PRIME Minister Ariel Sharon resumed breathing on his own yesterday and moved his right hand and leg in response to stimulation as doctors started weaning him off the sedatives keeping him in a coma.

The hospital caring for Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said early today that there was no change in his condition overnight, and doctors planned to bring him out of a medically induced coma.

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday sought to play down the significance of a letter from 52 former top diplomats that delivered a damning indictment of his stand on Iraq and the Middle East.

ALL over Europe, especially in countries which opposed the Iraq war, you can hear gleeful tidings that America and Britain have been badly bitten after their Middle East adventure.

Israeli helicopters struck in Gaza City early today, killing two men – the second air assault within a few hours – and a teenage suicide bomber blew up a bus in Jerusalem, attacks that left 26 people dead, dozens wounded and a week-old Middle East peace plan in danger of collapse.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush said last night that Iraq’s weapons declaration showed Saddam Hussein was not serious about disarmament and marked “a disappointing day for those who long for peace.”

Israeli helicopters today hovered near Arafat’s headquarters in Gaza City, but eventually left without firing.