* 'Gestures - yes, but not in J'lem' Israel is willing to be flexible towards the United States following a crisis that erupted between the two countries during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel earlier this month, but will not give up on some core issues.
* UN chief: Settlements must be stopped Israeli settlement building anywhere on occupied land is illegal and must be stopped, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said.
* Quartet to Israel: Freeze settlements Top international diplomats on Friday called on Israel and the Palestinians to return to peace negotiations.
* Jihad as American as apple pie, says US-born cleric Violent jihad, or Islamic holy war, is "becoming as American as apple pie," US-born fugitive cleric Anwar Al-Awlaqi said.
* China's Growth Shifts the Geopolitics of Oil Last summer, Saudi Arabia put the final bolt in its largest oil expansion project ever, opening a new field capable of pumping 1.2 million barrels a day — more than the entire production of Texas.
* Egypt prayers for Hosni Mubarak's recovery Mr Mubarak, who is 81, is still in Germany recuperating from surgery he underwent nearly two weeks ago.
* Bushehr reactor to start this Summer Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Iran's new Russian-built nuclear power plant will begin operating this summer, even as the United States called for Russia to delay the startup.
* Saudi Arabia Seeks Strike on Iran The German news magazine Der Spiegel has reported that Saudi Arabia is hoping Israel will strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
* Thousands rally against Putin across Russia A coalition of opposition groups declared a national "Day of Anger" with some 50 rallies tapping into rising discontent at unemployment.
* Russia to back 'smart' Iran sanctions Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday that Russia may accede to a sanctions resolution on Iran.