"Sanctions aren't alternatives to war," Zarif says, "they ARE war." Acting US defense secretary appeals to NATO allies to publicly denounce Iranian hostility, help safeguard strategic waterways around Strait of Hormuz.

“The location and features will help us to bring new jobs to the city. More office space will mean more businesses, whether its lawyers, bankers or high-tech,” says Ofer Berkovitch, a member of the city’s planning and construction committee.

Palestinian media says UN and Egyptian officials have been able to broker a renewed truce agreement between Israel and Gaza's rulers. Ceasefire takes effect on Friday morning. Deal to see Israel send diesel fuel to Gaza's power plant, expand enclave's fishing zone to 15 nautical miles; Hamas agrees to halt arson terrorism, rein in weekly border riots.

"Our sanctions do not give Iran the right to accelerate its nuclear program. It can never get near a nuclear bomb," says US Envoy to Iran, while in Paris in an attempt to convince European officials that sanctions are the best way to get Iran to negotiate.

Palestinian Authority officials said a 20-year-old Palestinian man was killed in a clash with Israeli police Thursday night in east...