Promoting peace talks in the Middle East and Iran's nuclear aspirations are running high on the agenda of US Vice President Joe Biden's contacts in Israel. In his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, the latter told him that imposing moral sanctions on Iran, including its expulsion from the UN, were no less important than taking economic measures. 

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Iraq's parliamentary election has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 35 people being killed and 60 injured. Iraqi Prime-minister Nouri Maliki called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy. This is the second parliamentary election held after the fall of Sadam Husein. Election procedure is considered a crash test in view of withdrawal of US troops.

Three suicide bomb attacks against two police stations and a hospital were carried out in quick succession in the northern city of Baquba , in Diyala province Wednesday, four days before national parliamentary elections in Iraq. At least 29 people were killed and more than 42 others wounded in the attacks. Two car bombers struck near police stations, while the third attacker approached a hospital on foot before detonating explosives.

The Jerusalem Mayor is planning to turn part of the Arab-inhabited Silwan neighborhood, near the Old City, into an archaeological park. Mayor Birkat is expected to unveil the details of the plan called Kings Garden because it looks out upon the place where King David was thought to have been. The Israeli radio said about 40 Arab houses have to be pulled down.