* Hark! Where’s the Bible Ark? Ethiopia’s Orthodox patriarch cops out on revealing plan for public viewing

* Baghdad set for US pullback party Iraq is preparing for a giant party in a Baghdad park and a special holiday as US troops approach their deadline to quit cities and towns.

* Israel approves 50 settler homes Israel has approved the construction of 50 new housing units in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.

* Syria again threatens war over Golan Syrian officials reiterated their threat to forcefully take the Golan Heights from Israel unless an agreement between the two countries is reached soon.

* World Bank to Fund Dead Sea-Red Sea Canal Test Project The World Bank has agreed to fund a pilot program of what could turn out to be one of the most ambitious water projects in the world – the Dead Sea Canal Project.

* Nato resumes Russia military ties Russia and Nato have agreed to resume co-operation on security issues, after nearly a year of difficult relations.

* U.S. and Russia Differ on a Treaty for Cyberspace The United States and Russia are locked in a fundamental dispute over how to counter the growing threat of cyberwar attacks that could wreak havoc on computer systems and the Internet.

* In defense of the settlements Jews belong in Judea and Samaria as much as Palestinians who stayed in Israel.

* Palestinian support for Hamas waning Hamas support among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza is waning, according to a survey.

* EU denounces arrest of UK embassy staff in Iran The European Union said it would have a “strong and collective response” to any harassment of diplomats in Iran, in solidarity with the Britain, which saw eight of its embassy staff arrested.