Sunday in European capitals over whether to press Dublin to hold another vote - with an implicit threat to consign the Irish to an outer tier of the European Union should they say no again.

* Greens have big doubts about Red-Dead Canal Five of the largest environmental organizations in Israel launched a joint public pressure campaign on Sunday to halt what they see as the headlong rush to begin the Red-Dead Sea canal project before feasibility studies have been completed.

06/14/08

* EU grapples with Irish 'No' vote Governments in the European Union are exploring what to do after the Irish Republic's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty to reform the expanded EU.

* 'Peace isn't the only way to get Golan' One senior member of the foreign ministry suggested that if Israel did not willingly give up the Golan, then Syria would take it by force.

* Iran rules out halt to enrichment Tehran has warned it will reject any deal that demands it halt uranium enrichment - part of a new package of incentives from world powers.

* Bush, Sarkozy criticize Iran, Syria US President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy each directed one-two punches against Iran and Syria.

* Impasse in US-Iraqi forces talks Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has said that talks with the US on a long-term agreement allowing US forces to remain in Iraq have "reached an impasse".

* 'Riyadh to increase oil production' Saudi Arabia is planning to increase its oil production output next month by about a half-million barrels a day.

* Earthquake rocks northern Japan At least six people are dead and more than 140 injured after a powerful earthquake struck northern Japan, triggering landslides.

* Manhunt follows Taliban jail attack A hunt is under way for more than 870 prisoners who escaped from a jail in southern Afghanistan after Taliban fighters blew it open, killing 15 security guards.

* U.S. pastor apologizes to Jews for 'God sent Hitler' comments A prominent American televangelist and outspoken supporter of Israel publicly apologized Friday for remarking that the Holocaust was the work of divine providence.

* Brussels calls for Lisbon treaty ratification to continue The European Commission has called for ratification of the Lisbon treaty to continue.

06/13/08

* Ireland rejects EU reform treaty Voters in Ireland have rejected the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty in a referendum by 53.4% to 46.6%.

* 'Peace talks mustn't start from scratch' Direct negotiations between Syria and Israel must resume from the point where they left off before the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.

* Bush 'honoured' by Pope's welcome US President George W Bush has been afforded a special audience with Pope Benedict XVI, on his final official visit to meet the pontiff.

* Is Israel Indirectly buying Iranian oil? Having adamantly denied for months that Israel could possibly be purchasing any oil originating in Iran, an Israeli official has now acknowledged that the Jewish state cannot be sure that Iranian oil is not coming here indirectly.

* Outrage over Jerusalem housing plan Palestinian officials have expressed outrage at Israeli plans to build about 2,000 new housing units in occupied east Jerusalem.

* Israel expects upgraded EU ties The Foreign Ministry expects the European Union to boost its ties with Israel at a joint meeting in Luxembourg.

* Al-Sadr: New force to fight U.S. in Iraq Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is establishing a new fighting force to battle U.S.-led troops in Iraq.

* Turkey, Syria eye nuclear energy cooperation Turkey and Syria are considering setting up a joint energy company and could build joint nuclear power plants for electricity.

* Iraqi PM: Security talks with US have hit 'dead end' Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Friday that the talks with the United States on a long-term security agreement between the two nations have reached a "dead end."

* The Real World: Oil's Creative Destruction Oil demand appears in unexpected places, where there was very little demand in the recent past.

06/12/08

* High Court sides with Guantanamo detainees again The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.

* Ireland in crunch EU treaty vote People in the Irish Republic are voting in a referendum on whether to ratify the European Union reform treaty, with turnout expected to be a key factor.

* Papers give peek inside al Qaeda in Iraq With Christmas 2005 approaching, the princes of al Qaeda's western command were gathering.

* Gaddafi attacks Obama on Israel Libya's leader has strongly criticised US presidential candidate Barack Obama for saying Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel.

* Poll: Most Israelis against Hamas truce A majority of Israelis oppose a cease-fire agreement with Hamas if it does not include the release of imprisoned Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit.

* How Iran Has Bush Over a Barrel If wasn't clear before it should be now: the Bush administration can't afford to attack Iran.

* Fallout from Shiite-Sunni Split The mufti of Lebanon, the highest religious authority representing Lebanon's Sunni Muslim community called Hezbollah's military takeover of West Beirut a few weeks ago, "a military occupation."

* Bush in Rome for two-day visit President George W. Bush can look forward to a hearty welcome from his old friend, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

* China and Taiwan agree top-level visit in talks breakthrough It is a decade since China and Taiwan took even a small step back from the brink of war.

* Rocket and Mortar Barrage Hits Ashkelon and Negev A barrage of 25 Kassam rockets and close to 50 mortar shells slammed into the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council and neighboring areas.

06/11/08

* Iran Supports Iraq Terror Secret details of the production of a new type of explosively formed penetrator, or EFP in military jargon, is being produced by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

* Irish 'no' camp says Paris hiding plans for EU defence On the eve of Ireland's referendum on the EU treaty, the Irish "no" camp has accused France of trying to hide its intentions to push for beefing up EU military.

* Bush warns Iran of 'all options' US President George W Bush says he wants to pursue diplomacy to deal with Iran's controversial nuclear programme, but "all options are on the table".

* Security cabinet nixes Gaza op for now The long-delayed decision whether to accept an Egyptian-brokered cease fire with Hamas or step up military operations against the Gaza Strip came before the security cabinet.

* Hamas: Gaza will become graveyard for IDF soldiers if raided "The current Israeli government is the weakest in the country's history," Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri said.

* 'No chance of Iran attack by Israel, US' Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday rejected sanctions as an effective means to dissuade Teheran from pursuing its uranium enrichment program.

* Israel Museum Displays Ancient Book of Isaiah The oldest existing Book of the Bible is on display in the Israel's Museum Shrine of the Book, through mid-August.

* Southern residents: Politicians are scared Gaza-region residents are infuriated over Wednesday's cabinet meeting, which ended on an indecisive note.

* Irish govt hopes EU treaty win in close race The Irish government said it hoped voters would back the European Union's reform treaty but the race was very close.

* Lift-off for Nasa space telescope A Nasa space telescope has launched successfully on a mission to explore the Universe with "gamma-ray glasses".

06/10/08

* US and EU issue new Iran warning The EU and the US have threatened Iran with further sanctions unless it verifiably suspends nuclear enrichment.

* Iran warns of "painful" response if Israel attacks Iran's defense minister was quoted on Tuesday as warning Israel of a "very painful" response if it launched a military strike over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program.

* Iran, Iraq agree to boost defense cooperation Iran and Iraq agreed to boost defense cooperation during a visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Tehran.

* Ministers favor wide-scale Gaza op Fear of a weak cease-fire agreement which would work to the advantage of Hamas led a majority of ministers to express their support.

* Arabic 'Threatens' Israeli Supremacy In a move that has outraged both Arab Israelis and some progressive Jewish Israelis, a new bill was presented to the Israeli Knesset.

* 'Mubarak shuns summit to avoid Assad' A mini-summit of Arab leaders opened in the Libyan capital on Tuesday but Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak stayed away from the venue.

* France warns Ireland on EU treaty 'No' vote French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner has warned Ireland about the consequences of voting "No" in Thursday's referendum.

* A divide even among Israel's supporters When Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee recently he got a big hand when he denounced Iran.

* US: Iraq security pact can be finalized in July The U.S. State Department's top Iraq adviser said Tuesday he believes an agreement to establish a long-term security relationship between Iraq and the United States will be completed by the end of July.

* Sun Goes Longer Than Normal Without Producing Sunspots The sun has been lying low for the past couple of years, producing no sunspots and giving a break to satellites.

06/09/08

* Fatah and Hamas 'restore trust' Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have held two days of talks in the Senegalese capital Dakar.

* Khamenei criticises US role in Iraq Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, has advised Iraq's visiting prime minister against signing an agreement with the US keeping foreign troops in the country beyond 2008.

* EU holds breath ahead of Irish treaty referendum All eyes are on Ireland this week as the European Union awaits the result of the country's EU treaty referendum on Thursday with a mixture of relief that the day has finally come around and fear that it may bring a "no" vote.

* Israel tries to play down minister's warning of attack on Iran Israel yesterday attempted to play down a warning from a senior government minister that an attack on Iran was "unavoidable" if Tehran continued to develop nuclear weapons.

* Qureia: Latrun also up for negotiation Top Palestinian envoy tells Palestinian reporters Israel has offered East Jerusalem, Jordan River Valley, Dead Sea as part of land-swap offer.

* Time overdue for a world currency The world economy is suffering from high inflation, stemming from overly expansionary monetary policy in the United States, as indicated by negative real interest rates and the rapidly depreciating dollar.

* Israeli officials: Israel-Syria talks set to resume this week Indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria are scheduled to resume this week in Turkey, Israeli officials said on Monday.

* Arab countries complicate Med Union plan A number of Arab countries are worried that if they join the EU's planned Mediterranean Union together with Israel, it would imply a normalisation of bilateral relations, with the Algerian foreign minister stressing that an overall vision for the project still has to be agreed.

* Pressure from oil prices spreads Rising oil prices are beginning to cut into the profits of a wide range of businesses, pushing many to raise prices and maneuver aggressively to offset the rising cost of merchandise made from petroleum.

* President George Bush begins farewell tour of Europe . . . and this time he hopes to be among friends President Bush embarks today on his last important trip to Europe, a six-day swing that will include a dinner with Gordon Brown and a meeting with the Queen at Windsor Castle.

06/07/08

* Army Radio: Gov't confirms Israel, PA to draft peace proposal Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to start drafting elements of a proposed peace accord.

* Iraqi PM begins talks in Tehran Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has arrived in Iran for talks aimed at improving relations between the two neighbouring countries.

* 'Next gov't won't recognize document' News that Israel and the Palestinian Authority are planning to begin drafting elements of a future peace accord were ill received by the government's political opponents.

* Russia criticises US over economy Russia's new president has used his first major speech since taking power in May to blame the United States for the global financial downturn.

* US: Bush committed to diplomacy on Iran Hours after Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz was quoted as saying that Iran would be attacked if it continued work on its nuclear program.

* Arab states leery of Israel's entry into Mediterranean Union Mediterranean countries due to launch a regional union next month have yet to agree an overall vision for the project and questions remain over Israel's role.

* McCain: US embassy should be in J'lem Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain used the status of Jerusalem to attack his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama.

* Oil hike sparks 'serious concern' The US and the four largest economies in Asia are to voice "serious concerns" over "unprecedented" oil prices.

* Sarkozy in Lebanon to show support French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged strong support for Lebanon's new president and the country's peace efforts.

* Latest Irish poll shows EU treaty heading for defeat The latest poll in Ireland has revealed a shock swing to the "no" side ahead of next week's vote on the EU's Lisbon treaty.