* IDF tightens borders with Egypt and Jordan The IDF has beefed up forces along Israel's borders with Egypt and Jordan out of concern that terror cells currently operating in the Sinai Peninsula will infiltrate into Israel.
* Iran Protests and Prepares for Israeli Threats UPI reports not only that Israel will bomb Iran later this year, but also that “many now assume” that Iran will then retaliate against Persian Gulf states such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
* PA to label W. Bank, Gaza 'Occupied Palestine' The Palestinian Authority cabinet has decided to endorse the term "Occupied Palestine" when referring to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
* Muslims hold protest outside Old City More than 150 activists from the Islamic Movement held a demonstration outside Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday morning in protest of Jewish right-wing groups' intention to hold prayers at the Temple Mount.
* Russia 'ends Chechnya operation' Russia has ended its decade-long "counter-terrorism operation" against separatist rebels in the southern republic of Chechnya.
* Drought threatens southern Iraq's 'Garden of Eden' A severe drought is threatening Iraq's southern marshes - the traditional site of the biblical Garden of Eden.
* Russia angered by Nato exercises Russia has asked Nato to cancel or postpone military exercises that it plans to hold in Georgia next month.
* Ministers renounce two-state solution As US emissary George Mitchell was making the rounds in Jerusalem Thursday and reaffirming President Barack Obama's commitment to Palestinian statehood, Israeli ministers were distancing themselves from a two-state solution.
* N. Korea orders out nuclear inspectors The International Atomic Energy Agency said its inspectors left North Korea on Thursday after being ordered out by the reclusive nation.
* US envoy pushes two-state solution in Israel US Mideast envoy George Mitchell pressed the two-state solution on Thursday to sceptical officials in Israel.