* High Court sides with Guantanamo detainees again The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.

* Ireland in crunch EU treaty vote People in the Irish Republic are voting in a referendum on whether to ratify the European Union reform treaty, with turnout expected to be a key factor.

* Papers give peek inside al Qaeda in Iraq With Christmas 2005 approaching, the princes of al Qaeda’s western command were gathering.

* Gaddafi attacks Obama on Israel Libya’s leader has strongly criticised US presidential candidate Barack Obama for saying Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel.

* Poll: Most Israelis against Hamas truce A majority of Israelis oppose a cease-fire agreement with Hamas if it does not include the release of imprisoned Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit.

* How Iran Has Bush Over a Barrel If wasn’t clear before it should be now: the Bush administration can’t afford to attack Iran.

* Fallout from Shiite-Sunni Split The mufti of Lebanon, the highest religious authority representing Lebanon’s Sunni Muslim community called Hezbollah’s military takeover of West Beirut a few weeks ago, “a military occupation.”

* Bush in Rome for two-day visit President George W. Bush can look forward to a hearty welcome from his old friend, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

* China and Taiwan agree top-level visit in talks breakthrough It is a decade since China and Taiwan took even a small step back from the brink of war.

* Rocket and Mortar Barrage Hits Ashkelon and Negev A barrage of 25 Kassam rockets and close to 50 mortar shells slammed into the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council and neighboring areas.