* Quartet meets on unity government Representatives of the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union are in Germany to discuss the agreement between rival Palestinian factions to form a unity government.

* Russia, France call for unity on Iran, openness to dialogue Russia and France called Thursday for unity in the standoff with Iran over its nuclear program.

* Ashkenazi: IDF may have to confront Hezbollah to halt rearming Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Wednesday that Israel may have to confront Hezbollah.

* Settlers’ birth rate three times higher than other Israelis Some 268,000 settlers lived in the West Bank during 2006, marking a five percent increase from the previous year.

* Rise In Western Aliyah In 2006 Immigration to Israel from several key countries increased in 2006 as compared to 2005.

* Study: By 2035 equal number of Jews, Arabs in Jerusalem If there is no change in the reproduction rate among Jerusalem residents, by 2035 there will be an equal number of Arabs and Jews residing in the capital.

* Russia: Sides should open talks on ‘political horizon of Palestine’ Israel and the Palestinians should open direct negotiations over “the political horizon of Palestine,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

* Blair announces Iraq troops cut Prime Minister Tony Blair has told MPs that 1,600 British troops will return from Iraq within the next few months.

* Rome concerned over Blair’s exit impact for EU constitution talks Italian and Spanish leaders have voiced their full support for salvaging the EU constitution.

* Olmert urges tougher sanctions on Iran Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged the international community on Wednesday to increase its pressure on Iran.