* US inviting Iran, Syria for Iraq talks The United States and the Iraqi government are launching a new diplomatic initiative to invite Iran and Syria to a “neighbors meeting” on stabilizing Iraq.

* World stock slump hits second day Worldwide share prices have continued to fall, triggered by Tuesday’s 9% losses on the Shanghai stock market.

* Israel to UN: Stop Hizbullah arms flow Israel is considering taking action to stop the smuggling of weapons from Syria to Hizbullah.

* U.S. Intelligence Official Says Putin’s Advisers Threaten Democracy in Russia Russia has taken a step backward in its democratic progress and could be heading toward a controlled succession to President Vladimir Putin.

* Lieberman: We are capable of facing the Iranian threat alone “This government is doing more than any other government to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue. Even if we will have to face the Iranian threat alone.

* Present-day Sanhedrin court seeks to revive ancient Temple rituals The present-day Sanhedrin Court decided Tuesday to purchase a herd of sheep for ritual sacrifice at the site of the Temple on the eve of Passover.

* Pluto probe flies past Jupiter A small spacecraft en route to Pluto flew past Jupiter early on Wednesday.

* CIA: Bin Laden In Pakistan Establishing New Camps In the most definitive statement in years, America’s top intelligence official said Tuesday Osama bin laden is in Pakistan actively re-establishing al Qaeda training camps.

* Iraqi forces crush ‘heretic’ Shiite cult, claim victory over Al Qaeda Sunnis When the “Battle of Zarqa” erupted January 28 in the date palm orchards of Zarqa, 16 kilometers northeast of the holy city of Najaf, the conflict seemed clear.

* European Commission made stronger by enlargement The European Commission has been strengthened by enlargement as the 27 member states look to it to bring order into the EU house.