The Central Bureau of Statistics reports the jobless rate in the first quarter of 2009 has reached 7.6%.
**Opposition leader Tzipi Livni called on PM Netanyahu to �be a man� and backtrack from plans to impost a 16% tax on fruits and vegetables. She added that �Bibi understands economics and there is no reason for his errors�.
**The Vaad Rabbanim of the Benjamin Council in Shomron on Wednesday called on PM Netanyahu not to remove outposts.
**Police on Wednesday questioned FM Lieberman �under caution� pertaining to ongoing fraud investigation against him.
**Former PM Olmert�s attorney withdrew requested postponement of hearings after the High Court responded in an abrasive tone to yet another foot-dragging move.
**Three people are hospitalized, suspected of contracting swine flu.
**MK (Kadima) Shaul Mofaz stated planned government financial policies are no less threatening to Israel than Iran.
(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)
