* Israeli official: Iranian military experts operating in Gaza, Sinai Iran pressured Islamic Jihad and popular resistance groups in Gaza to continue firing rockets into Israel despite cease-fire, says high-ranking Jerusalem official.

* Barak Warns Iran Nuclear Program Soon to be Strike-Proof Iran’s nuclear program will soon be strike-proof, according to Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

* Iraqis demand better services on war anniversary Followers of the anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Monday demanded better living conditions in Iraq on the ninth anniversary of the US-led invasion of their country.

* An Iraq-style civil war seems to be taking off in Syria Both the Syrian government and the Free Syrian Army deny responsibility for a spate of recent bombing attacks, and indeed, a third option exists.

* Syria training Hezbollah to use antiaircraft guns IDF officers believe that Hezbollah use of advanced antiaircraft missiles could jeopardize Israeli aerial supremacy.

* Jews around world under growing terror threat Former Counterterrorism Bureau chief tells ‘Post’ that jihadist organizations seeking to attack Israeli, Jewish targets overseas.

* Russia fuels Syrian arms increase of 580% SIPRI report notes that Russia supplied 78% of Syria’s arms imports in 2007–11, arms sales stayed strong in Middle East.

* In China, millions make themselves at home in caves Some are basic, others beautiful, with high ceilings and nice yards. ‘Life is easy and comfortable here,’ one cave dweller says.

* Defiant North Korea says rocket launch to go ahead North Korea on Sunday rejected criticism of its planned long-range missile launch which threatens to upset its only major benefactor, China, and put relations with the United States back in the freezer just as they seemed to be starting to thaw.

* This WEEK in the European Union The Union’s next seven-year budget, new tax laws, Palestinian refugees, Belarus and Syria stand out on next week’s EU agenda.