Kerry working to bridge gaps between Israel and Palestinians, even as both sides add demands for resuming negotiations.

Senior Western diplomat says there is ''enough substance'' for negotiations to continue even though latest round of meetings in Kazakh city appear to make little progress; Tehran rejects offer of economic sanctions relief.

''The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations mourns the passing of former Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher. She was a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people,'' the Conference said in a statement.

US Secretary of State John Kerry extolled the possibilities for peace in the Middle East at a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem Monday, as he insisted that whilst he has “no illusions about difficulties... you have to believe in the possibilities to be able to get there.”

Tributes poured in from Britain’s Jewish community Monday after the country’s first female Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, died aged 87.

The first flight from Cairo to Tehran took off last month; pressure of Sunni protesters led to cancellation of flights.

US has strongly opposed Abbas's attempts to join forces with Hamas, but senior adviser to PA president says resistance has faded; Abbas set to meet with Mashaal amid reports that Fayyad planning to resign.

US secretary of state meets Peres in J'lem, says talks with Tehran won't prevent necessary steps to prevent Iranian nuclear weapon.

'Times' reports the Kassam Brigades have broken ties with former ally Assad, began training members of opposition in Damascus.

Foreign Ministry spokesman says ship did not leave from Eilat or any other Israeli port as claimed by Egyptian officials.