* Olmert: Gaza op to continue, UNSC resolution not practical Despite the UN Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza cease-fire, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Friday afternoon that the IDF operation in the Strip would continue.
* Czechs face EU trial by fire over gas, Gaza Dual crises over the Gaza conflict and gas supplies to Europe are proving to be a trial by fire for the European Union presidency of the Czech Republic.
* UN ceasefire call goes unheeded Israel is to keep up its offensive in the Gaza Strip despite a UN call for an immediate end to nearly two weeks of conflict involving Hamas militants.
* Hamas: Abbas no longer heads PA The IDF's anti-Hamas operation in the Gaza Strip has diverted attention from the row over Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's term in office.
* Merkel and Sarkozy call for global 'economic security' council German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have warned the US not to block attempts to build an international financial regulator.
* UN passes Gaza cease-fire resolution With a surprise US abstention, the UN Security Council overcame intense divisions and overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday night.
* Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas' The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation.
* EU commission considers major relocation in Brussels The area surrounding the Atomium, an atom-shaped structure seen on every Brussels postcard, might become a location for some of the European Commission's buildings.
* Israeli War on Gaza 'Killing Peace Prospects' Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, the Israeli war on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip continued for the 14th day on Friday.
* EU diplomats: Egypt's refusal to station foreign troops on Gaza border holding up truce Egyptian efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire appeared on Friday to have to run into trouble because of disagreements with Israel.