Islamic State of Iraq Has Been Proclaimed According to Islamic Web sites, the newly formed alliance Hilf Al-Mutayibeen that includes many of the fighting groups in Iraq has announced that an Islamic State has been declared in many parts of Iraq.

Moscow tells Israel it will tighten its export controls on weapons Moscow has told Israel that it intends to tighten its export controls on arms.

Israel to up its offensive in Gaza Israel warned Sunday it would step up its offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 22 people in recent days, with the aim of stopping rocket fire and arms trafficking from Egypt.

Pyongyang and the ‘p’ word Now that North Korea has apparently brought its nuclear weapons program out in the open, all sorts of forbidding rhetoric and scenarios are being offered about what it might do with its nuclear weapons.

China in rural birth control bid China is to bring in new financial incentives to encourage people in rural areas to have fewer children in another bid to control its rising population.

Turks and Serbs face EU scrutiny Turkey’s and Serbia’s unsteady progress towards joining the EU is to come under scrutiny at meetings in Luxembourg.

Saddam verdict expected within 3 weeks A verdict against Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants charged in connection with an anti-Shiite crackdown in the 1980s will be issued by early next month.

Descendants of King David plan Israel reunion An international foundation is seeking to gather Jewish descendants of King David, the second biblical king of Israel, for a reunion next year in Jerusalem aimed at fostering Jewish unity.

2nd warning for Muslims to leave U.S. before attack Another Pakistani journalist is reporting receiving another threat – this one from a senior Taliban leader – warning all Muslims to leave the U.S. in anticipation of a major terrorist attack before the end of Ramadan.

Minaret that can’t rise above politics Plans for a 130ft tower on the holiest site of two religions will have to overcome some big problems.