UNSC delays action on cease-fire The UN Security Council delayed action Monday on a UN resolution aimed at ending the Israeli-Hizbullah conflict.

South Lebanese warned of strikes Israel has warned residents of southern Lebanon that it will escalate operations there as it continues its campaign against Hezbollah militants.

PM mulls Lebanon deployment plan Prime Minister Ehud Olmert termed the Lebanese decision to move its army southward an “interesting” one that needs to be considered carefully.

Analysis: Hizbullah still strong Operation Change of Direction was launched last month with the declared goal of weakening Hizbullah.

Natan Sharansky: Israel’s Very Survival at Stake Former Soviet refusenik and Israeli Cabinet Minister Natan Sharansky believes that Israel’s war against Hezbollah is a “test case” for the free world in the war against terror.

In Wake of War, Anti-Semitic Incidents Increase Worldwide The Jewish Agency says that reports it has received in recent days indicate a “dramatic increase” in the amount and severity of anti-Semitic incidents around the world.

US says Iran may use Lebanon war to hurt Iraq The U.S. ambassador to Iraq accused Iran on Tuesday of having forces in Iraq.

Political uncertainty in Ukraine persists The political crisis in Ukraine has been resolved, but uncertainty persists.

Hezbollah Leader a Star in Syria Excerpts from a speech by Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah blast from the speakers of Tareq Otabashi’s music shop in the Syrian capital.

Bird flu spreads in Indonesia Bird flu has spread to Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.

Saniora: We are still in shock In his opening remarks to Arab League foreign ministers in Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora appealed to fellow Arab states to help a nation “stunned” by a devastating Israeli onslaught.

Olmert, Peretz meet on expanding IDF offensive in Lebanon Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met top defense officials Monday to discuss broadening air and ground attacks in Lebanon.

US reinforces troops in Baghdad US forces have taken up positions in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

U.S., France run into opposition from Lebanon and Arabs on UN resolution The United States and France delayed action on a UN resolution aimed at ending nearly a month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Olmert tells Europe to stop preaching to Israel Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told European leaders to stop preaching to him about civilian war casualties.

Israeli Arabs flee south to Bethlehem Rashid Khoury and his friends from an Arab village in northern Israel lounged around a spacious hotel lobby in the town of Jesus’ birth.

Record mirror for Euro telescope European astronomers are planning to build an optical telescope that is four times bigger than any in existence.

Arab discontent spreading as Lebanon fighting continues Nearly four weeks of fighting between Hizbullah and Israel, on top of price increases, stalled democratic reforms, and bloodshed in Iraq, are making for a summer of discontent across the Middle East.

Iran to ignore nuclear resolution Iran has vowed to pursue its nuclear programme, in its first official response to last week’s UN resolution urging it to curb nuclear activities.

Yeshiva-Army Partnership A new study initiative is taking hold of many yeshivot in Jerusalem and elsewhere.

Israel smashes bridges, Hezbollah rockets fly Israeli aircraft for the first time in the three-week conflict blasted major roadways north of Beirut on Friday.

Ukraine EU future in doubt as pro-Russia leader takes over Ukraine president Viktor Yushchenko has nominated his pro-Russian arch-rival Viktor Yanukovych as prime minister.

Head of U.S. command: Iraq civil war possible Under tough questioning from U.S. senators, the head of U.S. Central Command acknowledged Thursday that Iraq could descend into civil war.

UN to endorse Israel-Lebanon talks Efforts are under way at the United Nations to set up a mechanism that would facilitate “direct or indirect” Israeli-Lebanese discussions.

Israeli army set for Lebanon push The Israeli army has been told to prepare for a possible advance in what could be its deepest incursion into Lebanon for more than 20 years.

Tens of thousands gather in Baghdad for pro-Hizbullah rally Tens of thousands of Shi’ite youths covered in white shrouds gathered Friday in Iraq’s capital for a pro-Hizbullah rally.

‘Scrap peace deal with Israel’ Judges in Egypt called upon the government to dissolve its peace agreement with Israel.

Nasrallah threatens to strike Tel Aviv Hizbullah’s leader, for the first time since fighting began 22 days ago, offered Thursday to stop rocket attacks on northern Israel in return for an end to airstrikes throughout Lebanon.

Olmert: I hope Germany sends peacekeepers to South Lebanon Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would welcome the participation of German soldiers in a stabilization force in South Lebanon.

Lebanon: Israel Wages War of Starvation Israel is waging a “war of starvation” on Lebanon’s civilians in an effort to force the government to agree to Israel’s demands.

Iraq civil war warning for Blair Civil war is a more likely outcome in Iraq than democracy.

Iranian president: Israel’s destruction solution to Mideast crisis Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday the solution to the Middle East crisis was to destroy Israel.

Evidence Mounts that Kana “Massacre” Was a Fake The world awoke Sunday to the news that an Israeli airstrike killed 57 Lebanese civilians.

Muslim powers stage Mideast summit The Muslim world’s biggest bloc held an emergency summit Thursday to muster support for a swift cease-fire.

Jerusalem Braces for Gay Pride Events “The gay pride parade in Jerusalem has been canceled, but that still leaves another 165 hours of gay activities in Israel.”

Temple Mount closed for Tisha Be’av Citing intelligence alerts of possible violence, Jerusalem police announced Wednesday that the Temple Mount will be closed to non-Muslim visitors on Thursday.

Report: Bin Laden’s son sent to operate against Israel Iran has freed a son of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden from house arrest.

Olmert apologizes for pullout remarks Ten right wing IDF reservists have announced that they will refuse to obey orders to enter Lebanon following comments made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arguing that the war in Lebanon could create momentum for further West Bank pullouts.

Olmert: Send us ‘real soldiers, not pensioners’ The ground battle in Lebanon is widening, but on the eve of a new United Nations Security Council decision on the Israeli-Hizbullah conflict, its days may be numbered.

Israel bombs Beirut as diplomats’ words aim to ease crisis Israel resumed its bombardment of southern Beirut Thursday.

Olmert says fighting will go on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon until an international force is deployed in the south of the country.

PM: IDF stays until int’l force in place Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Israel’s three-week-old offensive in Lebanon will stop only once a robust international peacekeeping force is in place in southern Lebanon.

Iran defiant on nuclear deadline Iran has asserted its right to produce nuclear energy a day after the United Nations passed a resolution demanding it suspend uranium enrichment.

Rice wants UN action by week’s end US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stepped up her drive for an end to the conflict in Lebanon Tuesday.

Iraq Shia in show of force Thousands of Shias charged with guarding neighbourhoods in Iraq have marched through Baghdad as violence continued to plague the city.

Nasrallah and the three Lebanons Many in the Arab world are blaming the Lebanese for being so disunited and for not rallying en masse behind Hezbollah and its secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah.

EU rebuffs US call to put Hezbollah on terror list The EU will not for the time being put the Islamist Hezbollah movement on its blacklist of terrorist organizations.

Palestinian anti-Rice feeling peaks Anti-American sentiment has been running high in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israel-Hizbullah war three weeks ago.

Settler reservists: Won’t go to Lebanon if aim is to advance pullout PM Ehud Olmert on Wednesday predicted that the outcome of the IDF’s fighting in Lebanon would create “new momentum” for Israel’s plan to separate from the Palestinians by withdrawing from much of the West Bank.

EU waters down ceasefire call The European Union has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon.

Israel steps up ground offensive Heavy clashes have been taking place in southern Lebanon between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.

Assad calls on army to raise readiness Syrian President Bashar Assad called on his army Monday to increase readiness to cope with “regional challenges.”

EU ministers divided over ceasefire call EU foreign ministers are divided on whether to call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and islamist Hezbollah fighters ahead of crisis talks on the matter in Brussels.

One-Year Anniversary of Expulsion of 9,000 Jews Mourning, longing and hope: Though for many expellees remembering it is difficult, events are being held this week to commemorate one year to the forced expulsion of 9,000 Jews by Ariel Sharon.

Assad smuggling weapons to Hizbullah Three weeks into the war with Hizbullah, the IDF’s intelligence picture is growing clearer.

Iraq bomb attacks kill 44 people A series of bomb attacks in Iraq have killed at least 44 people – many of them soldiers.

Despite War, IDF Distributing Demolition Orders to Outpost Though many assumed that the destruction of communities in Judea and Samaria had been postponed, if not canceled, due to the war, the IDF distributed demolition orders to one community.

Gazans also want multinational force The Palestinian Authority is trying to win Arab backing for the deployment of an international force along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Security Cabinet Approves Stepped-Up Ground Forces Operation The Security Cabinet after meeting for about four hours has given a green light to the IDF to sizably increase the IDF infantry force operating in southern Lebanon.

French FM: Iran a ‘stabilizing force’ Israeli officials were bewildered by French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy’s comment Monday that Iran plays a stabilizing role in the region.

Peretz: IDF will expand ground offensive After declaring a 48-hour suspension of aerial strikes over Lebanon in wake of the Kana attack, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Israel would expand and strengthen its ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Mubarak: UN ‘impotent’ over Lebanon Egyptian president says Security Council had revealed its impotence in its response to Israel’s conflict with Hizbullah.

Lebanon rejects Rice’s statement “We will not accept any offer before an immediate and complete cease-fire. Rice is giving Olmert more time.”

Hezbollah Using Human Shield at Qana, Israel Says Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quick to point out that Hezbollah had been using the shelter in the Lebanese town of Qana to launch rockets at Israeli towns and cities.

EU says ‘nothing can justify’ Israeli Qana airstrike The EU has fiercely condemned the Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese village of Qana over the weekend as “unjustifiable.”

UNSC withholds condemnation of Kana The UN Security Council has passed a statement expressing “extreme shock and distress.”

Settlers to mark ‘pullout anniversary’ Despite ongoing war in North, former Gaza residents decide to mark ‘disengagement memorial day’.

Turkey and Albania least popular of EU hopefuls Almost half of Europeans are against Turkey joining the EU.

Iraqi VP Accuses Israel of ‘Massacres’ Iraq’s vice president on Monday accused Israel of carrying out “massacres” in Lebanon.

China clash as church demolished There have been clashes between police and Christians protesting against the demolition of a church in eastern China’s Zhejiang province.

Tide of Arab Opinion Turns to Support for Hezbollah At the onset of the Lebanese crisis, Arab governments, starting with Saudi Arabia, slammed Hezbollah for recklessly provoking a war.

Hezbollah leader said to be hiding in Iranian Embassy Intelligence reports indicate the leader of Hezbollah is hiding in a foreign mission in Beirut, possibly the Iranian Embassy.

Rice to go back to Middle East; EU offers peacekeepers Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday in Malaysia she will be returning to the Middle East to continue work to bring about a sustainable cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel.

Blair to press Bush on Mideast British Prime Minister Tony Blair headed to Washington Friday where he was expected to press President George W. Bush on a swift solution to the Middle East crisis.

EU says Israel “totally wrong” on ceasefire message The Finnish presidency of the EU has denied giving Israel a green light to continue its operations in Lebanon.

Hizbullah launches five Iranian-made missiles at Afula After a number of Katyusha barrages hit northern Israel over the course of the morning, five Iranian-made Fajr-5 missiles landed in and around Afula shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Israel ends deadly Gaza operation The Israeli army has pulled out of the Gaza Strip after a two-day operation in which at least 29 Palestinians were killed, many of them civilians.

Iran denies giving aid to Hizbullah Iran’s foreign ministry on Friday denied allegations that Teheran has provided military support to Hizbullah in its fight against Israel.

Somali government minister killed A minister in Somalia’s transitional government has been shot dead.

Iraqi Shia leader rejects role for US reinforcements One of Iraq’s most influential Shia leaders rejected Friday the use of US forces to stabilize Iraq’s security situation.

Rome talks upset Arabs, please Israel Arab countries have expressed disappointment at the Rome talks’ failure to demand a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Iranians volunteer to fight Israel Surrounded by yellow Hezbollah flags, more than 60 Iranian volunteers set off Wednesday to join what they called a holy war against Israeli forces in Lebanon.

Al-Zawahiri urges attacks on Israel Al-Qaeda’s deputy leader has urged Muslims to attack Israel and its allies over the violence in the Middle East.

Report: Nasrallah is in Damascus Hizbullah head Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is currently in Damascus.

Israel says world backs offensive Israel says the decision by a summit of world powers not to call for a halt to its Lebanon offensive has given it the green light to continue.

UN aid chief says Israel has ‘created a generation of hatred’ United Nations humanitarian chief Jan Egeland accused Israel on Wednesday of committing “catastrophic mistakes” in its attack on Hizbullah.

Saddam trial ends in Baghdad The trial of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi president, for crimes against humanity has adjourned in Baghdad until October 16, when a verdict is expected.

Rice Attends Asian Security Forum U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Malaysia to attend a regional security forum.

Security cabinet decides against expanding Lebanon operation The security cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, decided Thursday morning against expanding the Israel Defense Forces operation in southern Lebanon.

Iraq resolute against terror, Iraqi PM tells US Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki vowed Wednesday to remain resolute in the face of violent sectarianism ripping apart his country.

UN calls for Mid-East ceasefire UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, at Middle East crisis talks in Rome, has called for an immediate ceasefire from both Hezbollah and Israel.

Nasrallah vows deeper missile strikes Hizbullah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, looking extremely tired, defiantly vowed Wednesday that his guerrilla fighters would begin firing rockets deeper into Israel.

Iranian report: Suicide bombers en route to Lebanon Iran is set to send the first group of suicide bombers to Lebanon on Wednesday.

PM to olim: You’re our secret weapon Minutes before the first of 650 new olim from France streamed off their planes at Ben-Gurion Airport Tuesday, Jewish Agency Chairman Ze’ev Bielski declared, “This is the Jewish answer to Hizbullah and to Hamas.”

Mubarak: Egypt will not go to war for Lebanon Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak rejected calls for tougher action in response to Israel’s offensive in Lebanon.

Abdullah: IDF could cause Mideast war Saudi King Abdullah appealed to the world Tuesday to stop IDF attacks on Lebanon.

Saddam ‘forced’ to courtroom Saddam Hussein, who has been receiving medical care for his hunger strike to protest against his trial for crimes against humanity.

Rice to Abbas: Its time for a new ME US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Tuesday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah following her earlier meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Annan: Israel ‘Deliberately’ Killed 4 U.N. Observers A crisis in the U.N. is brewing following charges by Sec. Gen. Kofi Annan that Israel “deliberately” attacked a UNIFIL post.

Letters expose EU divide on Solana Middle East role The Finnish EU presidency has sent a muted response to French president Jacques Chirac’s request for a stronger role for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in the Middle East.