Tuesday, May 19, 2009

05/19/09

* Abbas swears in new PA government Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday swore in a new government comprised mainly of members of his Fatah Party.

* Ethiopia troops 'back in Somalia' Ethiopian military forces have crossed back into Somalia, four months after leaving.

* PM praised, chided after Obama meet A day after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Barack Obama, the Israeli political arena was split.

* Netanyahu to brief US leaders on peace plan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to outline his vision for Middle East peace when he visits Capitol Hill in Washington.

* 'No peace while Hamas rules Gaza' Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday morning that there was "no chance for an effective peace process so long as Hamas rules the Gaza Strip."

* Scientists hail stunning fossil The beautifully preserved remains of a 47-million-year-old, lemur-like creature have been unveiled in the US.

* Restrictions on Jerusalem Day Marchers Jews celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem this Thursday and Friday will not be allowed to conduct their flag-waving march through the Old City’s Lions’ Gate.

* 'Ethiopian aliyah must be made part of school curriculum' Israelis of Ethiopian descent approached the Education Ministry and demanded that the story of the community's immigration to Israel be included in history textbooks used in schools.

* China lies at heart of Europe's recovery, says Brussels European commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner highlighted the central role China will play in Europe's economic recovery.

* Russia, US Begin Talks Over New Arms Control Pact Negotiations between Russia and the United States on a new agreement to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons opened Tuesday in Moscow.