* Hamas calls for PA gov’t of technocrats A senior exiled Hamas leader on Wednesday called for the formation of a new Palestinian Authority goverment made up of independent technocrats.

* Warning to EU members over treaty European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has told EU members not to block progress towards an EU treaty.

* Blair may become Quartet’s envoy Tony Blair could soon be appointed the Middle East Quartet’s envoy.

* Palestinian mediators bring hope of ceasefire to Lebanon The end may be in sight for “Lebanon’s worst internal violence since the 1975-1990 civil war.”

* Wheel of misfortune The law of unintended consequences continues to throw up more consequences that were not intended.

* Anti-Pride Parade Protests Take a Turn Leading hareidi-religious rabbis say that anti-Gay Pride Parade protests should be put on a low burner.

* Abbas calls Hamas ‘murderous terrorists’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing his people on TV Wednesday, harshly criticized the Islamic Hamas.

* Dichter: ‘Kadima ready to replace PM’ Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s comrade in Kadima, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, said Kadima must be prepared to move on without him if necessary.

* ‘New PA situation makes two-state solution possible’ Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was upbeat Tuesday evening after a lengthy three-hour meeting with US President George W. Bush in the White House.

* Up to 20 Sudanese reach Israel daily The pace of refugees seeking asylum in Israel has doubled in the past six months.