AP - Israel indicted two West Bank Palestinians on Tuesday on charges of belonging to al-Qaida and plotting to carry out a double bombing for the group in Jerusalem — the first time Palestinians have been formally linked to the terror network.

AP - For the past two months, Ehud Olmert has presided over Israel's Cabinet meetings from a seat at the side of the table, leaving the prime minister's chair empty as though Ariel Sharon were still in charge. But since becoming acting prime minister after Sharon's devastating Jan. 4 stroke, Olmert has quickly put his mark on the government in what has become an audition for the top job.

AP - The bird flu vaccine currently being manufactured fought at least two forms of the virus in mice, but it's unclear whether the drug would be equally effective in humans, a health official said Monday.

AP - Hamas presented a proposed government Sunday, giving itself key ministries after failing to persuade more moderate parties to join in a coalition that could have softened its hard-line image and prevented likely economic sanctions.

AP - Major leaguers or not, Cuba's dominance on baseball's international stage is unparalleled.

AP - Ariel Sharon, comatose since suffering a massive stroke in January, will be moved to a long-term care facility after elections later this month, Israeli Channel 10 TV reported Friday.

AP - Cuba had two close calls go against it late in the game and still held on for a 4-3 victory Wednesday night over Puerto Rico to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

AP - Unless Western aid can bypass Hamas and be delivered to millions of poor Palestinians, there will be chaos in the streets and no peace, Middle East envoy James D. Wolfensohn told Congress Wednesday.

AP - Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, front-runner in Israel's March 28 election, pledged Tuesday to annex this Jewish settlement deep in the West Bank, a message aimed at appeasing settlers alarmed by his plans to withdraw from large parts of the West Bank over the next four years.

Acting Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vows Israel will never give up the major Jewish settlement of Ariel in the West Bank.

AP - Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that the West Bank settlement of Ariel and smaller neighboring settlements will eventually become part of Israel.

AP - Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert briefed the U.S. last week on his plan to impose Israel's final borders with the Palestinians if efforts to restart peace talks fail, an Olmert spokesman said Sunday.

AP - Israel's March 28 election has all the makings of high drama: party splits, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's devastating stroke, Islamic militants ruling in the Palestinian territories.

AP - Dressed in sneakers, khaki pants and a sweatshirt, the chairman of Israel's pro-marijuana Green Leaf party takes a drag from his cigarette.

AP - Sharon Stone is ready to do her part for Mideast peace: The "Basic Instinct" actress said Wednesday she "would kiss just about anybody" to end the Israel-Arab conflict.

AP - Sharon Stone is ready to do her part for Mideast peace: The "Basic Instinct" actress said Wednesday she "would kiss just about anybody" to end the Israel-Arab conflict.

AP - The front-running party founded late last year by Ariel Sharon plans to run election ads beginning Tuesday starring the ever popular prime minister, even though he has been incapacitated by a stroke and is unlikely to return to politics.

AP - Ariel Sharon could still regain consciousness, even though he has been comatose since suffering a massive stroke on Jan. 4, the director of the hospital treating the prime minister said Monday.

AFP - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo will delay lifting a state of emergency after a weekend standoff with Marines renewed tensions, her spokesman said.

AFP - A Marine colonel who holed up at a military camp with a small group of armed followers after being implicated in a Philippine coup plot has agreed to stand down, his superior said.