Ultra-Orthodox Jews are protesting for a second consecutive day in Jerusalem against the opening of a car park on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath when religious Jews are forbidden to drive.

PALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas used a rally commemorating the deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat yesterday to lash out at his rivals from the Islamic group Hamas.

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who took over after Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke yesterday, is a seasoned operator and Sharon confidante who is comfortable in cut-throat local politics and in world capitals alike.