Rice in Mid-East diplomacy push US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held talks in Jerusalem with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert as she seeks to ease Israel’s conflict with Lebanon.

Hamas urges ‘moral stance’ from US The Palestinian prime minister has said he wants the US secretary of state to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip, but Condoleezza Rice will not meet him.

Peres: ‘No alternative to victory’ Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres on Tuesday appealed to the Lebanese people to disarm Hizbullah and make peace with Israel.

Iran threatens response if Syria attacked Iranian threats against Israel continue: Iranian media outlets published sections of interviews given by Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad-Reza Sheybani.

Germany to open Nazi files Germany will sign an agreement Wednesday to open to researchers an archive of millions of Nazi files that describe how the Holocaust was carried out.

EU to continue to fund stem cell research The EU has agreed to continue its funding of stem cell research.

Amidst War, 650 French Jews Move to Israel in One Day Despite the Re-Engagement War, 650 French Jews arrived on Aliyah (immigrating to Israel) Tuesday – the largest number to arrive in a single day since 1971.

Somalia agrees to talks with Islamists Somalia’s interim government agreed on Tuesday to attend new peace talks with the country’s powerful Islamists.

Bush to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister President Bush retains confidence in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki despite the failure of the Shiite politician’s signature effort to improve security in Iraq’s bloody capital.

UN humanitarian chief blasts Hizbullah The UN humanitarian chief accused Hizbullah of “cowardly blending” among Lebanese civilians.

Rice holds key talks in Lebanon US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held talks with Lebanon’s PM in Beirut.

Israel advances as Rice arrives in Beirut The Israeli army has pushed deeper into Lebanon towards the town of Bint Jbail as Condoleezza Rice arrives in Beirut to meet Lebanese leaders.

Arab nations work towards crisis resolution Diplomatic sources reported that Saudi Arabia is working diligently on a proposal to end the current crisis in Lebanon.

Syria warns against ground incursion Israel and Syria went on high alert along their mutual border late Sunday.

IDF Intelligence: Lebanon crisis good for Syria, Iran IDF Intelligence Chief Major-General Amos Yadlin said Sunday evening in a press briefing that Syria and Iran see the widening conflict on the northern border as an opportunity to advance their interests.

Iran: Israel doomed to ‘destruction’ Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared Sunday that Israel had “pushed the button of its own destruction” by launching its military campaign against the Iranian-backed Hizbullah in Lebanon.

Pakistan Expanding Nuclear Program Pakistan has begun building what independent analysts say is a powerful new reactor for producing plutonium.

Saddam in hospital as trial resumes The trial of Saddam Hussein reopened today in typically chaotic fashion, with the former Iraqi president absent in hospital while his lawyers boycotted the hearing.

Maliki Says Iraq Will Not Slide Into Civil War Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says his country will not slide into civil war, despite a wave of deadly sectarian violence in recent weeks.

Somalia Heads for Civil War When the Union of the Islamic Courts (UIC) seized the Somali capital of Mogadishu on June 5, it was generally feared that it would only be a matter of time before they clashed with the forces of the interim government.

Israel tightens grip on Lebanon Israel has called up thousands of reserve troops and told civilians to quit southern Lebanon immediately.

Curfew extended as Baghdad bleeds A daytime curfew on Baghdad has been extended in an apparent effort to cut violence after one of the bloodiest weeks this year.

Lebanese defense minister: Army will fight ground invasion Lebanon’s army, which so far has sat on the sidelines of the violence raging in the country, will fight an Israeli ground invasion.

Nasrallah: Nazereth kids are martyrs Hizbullah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, spoke on Thursday for the first time since the beginning of the week.

3,000 Americans emigrate to Israel As rockets slam into Israel and Israeli reprisals force Lebanese to flee the border region and parts of Beirut, more than 3,000 American citizens are leaving the comfort and security of the United States to make war-torn Israel their home.

Report: Olmert-Abbas meeting in works Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is “actively” planning for a long-delayed meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Saudi fatwa: Don’t support Hizbullah Leading Wahhabi cleric in Saudi Arabia issues scathing fatwa against Hizbullah.

UN calls for immediate ceasefire UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan faces opposition from Israel and the United States to an immediate ceasefire in the escalating Israeli-Lebanon conflict.

Somali militia threaten Ethiopia Islamic militia leaders in Somalia have threatened to wage what they called a holy war against Ethiopia unless it withdraws its troops from Somalia.

Ra’anan Gissin: It’s Iran, stupid Ra’anan Gissin, prime minister Ariel Sharon’s recently sidelined, gravel-voiced spokesman, had advice Thursday for how Israel should be waging the public relations campaign: “Emphasize Iran, Iran and Iran.”

Three soldiers wounded, one seriously, in gunfights An IDF soldier was seriously wounded Thursday morning during clashes with a Hizbullah terrorist cell.

Lebanon ‘torn to shreds’ Lebanon’s prime minister has pleaded for help to stop the “callous retribution” being inflicted by Israel.

IAF attempts to hit Hizbullah leaders IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said Thursday that an offensive in Lebanon would not end until Israel’s security was restored.

Turkish anti-West mood ‘rising’ Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has warned that moderate Turks are becoming anti-American and anti-EU.

Israel: Hizbullah firing on Christian holy city Israel is planning on citing the lethal rocket attack on Nazareth as part of its public relations campaign.

Iranian leader: West uses Holocaust as pretext Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday again expressed doubts over the true extent of the Holocaust and called it a pretext by the West to gain domination over the Middle East.

Somali Islamists vow holy war on Ethiopia troops Somalia’s Islamists vowed a “holy war” on Thursday against Ethiopian troops crossing into the Horn of Africa nation.

Al-Sistani Urges End to Sectarian Violence Iraq’s top Shiite cleric urged his followers Thursday to refrain from reprisal violence against Sunnis.

250 N. American Jews Move to Israel Despite War A record-setting year of North American Aliyah continued Thursday, with a plane full of immigrants touching down at Ben Gurion Airport.

Key Mideast Players to Meet at U.N. The United Nations was bringing key Mideast players together Thursday for a series of meetings over the escalating hostilities between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas.

IDF ground forces, Hizbullah engage near Moshav Avivim IDF ground forces were engaged in a heavy exchange of fire with Hizbullah guerrillas on the Lebanese side of the northern border.

Syria, Iran determined to protect Hizbullah Damascus sources report that two countries identified downfall of organization as red line stemming from outlook that Hizbullah’s face-off with IDF.

Israel claims Iran link to crisis Hezbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers last week was timed to divert attention from Tehran’s nuclear program.

Syria’s Not-So-Hidden Hand in Lebanon Struck by IDF Israeli planes destroyed, and are continuing to target, trucks coming into Lebanon from Syria smuggling ammunition, weapons or supplies for the Hizbullah.

Sudan told to accept UN troops World powers pressed the Sudanese government to accept a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Turkey Signals It’s Prepared to Enter Iraq Turkish officials signaled Tuesday they are prepared to send the army into northern Iraq if U.S. and Iraqi forces do not take steps to combat Turkish Kurdish guerrillas there.

US Muslims criticise Bush over Israel American Muslims have criticised the US government for its reluctance to condemn Israel.

Oil price spike “very uncomfortable”: OPEC The latest spike in oil prices is “very uncomfortable” and it is having a negative impact on the world economy.

Search for tsunami survivors as toll rises The death toll from the tsunami that struck Indonesia’s Java island has risen to 531 as the search for survivors continues.

EU top diplomat in Middle East amid continuing violence EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has arrived in the violence-stricken Middle East for fresh talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian politicians.

Iran to Hizbullah: Curb attacks on Israel Arabic language newspaper reports Iran was warned by European country that Israel is ready to attack targets in Syria.

IDF needs another week to alleviate Hizbullah threat Forty to fifty percent of Hizbullah’s military capability has been destroyed in the six days of the IDF counter-attac.

Lebanon evacuation gathers pace The evacuation of foreigners from Lebanon is being stepped up.

Day of Fasting Marked by War in Israel Jews around the world mark the beginning of a three-week commemoration of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temples with a day of fasting today.

UN call for Middle East ceasefire UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for urgent action from the international community to stop the violence between Israel and Lebanon.

Arab world fed up with Hizbullah With the exception of the Palestinians, the Arab world appears to be united in blaming Iran and Syria for the fighting in Lebanon.

Tsunami death toll nears 300 The death toll from a tsunami that struck the island of Java is nearing 300 while 131 people remain missing.

EU ‘acutely concerned’ by Middle East violence EU foreign ministers have urged Israel “not to resort to disproportionate action”.

Oil Prices Plunge on Iran Report Crude oil prices plunged more than $1 a barrel Monday on a rumors of moves toward peace in the Middle East and in Iran’s nuclear standoff with Western nations.

Top Somali Islamist warns against peacekeepers he supreme leader of Somalia’s increasingly powerful Islamist movement warned world powers on Monday against backing peacekeepers for the lawless nation where his forces are now dominant.

Israel plans Lebanon buffer zone Israel said Monday that it intends to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to stop rocket attacks from the militant group Hezbollah.

Troops briefly enter southern Lebanon A government spokesman said Monday afternoon that IDF ground forces had briefly entered southern Lebanon to target Hizbullah bases.

EU considers deployment of peacekeepers to Lebanon British PM Blair says deployment of international forces along northern border is only way ‘to get cessation of hostilities.’

Iran’s foreign minister in Syria The Iranian foreign minister has held talks in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Nasrallah calls for aid from Arab world In a recorded television speech on Sunday evening, Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah urged Arab states to come to the organization’s aid.

G8 blames Mid-East ‘extremists’ Leaders of the G8 nations have blamed extremist forces for the latest crisis in the Middle East.

Earthquake, Tsunami in Indonesia A strong undersea earthquake struck off Indonesia’s West Java province on Monday.

Israel spurns UN call for monitors Israel has rebuffed a UN call for an international monitoring force to be deployed in Lebanon as it continued to attack the country.

Pope Urges Peace in the Holy Land Pope Benedict XVI is expressing grave concern over the escalation of fighting in Lebanon.

History of the Lebanese-Israeli Conflict Because Israel and Lebanon have never signed a peace accord, the countries remain officially in a state of war that has existed since 1948.

Israel steps up Lebanese strikes Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon as jets launched fresh strikes on Beirut airport.

Bush to push Putin on democracy President George W. Bush arrived in Russia on Friday planning to press President Vladimir Putin at a weekend G8 summit.

Iran warns Israel not to attack Syria Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Syria would be considered an attack on the whole Islamic world.

Syria calls for Hizbullah cease fire In a significant move, the Syrian ambassador to London, in an interview with the BBC, called on Hizbullah to stop firing missiles at Israel.

Israel pulls out of central Gaza Israeli troops have withdrawn from central Gaza after the army said it had “completed” a two-day mission there.

‘IAF is ready for any operation’ “The air force is ready for any operation that will be necessary during the current military campaign against Lebanon.”

Abbas ‘held secret Israel talks’ Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has secretly met Israel’s domestic spy chief to try to broker an end to the crisis in Gaza.

US vetoes UN resolution on Gaza The United States has rejected a United Nations resolution demanding Israel end its military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Peretz: We’ll break Hizbullah Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Thursday following the rocket attack on Haifa, “We expected Hizbullah to break the rules and now we are going to break them.”

Iran denies Hizbullah moving captives The Iranian Foreign Ministry described as “nonsense” on Friday the allegation that two IDF soldiers captured by the Lebanese Hizbullah were being transferred to Iran.

Israel Shuts Down Lebanon in Response to Hizbullah Barrage Dozens of Hizbullah-fired Katyusha rockets struck all over the north, killing a woman in Nahariya.

In Lebanon: Celebration and condemnation Arabs from around world shown on Hizbullah TV al-Manar praising attack, kidnapping of IDF soldiers as joyous victory, pride for Arab world.

Iraqi PM: Last chance for peace The Iraqi prime minister has told Iraqis that they have one last chance for peace.

World powers refer Iran to UN council With the Bush administration facing growing pressure to cool or confront crises flaring across the globe, the world’s major powers agreed with the U.S. on Wednesday to send Iran back to the UN Security Council with the threat of sanctions.

Amidror: ‘Israel’s Gov’t Allowed Hizbullah to Build Up’ Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Amidror says that for the past six years, the government made a conscious decision to allow Hizbullah to build up its military capabilities on the border with Israel.

Israel Bombs Palestinian Foreign Ministry An Israeli warplane bombed the Palestinian Foreign Ministry early Thursday.

Bush defends Israel actions, Russia condemns attacks Russia and France condemned Israel’s strikes in Lebanon on Thursday.

Oil Prices Hit New High of $75.89 a Barrel Oil prices hit a new intraday high near $76 a barrel Thursday.

Iran Shrugs Off Security Council Referral President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday shrugged off a decision by world powers to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council over its atomic program.

Mideast envoys have war of words in U.N. hallway The Palestinian and Israeli ambassadors to the United Nations engaged in an impromptu debate.

PM Olmert declares Hizbullah attack ‘act of war’ by Lebanon Three IDF soldiers were killed in the Hizbullah attack on IDF forces on the Lebanese border Wednesday morning.

Rumsfeld flies in to Iraq Security in Iraq depends as much on the Iraqi government’s political success as it does on beating the insurgency.

Likud MK: Hamas, Hizbullah sense Israel’s weakness Opposition MKs call on government to launch full-scale attack in north.

Iran vows not to back down, warns of ‘long road’ in nuclear standoff Iran vowed on Tuesday not to cave in to international pressure.

Faiths in Jerusalem United Over Gay March Christian leaders condemned it. Jewish radicals put a bounty on participants. Muslim clerics threatened to flood the streets with protesters.

Peretz: Israel holds Lebanon responsible Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reacted for the first time to Hizbullah claims that it abducted two Israeli soldiers in the north on Wednesday morning.

Putin rebuffs ‘colonialist’ West Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western critics of Russia’s record on democracy of using “colonialist” rhetoric.

Report: Abbas threatens to resign Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to resign.

Mumbai bombs: Police follow leads Police investigating the highly coordinated bombings on Mumbai’s rail network that killed 185 people say the attacks bear the hallmarks of a Kashmiri militant group.

‘Israel may have to take alarming force’ “Israel may have to take alarming force as an outcome of the latest attacks”.