U.S. Defense Chief Visits Saudi Arabia to Bolster Effort Against Iran

Palestinians Hold to Plan for New Talks

By ETHAN BRONNER

Palestinian leaders meeting with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. condemned a decision by Israel on new housing, but still spoke of participating in peace talks.

• Video via Reuters
• Room for Debate: Israel's Challenge to the U.S.

Rewrite of Physics by Einstein on Display

By ETHAN BRONNER

For the first time, the complete, original manuscript of the theory of relativity, profoundly human and surprisingly moving to examine, has been put on display in Jerusalem.

• Times Topics: Einstein

Partial Iraq Vote Results Expected Thursday

By ANTHONY SHADID

The incomplete results will offer an incomplete picture of the vote but will provide the broad outlines of the country’s political landscape.

• At War: For Iraqis, Suffering Is a Reason to Vote

Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Top Cleric, Dies at 81

By MICHAEL SLACKMAN

Mr. Tantawi was leader of Al Azhar, the oldest and most prestigious center of learning in the Sunni Muslim world.

Israel: Bomb Unit Allowed Into Gaza

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Israel has allowed a United Nations bomb disposal unit into the Gaza Strip to defuse unexploded munitions left over from last year’s fighting.

Jerusalem Journal

An Eviction Stirs Old Ghosts in a Contested City

By ISABEL KERSHNER

The removal of a Palestinian family has touched two nerves: the fate of East Jerusalem and the grievances of refugees from the 1948 war.

• Video: Sidewalk Standoff

Israel Intends to Build Civilian Nuclear Plants

By STEVEN ERLANGER

Israel, widely believed to have nuclear weapons and possessing no oil, said on Tuesday that it intended to develop civilian nuclear plants for energy.