* Israel braces for 'Nakba Day' Israel's defense establishment is preparing for a possibly turbulent weekend.
* Syrian Tanks Shell Homes; Rebels Attack Soldiers Syrian tanks on Wednesday shelled residences in Homs, the country’s third largest city as Assad continues to defy Western warnings to halt the brutal suppression of a protest movement.
* From fruit to wafers: The history of Israeli exports Israeli export has grown hugely since the country's foundation in 1948.
* Hamas Admits 'Peace Accord' is a Prelude to War Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Zahar on Wednesday told the Maan news agency Hamas would never recognize Israel.
* Peres Threatens Judea and Samaria Expulsions? President Shimon Peres, the architect of the Oslo Accords, appeared to threaten a forcible expulsion of Jews who live in parts of Judea and Samaria.
* EU to open office in Libyan rebel stronghold EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton has said she will open a diplomatic mission in the stronghold of the Transitional National Council (TNC).
* Italians evacuate Rome over 'big one' fears Italians are fleeing Rome todayover fears a giant earthquake is coming following a seismologist's 1915 prediction that "the big one" will strike on May 11, 2011.
* Navy halts move to allow gay unions by chaplains Under pressure from more than five dozen House lawmakers, the Navy late Tuesday abruptly reversed its decision that would have allowed chaplains to perform same-sex unions.
* Obama to lay out new Middle East strategy as early as next week U.S. President Barack Obama could deliver a major policy speech as early as next week laying out his new Middle East strategy.
* Gov't to build Ethiopian village? The government is planning to establish a new Ethiopian-style village in the western Negev.