The High Court of Justice on Wednesday rejected a request from the legal team of former President Katsav seeking an additional 60 days to file an appeal on his behalf. The appeal must be submitted no later than 29 January.

** IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai made reference to the explosion that killed an Iranian nuclear scientist, stating Israel does not know who was behind it, but on the other hand “we are not shedding any tears”.

** Temporary buildings at Mitzpei Avichai, an outpost near Kiryat Arba, were destroyed by Civil Administration officials during the night.

07:15: A rocket fired from Gaza landed in an open field in the S’dot Negev. Baruch Hashem there were no reports of injuries or damage.

** IDF soldiers taking part in counter-terrorism operations throughout Yehuda, Shomron and the Jordan Valley during the night arrested 16 people suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.

** With the realization the Kadima party is plagued with internal strife, party leader Tzipi Livni is expected to move up primary elections to March, a number of months ahead of schedule.

** 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of snow accumulated on Mount Hermon during the night. The weekend forecast calls for more snow on the mountain and unseasonably cold weather for the remainder of the country, accompanied by thundershowers and heavy wind gusts.

** Two teens were arrested in Netanya after they bombarded a school bus traveling on Ben-Tzvi Boulevard with rocks. They explained to police that some of the youths on the bus laughed at them, prompting them to begin stoning the bus.

** In the shadow of mounting racial conflict in Kiryat Malachi of late, President Peres visited the city and spoke out to the Ethiopian residents, decrying racism against them and thanking them for coming to Eretz Yisrael.

13:15: bLighting struck an oil refinery in Haifa resulting in a fire. The blaze was brought under control without injuries. There were no reports of any toxic emissions being released as a result of the blaze.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)