Jewish settlers in West Bank prepare for end of building freeze as US races to rescue talks

Israel: Settlers brace for end of building freeze

Violence erupts in east Jerusalem after deadly shooting of Palestinian, clouding peace efforts

Violence in east Jerusalem clouds peace efforts

Mideast Muslims start holy month of Ramadan, fasting from sunrise to sunset in sweltering heat

In Mideast, Ramadan fast begins in sweltering heat

Israeli prime minister warns Hamas after Gaza rocket attack on Israel

Barack Obama

Explosion levels Gaza Hamas commander’s home; Palestinians blame Israeli strike, Israel denies

Barack Obama

Israeli military to prosecute, discipline soldiers for actions during Gaza war

The White House

West Bank tensions divide roads, pushing Palestinians onto dangerous, time-consuming byways

Separate roads push West Bank Arabs to the byways

Israeli commandos storm aid flotilla, killing at least 10 and sparking protests

Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama
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Israeli firefighters say West Bank mosque fire likely set deliberately

Firefighters: West Bank mosque fire likely arson

Palestinians delay ban on working in Jewish settlements because of economic hardships

Palestinians delay ban on work in settlements

Fires damage West Bank village mosque, olive grove; Palestinians blame Jewish settlers

Fires rip through West Bank mosque, olive grove

Fire damages West Bank village mosque; Palestinian mayor suspects arson by Jewish settlers

Fire damages West Bank mosque, burns holy books

Israeli police storm Jerusalem holy site to stop Palestinians throwing objects at tourists

Senator John Kerry: his

Rapper Lil Wayne to be sentenced in NYC gun possession case, could get a year in jail

President Barack Obama

Rights group: Israel failed to show it will conduct impartial Gaza war crimes probe

Rights group faults Israel’s Gaza war crimes probe

Jerusalem mayor says he’ll evacuate illegal settler house, demolish illegal Palestinian houses

Settler house to be evacuated in Jerusalem

Israel’s defense minister warns absence of peace deal with Palestinian could mean apartheid

Barak: Peace with Palestinians or apartheid

Gaza militants pledge to float more bombs at Israel to retaliate for killing of Hamas leader

Militants pledge to float more bombs toward Israel

Hamas claims Israeli agents assassinated one of group’s top operatives in Dubai hotel room

Hamas: Israel kills top operative in Dubai

Palestinian Hamas accuses Israel of assassinating group’s veteran operative in Dubai

Hamas: Israel assassinated operative in Dubai

Human Rights Watch disputes Hamas claims it did not target Israeli civilians during Gaza war

Human rights group: Hamas targeted civilians

AP News in Brief

President Barack Obama speaks briefly on Afghanistan
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Israeli police arrest 9 in connection with mosque torching last month in West Bank

Israeli police arrest 9 in West Bank mosque blaze

Roman Catholic cleric in Holy Land prays for Mideast peace; Christmas gloom elsewhere too

Christmas gloom, prayers for peace in Holy Land

Top Roman Catholic cleric in Holy Land prays for Mideast peace

Top Roman Catholic in Holy Land prays for peace