* Russia pledges support to Serbia The man tipped to become the next Russian president has vowed his country will “stick to” its support for Serbia in opposing Kosovo’s independence.

* Military Technology Changes the Rules The Israeli Air Force has acquired upgraded weapons systems that have improved its ability to strike terrorists with minimal or no collateral damage.

* US urges short Turkish campaign US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has urged Turkey to keep its military campaign against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq as short as possible.

* Could Russia’s “dream team” turn into a nightmare? Some Kremlin-watchers have described it as a dream team: Russia’s outgoing President Vladimir Putin moves into the prime minister’s job and his protege Dmitry Medvedev takes over as head of state.

* Raul Castro named Cuban president Raul Castro has been unanimously selected to succeed his brother Fidel as leader by Cuba’s National Assembly.

* A spry Farrakhan sings Obama’s praises In his first major public address since a cancer crisis, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Sunday that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the “hope of the entire world”.

* Thousands of Darfuris ‘desperate’ More than 50,000 people are suffering in the latest cycle of violence in Sudan’s West Darfur region, says the UN humanitarian affairs agency, Ocha.

* Gaza’s ‘human chain’ a few links short Despite concerns that Palestinian demonstrators against the continued blockade of the Gaza Strip would attempt to storm the border with Israel during a “human chain” demonstration Monday.

* Leading Scientists and Yeshiva Students Working Together Students of the Mei HaShiloach Yeshiva High School in the Jordan Valley, together with leading scientists, are researching new possibilities for growing strawberries.

* Franco-German summit postponed amidst speculation of rift A planned meeting between the leaders of France and Germany for 3 March has been postponed until June.