Iraq to seek extension of US presence Iraq is to ask the UN Security Council to renew the mandate governing the presence of US-led forces in the country for another year.

Israel preparing extensive Gaza operation:MP Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that the army was preparing an extensive operation in the Gaza Strip.

MKs warn of one-million-strong anti-gay protest A meeting of the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee to discuss the planned gay pride parade in Jerusalem ended with participants exchanging insults.

Al-Qaeda takes its fight to the internet The American government is failing to counter Islamists’ online propaganda that could propel militancy into the next generation, experts say.

Iranian FM gives Assad letter from Ahmadinejad Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reportedly met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, and the two called for an end to the “occupation” of Iraq.

Survivor says Saddam brought ‘Doomsday’ to village Iraq’s ousted leader Saddam Hussein heard his genocide accusers Monday describe how “Doomsday” came to their bombed villages.

World discusses internet future The future of the net is the ambitious topic under discussion at the first global Internet Governance Forum, being held in Athens over the next five days.

Islamic courts refuse peace talks The Islamic Courts Union, which controls much of southern Somalia, has refused to meet the interim government for peace talks unless Ethiopian troops leave the country.

Holy war against pride parade Haredim keep threatening to strike the gay parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem in two weeks.

Somali Islamists say Ethiopia has ‘declared war’ Somalia’s powerful Islamist movement Monday accused neighboring Ethiopia of “declaring war” on them.