OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israel has long pursued a policy of preemptive attack as its preferred form of defence. But when it comes to tackling arch-foe Iran, that option may have been put on hold under a protective “umbrella” on offer from the United States.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday that Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian elections should send a lesson to rulers and politicians in the Mideast and the world that voters want stable governments that are not corrupt and can serve their people. Annan said he didn’t view …

Russia invites Hamas leaders to Moscow for talks GAZA CITY (AP) — Masked gunmen kidnapped an Egyptian diplomat in a brazen daylight attack Thursday that underscored the spiralling lawlessness in the Gaza Strip, and showed that no one — not even an official from one of the Palestinians’ most important …