UN chief on Lebanon truce mission UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for talks aimed at shoring up the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel, PA consider int’l force at Karni Israel and the Palestinian Authority are deliberating over an international observers force that may be stationed at the Gaza Strip’s Karni Crossing.

Lebanese army boosting forces along Syrian border Lebanese newspaper reports that five units have started deploying along border with Syria.

Would Turkish troops in Lebanon be neutral? With relative quiet prevailing in Lebanon, the question now is which countries will send peacekeepers to enforce order in the country.

Annan to visit Iran amid dispute UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to visit Iran next Saturday.

Iran test-fires sub-to-surface missile A A day after Ahmadinejad inaugurated a heavy-water plant that could be used to produce plutonium, Iran test-fired a sub-to-surface missile in the Persian Gulf.

Amnesty warns of potential catastrophe in Darfur The build up of Sudanese troops in the war-torn western Darfur region could lead to a human rights catastrophe unless UN peacekeeping troops are sent to the region soon.

‘Gaza caught in anarchy and thuggery’ “When you walk in the streets of Gaza City, you cannot but close your eyes because of what you see there: unimaginable chaos, careless policemen, and young men carrying guns.

Car bomb targets Iraq interior ministry A bomber in a car has blown himself up outside Iraq’s interior ministry in Baghdad.

Nasrallah: I would not have kidnapped troops had I known the outcome Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a TV interview Sunday that he would not have ordered the capture of two Israeli soldiers had he known it would lead to such a response.

Eiland: Iran leadership poses threat Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, if he ever became the supreme decision maker in his country, would “sacrifice half of Iran for the sake of eliminating Israel.”

France boosts Lebanon peace force President Jacques Chirac has pledged an additional 1,600 French troops to the UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon.

Israel gives up on disarming Hizbullah Israel has essentially given up hope of Hizbullah being disarmed, and instead is now concentrating on ensuring that an arms embargo called for in UN Security Council resolution 1701 be implemented.

Iran set for a showdown at UN Iran appears to be heading for a showdown at the UN Security Council next week over its nuclear program.

Israel feels US will not attack Iran There is growing consensus within the defense establishment that the United States will not attack Iran.

Pluto vote ‘hijacked’ in revolt A fierce backlash has begun against the decision by astronomers to strip Pluto of its status as a planet.

Most Israelis want Olmert to quit A majority of Israelis think that Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, should resign.

Annan to press EU nations over Lebanon peacekeeping force UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was today trying to persuade European nations to contribute troops to the United Nation�s expanded peacekeeping force for Lebanon.

Pro-Nasrallah song popular in W. Bank They were struggling in a boy band, working the West Bank wedding circuit and dreaming of stardom.

Islam poses a threat to the West, say 53pc in poll The alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners and last year’s terrorist attacks on London have made more people fear Islam as a religion.

Israel may ‘go it alone’ against Iran Israel is carefully watching the world’s reaction to Iran’s continued refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

Syria warns over UN peacekeepers Syria has reportedly threatened to close its border with Lebanon if UN peacekeepers are deployed along it.

US: Iran’s response falls short The US has said that Iran’s offer to hold negotiations over its nuclear program but not halt uranium enrichment falls short of UN demands.

EU’s Lebanon action gathers pace Finland’s foreign minister, whose country holds the EU presidency, says he would like to see fresh UN troops deployed in Lebanon within a week.

UN to set up HQ center in Cyprus for Lebanon peacekeeping force The United Nations will set up an administration centre in Nicosia for the transfer of peacekeeping troops to Lebanon.

Mother recalls Iraqi gas attack he third day of Saddam Hussein’s genocide trial has seen a Kurdish woman testify about the death of one of her children in a poison gas attack.

Russia Overtakes Saudi Arabia as World’s Leading Oil Producer – OPEC Statistics recently published by the oil cartel OPEC show that Russia is currently extracting more oil than Saudi Arabia.

Iraq prime minister hails Saddam trial The media office of the Iraqi prime minister has issued a statement saying the trial of Saddam Hussein is a “fundamental step towards achieving justice”.

Online guide: Killing ‘infidels’ Islamic website offers tips on killing foreigners in Saudi Arabia.

US ‘lacks Iran arms intelligence’ The US lacks reliable intelligence on Iran’s weapons capability.

Olmert pressed to investigate war Israel’s attorney general has presented Ehud Olmert with a list of options for investigating the conduct of the recent war in Lebanon.

Exclusive: Israel buys 2 German subs In the face of Iran’s race to obtain nuclear power, Israel signed a contract with Germany last month to buy two Dolphin-class submarines that will provide superior second-strike nuclear capabilities.

Talks urged on Iran nuclear issue China and Russia have said negotiations are the only way of easing tension over Iran’s nuclear programme.

EU ministers to meet Annan at emergency talks on Lebanon EU foreign ministers will hold emergency talks on Lebanon on Friday (25 August) with UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

Israel accused over ‘war crimes’ Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes by deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon.

World powers study Iran’s reply Six world powers are studying Iran’s offer of more talks to resolve a nuclear dispute.

Iran now the key power in Iraq, says UK think-tank A series of strategic errors by the Bush Administration in its War on Terror has left Iran holding virtually all the cards in the power play of the Middle East.

Russia still seeks Iran solution Russia has said it will continue to probe avenues for diplomatic cooperation with Iran over its nuclear program but France said that uranium enrichment must be suspended before talks resume.

China denies Hezbollah arms export Sun Bigan, China’s special envoy to the Middle East, was asked to respond to media reports which alleged Hezbollah used weapons from Iran.

UK police to investigate Muslim scholar’s call for martyrdom A controversial Islamic scholar told an audience in Manchester this week that it was it was right to fight Israel and that “martyrdom” in Israel was just.

Iran hands over nuclear response Iran’s top nuclear negotiator has delivered his country’s response to a package of incentives offered by the U.N. Security Council’s five permanent members plus Germany in exchange for halting its uranium enrichment program.

Israeli troops open fire in Lebanon The Israeli army says it has shot three Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.

Assad tries to mend Arab fences Embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad moved Monday to ease tensions with Arab leaders whom he had mocked as incompetent in confronting Israel.

EU boosts Congo force amid battle Some 400 extra European Union troops are being flown into the Democratic Republic of Congo capital, Kinshasa, in an attempt to quell raging gun battles.

Apocalypse now? The words you are reading might be your last.

Italy offers to lead U.N. force in Lebanon Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has told U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan his country is willing to lead a U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Eitan: Ready shelters for Iran attack Pensioners Minister Rafi Eitan called for the readying of bomb shelters and reinforced rooms countrywide.

Saddam trial hears of gas attack The first prosecution witness has appeared at the latest trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and six others on war crimes charges.

Iran’s Navy Attacks and Boards Romanian Rig in Gulf Iran attacked and seized control of a Romanian oil rig working in its Persian Gulf waters this morning.

Lebanon may attempt to break blockade A Hizbullah Cabinet minister on Tuesday said the government may attempt to break the Israeli naval and air blockade of Lebanon.

Tehran official: Many weapons waiting for Hizbullah Hizbullah, Iran, and Syria are working feverishly to rearm Hizbullah ahead of the next round.

Olmert: Syria most aggressive member of the axis of evil Syria is the “single most aggressive member of the axis of evil.”

Dichter: Golan Heights for peace Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter said Monday that “In exchange for peace with Syria, Israel can leave the Golan Heights.”

Iran launches tactical missiles Iran’s army has fired tactical surface-to-surface Saega (Thunderbolt) missiles during its war games on Sunday.

Khamenei: No letup on Iran nuclear program Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that Tehran will continue to pursue nuclear technology.

EU to meet on Lebanon force EU member states are to meet on Wednesday in Brussels to discuss participation in the international peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Hundreds of reservists protest war With public pressure mounting for the establishment of an independent committee of inquiry to look into the management of the war.

No Saddam plea at genocide trial Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has refused to enter a plea on the opening day of his trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Calls Intensify for Government’s Resignation Lebanese war reserve soldier veterans, newspaper columnists on right and left, MKs, new Russian immigrants and more – are calling for the government to resign in the wake of the recent Lebanese War.

Plans announced for Somali peacekeeping force East African defense chiefs expect to have the vanguard of a peacekeeping force for Somalia ready by the end of next month.

Israel alarm at UN force members Israel says it would be “difficult if not inconceivable” to accept nations which do not recognise its right to exist as part of a UN force in Lebanon.

Olmert, Peres: Yesha Withdrawal – Not For Now PM Olmert told Kadima party colleagues this week he realizes that his unilateral withdrawal plan is irrelevant for now.

Iran to launch major military maneuvers Iran will launch a series of large-scale military maneuvers across the country and has not made plans for an end to the ongoing war games.

Troops pledged for Lebanon force A number of countries meeting at the UN have offered troops for the expanded peace force for Lebanon.

W. Bank Jewish population tops 260,000 The number of Israelis living in the West Bank increased by three percent in the first six months of the year.

Al-Hariri: Syria worse than Israel The leader of Lebanon’s largest parliamentary bloc has said the Syrian president’s attack on Lebanese politicians is worse than the destruction wreaked by Israel.

Al-Aqsa: We learned missiles subdue Israel Abu Nasser, commander of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Nablus, encouraged by war results. ‘Our brothers demonstrated what we have felt in recent years: Israel falling apart.

Opium hits record in Afghanistan Officials: Cultivation hits new levels despite anti-narcotics money.

Israel to Moscow: Hezbollah used Russian-made missiles against IDF Israel has complained to Russia that Russian-made anti-tank missiles have reached Hezbollah guerrillas who used them against Israel Defense Forces troops in south Lebanon.

Iraq: 3 die as ‘worst month’ figures revealed July violence the deadliest since March 2003.

Lebanese troops begin to deploy south of Litani River Lebanese troops, backed by tanks and armored vehicles, have begun deploying south of the Litani River in line with a UN cease-fire plan to end fighting between Israel and Hizbullah.

Israel wants Turkey to impose blockade on Iranian arms Israel wants the Turkish military to impose an air and ground embargo to prevent Iran using Turkish territory to send arms to resupply Hezbollah.

Europe faces ‘very real threat’ UK Home Secretary John Reid has said Europe faces a “persistent and very real” threat from terrorism, after a meeting with EU counterparts in London.

IDF continues to withdraw from Lebanon Senior IDF officers said that Israel would uphold the cease-fire and begin to gradually withdraw its forces ahead of the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.

Iranian leader: Hizbullah resistance a victory for Islam In message to Hizbullah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says ‘you have ridiculed myth that Zionist army is invincible’

“Star Wars” agency helps Israel on rocket threat The Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency has begun working with Israel to help find ways to counter enemy rockets, a much shorter-range threat than the “Star Wars” mission to block ballistic missiles for which is it known.

Poll: 70 Percent of Israelis Oppose Cease-Fire Israel’s defense minister has created a military committee to investigate how the war in Lebanon was conducted.

MKs: Convergence will ruin Olmert The convergence plan that served as a cornerstone of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s rise to office may lead to his downfall.

For Majority of Arabs, Hezbollah Won Around the Arab world, Hezbollah was widely seen as the victor in the 34-day war with Israel, because of the tougher-than-expected resistance it put up under Israel’s relentless bombardment and heavy ground assaults.

Lebanese general arrested for drinking tea with IDF A Lebanese general was ordered arrested Wednesday for appearing in a videotape drinking tea with IDF soldiers who had occupied his south Lebanon barracks during their incursion of the country.

Assad: American plan for a new Mideast has collapsed America’s plan for a “new Middle East” has collapsed after Hizbullah’s successes in fighting against Israel, Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Tuesday in Damascus.

IDF Begins Withdrawal from Lebanon; Hizbullah Refuses to Disarm Paratrooper brigade reservists began returning to Israel this morning. Hizbullah fired rockets at them, but missed; Israel did not respond.

Muslims face extra checks in new travel crackdown The UK Government is discussing with airport operators plans to introduce a screening system that allows security staff to focus on those passengers who pose the greatest risk.

Fatah, Hamas discuss unity gov’t Fatah and Hamas are close to reaching an agreement on forming a national unity government, Palestinian Authority officials in Ramallah revealed on Monday.

Assad: We’ll liberate Golan Heights Syrian president tells Egyptian newspaper ‘in Lebanon Israel destroyed everything, but it was unable to achieve its true military objectives on the ground.’

Israel humbled by arms from Iran Abandoned Hizbollah positions in Lebanon yesterday revealed conclusive evidence that Syria – and almost certainly Iran – provided the anti-tank missiles that have blunted the power of Israel’s once invincible armor.

Eurozone growth highest in six years The eurozone registered its strongest growth in six years, according to official statistics released by the EU statistical office.

Jewish Agency: 4,000 Olim arrived during war Despite the war, over 4,000 new immigrants from all over the world will have arrived in Israel from the beginning of July until the end of August.

Iran: Victory celebrations, threats to Israel Thousands of citizens take to streets chanting, ‘Lebanon won, Israel destroyed’; dozens of ambulances hold procession in show of empathy with casualties of war.

Iraqi, US forces wall up notorious Baghdad area US and Iraqi forces have sealed off a notoriously violent district of southern Baghdad with massive concrete walls as part of a broader push to quell sectarian violence.