* While Israel celebrates, Egypt stays quiet The Foreign Ministry, as well as local academic and cultural institutions, have planned a number of events this week to commemorate three decades of peace between Egypt and Israel.

* 30 years at peace There was something melancholy about our story this week that Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Yasser Reda would be marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries.

* China fury at US military report Beijing has reacted angrily to a Pentagon report on China’s military power, which claimed it was altering the military balance in Asia.

* Barkat: Jerusalem must stay united Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat told American Jewish leaders in New York on Wednesday that he believes Jerusalem must remain united for pragmatic reasons as much as for emotional ones.

* Czech government defeat raises major Lisbon concerns The presidents of both the European Commission and the European Parliament on Wednesday (25 March) urged the Czech Republic to proceed with the ratification of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty.

* ‘IAF planes bombed Gaza-bound weapons convoy’ As Israeli troops battled Palestinian gunmen during Operation Cast Lead in an attempt to end the rocket threat to southern Israel, IAF warplanes conducted a mission with similar objectives far from the front in the Gaza Strip.

* Geithner ‘open’ to China proposal Geithner, at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the U.S. is “open” to a headline-grabbing proposal by the governor of the China’s central bank.

* N Korea ‘places missile on pad’ North Korea has placed what is thought to be a long-range missile on a launch pad.

* Islam helps shape coming Indonesian elections Islamic parties in Indonesia will not get enough votes in the coming election to nominate a presidential candidate, according to polls.

* Egyptians ponder 30-year peace with Israel In Cairo, the 30th anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt is seen by many as a moment for regret, not celebration.