* Defense establishment: Iran No.1 threat to Israel IDF chief presents defense minister with military’s work plan for 2009, says Tehran near-nuclear capabilities, existing ballistic aptitude and terror contacts pose ‘existential threat’ to Israel

* World duped by Hamas death count Four weeks after the cessation of Operation Cast Lead, the IDF finally opened its dossier on Palestinian fatalities on Sunday for the first time.

* Russia to hold Mideast summit Russia will not invite Hamas or push a “Syrian track” at a Middle East peace conference it hopes to hold in Moscow by mid-year.

* Nuclear subs collide in Atlantic A Royal Navy nuclear submarine was involved in a collision with a French nuclear sub in the middle of the Atlantic, the MoD has confirmed.

* Arabs promise $1.5 billion to rebuild Gaza Arab countries have pledged nearly $1.5 billion to rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip and more funds are expected to be promised at the international donors conference set for next month in Cairo.

* Irish poll shows swing in favour of Lisbon treaty A new poll has shown a swing in favour of the Lisbon treaty in Ireland as the main political parties argue about when would be the best time to hold a second referendum on the document.

* G7 provides few answers to economic crisis Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven industrialised nations (G7) met over the weekend in Rome to discuss the ongoing financial crisis and economic slowdown.

* Kadima okays Israel Beiteinu’s demands; Bibi urges unity gov’t Kadima accepted Israel Beiteinu’s list of coalition demands and Avigdor Lieberman’s party said it hoped Likud would soon follow suit.

* Pakistan Agrees to Islamic Law in Swat Region Pakistan government officials said they struck a deal to accept a legal system compatible with Shariah law in the violent Swat region in return for peace.

* Israel takes control of more West Bank land Israel has taken control of a large chunk of land near a prominent West Bank settlement, paving the way for the possible construction of 2,500 settlement homes.