* Al-Qaida No. 2: We’ll target world Jews Al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri pledged Wednesday night that the group would attack Jews in Israel and throughout the world.

* Nato denies Georgia and Ukraine Nato has confirmed it will not yet offer membership to Georgia or Ukraine after the 26-member alliance was split amid strong objections from Russia.

* Officials deny escalation with Syria “Israel has no intention of attacking Syria,” said Deputy Prime Minster Haim Ramon.

* Mubarak, Abdullah, Abbas discuss peace process Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a meeting on Wednesday in Cairo, in which Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took part.

* Kosovo constitution approved by EU The European Union has given its blessing to Kosovo’s constitution.

* North Korea: South Korea driving relationship to ‘catastrophe’ North Korea cut off dialogue with South Korea on Thursday, claiming the peninsula was on the brink of another war.

* Intel unveils tiny chips tailored for mobile Internet gadgets The world’s biggest computer chip maker Intel unveiled on Wednesday a set of tiny “Atom” processors it says will give mobile devices desktop computing power.

* Israel: Iran trying to intercept IDF messages Iran has set up sophisticated listening stations in Syria in recent months to intercept Israeli military communications.

* Recession warning by US Fed chief Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the US central bank, has admitted that the struggling US economy could fall into recession during the first half of this year.

* US report: Saudis, Turks may join nuclear arms race Saudi Arabia most likely would develop nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them.

* Bush Urges NATO Enlargement, More Troops for Afghanistan President Bush is urging NATO to continue its eastward expansion and to provide more support for military operations in Afghanistan.

* Iraq Violence Halts British Drawdown Britain has postponed plans to sharply reduce its troop presence in Iraq because of recent fighting between Iraqi government troops and Shiite militias in Baghdad and Basra.

* In Gaza, Hamas’s Insults to Jews Complicate Peace In the Katib Wilayat mosque one recent Friday, the imam was discussing the wiliness of the Jew.

* Israel Must Engage — Not Hamas Before getting into a serious discussion about engaging Hamas, several points of principle have to be clarified.

* Upper house of Poland’s parliament votes ‘yes’ to EU’s new treaty The upper house of Poland’s parliament approved a bill Wednesday allowing the president to ratify the new European Union treaty.

* Bush asks NATO for more Afghanistan troops U.S. President George W. Bush urged NATO allies on Wednesday to send more troops to Afghanistan.

* ‘Tensions High in Iraq’ A wreckage of an Iraqi Humvee is seen destroyed after clashes between Iraqi security forces and the Mahdi Army in Basra.

* Crude mixed on higher inventories, stronger dollar Crude for May delivery was last seen up 12 cents to $101.1 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

* We have created human-animal embryos already, say British team Embryos containing human and animal material have been created in Britain for the first time.

* Don’t Push Hamas to the Table Rather than debate whether it’s time to negotiate with Hamas, the real question is “negotiate over what?”

* U.S., Russia to sign strategic framework document The leaders of Russia and the United States will sign a document outlining the framework for strategic relations between their two countries at a meeting this weekend.

* Barak to Hizbullah: I advise you not to provoke Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Hizbullah against taking revenge for the killing of its terror chief Imad Mughniyeh.

* Iran helped prod al-Sadr cease-fire Iran was integral in persuading Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to halt attacks by his militia on Iraqi security forces.

* Profile: The Mahdi Army The Mahdi Army is an armed group loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shia leader from a dynasty of revered clerics persecuted under Saddam Hussein.

* Hamas TV airs show of child killing Bush A children’s puppet show aired on Hamas TV Monday featured a child stabbing President Bush to death and turning the White House into a mosque.

* Hamas ratchets up its rhetoric against Jews In the Katib Wilayat mosque one recent Friday, the imam was discussing the wiliness of the Jew.

* ‘UK is European center of anti-Semitism’ Britain has become the epicenter for anti-Semitic trends in Europe.

* Yesha rabbi: Those allowing transfer of arms to PA are ‘blood spillers’ “It is strictly forbidden to transfer arms of any kind to the Arabs, and those who authorize it or take part in this act in any way – are ‘spillers of blood’ and are aiding the enemy.”

* Russia’s UN envoy: Moscow summit would energize peace process A Mideast conference in Moscow this summer would energize efforts to achieve a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of the year.

* Rice, PM downplay chance of deal by May US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday declined to address reports that the United States was seeking an interim agreement or declaration of principles.

* Jordan: Collapse of Israel-Palestinian talks ‘threatens region’ Unilateral measures taken by Israel main obstacle for peace, King Abdullah tells Rice during Amman meeting.

* Israel pledges roadblock removals Israel and the Palestinians on Sunday agreed to a series of “concrete steps” aimed at paving the way for a final peace agreement later this year.

* Arab leaders: Arab initiative depends on Israel The fulfillment of the 2002 Arab land-for-peace proposal depends on Israel, Arab leaders concluded Sunday at the end of the annual Arab League summit in Damascus.

* Bibi: Concessions will strengthen Hamas There are no appropriate substitutes for Israeli control in the West Bank that do not put Israel in danger, Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

* Iraqi cleric calls off militias Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has ordered his fighters off the streets of Basra and other cities in an effort to end clashes with security forces.

* Muslims more numerous than Catholics: Vatican Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world, the Vatican said on Sunday.

* Rice says deal possible before May US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice believes that a framework for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians could be reached by the planned May 14 visit to Israel of US President George W. Bush.

* Turkish court weighs bid to shut down governing party Turkey’s Constitutional Court will consider Monday whether to accept a case aimed at closing down the governing party for Islamist activities.

* Arutz Sheva Posts Censored “Fitna” Movie Explaining Islam Now on Arutz Sheva: Fitna, the controversial and censored movie by Geert Wilders that aims to energize the West into fighting back against its mortal enemy.

* Barak: New elections not far off Defense Minister Ehud Barak indicated Sunday night that despite previous statements to the contrary, he may decide to pull Labor out of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government due to Olmert’s “accountability” for Israel’s failure to attain its objectives during the Second Lebanon War.

* Abbas urges Arab, int’l forces to protect Palestinians from IDF Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday called on Arab and international forces in the Palestinian territories to protect his people against Israeli attacks.

* Movie Portrays Islam as Violent and Bloodthirsty The long-awaited and controversial movie Fitna, which graphically portrays Islam as a religion seeking to dominate the world and slaughter non-believers, finally debuted on the internet on Thursday night.

* Hamas: We’re developing new missiles “It is no secret that Hamas is enhancing its military capabilities, including the development of new missiles”.

* EU foreign chiefs to debate future ties with Russia Just weeks before the new Russian president is sworn in, EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brdo, Slovenia.

* Top Arab leaders shun Damascus summit Top Arab leaders are boycotting this weekend’s Arab summit in Damascus to protest Syria’s hard-line stances in nearly every crisis in the Mideast.

* Muslims condemn Dutch lawmaker’s film The Organization of the Islamic Conference on Friday added its voice to the growing criticism of a film released by a Dutch lawmaker.

* Minister: Israel trying to bring Syria to table Israel is trying to bring Syria back to the negotiating table, National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said.

* Middle East inflation soars As everyone keeps a close eye on the shifting state of the global money markets, inflation is an issue that continues to rear its head.

* Barak fears Hamas West Bank takeover Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned the United States that gestures Israel is making to the Palestinians could ultimately backfire.

* Turkey hits rebel targets in Iraq Turkey has been bombarding Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq with aircraft and artillery, the Turkish military has said.

* Baghdad under curfew amid clashes A curfew has been imposed on Baghdad amid continuing clashes between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces.

* Barak fears Hamas W. Bank takeover Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned the United States that gestures Israel is making to the Palestinians could ultimately backfire.

* Arab FMs re-endorse 2002 Saudi peace initiative Arab foreign ministers on Thursday re-endorsed a 2002 Saudi peace initiative which promises recognition of Israel.

* Syrian FM: Israel doesn’t want peace Israel pursues aggressive policies which contradict the atmosphere needed for peace, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said.

* Bush invites Abbas to U.S. for talks on Palestinian state U.S. President George W. Bush has invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House in early May.

* Russia to US: Scrap Missile Defense Russia’s foreign minister laid out a tough negotiating position on America’s missile defense plans.

* Hebrew Garments and the Restoration of Biblical Blue After three days of Purim, Jerusalemites young and old came out of one more night of revelry as Tuesday Night Live focused on Biblical Jewish fashion.

* Dutch MP launches anti-Koran film Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders released a film criticizing Islam and its holy book the Koran.

* Beirut bloc urges pressure on Syria Tensions between Beirut and Damascus have mounted in advance of the Arab League summit to be held in Syria.

* EU leaders urged to speak out on China European leaders should not shy away from criticizing China’s recent crackdown on protests in Tibet.

By: Anshel Pfeffer – Haaretz

The president’s Bible club, which resumed activity Wednesday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, after a hiatus of more than four years, has undergone several incarnations.

Read more….

* Defense officials: Hizbullah has rockets that can reach Dimona Senior defense officials say Hizbullah has dramatically increased its rocket range and now threatens most of Israel.

* Barak confirms transfer of armored vehicles to PA Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday he had agreed to the transfer of new vehicles and equipment to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ security forces.

* Ashkenazi: Consider all measures to stop Iran Iran is a threat to the entire Middle East and the free world and all deterrence measures should be considered.

* IDF: Islamic Jihad producing Grad-like rockets The Islamic Jihad terror group has recently began manufacturing rockets capable of reaching a 12.5-mile range.

* Iraqi troops, Mahdi Army fight for control of Sadr City Shi’ite militiamen are everywhere. Police and Iraqi army checkpoints are nowhere in sight.

* Putin invites Bush to confer in move to avoid public clash President George W. Bush announced Wednesday that he had accepted an invitation by President Vladimir Putin to visit Russia next week.

* Mubarak snubs Arab summit in Syria Egypt announced Wednesday that it would send a junior minister to the Arab summit in Damascus, which is expected to take place starting Saturday.

* Rabbis Call on Gov’t to Fulfil Promise to Bring Falash Mura Home A conference at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem Wednesday was dedicated to a call for bringing 8,000 members of the Falash Mura group from Ethiopia to Israel.

* Olmert hints at secret Syrian track Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted Wednesday night at the prospect of secret talks with Syria.

* Bible club founded by Ben-Gurion gets revived with a Peres twist The president’s Bible club, which resumed activity Wednesday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, after a hiatus of more than four years, has undergone several incarnations.

By: Zvi Bar’el – Haaretz

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s concern about Iran’s involvement in Gaza does not stem only from Hamas’ growing military capabilities. Rather, his primary fear is that control over “Arab policy” – which has traditionally been dictated by Egypt and Saudi Arabia – will be taken over by Iran.

Read more….

* ‘Russia set on Mideast parley, whether Israel likes it or not’ Russia is determined to go ahead with an international Middle East conference in Moscow in June.

* Fresh clashes break out in Basra Fresh fighting has erupted in the southern Iraqi city of Basra and elsewhere, as Iraqi security forces battle Shia militants for a second day.

* Blair calls for rethink of Gaza strategy Middle East envoy Tony Blair said Tuesday that the international community must rethink its strategy toward Gaza.

* Lebanon not to attend Arab summit The Lebanese government has announced that it will boycott the Arab summit due to be held this weekend in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

* Putin, Mubarak sign agreement on nuclear cooperation Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that progress is needed before Russia can firm up plans for a Mideast peace conference.

* UN envoy: Gaza bombs keep ticking Israeli Ambassador to the UN Dan Gillerman warned UN Security Council members on Tuesday that the recent lull in Gaza was deceptive and superficial.

* Mubarak: Gaza tension brings Iran threat closer “The situation that has developed in the Gaza Strip in recent months has led to Egypt in practice having a border with Iran.”

* Barak mulls weapons transfer to Fatah Defense Minister Ehud Barak is considering approving a US plan to allow the transfer of weapons, protective gear and night-vision goggles for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.

* ANALYSIS: Keeping Iran away from ‘members-only’ Arab club Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s concern about Iran’s involvement in Gaza does not stem only from Hamas’ growing military capabilities.

* Religious leaders welcome Saudi proposal Several Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders reacted warmly to a proposal for dialogue among the religions by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.