Some Israeli writers praised the dignified manner in which Olmert delivered his statement, quietly vowing to step aside and looking uncharacteristically humble in a speech broadcast live over radio and television.

This time around, though, Goldberg got caught in the lie how Goldberg had never been nominated for a Pulitzer (a point that would be obvious to anyone who has read his facile "political analysis".

Despite criticism from TV viewers around the globe that the swarm-of-bees sound from the plastic horns is stinging their ears, the organization left no doubt Monday that the uniquely African soundtrack is here to stay.

Local retailers will be hoping to keep capturing the lion's share of that online spending, and perhaps see the benefit of less competition with many rivals going out of business.

"Maybe not worse for the Middle East as a whole," the official clarified. "But for Palestinians, Obama has been worse to deal with."