* ‘UNIFIL flaws may lead to new conflict’ UNIFIL soldiers assigned to maintain the cease-fire that ended the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006 are not carrying out their mandate.

* PA mulling unilateral declaration of statehood The Palestinian Authority is considering cutting off its diplomatic contacts with Israel and unilaterally declaring statehood.

* Kuntar: Allah willing, I’ll kill more Israelis Days after his release last Wednesday, convicted Lebanese Druse terrorist Samir Kuntar told Arab television stations that he plans to earn a master’s degree in “military resistance”.

* UN slams new Israeli settlement UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement on Thursday condemning Israel’s decision to authorize the construction of new housing units in Maskiyot.

* More Syria talks following ‘progress’ Israel and Syria are expected to hold a fourth round of indirect diplomatic talks in Turkey next week.

* New Book Shows History of Muslim Religious Violence A new book maintains that the history of Islam displays anti-Semitism and violence against Jews and Christians since the Muslim prophet Mohammed began the religion 1,200 years ago.

* IDF chief receives decoration from US army Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, surprised IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi on Thursday by honoring him with the US military’s highest award.

* Iranian Film Praising Sadat’s Killers Irks Cairo When it seemed that all was going smoothly on the Cairo-Tehran diplomatic front and full relations were not far off after a near 30-year hiatus, out comes a movie in Iran praising the assassins of late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

* ‘Still time for peace deal this year’ US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there was still hope that Israel and the Palestinians could reach a deal before US President George W. Bush leaves the White House.

* Moon-walker Dr Edgar Mitchell Claims Alien Contact Cover-up Former NASA astronaut and moon-walker Dr Edgar Mitchell – a veteran of the Apollo 14 mission – has stunningly claimed aliens exist.
(Listen to the Audio.)