* 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.