Monday, April 30, 2007

04/30/07

* Egypt slams Palestinian rocket attacks Hamas said on Sunday that its military wing plans to kidnap IDF soldiers if Israel decides to conduct a large-scale ground-invasion of the Gaza Strip.

* Huge rally for Turkish secularism Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a vote for the country's next president.

* IDF chief: Gaza incursion inevitable Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi indicated at the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday that there may be no choice but to put IDF boots on the ground to stop attacks from Gaza.

* Iran to attend key Iraq meeting Iran says it will attend a key meeting on Iraq's security situation.

* New Noah's Ark ready to sail The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.

* World rallies for Darfur action Protests have taken place around the world to demand intervention to end the fighting in Sudan's Darfur region.

* Olmert: Herzl's vision was missing military aspect "(Theodore Herzl) did not only envision, but also built a strong foundation and created tools to transform that vision into a political reality."

* Poll: Palestinians disillusioned with unity gov't Palestinians are increasingly disillusioned with political parties and their new unity government and feel more threatened by growing lawlessness.

* Hamas: New Intifada could erupt if West fails to lift embargo Hamas leader Khaled Meshal has warned that Israel could face another Palestinian uprising unless the West lifted its aid embargo and conditions in the Gaza Strip and West Bank improved.

* Turkish army statement sparks EU concern The European Union has warned Turkey's military to stay out of politics and show respect for democracy.