Anti-Hamas Offensive Continues Israel continues Operation Summer Rains offensive, aimed to stop Kassams and free Gilad Shalit.

Jordan worried about West Bank rockets Senior Palestinian source tells Ynet Palestinian president’s surprise visit to Amman related to rocket launching attempts.

Iran nuclear talks come to Brussels EU foreign policy envoy Javier Solana will meet Iran’s nuclear chief negotiator Ali Larijani in Brussels.

MoD looks into laser defense system The Defense Ministry is looking into the possibility of acquiring a US-developed laser system that neutralizes the tips of missiles.

Somali Islamists win city battle Some 500 Somali fighters loyal to the last member of an alliance of warlords fighting Islamists in Mogadishu have surrendered.

Al-Aksa announce female bomber unit A group belonging to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party announced on Monday that it had recruited 100 Palestinian women to launch suicide attacks against Israel.

Mongolians honour Genghis Khan A festival has begun in Mongolia to honour the nation’s most famous emperor, warrior Genghis Khan.

Haniyeh targets public opinion in US Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority wrote, “As I inspect the ruins of our infrastructure – the largest of donor nations and international efforts all turned to rubble”.

Israel: PA Claims of Hunger are a Lie Contrary to Palestinian Authority claims, the IDF is allowing food and medicines into Gaza.

Prize offerred to whoever kills gay person Flyers denouncing parade distributed in mailboxes promise NIS 20,000 to ‘whoever causes death to one of Sodom and Gomorrah people’.

Olmert: Gaza operations to continue Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday put no time limit on military operations in Gaza designed to to free an Israeli soldier.

Ahmadinejad: Conditions for Removal of Israel Are at Hand Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad uses an Arabic word for the removal of body hair to describe his plans for Israel.

Mashaal: Shalit will be kept alive and be treated as POW Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal contradicted reports circulated over the past few days by Palestinian and Egyptian sources that Hamas would soften its demands.

Iran’s Ahmadinejad attacks Israel at Iraq confab A regional conference on security in Iraq opened in Iran on Saturday with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calling on Islamic countries to mobilise against Israel.

Russia secretly offered North Korea nuclear technology Russia is facing criticism after secretly offering to sell North Korea technology.

Russia Holds Court as Host for G-8 Summit Russia will take center stage this week when President Vladimir Putin hosts President Bush and other leaders of the world’s biggest economies.

NKorea crisis a diplomatic nightmare for China Pressure is building on China to back a tough UN resolution calling for sanctions against North Korea.

Olmert sticks to realignment plan Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the foreign press on Monday that he had not given up on his realignment plan.

North Korea Crisis Hurts Unity on Iran Nukes America and its allies are fretting that all the attention could hurt their effort to curb Iran’s suspect nuclear program.

Jews for Jesus campaign targets NY Jews “Jesus for Jews,” reads the advertisement on the F train speeding through south Brooklyn’s subway tracks toward Coney Island.

Israelis resume Gaza air strikes Israel has renewed its assault on the Gaza Strip with early morning air strikes.

Iran to host Iraq security talks Iran will host a regional conference on Iraq security this weekend.

240 North Americans Fly Home to Israel The first of this summer’s seven specially-chartered Nefesh B’Nefesh/Jewish Agency flights, bringing some 3,000 Western immigrants to Israel, arrived today.

Several mosques attacked in Iraq Several people have been killed and wounded in attacks on mosques in Iraq.

Darfur combat ‘worse’ since deal Fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region has increased since a peace deal was signed two months ago.

Mogadishu’s rulers to kill people who don’t pray Mogadishu’s new rulers, the Union of Islamic Courts, have promised to implement Islamic Sharia law and vowed to kill anyone failing to perform daily Salaad prayers.

EU upbeat on Iran nuclear talks Talks between the EU and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have got off to a good start.

U.K. Pauses to Mark Anniversary of London Bombs That Killed 52 The U.K. observed two minutes of silence at noon to remember the victims of suicide bombings that killed 52 people and injured more than 700 in London a year ago.

Former Chief of Staff: Sharon�s Disengagement a Disaster Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Moshe Yaalon, IDF Chief of Staff until the implementation of the Gaza withdrawal.

World steps up pressure on N.Korea South Korea, Japan and Australia have become the first countries to take steps to punish North Korea for its controversial missile tests this week.

11 Months Later, IDF Re-enters Former Jewish Towns in Gaza IDF forces penetrated into Gaza, taking up positions in and near the three former Jewish communities of northern Gaza.

Peretz: We won’t sink in Gaza swamp Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated on Thursday that the incursion into northern Gaza early in the morning was a “necessary step that could not have been avoided.”

EU Tones Down Criticism of Israel The shift is subtle but unmistakable. European governments – long accused of being pro-Arab – have toned down criticism of Israel.

UN human rights body deplores Israel The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday deplored Israel’s military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as breaching international humanitarian law.

Israel on edge of international law, Brussels says The European Commission on Wednesday (5 July) came close to saying Israel’s attack on Gaza violates international law.

Historic India-China link opens China and India have opened a historic trade route that had been closed for nearly half a century.

Mild-mannered Finland pledges active EU presidency Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen has presented the country’s priorities for the coming six months of its running the European Union presidency.

Egyptians sue new church leader A group of Coptic Christians have started legal proceedings against a bishop who has said he is setting up an alternative orthodox church in Egypt.

Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia A recruiting video issued by members of the fundamentalist Islamic movement in Somalia shows Arab radicals fighting alongside the local extremists in Mogadishu.

Iranians killed in Iraq blast At least 12 people have been killed and 37 wounded after a car bomb tore through buses carrying Iranian visitors to a Shia shrine in the city of Kufa.

Security Cabinet approves deeper incursion into Gaza The Security Cabinet called for prolonged and gradual military action in Gaza and the West Bank, at a meeting Wednesday morning to discuss the Shalit crisis and how to respond to Tuesday’s rocket attack on Ashkelon.

Outcry over N Korea missile test World powers have condemned North Korea for test-firing a series of missiles, including one thought capable of reaching the US.

Iran calls off crucial nuclear talks Iran has postponed crucial talks with the European Union over incentives to a end a nuclear stand-off.

Former Regime Said at Core of Insurgency The Iraqi government’s list of the 41 most wanted fugitives suggests that former members of Saddam Hussein’s regime form the backbone of the insurgency despite attention paid to the role of religious extremists such as al-Qaida in Iraq.

IDF raises alert on Syrian border The IDF has raised the level of alert along the northern border with Syria out of fear that President Bashar Assad would launch a strike against Israel in response to a recent IAF buzz of his palace.

Egyptian TV Promoting Anti-Semitism and Child “Martyrdom” As Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak portrays himself as an honest broker in the Middle East, recent Egyptian TV programs inculcate Arab children with Jew-hatred and the desire for Jihad death.

Russia Odd Man Out at G8 Table By almost any measure, Russia is the odd man out at the Group of Eight table, where the world’s richest democracies gather to chart strategies to meet the world’s challenges.

Dutch PM hopeful demands second treaty referendum The Dutch Labour party leader, who according to polls could become the Netherlands’ next prime minister, has said any revised EU constitution text should be put to a new referendum.

Putin steps up anti-terror drive Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked parliament for permission to send military units outside the country to prevent terrorist activity.

US$100 million transferred to Abbas The Arab League and Saudi Arabia have transferred some $100,000,000 to the Palestinians, the first funding since international aid was cut off after Hamas militant won legislative elections.

Statement demands prisoner release by 6:00 a.m. Tuesday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert officially rejected on Monday an ultimatum released Monday morning by the kidnappers of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Hamas threatens attacks in Israel The military wing of the governing Palestinian party, Hamas, has said it will attack targets inside Israel if Israel does not end its Gaza offensive.

IDF tanks, bulldozers enter N. Gaza A small Israeli force entered northern Gaza at daybreak Monday.

Asefi: Zionist regime will burn in the fire started by itself Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi here Sunday said that the Zionist regime will eventually burn in the flame of the fire started by itself.

Russian FM calls for Shalit’s release Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Monday for Palestinian terrorists to release kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Africa invites top anti-Americans to summit Two of the world’s most anti-American leaders, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attended this weekend’s Africa summit in Gambia.

Hussein’s wife, daughter on new ‘wanted’ list Iraq unveiled a list of the country’s most-wanted fugitives Sunday, including Saddam Hussein’s wife and daughter.

Asteroid due for close approach A giant space rock was set to whizz past the Earth on Monday under the close scrutiny of astronomers.

Iraqi premier calls for Saudi investment Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki during a visit to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) called on Saudi businessmen to invest in Iraq.

EU troops in Congo might have to use force EU troops securing this month’s elections in the Congo should be prepared to use force if necessary.

Hamas in Damascus: Israel not serious about negotiating Israel is not serious about negotiating for the release of a kidnapped Israeli soldier, but is playing for time while trying to discover where he’s being held.

Website posts Bin Laden audio tape An audio tape reportedly of Osama bin Laden praising Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former leader of al -Qaeda in Iraq, has been posted on a website.

UNSC to discuss renewed Gaza violence The United Nations Security Council was scheduled to convene on Friday night (Israel time) to discuss the recent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Rabbis to Bush: Don’t back West Bank withdrawal A group of prominent rabbis is calling on President Bush to refuse political and financial support for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s plan to evacuate most of Judea and Samaria.

Somali Islamic militia claims total authority The Muslim leaders who rule much of southern Somalia claimed authority throughout the country Thursday.

Mid-East ‘learns oil-boom lesson’ The Middle East has learned lessons from the past and is enjoying the current oil boom with restraint.

Cardinal fears Church could face court on abortion The Catholic Church could one day be prosecuted for its right-to-life stance by some countries where abortion is considered a woman’s right.

Fatah official: Hamas brought violence It was Hamas who brought these actions upon the Palestinian people.

Google Aims to Speed the Online Checkout Line In its quest to “organize the world’s information,” Google now wants to keep track of your credit card number and where you live.

Yonatan Bassi: Go slow on realignment On his last day in office, Disengagement Authority head Yonatan Bassi, had two words of advice for Prime Minister Olmert should he evacuate more territory: “Go slow.

IAF chief: Scope of Gaza operation open The ultimate scope and scale of Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza has yet to be determined.

Israel seizes Hamas legislators Israeli troops have detained eight Palestinian ministers and dozens of officials from the ruling Hamas group.

Fatah official: Hamas brought violence Hamas brought these actions upon the Palestinian people.

Syria condemns Israeli warning flights Israeli warplanes have flown over one of the Syrian president’s palaces to warn Damascus against supporting Palestinian fighters who abducted an Israeli soldier.

Iran vows to fight WMD prolifieration Iran’s foreign minister told a UN conference in New York on Wednesday on the illicit trade of small arms that Iran’s priority was to fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

China Unveils ‘Secret’ Space Program China gave reporters a glimpse of the heart of its space program Wednesday.

Beilin vows to prevent realignment Meretz leader Yossi Beilin dropped a bombshell on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday when the ultra-dove told him that Meretz MKs would oppose his West Bank realignment plan.

Russia ‘to kill Iraq kidnappers’ Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered special services to “find and destroy” the killers of four Russian diplomats taken hostage in Iraq.

China urges Iran to respond to nuclear offer China on Thursday urged Iran to quickly respond to an international offer of incentives aimed at defusing a dispute over its nuclear programs.

Croatia leaves Turkey behind in EU talks Turkey and Croatia’s path to joining the EU was split on Wednesday.

Israeli soldiers push into Gaza Israeli forces have taken up position in southern Gaza after an overnight incursion aimed at freeing a soldier captured by Palestinian militants.

Olmert defends Gaza incursion The Israeli prime minister has defended Wednesday’s offensive in the Gaza Strip as necessary to bring home a captured Israeli soldier.

‘Mashaal is target for assassination’ Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Wednesday that Hamas’s Syria-based leader, Khaled Mashaal, is a target for assassination for ordering the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas denies recognising Israel Hamas says it has not agreed to recognise Israel despite a political deal reached with Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.

Katsav: We got nothing from conceding President Moshe Katsav has launched a scathing attack on a series of Israel’s recent prime ministers.

U.S. Says Baghdad Crackdown Moving Slowly The U.S. military issued a sober assessment Tuesday of the Baghdad security crackdown.

PA declares state of emergency The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in all hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Gay bishops: Anglicans face split The leader of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, has said the worldwide church may have to split.

Talks with US ‘of no use to Iran’ Iran’s supreme leader has said talking to the US about his country’s nuclear activities would hold no benefits.

Cash and cars for Muslim missionaries The government of a Malaysian state is offering money and cars to help spread Islam to indigenous tribal people.

Israel masses troops on Gaza border Israeli troops and tanks were massed on the Gaza border Tuesday as negotiations continued for the release of an Israeli soldier.

Abbas warns PA ministers of IDF attack The London-based al-Hayat newspaper reported on Tuesday that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas warned PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh that Israel would target him.

US seeks Pakistan-Afghan teamwork US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called for greater co-operation between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US in the “war on terror”.

Vatican pledges to bring Shalit home The Vatican will do its best to ensure that abducted soldier Gilad Shalit is returned to Israel.

Blair Calls on G8 Leaders to Pay More Attention to Africa Speaking at London University on Monday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he feared the G8 leaders were on a path of failing to make true the commitments they took last year to help Africa.

Report Shows: Outposts are Not Illegal The Shomron Regional Council presents evidence that the outposts are no more “unauthorized” than many other Israeli towns.

Syria Vs. Islamist Militants: Is It Hype? The Syrian president warns of growing al-Qaida presence in neighboring Lebanon.

Womb environment ‘makes men gay’ A man’s sexual orientation may be determined by conditions in the womb, according to a study.

Date set for Saddam’s Anfal trial The trial of Saddam Hussein, the ousted Iraqi president, on charges including genocide in a campaign against Kurds in the 1980s has been set for August 21.

Israeli Official: Iran Could Have Nukes in 2007 Iran could have a nuclear weapon in 2007.