In Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is facing new calls to step down over allegations he took bribes from an American entrepreneur. Earlier this week, Morris Talansky said he loaned Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover what he called Olmert’s lavish lifestyle. On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Olmert should take a leave of absence or resign.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak: “I do not think the prime minister can simultaneously run the government and deal with his own personal affair. Therefore, out of a sense of what is good for the country and in accordance with the proper norms, I think the prime minister must detach himself from the day-to-day running of the government.”