Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Offshore Israeli Gas Find Larger than Initial Estimate
Foreign Confidential....
Noble Energy announced yesterday that its Tamar natural-gas discovery off the coast of Israel is probably 61% larger than initially estimated when announced last month.
Tamar’s potential is 5 trillion cubic feet, based on initial flow testing, the Houston-based company said in a statement. Flow rate from the well was 30 million cubic feet per day, limited by the testing equipment, and production may reach 150 million cubic feet a day, the company said.Arson Suspected in Australian Fires
Foreign Confidential....
Police are pursuing at least two suspects in an arson investigation in the deadliest fires in Australia's history, which have raged across more than 1,200 square miles.
Police have confirmed 181 people died in the fires, with at least 50 still missing. Officials have said the death toll could reach 300.
More than 900 homes have been destroyed, and 7,000 people have registered for assistance with the Red Cross.Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Hamas Accused of Mass Killings and Torture
Foreign Confidential....
Amnesty International on Tuesday charged Hamas with killing or torturing dozens of Palestinians whom the terrorist group accused of collaborating with Israel.
At least 24 men have been shot dead by Hamas gunmen since the end of December, and scores more have been kidnapped, shot in the legs, beaten or tortured, according to Amnesty International.
The UK-based human rights group asserted in a report that the attacks began shortly before Israel's 22-day military offensive targeting the Gaza Strip, and continued after a cease-fire took effect January 18.
Amnesty International said the victims include former members of the Palestinian Authority security forces and other activists from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.
Hamas has not yet responded to the report.Livni Apparent Winner in Israeli Election
Foreign Confidential....
UPDATE: Livni's lead is narrowing. With 88 percent of the votes counted, the Foreign Minister's Kadima Party is in first place with 28 of the Knesset's 120 seats, with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party following closely behind with 27 seats. Labor stands at 13 seats, while Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party is expected to garner 15 seats.
Tzipi Livni's Kadima Party appeared to have edged Likud in voting Tuesday, Israeli exit polls showed.
Exit polls released at the close of voting for the 18th Israeli Knesset showed Kadima winning 30 seats and Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud winning 28.
Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu vaulted over Labor to become the Knesset's third-largest party, with 15 seats, according to polls, and Labor falling to some 13 seats.
Official results were not expected to be available until the wee hours of Wednesday morning in Israel.
Kadima's apparent victory puts Livni, currently Israel's foreign minister, in the No. 1 spot to put together a coalition government with a minimum of 61 seats and become prime minister.
Voter turnout was higher than expected as Israelis went to the polls Tuesday on a stormy and cold day following a week of unseasonably warm weather, and after a compressed three-week campaign due to the recent war in Gaza.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
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