* Pilgrims fill Jerusalem for Good Friday Christian pilgrims filled the cobblestone alleyways of old Jerusalem to mark Good Friday, commemorating Jesus' crucifixion in the city two millennia ago.
* The future infantry soldier: lethal, fast and... victorious As IDF implements improvements mandated by the 2nd Lebanon War, amid changing battlefield, the race is on to perfect new weapons systems.
* Revolutionary Guard chief: Iran can hit ships as far away as Indian Ocean The commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard says his forces are expanding their capabilities to retaliate against possible enemy attacks from outside the Gulf.
* Death toll in Syria protests climbs to at least 25 Witnesses report 40,000 demonstrators take to the streets in Damascus suburb, chanting "The people want the downfall of the regime."
* Libya: US to deploy armed drones - Robert Gates Armed US Predator drones are to carry out missions over Libya, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said.
* Growing U.S.-Saudi crisis seen affecting oil prices as king's health declines Saudi King Abdullah, who prematurely ended his convalescence during the Middle East crisis, remains far from functional.
* UN urges bold steps to relaunch Mideast peace talks The United Nations called on Thursday for "bold and decisive steps" to relaunch the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
* Good Friday crucifixions in Philippines A handful of people are traditionally nailed to crosses while hundreds more have their backs whipped until they bleed in Asia's major Catholic outpost.
* State-sponsored program keeps vultures well fed A network of 20 feeding centers in the Negev and the Arava, run by a devoted team of park rangers and scientists, helps maintain the vulture population in the region.
* Peres: Israel should write its own peace plan President Shimon Peres responded on Friday to the report of a peace plan that US President Barack Obama plans to present.