Connecting together the company's existing capacitive touch technology with motion sensors and eye movement cameras, the system centers on the multimodal commander -- that mysterious-looking orb located below the gear stick.

ENGADGET: Alps Electric integrates motion sensors and eye detection into vehicle cockpit of the future (video)

But the personal envoy he is sending this weekend to the region, Anthony Zinni, a retired marine general and a former commander of American forces in the Middle East, has been told to stick around until a ceasefire is arranged.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians