While Nasa's focus was on how to prevent the insulating foam breaking off, concerns also emerged earlier this year about the build-up of ice on the outside of the fuel tank.

Troops and tanks have massed along the border and some sort of ground offensive or ground incursions into Gaza are considered a likely next step.

And, Israel continues to amass ground troops around Gaza in preparation for a possible ground offensive.

In San Francisco the mayor had to change the torch route at the last moment to avoid assembled protesters.

An enormously powerful fleet was concentrated at Pearl Harbour.