* ‘PM, Abdullah discuss J’lem split’ Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Jordan’s King Abdullah II discussed the division of Israel’s capital during a brief visit Olmert held with the monarch Thursday.

* Bush urges Israel to take down W. Bank outposts US President George W. Bush on Thursday urged Israel to honor its commitment to remove West Bank outposts.

* Forget oil, the new global crisis is food A new crisis is emerging, a global food catastrophe that will reach further and be more crippling than anything the world has ever seen.

* Turkish army may hit harder after blast A deadly car bombing in Turkey’s southeastern city of Diyarbakir Thursday that killed five people and wounded 68 others has given the army more political ammunition to step up its attacks on Kurdish rebel positions.

* France to help Jordan develop nuclear energy program French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Jordan on Friday on a semi-private, two-day visit, and met with King Abdullah II.

* Fatah loses support among Palestinians Despite international political and financial support, the popularity of the Fatah faction headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has declined over the past month.

* Kenya opposition rejects unity call Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader, has responded to calls for a national unity government from Mwai Kibaki, the president, by telling him to resign.

* Peres: Bush visit could mark passage from talk to action in peace process President Shimon Peres said Saturday that U.S. President George W. Bush’s first presidential trip to Israel and the West Bank next week could spur efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

* Brussels praises smooth switch to euro in Cyprus and Malta The European Commission has praised the smooth changeover to the euro in the two newest eurozone member countries, Cyprus and Malta.

* Jerusalem Readies for Bush’s Arrival With hundreds of hotel rooms booked and municipal crews unfolding red, white and blue flags, Jerusalem is getting ready for its highest-profile visitor in years: President Bush.