Breaking News Israel launches attacks in Gaza Israel has carried out an air attack in the Gaza Strip and launched an incursion with tanks and bulldozers across the border.

* Bibi won’t rule out Palestinian state Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu and three quarters of the Likud’s candidates declined to sign a loyalty oath ruling out a Palestinian state.

* Hamas Back in Business, Fatah Pushes Reunification Residents of Gaza reported Monday that Hamas had resumed its operations in the area.

* Chinese premier embarks on fence-mending tour of Europe Chinese premier Wen Jiabao will arrive in Europe on Tuesday (27 January) for a visit.

* New US Administration Floats ‘Direct Diplomacy’ With Iran The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, began her term Monday by dropping a not-unexpected bombshell in the UN chambers.

* Obama reaches out to Muslim world US President Barack Obama has used his first formal TV interview since taking office to reach out to the Muslim world – saying Americans are not its enemy.

* Obama: We want progress, not photo ops As George Mitchell was dispatched to the Middle East, US President Barack Obama said overnight Monday that his new envoy to the region would aim “to engage vigorously and consistently.

* Gold pushes above $900 in buying spree Strong investor buying on Monday pushed the price of gold above $900 a troy ounce, hitting a 3½-month high in dollar terms.

* Auschwitz survivors mark camp’s liberation In the depths of the Polish winter, Auschwitz survivors and government officials marked the 64th anniversary of the Nazi death camp’s liberation.

* Israel to face ‘catastrophe’ without Palestinian state, says Jimmy Carter Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday that Israel will face a “catastrophe” unless it revives the Mideast peace process.

* NATO chief admits failure in drawing EU closer Outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said he regrets not having been able to bring the military alliance and the EU closer together.