The situation in Gaza is prompting telephone diplomacy in the Obama administration. From Southeast Asia, on his first international trip since his re-election, President Obama has talked several times by telephone with two of the central players: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, traveling with the president, has been even busier.

Smuggling-weapons-gaza

United States, Israeli and Egyptian officials have long suspected that Iran is using Sudan to smuggle weapons and equipment to Hamas, using a circuitous route by air into Khartoum or by ship into Port Sudan. Then the weapons start a long road trip through eastern Sudan, across the Egyptian border and up through the Sinai Peninsula to Gaza.

Israel-Hesitate

Thousands of Israeli troops with tanks and armored vehicles are poised on Gaza's borders ready to move in if Israel believes there is no chance for a cease-fire in its conflict with Hamas. But Israel, which continued to press its air offensive against Gaza militants for a sixth day on Monday, is said to be well aware that a ground invasion would carry broad risks.

Egypt-Violence

Violence flared in central Cairo on Monday as protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police, who responded in kind. The protesters are angry at the government and the Muslim Brotherhood, a popular Islamist movement. They rallied near Tahrir Square, near the parliament building, just a block from the Interior Ministry.

POL-Benghazi-Talking-Points

The intelligence community -- not the White House, State Department or Justice Department -- was responsible for the substantive changes made to the talking points distributed for government officials who spoke publicly about the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, the spokesman for the director of national intelligence said Monday.

POL-Obama-Asia-Trip

Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Myanmar on Monday, praising the courage of fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi while also providing a symbolic nod to initial reforms in a nation once notorious for political repression.

SPORT-Beckham-Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham will be leaving the team after its MLS Cup game December 1, team officials announced Monday.

U.S.A.

Idaho-Zoo-Monkey-Death

Police in Boise, Idaho, said late Monday that they have made an arrest in connection with a break-in at a local zoo and the death of a patas monkey there.

Indiana-Explosion-Probe

The explosion that killed two people and hurt seven in an Indianapolis subdivision is now the subject of a homicide probe, authorities announced Monday.

Texas-Parade-Accident-Probe

In an effort to understand why a truck serving as a parade float crossed in front of a fast-moving locomotive last week -- killing four war veterans on the float -- federal accident investigators on Tuesday will recreate the accident conditions.