News Headlines - 17 November 2012

▽Israel, Hamas Exchange Fierce Attacks

The Israeli military carried out more than 200 air strikes on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Saturday, targeting government buildings including the office of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and the Hamas Cabinet. Haniyeh was not there at the time. 

▽Arab League Presses For Ceasefire In Israel

The Egyptian President says there are "indications" a ceasefire could be reached as missile strikes continue in Israel and Gaza.

▽Watchdog starts inquiry into police election farce - Telegraph

Tony Hogg was named police commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, ending a series of declarations that were badly overshadowed by the tiny turnout of voters for the first elections to the posts. An inquiry is now being carried out by the Electoral Commission into the turnout, which averaged fractionally under 15 per cent across England and Wales. In one polling station in Wales no votes were cast, and in Staffordshire just 11.6 per cent of electors voted.

▽Two Minor Parties Merge Ahead of Japan Election - WSJ.com

Two minor parties led by local Japanese politicians—who have stirred controversy with hawkish views on matters ranging from relations with China to Japan's wartime past—formally merged Saturday as campaigning for the Dec. 16 national election ground into gear.

▽Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Yen posts worst week since Feb vs dollar

The yen recovered slightly on Friday but posted its worst weekly performance against the dollar since mid-February as expectations of aggressive monetary easing from the Bank of Japan diminished the currency’s appeal.