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.

Mideast Cease-fire Begins A United Nations Cease-fire has allowed thousands to return to their homes in Israel and Lebanon.

United Kingdom Terror Level is Downgraded The Terror Level in the United Kingdom has been downgraded from Critical to Severe as more suspects are brought in for questioning.

Lebanese Army Plans to Deploy South of the Litani River While there is still uncertainty about a United Nations force in Lebanon, the Lebanese Army prepares to advance South of the Litani River.

Israeli Neighbors Smell Blood Arabs around the Middle East are Celebrating the Israeli acceptance of the Cease-fire in Lebanon.

Iran’s Foreign Minister in Egypt Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has met with the Iranian Foreign Minister to help bring stability to war-torn Lebanon.

Iranian President Hammers the United States in a New Blog Iranian President Ahmadinejad has used his new blog to recount his poor childhood and to take potshots at the United States and Israel.

Hizbullah “Victory” Boosts Namesake More than 50 newborn babies in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been named after Hizbullah leader Nazrallah.

Europe is vulnerable to Radical Islam In light of the jetliner plot in London, Europe is becoming a major hub for terroristic activities in the West

EU will help strengthen Lebanon Force EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana says that he expects a quick deployment of European troops to Lebanon.

Jerusalem expects cease-fire to fail Israel will abide by the cease-fire but expects that Hizbullah will not honor it.

IDF given green light to reach Litani River Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz ordered the IDF on Friday to send ground forces into Lebanon and up to the Litani river.

A plan ‘to commit unimaginable mass murder’ ALARMING intelligence that an attack was imminent was the trigger for police raids which captured 24 terrorist suspects.

Lebanon: Cease-fire draft ‘unacceptable’ A new obstacle arose over the latest UN draft proposal to stop the fighting between Israel and Hizbullah on Thursday night.

UN steps up push for Lebanon deal Senior diplomats are meeting at the UN in New York amid signs that a deal on a resolution to end the violence in Lebanon and Israel is close.

Polls: Drop in support for Olmert Israel’s government is losing domestic support for its conduct of the conflict against Hizbullah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Bush: US at war with Islamic fascists US president George Bush has said the alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights is a “stark reminder” the US is “at war with Islamic fascists”.

Israeli Objections to Ceasefire Proposal Former Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom of the Likud has stinging criticism of the ceasefire plan being formulated in the United Nations.

Hizbullah declares victory In latest video aired on Al-Manar TV terror group says it ‘defeated the invincible army’.

Europe on alert after foiled UK terror attacks Member states across Europe were on high alert after it emerged that the UK authorities had rounded up several people suspected of being within days of blowing up a series of transatlantic planes with liquid explosives.

Expert: Iran Poised To Be ‘Mother of All World Threats’ One Middle East expert shouts a dire warning: “As soon as a cease fire occurs, the ‘Hezbollah Blitzkrieg’ will crumble the ‘Lebanese Republic of Weimar’ and install its own ‘Khumeinist Republic’ on the Eastern shores of the Mediterranean.

Abbas under pressure to dissolve PA Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is under growing pressure to dismantle the PA.

‘Airlines terror plot’ disrupted A plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit “mass murder on an unimaginable scale” has been disrupted.

US pressure prompts delay of offensive The IDF General Staff postponed the expansion of ground operations in south Lebanon late Wednesday night.

Nasrallah: We’ll turn Lebanon into graveyard for IDF Hizbullah leader says Israeli attacks had not weakened organization’s capabilities.

Arab demands split French-US consensus Arab objections over the details of a deal to end the fighting between Israel and Hizbullah have eroded a rare diplomatic consensus between France and the United States.

243 N. American Immigrants Arrive in Israel Thursday The first chartered plane of a record-setting week of Western Aliyah arrived in Israel Thursday.

Annan warning over Gaza situation The war in Lebanon and northern Israel should not distract attention from events in Gaza.

‘New Mideast’ May See Stronger Extremists The “new Middle East” being born out of the warfare in Lebanon may be one where Islamic extremists are even stronger.

Islamists seize key Somali town The Islamic militia has seized control of a strategic township near the Ethiopian border from Somalia’s transitional government.

Young drive ‘radical media shift’ The “networked generation” is driving a radical shift in media consumption.

Ahmadinejad: Bush will ‘not have good ending’ Iranian leader says in US television interview Americans have ‘imperial ambitions, don’t want to live in peace with other nations’.

Israel approves deeper offensive The Israeli cabinet has approved an army plan to push deeper into Lebanon, to try to take control of areas used by Hezbollah to launch rockets on Israel.

France, US at odds on UN resolution changes French President Jacques Chirac appealed to the United States on Wednesday to speed up its response to Arab nations’ demands for changes to a UN resolution on ending the Middle East crisis.

Hezbollah’s Civilian Strategy On July 30th the Israeli Air Force launched an air raid on several houses in Kafar Qana in south Lebanon.

Palestinian poll reveals marked support of Hizbullah A public opinion poll published on Tuesday showed that support for Hamas and Hizbullah among the Palestinians has increased.

Iran’s supreme leader urges Muslims to ‘defend’ Hezbollah Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has renewed calls on Muslims to rally to the defence of the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah in its war against Israel.

Massive Western Aliyah This Week, Despite Month of War Despite the two-front war, the thousands of missiles, and the evacuation of northern communities, more than 800 North American and British Jews are moving to Israel this week.

Iran Hints at Aug. 22 Doomsday for Israel Noted Middle Eastern scholar Bernard Lewis warns that Iran is preparing for an apocalyptic “end of time” � and that it could come as soon as August 22.

Gillerman: Crisis is about terror, not territory Arab League delegation accuses UN Security Council of standing by idly while weeks of fighting between Israel, Hizbullah sow ‘seeds of hatred and extremism’ in Middle East.

40,000 soldiers await word to enter southern Lebanon Tens of thousands of IDF troops amassed along the northern border Wednesday evening in preparation for Israel’s largest and deepest ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

War With Iran ‘Inevitable,’ Former Israeli Defense Chief Says War between Iran and Israel is “inevitable.”