* World-Wide Blitz against Israel The United Nations, Russia, Arab states and the media have escalated an international broadside against Israel while touting the Hamas-Fatah coalition.

* Merkel urges Israel recognition German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stressed the European Union’s insistence that any new Palestinian government must recognise Israel.

* Further Iran sanctions challenged Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain’s foreign minister, has called for continuation of diplomatic efforts to solve Iran’s nuclear issue.

* Cheney warns on Chinese build-up US Vice-President Dick Cheney has expressed concern over China’s military policies, saying they were at odds with the country’s stated peaceful aims.

* Embattled DM Peretz Charging Ahead with Outpost Evacuation Even as the majority of the country believes Labor Chairman Amir Peretz is unfit to run the defense portfolio, the embattled Minister of Defense is trying to improve his standing.

* US ‘hunted al-Qaeda’ in Somalia Details have emerged of a US military campaign against suspected al-Qaeda leaders in Somalia with the assistance of Ethiopia.

* Taliban threatens ‘bloodiest year’ as UK boosts troops The Taliban today threatened the deadliest year yet for foreign troops in Afghanistan.

* Iran complains of nuclear bullying Critics of Iran’s nuclear program are “bullying” Iran, its current president and a former president declared Friday.

* US poll: Israel alone named ‘vital friend’ A Gallup poll surveying US opinion on geopolitics singles out Israel as only foreign nation Americans feel favorably toward.

* Germany’s EU constitutional task increasingly difficult As the half-way mark of the German presidency looms, even the most basic parameter-setting agreement on the EU constitution looks difficult.