* In sharp reversal, U.S. agrees to rebuke Israel in Security Council The U.S. informed Arab governments Tuesday that it will support a U.N. Security Council statement reaffirming that the 15-nation body "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity."
* Iran warships cancel request to cross Suez Canal A senior Suez Canal official says two Iranian warships have withdrawn their application to transit the waterway following expressions of concern by Israel over the plans.
* Abbas casts doubt on Palestinian elections Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that an election promised by September would not be held if Hamas refused to allow voting in the Gaza Strip.
* Bahrain protests banned as military tightens grip Protests have been banned in Bahrain and the military has been ordered to tighten its grip.
* Libya protests: Activists call for 'day of anger' Anti-government activists in Libya have been using social networking sites to rally support for protests on what they are describing as a "day of anger".
* The Land-Grab Competition in Judea/Samaria IDF Central Command officers – whose jurisdiction includes Judea and Samaria – say that in the coming months, Arabs will step up their efforts to take over lands in the region.
* Anarchy in Sinai Peninsula The recent revolution in Egypt has had its effect on the Sinai Peninsula as well.
* Bibi to Nasrallah: Stay in your bunker Israeli response to Hezbollah: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his speech Wednesday evening at the Conference of Presidents in Jerusalem to send a personal message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
* Turkey to help negotiate new 'road map' for Iran nuclear program Turkey has agreed to cooperate with Iran on a new "road map" for its disputed nuclear program.
* Israel 'may have to re-enter Lebanon' Speaking during a tour of the northern border with the new military chief of staff Benny Gantz, the Israeli defence minister said: "Even though it's quiet and deterrence exists - Hizbollah remembers the heavy beating they suffered from us in 2006.