While media headlines focus on plans to build new Israeli settlements, these are a part of Area C, which was established under the Oslo Accords for exclusive Palestinian development. Area C makes up 62% of the West Bank. However, it is under full Israeli control.

SUDANESE President Omar el-Bashir has ordered tribal leaders in the Darfur region to form security forces to disarm Arab militias blamed for the violence that has killed 30,000 people during an 18-month conflict.

The United States appointed a new head of Iraq’s Health Ministry on Saturday and gave a first batch of its employees 20 dollars each to return to work as UN officials warned of humanitarian disaster if quick action is not taken to restore vital services.