· Olmert heads to Washington for farewell meeting with outgoing Bush
PM plans to discuss Iran and Syria as well as other regional issues.

· Bush signs jobless benefits extension
US president ensured that millions of laid-off workers will keep getting their unemployment checks as the year-end holidays approach.

· UN agrees to send 3,100 more peace-keepers to Congo
Rebels say they fended off an attack from the army, pro-government Mai Mai militias and Rwandan Hutu rebels.

· Peres receives honorary knighthood
President meets Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before talks with Prince Charles, Brown.

· Germany bans Hizbullah television
Interior Ministry spokesman tells 'Post' ban sparked by "propaganda against Israel's right to exist."

· 'Land for peace, but not land for rocket fire'
Despite pro-Palestinian hecklers, Oxford University staff and students give Peres a standing ovation.

· Astronaut who lost tool bag admits making mistake
Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper says it was "very disheartening" to lose her bag full of tools.

· Jewish Republican Eric Cantor elected party whip
Political expert: Jewish voters are going to stay strongly tied to the Democratic party.

· Livni: Israel won't attend Durban II
"Conference seeks to legitimize hatred and racism," FM tells UJC General Assembly participants.

· Obama to Abbas: I'll support peace talks
President-elect calls PA president, pledges to push peace process forward, towards a two-state solution.

· Indian navy sinks suspected pirate "mother" ship
Larger "mother ships" are often used to take gangs of pirates and smaller attack boats into deep water, and can be used as mobile bases to attack merchant vessels.

· Ships diverted after Saudi oil tanker hijacked
Supertanker was carrying $100 million in crude; pirates also capture Iranian cargo ship, Thai fishing boat.

· IDF chief to urge better cooperation at NATO meet
Ashkenazi to focus on Iran, volatile situation in Gaza and need to enhance UNSC Resolution 1701.

· Cheney indicted in South Texas county
VP accused of conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees due to link to prison companies.

· Clinton lawyers vetting her for secretary of state
Friends of former first lady say she's weighing whether to take job should Obama offer it to her.

· Obama reportedly picks Clinton aide Eric Holder as A-G
Former US attorney, who served as No. 2 official in Justice Department under Bill Clinton, would be nation's 1st black attorney general.

· 'Obama should appoint nuclear adviser'
Report by Harvard professor says US president-elect has historic opportunity to reduce nuclear threat.

· Clergy invited to Auschwitz to mark 70 years since WWII
Invitation extended by Polish cardinal on opening night of 21st annual international, inter-religious meeting.

· Oxford investigates anti-Jewish party theme
Ads for party called on invitees to bring a "fit [attractive] Jewish girl" and come in appropriate "Jewish guise."

· Obama, McCain bury sour campaign, vow cooperation
The 40-minute session at Obama's transition headquarters was just latest effort by president-elect to heal wounds from long and bitter campaign.