* ‘Dozens dead’ in Baghdad bombing At least 33 people, including a local army chief, have died and 46 have been injured in a suicide attack on the western edge of Baghdad.

* ‘Arabs can help with Iran nuke threat’ Solving the Iranian nuclear threat requires the help of Arab countries neighboring the Islamic republic.

* America becoming less Christian, survey finds America is a less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago, and Christianity is not losing out to other religions, but primarily to a rejection of religion altogether.

* ‘Netanyahu to focus first on PA’ Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu has no intention of sidelining the Palestinian track in favor of a Syrian one.

* EU set for bruising G20 encounter with US A new policy divide appears to be opening up between the EU and the US over the extent stimulus spending programs should be used to combat the current global recession.

* Palestinians launch unity talks Rival Palestinian factions are to meet in Cairo, at the start of a process they hope will pave the way for a national unity government.

* Poll: Hamas beats PA in W. Bank, Gaza If elections were held today in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh would defeat Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Security forces on high alert for Purim Thousands of police, fire fighters, and ambulance crews are deployed throughout Israel in the defense establishment’s effort to ensure safety and security at Purim parades.

* IMF predicts a global recession The world economy is likely to shrink for the first time in decades this year, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

* Syria leader: Site hit by Israel built over The Syrian president denounced US claims that a Syrian site bombed by Israel two years ago was a nearly finished nuclear reactor.