°µºÚ±¬ÁÏ

Israeli inventor Izhar Gafni's creation became an Internet sensation last year. Now he and a business partner are launching a Kickstarter campaign that promises "limited and exclusive access" to those interested in getting their hands on one of the bikes.

What's the most effective way to protest? Teenage Palestinian boys have a long tradition of throwing stones at, and getting arrested by, Israeli soldiers. Palestinian girls say they are no less patriotic, but most don't believe that stone throwing is the best way to achieve their goals.

Despite much international criticism, Israel has continued building its West Bank barrier. It's now nearing completion, while the Israelis and Palestinians continue to argue over whether it will help or hurt prospects for a Middle East peace agreement.

Political unpredictability in the region hampers all kinds of businesses: from stone-cutters and shoemakers to IT. Business owners in the West Bank say Secretary of State John Kerry's commitment to remove barriers to commerce might go further than actual cash.

The U.S. will soon begin to open combat positions to women. That's already the case in Israel, where women say it is an important step but doesn't guarantee full equality. The military's upper echelons remain male-dominated.

Four Filipino peacekeepers are now free, days after being abducted by Syrian rebels. They had been patrolling an area that divides Syria and Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Rebels from the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade said the four had been held for their own protection. But Filipino officials say they were used as human shields.

Secretary of State John Kerry has been in office for less than three months and as he travels the globe, his priorities are becoming clearer. He's trying to find a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, revive Israeli Palestinian talks and convince China to use its influence with North Korea to resolve that issue diplomatically.

The physicist said his decision as based on the advice of his Palestinian contacts. Hawking is one of the most prominent figures to join the academic boycott of the Jewish state. His decision has been criticized and labeled hypocritical.

The Australian Broadcasting Co., which originally broke the story, reports Prisoner X sabotaged an Israeli mission to bring back the remains of captured Israeli soldiers thought to be buried in Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes attacked a military research center near Damascus early Sunday, according to intelligence reports and Syrian state media. Israel has offered no comment on the raid, which came days after a similar strike that reportedly targeted missiles intended for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.