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Israel to vote on truce plan proposed by Egypt
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israel said it was approaching the "endgame" of its three-week offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers and scheduled a Security Cabinet vote Saturday on a truce proposed by Egypt. Under the cease-fire plan, fighting would stop immediately for 10 days, but Israeli forces would initially remain in Gaza and the border crossings into the territory would remain closed until security arrangements are made to ensure Hamas militants do not rearm. (Updated 5:29 p.m. PT)

Gaza war doctor grieves 3 daughters
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The Palestinian doctor provided Israeli TV viewers with regular updates on Gaza fighting's human toll. But Friday's report was different - with sobs he told how his three daughters and a niece were killed by an Israeli shell. (Updated 5:21 p.m. PT)

Iraqi guards said to throw party for shoe-thrower
BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi journalist jailed since throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush got a visit from his brother Friday and a birthday party from his guards as he turned 30. (Updated 2:19 p.m. PT)

Iraqi candidate for provincial vote assassinated
BAGHDAD -- A Shiite candidate for provincial elections was assassinated Friday while campaigning south of Baghdad, underscoring fears that political rivalries will lead to a spike in violence ahead of Iraq's Jan. 31 vote. (Updated 2:06 p.m. PT)

UN food centers working in Gaza despite attack
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- A day after an Israeli bombardment hit a warehouse in a U.N. compound and destroyed tons of aid, officials Friday delivered food rerouted from elsewhere to thousands of residents who otherwise have almost nothing to eat. (Updated 1:46 p.m. PT)

UN says Gaza hospitals in crisis
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The medical system in Gaza is close to being overwhelmed and the Palestinian enclave faces a humanitarian catastrophe unless a cease-fire is reached soon, a senior U.N. health official said Friday. (Updated 12:53 p.m. PT)

Qatar suspends ties with Israel
DOHA, Qatar -- Qatar and Mauritania suspended contacts with Israel to protest the Gaza bloodshed at an Arab summit Friday that deepened the divisions between pro-U.S. Arab nations and their rivals in the Middle East. (Updated 11:15 a.m. PT)

Momentum builds for a self-ruled southern Iraq
NAJAF, Iraq -- The country's biggest Shiite party is hoping for a big win in elections across the oil-rich south to jump-start its campaign for a self-ruled region - a move that would transform Iraq and, critics say, give Iran its biggest prize since the ouster of Saddam Hussein. (Updated 10:41 a.m. PT)

Mideast protests against Israel attacks on Gaza
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi worshippers dropped money in boxes and gave up their jewelry Friday as clerics called for donations to help Palestinians suffering under an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. (Updated 9:55 a.m. PT)

Turkish PM: Israel should be barred from UN
ANKARA, Turkey -- Israel should be barred from the United Nations while it ignores the organization's calls to stop fighting in Gaza, Turkey's prime minister declared Friday, urging the world not to turn a blind eye to Israel's "savagery." (Updated 8:24 a.m. PT)