Saturday, April 30, 2011

04/30/11

* Libya: Gaddafi offers talks with Nato Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has called for a ceasefire and talks with Nato to stop the coalition's air strikes against his country.

* Pro-Palestinians hack into Israel Beiteinu website Picture of Palestinian flag with Egyptian pyramids in background posted on party's site by hackers who call Lieberman a "criminal."

* Massacre in Syria: Dozens killed Syrian forces fire at thousands of villagers protesting in Deraa, scores hurt, activists say; official news agency says four soldiers killed in attack on checkpoint in restive city.

* Egypt warns Israel: Don't interfere with opening of Gaza border crossing Rafah's opening would be a violation of an agreement reached in 2005 between the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and the EU; Israel official tells the Wall Street Journal developments in Egypt could affect Israel's national security.

* Israeli official: We are troubled by developments in Egypt Official tells 'WSJ' Rafah opening "can affect Israel's security at strategic level"; Egyptian official to Israel: Don't meddle in our internal affairs.

* Barak to UN chief: Hamas must recognize Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak tells UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the world should only support a joint Palestinian government if it accepts the Quartet's conditions.

* Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood set up new party The formerly banned Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's best-organised movement, announced on Saturday that it has formed a non-theocratic party that will contest up to half of parliament's seats in September elections.

* How Israel Should Deal with PA's Intention to Declare a State How should Israel deal with the Palestinian Authority's intention to declare, with United Nations General Assembly support, a state in all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza this coming September?

* Royal wedding watched by 24.5 million on terrestrial TV More than 24m viewers in the UK watched the royal wedding on the BBC and ITV, industry body Barb estimates.

* 'Mubarak could face death penalty for fire on protesters' Egyptian justice minister: Only former interior minister's testimony that Mubarak gave order to fire could secure conviction, 'Al-Ahram' reports.