* Barak: Hamas is extremely anxious Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday described the successes of the recent counter-terror operations in the Gaza Strip.

* IAEA chief: Inspectors to visit Syria Syria has invited UN inspectors to visit in a probe of allegations that a remote building destroyed by IAF fighter jets was a nuclear reactor built secretly with North Korean help, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday.

* Ramon to Olmert: Expose Secret Deals With PA Before Your Fall Vice Premier Chaim Ramon has called on the Olmert government to publicize the details of the negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, so as to avoid “wasting time” for the next government.

* Experts fear nuclear know-how circulating on black market Nuclear experts fear that blueprints and manuals on manufacturing weapons-grade uranium for atomic warheads are circulating on the international black market, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

* Iran: Painful consequences for those who dare attack us Iranian defense minister announces Syria-Iranian ties stronger than ever, declares ‘Zionist regime degraded itself before Hizbullah – Israel cannot bear Iranian response to attack’.

* Jerusalem construction clouds peace talks On the eve of another meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel on Sunday dismissed as public posturing PA protests of the government’s announcements of plans to build nearly 900 housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Har Homa and Pisgat Ze’ev.

* US: Tens of thousands celebrate Israel’s 60th Tens of thousands celebrated Israel’s 60th anniversary in New York City and Washington DC on Sunday.

* A year later, Hamas rule deepens in Gaza A year into Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip, courts are meting out justice, police are arresting thieves, motorists are paying for licenses and authorities are blocking Internet porn sites.

* Ahmadinejad says Israel will soon disappear Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad predicted on Monday that Muslims would uproot “satanic powers” and repeated his controversial belief that Israel will soon disappear, the Mehr news agency reported.

* Olmert to Abbas: PA bid to curb our Europe ties ‘unacceptable’ Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday protested to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas efforts by his government to curb Israel’s burgeoning relations with Europe and the international community.