05/31/08

* Egypt finds massive arms cache in Sinai An Egyptian police official says boxes of ammunitions, RPGs and anti-aircraft missiles have been uncovered inside a mountain in the northern Sinai peninsula.

* Iraqi-U.S. security talks worry Shiites and Sunnis Some Shiite and Sunni Muslim leaders in Iraq -- able to agree on little else -- are united in their opposition to a prospective long-term security agreement.

* Ramon: Elections likely to be in Fall Vice Premier Haim Ramon said Friday that he expected Israel to hold elections in November.

* Muhammad takes Milan by storm What is the most popular name for children born in the Italian city of Milan? The city's municipality reported what some may find a strange turn of events.

* 'Progress' denied in Syria negotiations A senior Syrian official involved in indirect talks with Israel said on Saturday that reports of "significant progress" between the two sides was "inaccurate."

* Iran's FM slams US policy in Middle East Iran's foreign minister said Friday that the United States should conduct a "serious review" of its foreign policy.

* Putin gets a presidential welcome in Paris Vladimir Putin's first trip abroad as prime minister, to Paris, looked pretty presidential.

* Sadrists want referendum on US-Iraq pact Loyalists of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on the Iraqi government Saturday to hold a public referendum.

* Musharraf denies he will step down Pressed by a swirl of rumors that he was about to be ousted, President Pervez Musharraf insisted he was staying.

* Arab world: No one is above the law in Israel The corruption case against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has earned Israel tremendous respect throughout the Arab world.

05/30/08

* Iraq set for anti-US protests Protests are expected to get under way in Iraq against a deal between Baghdad and Washington over the US's long-term military role in the country.

* Europe fuel protests spread wider Fuel protests triggered by rising oil prices have spread to more countries across Europe, with thousands of fishermen on strike.

* Report: Iran, al-Qaeda holding clandestine talks In recent months there have been secret contacts between the Iranian government and the leadership of al-Qaeda.

* World Bank unveils $1.2bn food plan The World Bank has announced a $1.2bn program to respond to the current global food crisis.

* Olmert, Abbas due to meet next week The Prime Minister's Office requested a meeting between Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Isolated tribe spotted in Brazil One of South America's few remaining uncontacted indigenous tribes has been spotted and photographed on the border between Brazil and Peru.

* Germany honors Israel's 60th The German parliament recognized Israel's 60th Independence Day Thursday, and honored the occasion with a speech given by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

* EU plans 'political MySpace' Plans are being developed to launch a social networking site for MEPs and MPs.

* Israel, Syria said to have made progress in talks In their latest round of indirect talks, Israel and Syria made progress on the contentious issues of water, security, borders and normalization of relations.

* French deputies uphold anti-Turkey referendum clause The lower house of the French parliament on Thursday (29 May) approved an amendment to constitutional reforms.

05/29/08

* Iraq 'stepping back from abyss' UN chief Ban Ki-moon has praised progress in Iraq at a UN forum in Sweden on the situation in the country.

* Olmert: I have no intention at all of resigning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed Wednesday not to quit after Defense Minister Ehud Barak called on him to "detach himself from the day-to-day leadership of the country".

* UN warns about higher food costs Higher food prices may be here to stay as demand from developing countries and production costs rise, says an influential report.

* Rice says Bush administration was upfront about Iraq war US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday rejected allegations from a former White House spokesman who says the Bush administration misled the American public.

* Pressure grows on Israel's Olmert Israeli PM Ehud Olmert's party should prepare for possible elections, his party deputy has said, amid calls that he step down over corruption claims.

* Netanyahu: Elections needed to safeguard Golan Heights "I believe that the way to protect the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley is to go to early elections," Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said.

* US suspects Syria hiding nuclear facilities While American efforts to defuse the nuclear crisis with Iran have yet to bear fruit, the Bush administration now appears to be focusing on another nuclear program.

* Trying to head off an Arctic 'gold rush' Five states bordering on the potentially energy-rich Arctic Ocean have met in Greenland in an attempt to head off a new "gold rush" in the high north.

* UN: Balkans no longer hotbed of crime The Balkans, a hotbed of crime and violence during the Yugoslav wars and the chaotic transition from communism, has become one of the safest areas in Europe to live.

* EU leaders unsure how to handle fuel crisis Fuel price protests threaten to spread around Europe in the run-up to the weekend following earlier action in the UK, France and Bulgaria.

05/28/08

* 'Barak cannot determine who will head Kadima and who won't' A source in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office sharply criticized Defense Minister Ehud Barak's call that Olmert resign following the investigations against him.

* Historic China-Taiwan summit held The head of Taiwan's ruling party has met Chinese President Hu Jintao in the highest-level encounter since the two sides split in 1949.

* 'Political crisis will harm peace talks' The political crisis in Israel will harm the peace process with the Palestinians.

* US 'close' to Iraq military deal The US government is close to reaching an agreement with the Iraqi government over its long term military role in the country.

* Iran warns it won't cooperate with IAEA Iran's new parliament speaker Ali Larijani warned Wednesday that Teheran could impose new limits on its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

* British PM warns of global oil 'shock' British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Wednesday that the world faced an era-defining oil "shock" that required urgent action.

* Israel's not so secret nuclear arsenal Controversial ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter has weighed into the Middle East foray again by publicly stating that Israel has 150 nuclear weapons.

* Turkey calls for good behaviour from France Ankara has said that the reluctance of some member states to clearly say that it can one day be a full member of the EU is having a negative impact on the bloc's image in the country.

* Siniora to head Lebanon government Lebanon's new president has appointed Fouad Siniora, the incumbent prime minister, as head of a government of national unity.

* Assad dismisses Israel demands over Iran Syrian President Bashar Assad dismissed on Tuesday Israeli demands for Syria to abandon an alliance with Iran as a requirement for a peace deal.

05/27/08

* 'Resistance has dispirited Zionists' Palestinians' strong resistance has completely dispirited Zionists, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.

* Syrian minister signs defense agreement with Iran during Tehran visit Syria and Iran on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding regarding defense issues.

* 61 MKs back bill against Golan withdrawal A multi-party bill designed to make it harder for the government to cede the Golan Heights to Syria received an initial promise of 61 signatures.

* Expert: Golan Will Become Crowded Terror Base Arab affairs expert Dr. Guy Bechor of the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya estimates that a "Golan for peace" deal will net Israel, in the long run, anything but peace.

* IDF considers creating Gaza Strip buffer zone In an effort to minimize chances of successful terrorist attacks against Israel, the IDF is drawing up plans to move the Gaza crossings away from Israel's border.

* Iran 'defying UN' on nuclear work Iran is continuing to defy UN demands that it suspend uranium enrichment, the UN atomic watchdog has said.

* Aftershocks demolish China homes Two further aftershocks have destroyed more than 420,000 houses in the Chinese region hit by a massive earthquake two weeks ago.

* Abbas meets with Hamas reps in surprise move In a surprise move, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met late Monday night with a senior Hamas delegation in his office in Ramallah.

* 'Eastern Partnership' could lead to enlargement, Poland says Poland and Sweden have officially tabled proposals for an "Eastern Partnership" between the EU and its neighbours Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

* Iranian aid seen growing among militants on Israel's flanks Rockets and weapons bearing signs of Iranian paint, lettering and serial numbers are making their way into the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

05/26/08

* Ahmadinejad: Syria will continue to oppose 'Zionist entity' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Hassan Turkmani in Teheran on Monday, and expressed his certainty that Damascus would continue to stand on its previous stance of opposition to Israel.

* Ex-US president: Israel has 150 nukes One month after his visit to the region spurred criticism from Israeli officials for his willingness to meet with Syria-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, former US President Jimmy Carter is again making waves, this time in telling the London Times that Israel possesses 150 nuclear weapons.

* Olmert: Only delusional fantasists believe in 'Greater Israel' Fear of possible military conflict with Syria prompted renewal of negotiations, prime minister reveals at Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session.

* 'J'lem offers 91% of W. Bank in new map' Palestinian officials close to peace talks said Sunday that Israel has offered a West Bank withdrawal map that leaves about 8.5 percent of the territory in Israeli hands, less than a previous plan but still more than the Palestinians are ready to accept.

* Barak: Israel on crash course with Hamas Israel is on a crash course with Hamas, and if a cease-fire is not reached, the clash could come any time in the next few days, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday.

* Olmert: Israel hasn't offered Golan Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a rare appearance Monday morning at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to discuss his diplomatic and defense policy, particularly in light of the recent revelation that Israel has been conducting secret negotiations with Syria.

* Historic pictures sent from Mars A Nasa spacecraft has sent back historic first pictures of an unexplored region of Mars.

* EU to seek new pact with Russia The European Union has given the go-ahead for the start of talks with Russia on a new partnership agreement, following about 18 months of delays.

* First tasks for Lebanon president Lebanon's new President, Michel Suleiman, has arrived at the presidential palace to begin his first full day in office.

* EU foreign ministers to debate Kosovo mission delays EU foreign ministers are meeting on Monday (26 May) to discuss looming delays of the bloc's mission to Kosovo, with the lack of a UN blessing for Europe's judges and policemen proving a major obstacle.

05/24/08

* Syria refuses to sever ties with Iran A Syrian government paper rejects Israel's demand that Damascus should cut its ties with Iran and Arab militant groups.

* ANC call to 'retake the streets' The secretary general of South Africa's governing ANC has called on party members to form local committees to combat violence against foreigners.

* 'Olmert too weak to talk with Syria' Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is too weak to take the necessary steps for peace with Syria.

* China, Russia sign bln-dlr nuclear deal: official China and Russia on Friday signed a one-billion-dollar deal to expand a nuclear energy facility in the Asian nation.

* Ahmadinejad 'displeased' by talks Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expressed surprise and displeasure at Syria's "violation of its commitment to Iran" by holding talks with Israel.

* Ban praises China quake response UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has praised China's "extraordinary leadership" in dealing with the recent earthquake in Sichuan.

* Medvedev Says China, Russia to Play Key Role in World Security Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said his country and China will work together to shape global security even if other powers don't approve.

* Lebanese await 'savior' president The Lebanese are looking at their next head of state, who will finally be elected in parliament on Sunday.

* Time is ripe for EU-wide nuclear safety rules, Brussels says Brussels has called on EU member states to end the six-year deadlock over one of Europe's touchiest topics.

* 'World's biggest PA flag' displayed in Syria Thousands of Palestinians and members of Syria-based radical Palestinian groups have put on a display what they claim to be the world's largest Palestinian Authority flag.

05/23/08

* French FM: Nothing justifies settlement expansion A Palestinian business conference has raised investments for projects worth $1.4 billion, including in housing, high-tech and telecommunications.

* Presidents condemn US shield plan Russia and China have condemned a US plan for a missile defence shield, saying it will set back international disarmament efforts.

* Meridor: Iran is winning the nuke race Despite years of economic sanctions, Iran is winning the race to acquire nuclear weapons, posing an unprecedented threat to the future of the West.

* Demand grows for remote-controlled drones on front lines The demands of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are behind a new push by the Pentagon to increase the ranks of one of its most tireless fighting machines.

* Netanyahu denies saying he wouldn't abide by Syria deal Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday denied ever saying that he would not abide by a peace agreement signed with Syria.

* McCain rejects minister's endorsement In the face of mounting controversy over headline-grabbing statements from the Rev. John Hagee, CNN has learned that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain decided Thursday to reject his endorsement..

* Analysis: Bush wondering whether PM knows what he's doing President Bush nearly gave the game away last week. In his White House interview with this and three other Israeli journalists, when he was asked about American reluctance to see Israel legitimating Syria.

* New Russian leader visits China Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in Beijing as he continues his first official foreign tour.

* World Christian legislators meet in DC to buttress support for Israel A delegation of Christian parliamentarians from around the world whose countries have formed pro-Israel parliamentary lobbies gathered Thursday on Capitol Hill.

* Israel, Syria to resume talks shortly in Turkey Israel and Syria will resume indirect peace talks shortly mediated by Turkey.

05/22/08

* Israel denies deal on full Golan pullout Hours after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that Israel and Syria had begun indirect peace talks, the PMO denied Wednesday a statement by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem.

* Oil soars to new record over $135 Oil prices hit a record high above $135 a barrel on Thursday, having rocketed by more than $4 a barrel on Wednesday.

* Israel: Russia may be selling Syria arms Fearing that Damascus is acquiring advanced military platforms, Israel is closely following meetings being held in Moscow this week.

* Medvedev Goes to China on First Presidential Visit Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrives in China tomorrow for a two-day mission to persuade the world's fastest-growing major economy to buy more than just energy from his country.

* Hizbullah gains veto power in Lebanon talks Lebanon's feuding factions reached a breakthrough deal in Qatar Wednesday that ended the country's long political stalemate.

* Is an attack on Iran a big risk? The standard assumption is that a military attack by the United States or Israel to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons would be disastrous for the attackers.

* Abbas: 'East Jerusalem must be returned' Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday opened the Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem.

* EU ends 18-month-long deadlock over Russia The European Union and Russia are set to open long-delayed talks on a new "Partnership and Co-operation" pact in June.

* 65-70% of Israelis against ceding Golan 65 percent of Israelis are against a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights, even if this would bring true peace with Syria.

* Poland and Sweden to pitch 'Eastern Partnership' idea Poland and Sweden are to unveil joint proposals for a new eastern Europe policy at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.

05/20/08

* 'Bush intends to attack Iran before the end of his term' US President George W. Bush intends to attack Iran in the upcoming months, before the end of his term.

* Iraqi forces enter Sadr's Baghdad bastion Iraq's army moved on Tuesday to take control of Baghdad's Sadr City.

* 'Iran's nuke program may spur arms race' Iran's disputed nuclear program has sent a wave of interest in atomic energy across the Middle East.

* ANALYSIS: In Gaza conflict, Iran's fingerprints are everywhere Anyone listening to the arguments of the Israeli leadership these days may get the impression that the Strip no longer tops the agenda.

* Russian envoy: Don't push Iran into a corner A nuclear Iran is as much "a nightmare" for Russia as it is for the US and Israel.

* Ethiopian millions 'risk hunger' Six million children in Ethiopia are at risk of acute malnutrition following the failure of rains.

* Opec says oil could hit $200 Opec’s president on Monday warned oil prices could hit $200 a barrel and there would be little the cartel could do to help.

* China earthquake toll tops 40,000 The death toll from last week's devastating earthquake in south-west China has risen to 40,075.

* Egyptian FM: US, Israeli tanks make Mideast unstable Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his frustration Monday over what he called a lack of political will to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

* Iranian clerics tell the president to leave the theology to them In his almost three years as president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been harshly criticized in the West.

05/19/08

* Barak hints Gaza incursion imminent Even as Defense Ministry officials said Sunday that Israel was likely to accept the Gaza Strip cease-fire deal brokered by Egypt, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, in a meeting with a high-level US congressional delegation, did not mention the cease-fire and talked instead about a possible large-scale military incursion.

* Bin Laden: Arab leaders sacrificing Palestinians Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden lashed out at Arab leaders for "sacrificing" the Palestinians in a new message released Sunday and he called on Muslim terrorists in Egypt to help break the blockade of Gaza.

* Bush to Arab nations: You're running out of oil President George Bush yesterday told leaders of the oil-rich states of the Middle East that they must face up to a future without their precious hydrocarbons.

* Test looms in Sadr City ceasefire A major test of the declared ceasefire in Baghdad's Sadr City between Iraqi security forces and the militia of extremist cleric Moqtada Sadr is coming; and with it the potential for a new, cataclysmic eruption of violence.

* China in mourning over earthquake China has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.

* Orthodox Jews in US slam same-sex decision The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (UOJCA) and Agudath Israel of America, two of the largest Orthodox organizations in the US, over the weekend attacked a California Supreme Court ruling that permits same-sex marriages.

* Lebanese unity plan 'in trouble' Talks aimed at resolving the Lebanese political crisis appear to have run into further trouble, reports say.

* Thousands flee S Africa attacks Some 6,000 people have fled a wave of attacks on foreigners in South Africa, which has left at least 22 dead, aid workers say.

* Netanyahu: Olmert gov't has no mandate to negotiate Israel's borders Knesset returns from hiatus to stormy session; Olmert tells Kadima 'opposition always ready to challenge us, but we're seasoned and ready'.

* Focus on domestic energy demand, says Russia's free market guru Anatoly Chubais, architect of Russia's 1990s privatisation programme, has suggested that Moscow should re-channel its focus on feeding energy into European grids to serving its domestic market.

05/17/08

* Iranian defense minister: Israel too weak to attack Israel is too weak and vulnerable to attack Iran, Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was quoted.

* Lebanese factions at Qatar talks Lebanon's rival political leaders are holding talks in Qatar aimed at ending the sectarian conflict which left at least 65 people dead in recent days.

* US willing to mediate between Israel, Syria The US administration has asked Turkey to boost its efforts to advance the talks between Israel and Syria.

* Bush meets Palestinian president US President George W Bush has begun talks with Arab leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, by meeting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

* Russia: A totalitarian regime in thrall to a Tsar who's creating the new Facist empire As ex-President Putin settles in to his new role as Prime Minister, he has every reason to congratulate himself.

* Quake effort resumes after panic Rescue efforts are resuming in Beichuan in China, after the entire city was evacuated amid fears that it could be engulfed by a river bursting its banks.

* 'Bin Laden' call targets Israel A new audio message purported to be from Osama Bin Laden has called for Muslims to continue the fight to liberate Palestinian lands.

* Egyptian press blasts Bush over 'Torah-inspired' Knesset speech Egypt's state-owned press opened fire Saturday on U.S. President George W. Bush as he arrived for talks with regional leaders at the conclusion of a five-day Mideast tour.

* Senior Israeli officials warn of Hamas' growing military might Gaza's ruling Hamas is rapidly improving its military capacity and could soon endanger hundreds of thousands more Israelis with its missiles.

* Bush 'especially moved' by visit to Israel During his weekly radio address to the White House Radio, US President George W. Bush spoke about his trip to the Middle East.

05/16/08

* Dramatic new support for Red-Dead plan A group of Israeli and foreign businessmen and bankers are finally ready to build a $3 billion canal between the Red and Dead Seas.

* Wildlife populations 'plummeting' Between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970, according to data compiled by the Zoological Society of London.

* Blair: New PA troops will be far better The Palestinian security personnel currently being trained in Jordan are being prepared far more effectively than those that so signally failed to resist Hamas's military takeover of the Gaza Strip.

* California lifts gay marriage ban California's top court has ruled that a state law banning marriage between same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

* US agrees to help Saudi Arabia develop civilian nuclear program President George W. Bush and King Abdullah formalized new cooperation on Friday between the kingdom and the United States on a range of topics.

* Burma death toll jumps to 78,000 The official death toll for Burma's cyclone disaster has jumped to almost 78,000 people.

* 'Holy war until Palestine liberated' Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden said in a new audio message released Friday that the terrorist organization will continue its holy war against Israel.

* Israel, US see need for 'tangible action' on Iran The United States and Israel agree on the need for "tangible action" to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

* Mass burials for China victims Chinese authorities are burying hundreds of people killed in a devastating earthquake in mass graves.

* The enemies within Sad and tired, wearing shabby clothes and with tears in his eyes, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt stood on the veranda of his luxurious home.

05/15/08

* Bush: Hamas and Hizbullah will fail US President George W. Bush on Thursday criticized the deadly tactics of extremist groups such as al-Qaida, Hizbullah and Hamas.

* Abbas pledge on 'catastrophe' day Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, labelling it "mankind's shame".

* Hezbollah 'to restore normality' The Hezbollah opposition has pledged to return normality to Lebanon, a week after battles erupted between the movement and government supporters.

* From Beirut to Teheran Hizbullah's recent takeover in West Beirut and its attacks in the central Lebanese mountains could lead to regional escalation.

* China quake death toll could rise to 50,000 China warned the death toll from this week's earthquake could soar to 50,000.

* Barak: My gut reaction is to respond Despite the urge to respond harshly to rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israel should bide its time and wait for the right opportunity to strike Hamas.

* Russia and Europe may team up for moon flights Russia and Europe are teaming up to build a spaceship which will fly astronauts to the moon.

* 'We mustn't stumble on the way to peace with the Palestinians' The creation of a Palestinian state should bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* Google co-founder lauds Israeli innovation in tech, environment Google co-founder Sergey Brin on Thursday lauded Israeli innovations in technology and environmental efforts.

* Poland to beef up European military club Poland has opted to become a full member of the EU and NATO-linked military club, Eurocorps.

05/14/08

* Bush begins tour of Middle East US President George W Bush has arrived in Israel to take part in celebrations for the country's 60th anniversary.

* Kissinger: Iran threat will not go away A nuclear armed Iran threatens not only the existence of Israel but the viability of the international community.

* China quake toll close to 15,000 Nearly 15,000 people died in the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province.

* Bush: Iran behind Lebanon instability US President George W. Bush, following a nearly two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said it was clear that Iran was behind the current instability.

* Vatican astronomer cites possibility of extraterrestrial 'brothers' The Vatican's chief astronomer says there is no conflict between believing in God and in the possibility of extraterrestrial "brothers" perhaps more evolved than humans.

* 'Celebrations won't stop Israel's annihilation' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Israel is dying and that its 60th anniversary celebrations are an attempt to prevent its "annihilation."

* PMW: Hatred of US a Pillar of PA Ideology The Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) watchdog group has released a report warning that hatred of the United States is a pillar of the Palestinian Authority’s ideology.

* Poll: Abbas' popularity has slipped dramatically since January The approval rating of the Palestinian government in the West Bank has dropped 13 percentage points since January.

* Brussels outlines plan for new Mediterranean club The European Commission has begun to look at the possible set-up for the planned Mediterranean union.

* Secret UFO files released by UK government Britain's Ministry of Defense has released files on UFO sightings dating back to the 1970s, including witness accounts and the government's response. (See what Jimmy says about UFOs.)

05/13/08

* 'Hizbullah is pushing Lebanon towards a Khomeini-style of rule' South Lebanese Army Gen. Antoine Lahad, 81, currently living in Europe, to where he fled more than eight years ago after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, gave an interview to Israel Radio.

* Search for China quake survivors A massive search and rescue operation is under way in south-western China after one of the most powerful earthquakes in decades.

* Blair unveils new 'West Bank package' Quartet envoy Tony Blair on Tuesday unveiled a package of steps designed to allow greater movement in the West Bank.

* Ahmadinejad rejects Saudi charges Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, has said that the comments by the Saudi foreign minister that Tehran interfered in the recent crisis in Lebanon are false and made in anger.

* Chavez slams Merkel, suggests ideological link to Hitler Hugo Chavez accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party of sharing the same ideals as Adolf Hitler.

* 2,100-year-old Isaiah Scroll on rare public display for two months For the past 40 years, the 2,100-year-old Isaiah Scroll has been kept in a dark room with temperature and humidity controls, far from the public eye.

* Police seize documents from gov't ministry in PM probe Detectives from the National Fraud Unit entered the offices of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor in Jerusalem on Tuesday and confiscated documents.

* Bush to discuss oil prices with Saudi king President Bush said Monday that when he meets Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah later this week, he'll bring up the effect that high oil prices are having on the U.S. and global economies.

* Peres: Iran is a relic of the past Iran represents the past, while Israel represents the future, President Shimon Peres said Tuesday evening.

* Europe Celebrates Israel's Birthday Israel and Europe celebrated their respective milestones on Monday in the "European Village" in Rishon LeTzion, Israel's 4th-largest city.

05/12/08

* Thousands dead in Chinese quake A powerful earthquake has killed at least 8,500 people in China's south-western Sichuan province, up to 5,000 of them in just one county.

* Putin announces cabinet line-up Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is proposing the names of ministers in his new government, which will work with President Dmitry Medvedev.

* Heavy fighting breaks out in northern Lebanon Heavy fighting broke out Monday between supporters and opponents of the Lebanese government in the second-largest city, Tripoli, where the two sides battled with rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and mortars, security officials and residents said.

* Rightist rabbis urge Bush not to meet Olmert during Israel visit Right-wing rabbis across the nation on Monday urged U.S. President George W. Bush, who is scheduled to arrive in Israel this week, not to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in light of the criminal allegations against him currently being investigated.

* Olmert: 'We'll Give Up a Large Part of the Territories' Newsweek's Lally Weymouth talked with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about important issues facing Israel in an exclusive interview published on Thursday, Israel's Independence Day.

* Israel on alert as sectarian clashes rage across Lebanon for sixth day Israel's defense establishment has raised its intelligence alert in case Hezbollah decides to exploit its hold on Lebanon to wage an armed conflict south of the Litani River, Army Radio reported on Monday.

* Holy See asks Israel to help protect Christians in Mideast Pope Benedict XVI urged Israel on Monday to help the dwindling Christian community in the Middle East by assuring them of a secure future in the region

* Serbia's pro-Europe forces claim election win The European Union is set to breathe a sign of relief as the pro-Western alliance led by President Boris Tadic won Sunday's parliamentary elections, but the country's nationalists have warned that they too can hammer out a coalition government.

* 'Livni would beat Netanyahu, Barak' If Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni were to replace Prime Minsiter Ehud Olmert as Kadima's leader she would win a future election against Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's Labor party, according to a poll published by Yediot Aharonot on Monday.

* Strange bedfellows On a pleasant Thursday in December 1948, Emilio Traubner, a correspondent for The Palestine Post, found himself near Abu Kabir, not far from Jaffa.

05/10/08

* Hizbullah to withdraw gunmen from streets of Beirut Hizbullah TV announced Saturday that opposition forces will withdraw all their gunmen from Beirut in compliance with an army request.

* Moscow echoes with nostalgia as military parades through Red Square Nuclear missile launchers and columns of tanks rolled through Red Square on Friday.

* Tentative Deal on Truce in Sadr City Shiite leaders in Parliament and leaders of the movement of the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr agreed to the outlines of a truce early Saturday.

* Sporadic aid trickles into Burma Deliveries of aid to Burma to help cyclone victims are arriving sporadically, as aid agencies continue to face obstacles set by the regime.

* Iran blames Israel, US for Lebanon crisis A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry blamed Israel and the US for fueling tensions in Lebanon.

* U.S. looks set to offer Israel powerful new radar The Bush administration appears set to offer Israel a powerful radar system that could greatly boost Israeli defenses against enemy ballistic missiles.

* Egypt opens Rafah crossing for 3 days Egyptian authorities have ordered a three-day opening of the Rafah border crossing on Saturday to allow Palestinians to cross into Egypt from the Gaza Strip for medical treatment.

* Russian fury at NATO 'air attacks' Russia's air force chief has accused NATO fighters escorting Russian bombers on patrol flights over neutral waters of violating safety rules.

* Last gasp for Olmert's political career? The overwhelming view in Israel on Friday, just hours after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared his innocence in a bribery investigation involving a Long Island businessman.

* MKs: No majority for early elections The day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced that he would quit if the latest investigation against him leads to an indictment, lawmakers estimated Friday that there would not be a majority in the Knesset.

05/09/08

* Ahmadinejad: Israel a 'stinking corpse' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the state of Israel is a "stinking corpse" that is destined to disappear.

* UN to resume Burma food flights The World Food Program says it will resume aid flights to Burma on Saturday, despite a row over the local authorities impounding deliveries.

* 'Messer will complicate Olmert's case' Uri Messer's testimony will cause difficulties for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

* Gun battles break out in Beirut Gun fire broke out in downtown Beirut on Thursday after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said recent government actions amount to "a declaration of open war."

* PA: Olmert misleading the public Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is misleading the Israeli public by declaring that "significant progress" has been achieved in the peace talks with the Palestinians.

* German foreign minister favours EU army Germany's foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has indicated he would like to see a European army established.

* US pushing hard for border agreement Israel and the Palestinians need to "draw a map and get it done," according to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

* Who's pulling Lebanon's strings? The key to solving the sectarian clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in the Lebanese capital Beirut can only be found in the context of a larger Middle East solution.

* 'We won't cut Iran or Hizbullah ties' Syrian President Bashar Assad rejected Israel's demand that Syria cut its ties with Iran and Hizbullah.

* Serbs go to polls divided over EU path Serbian voters will go to the polls on Sunday (11 May) for what is being billed as decisive elections for the country's EU future.

05/08/08

* 'There is no nation like Israel' Remembrance Day for the Fallen, a somber 24 hours of visits to cemeteries, tales of survivors and sad recollections of wartime losses, gave way Wednesday evening to the celebration of Israel's 60th Independence Day.

* UN aid flights to Burma under way The UN says its first aid flight has now arrived in Burma, bringing much needed relief to up to one million people made homeless by Cyclone Nargis.

* Blair: Mideast peace process must move faster Quartet envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair said Thursday that the Mideast peace process needs to move faster.

* Hizbullah blocks roads, airport in protest against Lebanese government Explosions and gunfire rang out across the Lebanese capital Wednesday as Hizbullah backers trying to enforce a strike against the US-backed government clashed with government supporters.

* Putin confirmed as new Russian PM Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved former President Vladimir Putin as the new prime minister.

* 'Syrian-Israeli meeting fell through' A Turkish initiative to hold a meeting between Israeli and Syrian officials fell through.

* British PM: Israel's creation one of the 20th century's 'greatest achievements' British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday congratulated Israel on its 60th anniversary of independence.

* Official: No 3-way talks for Bush visit US President Bush's second trip to the Mideast this year, designed in part to make progress toward a peace deal before the end of his presidency, will not see him hosting a joint session.

* Days of Our Lives: 1948-2008 Six decades of Israeli history as seen in photographs from private albums.

* Some Kadima MKs slam Olmert, seek new leader After another day of rampant rumors concerning the latest criminal investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, members of the prime minister's own party openly criticized Kadima's top man.