Palestinian police are incapable of controlling armed militants, and al-Qaida is posed to infiltrate the Gaza Strip and Israel, Israel’s domestic security chief warned today, reflecting deep Israeli concerns over threats that could result from chaos in Gaza following its handover to the Palestinian Authority.

The Iraqi parliament session on whether to sign off on the new constitution was postponed today for two hours, Shiite member Mohammed Baqir al-Bahadli said.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern said restarting talks on a first-ever constitution would be his top priority during Ireland’s six-month EU presidency.

Pakistan’s prime minister today announced a cease-fire by forces on the Line of Control that divides the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, where fire is routinely exchanged with India.

India’s prime minister snubbed Pakistan’s president and shrugged off his plea for dialogue today, apparently ending all possibility of talks between the nuclear-armed nations whose armies are on high alert.