GAZA CITY (AFP) — Efforts to free an Israeli soldier whose abduction has triggered a major Middle East crisis have hit an impasse, Palestinian officials warned Saturday after Israel rejected new demands.

ABASSAN, Gaza Strip — In this unassuming farming village east of Khan Younis, Palestinian fighters stood in the olive orchard Saturday hoping for a shot at the Israeli armour digging in 300 metres away.

BEIRUT — This time there are no angry protests in Arab streets or recalls of diplomats — only a low-key bid to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians.

TEHRAN (Reuters) — Iran will not hold talks over its right to nuclear technology despite growing Western pressure, an influential cleric said on Friday.

BANJUL (Reuters) — A two-day Africa summit opened in Gambia on Saturday with a call for urgent action to damp down conflicts in Somalia and Sudan’s Darfur region, but diplomats said there was little chance of much progress on either issue

DUBAI (Reuters) —  A purported audiotape by Al Qaeda leader Osama Ben Laden warned Iraq’s Shiite majority on Saturday of retaliation over attacks on Sunni Arabs and that his group would fight the United States anywhere in the world.

BAGHDAD (AP) — A huge car bomb exploded Saturday at a bustling outdoor market in a Shiite district of Baghdad, killing at least 66 people and injuring about 100 in the deadliest attack since the new national unity government took office six weeks ago.

În cadrul unei emisiuni televizate, Traian Băsescu a afirmat că nu „au existat niciun fel de consultări pe această temă”, referindu-se la propunerea premierului şi a ministrului Apărării de a retrage trupele din Irak.

Hamas government proposes freeing captured Israeli soldier in exchange for releasing their prisoners held by Israel. By Charles Levinson – RAFAH, Gaza Strip Israel launched a ground and air assault on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, vowing it would use “extreme measures” to try to free a teenage soldier held …

Israeli warplanes overflow Syrian President’s palace in northern Syria, sparking Damascus retaliation. By Jennie Matthew – JERUSALEM Israel was on high alert Thursday for possible retaliation after it threatened to kill Hamas militants harboured by the Damascus regime and flew warplanes over Syria’s presidential palace.