* Jordan Rejects Syrian Accusations of 'Training Terrorists' Accusation by Assad regime that Amman is supporting 'terrorist groups' including Nusra Front have 'no basis in reality,' says kingdom.
* China could crash US dollar with 30,000 tons of gold China has the ability to crash the unstable US dollar with 30,000 tons of gold reserves, says Chinese economic observer Jin Zihou.
* Iran uses maritime confrontations to project power in Gulf As conflict in Yemen devolves further into a proxy war with Saudi Arabia, Iran disturbs shipping lanes to the concern of the EU and US.
* Netanyahu: Radical Islam is Knocking on All Our Borders During official ministerial ceremony at presidential residence, PM Netanyahu pledges to protect Israel, uphold the trust of the electorate.
* Ramadi battle: IS prepares to defend seized Iraqi city Islamic State militants are preparing to defend the Iraqi city of Ramadi, witnesses say, as Iranian-backed militiamen gather east of the city.
* Canadian editor: Some of the nicest people I ever met are Nazis Nothing wrong with being a Nazi, says editor of paper accused of anti-Semitism.
* Europe wants central role in Middle East peace, Mogherini says EU foreign policy chief says she is eager to leverage Europe's position to step in after US failure to make progress last year; she will meet with Netanyahu and Abbas this week.
* EU countries agree boat-sinking operation EU countries have agreed to launch a military operation to sink migrant smugglers' boats.
* Israel and Hamas Reportedly Conducting Secret Face-to-Face Talks Reports describe a series of ongoing talks between Israeli and Hamas leaders in Europe.
* Netanyahu: Jerusalem won't be divided again PM says capital won't go back to being a border town, asserts right to build responsibly; Herzog says his policies are splitting the city.