Headlines (5:06)
AFGHAN REGION TRANSFERRED TO NATO COMMAND
US-led coalition forces in southern Afghanistan handed over regional command duties to NATO today. The transfer of power comes amid renewed fighting from an increasingly powerful Taliban insurgency in the south. NATO forces are already responsible for security in the capital and in the north and west of the country. NATO is slated to take over command duties in eastern Afghanistan by the end of the year.

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES NOT SUBJECT TO AIRSTRIKE CEASEFIRE

Headlines (4:40)
Israeli Attacks Escalate in Palestine
Israeli troops withdrew from Northern Gaza early this morning after a
bloody two-day sweep that killed over 30 Palestinians. Saed Bannoura
reports from the West Bank that Israeli forces continue nightly raids
there, taking 22 Palestinians prisoner last night alone:

Headlines (4:36)
No Let Up for Israeli Assault on Gaza
Today Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was abducted in Gaza could be imminent. The comments were made shortly after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Rome. However, Palestinian authority and Hamas officials downplayed that possibility calling Abbas's statement premature. Published reports indicate that Hamas is ready to accept a deal that includes the release of Shalit, but that the Israeli military must agree to a cease fire and pull out of the Gaza strip beforehand. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continue in Gaza. Manar Jibreen reports.

Al-Qaeda Calls on World's Poor to Revolt

Headlines (4:54)
LATEST FROM LEBANON
The Israeli military suffered their worst losses in Lebanon today, with as many as 13 Israeli soldiers killed during an offensive to take the Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary general Kofi Annan called for an investigation into the killing of four members of a U.N. force in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Jackson Allers has more from Beirut.

ARIEL SHARON IN INTENSIVE CARE
The condition of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is deteriorating. Sharon was moved to the intensive care unit today to drain fluids in his body. He has been in a coma since suffering a massive stroke in January.

Headlines (4:14)
AL-MALIKI IN DC
President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today announced a new program aimed at curbing violence in Baghdad. Additional American troops will be brought into Baghdad from elsewhere in the country and will embed with Iraqi security force patrols. Al-Maliki is currently visiting Washington DC and is scheduled to address a joint meeting of Congress tomorrow. Some congressional democrats have threatened to boycott al-Maliki's speech unless he apologizes for statements made last week condemning the Israeli offensives against Lebanon and Gaza. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on al-Maliki's comments.

ROME SUMMIT ON MID-EAST

Headlines (5:08)
DOHA ROUND COLLAPSES
World Trade Organization talks have fallen apart in Geneva. The current round of global trade talks, known as the Doha round, collapsed due mostly to disagreements over US agriculture subsidies and conditions for the reduction of tariffs in developing countries. The WTO's director general says that new trade talks will not happen before the end of the year.

WEST BANK INCURSIONS
In the West Bank, Israeli forces have killed nine civilians and completely demolished the Palestinian Authority headquarters during a four-day invasion in the city of Nablus before withdrawing its troops on Sunday. Manar Jibrin has the story.

UPDATE FROM SOMALIA

Headlines (5:29)
AT&T LAWSUIT CAN PROCEED
In a serious setback for the Bush administration and the NSA's domestic spying scandal, a federal judge in San Francisco has rejected a US government request to dismiss a lawsuit against AT&T. Brian Edwards-Tiekert has the story:

Headlines (6:31)
LEBANON
Israeli ground troops joined heavy missile and artillery barrages in Southern Lebanon today, in what was the 9th day of Israel's military offensive to root out Hezbollah fighters firing missiles and rockets into Israel. According to official sources, at least 306 Lebanese have been killed since Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers last Wednesday. 29 Israeli's have been killed by Hezbollah rocket and missile attacks, including 14 soldiers, according to Israeli sources. With no end in sight to the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, dissent is rising within the Lebanese government. Jackson Allers reports from Beirut.