12/31/10

* Wikileaks: Egypt still sees Israel as its main adversary US diplomatic memos released by WikiLeaks this month show previously unknown friction with Egypt over military assistance and strategy.

* 'Mossad, US, UK cooperating to sabotage Iran nukes' US and UK intelligence services are cooperating with the Mossad to sabotage Teheran's nuclear program.

* Celebrations as the world starts marking the new year In Australia, crowds gathered in Sydney to watch what is hailed as the biggest New Year's Eve fireworks display.

* Palestinian draft condemning Israeli settlements designed to win U.S. support Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his new attempt to get the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank was specifically designed to win U.S. support.

* Next Year's Wars The 16 brewing conflicts to watch for in 2011.

* Peace Hovers in Sudan, but Most Soldiers Stay Armed Nearly six years ago, northern and southern Sudan signed a peace agreement after decades of civil war.

* Abbas lays Brazil embassy cornerstone Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas laid the first stone Friday of what will become a Palestinian embassy in Brazil.

* Nigeria: Pastor killed in front of his church, other churches targeted in arson rampage Still more jihadist violence to report against Nigerian churches on Christmas Eve.

* Christians consider their future after more attacks in Iraq Some Christians in Iraq's capital were considering leaving, following a wave of bombings targeting members of their religion that left two dead and 16 others wounded.

* Estonia joins euro club riven by crisis, others wary Estonia could be the last new entrant for some years when it becomes the 17th euro zone member on January 1.

12/30/10

* Top Middle East story of 2010: The Stuxnet virus As 2010 comes to an end, the mystery has yet to be revealed: Did Stuxnet set back Iran's nuclear program? Or was it just a small glitch?

* China preparing for armed conflict 'in every direction' China is preparing for conflict 'in every direction', the defence minister said.

* Israel - Iran nuclear bomb 'still three years away' Iran's nuclear program has been hit by technical problems, and it could be still three years away from making a bomb.

* Obama bypasses Senate, appoints envoy to Syria US President Barack Obama has bypassed the US Senate and directly appointed four new ambassadors.

* Israel ex-President Moshe Katsav found guilty of rape Israel's former President Moshe Katsav has been convicted of rape by a court in Tel Aviv and could go to jail.

* Rise of radical Islam threatens Mideast Christians with extinction As Americans celebrate Christmas in peace in our nation, many Christians across the Middle East are in peril: Muslim fanatics seek to exterminate them.

* Killing of Iraq police chief highlights security struggles as US draws down A senior police commander and three other cops in Iraq's northern city of Mosul – the most violent of Iraq's major cities – were murdered by suicide bombers shortly after dawn today.

* Ivory Coast on brink of "genocide": envoy to U.N. Political unrest following Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election has brought the West African country to the "brink of genocide."

* Iran: 'Harry Potter a Zionist Plot to Promote Devil Worship' If you thought the Harry Potter series was an innocent children's fantasy story, you're wrong, an Iranian movie producer says.

* Largest natural gas reserve discovered in Israel worth approximately $95 billion The largest reserve of natural gas, over 16 trillion cubic feet, has been discovered off the coast of Israel.

12/29/10

* Israeli population stands at 7,695,000 at end of 2010 There are 7,695,000 people currently residing in Israel, according to a study by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

* Ya'alon: Iran doesn't have capability for nuclear weapon Iran does not have the capability to create a nuclear weapon at this point due to technological difficulties it has recently been facing.

* Abbas to lay cornerstone for new PA embassy in Brazil Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new Palestinian Embassy in Brazil's capital, Brasilia later this week.

* Ahmadinejad: Iran won't make nuclear concessions in Istanbul talks Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that, just like in Geneva, his country will provide no concessions in next month's nuclear negotiations in Istanbul.

* 'Kill a Jew - Live Like a King' A campaign by volunteer group My Israel in support of a law to toughen conditions of terrorist prisoners is gathering steam.

* Navy Monitoring Syrian Ship with Activists and Aid for Gaza The Navy is monitoring movements of activists on a Syrian ship scheduled to carry activists and aid to Gaza via an overland route from an Egyptian port.

* US University Students Learn about Judea and Samaria Syracuse University students recently learned about Judea and Samaria from a Zionist standpoint in a unique Skype-chat discussion.

* London is home to Hamas hub, says Israel Israel's defense ministry has accused a London-based Palestinian center of "terror-affiliated activities".

* China Calls on Vatican to Repair Rift China is calling on the Vatican to take the first step to heal a widening rift between Pope Benedict and the state-sanctioned Catholic Church in China.

* Relations Between Turkey, Israel Blowing Cold Tensions between former close allies Turkey and Israel have flared up again.

12/28/10

* IAF commander: We are prepared to counter all threats The Israeli Air Force is prepared to counter all of the threats and challenges that Israel currently faces including those from Iran.

* Aliya rises second year straight nearing 20,000 mark Figures indicate 16% rise in aliya compared to previous year.

* Iran says Western hostility jeopardizes nuclear talks Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that the West's hostile policies could harm further talks.

* Iran Hangs One of Seven Suspected Spies for Israel Iran has hanged one of seven suspected spies for supplying Israel with secrets on Iran's missile programs.

* Netanyahu: No apology to Turkey Tough talk: Israel will not be apologizing to Turkey over the flotilla incident that left nine people dead.

* Marketing to Muslims Are Muslims a new niche market? Many US-based businesses think so and have even created products that cater to this community.

* IDF Trains Officers for Helping Arab Civilians during Battle The IDF is ready for the media and international criticism during the next war by training officers to help civilians during fighting.

* 2010 Record Year for Tourism to Israel The year 2010 set a record in tourism to Israel, according to the Ministry of Tourism, with 3.45 million arrivals registered.

* North Korean Air Force increases training flights North Korea's Air Force has launched more training exercises this month compared to the same period last year.

* London Terror Cell Targeted Rabbis Britain revealed Tuesday that it arrested nine terrorists last week, five days before a planned "Christmas bomb blitz" that would have targeted two rabbis.

12-27-10

* Israeli foreign minister: peace is impossible Israel's foreign minister said a peace deal with the Palestinians is impossible under current conditions.

* UN Maps Out Afghan Security Internal United Nations maps show a marked deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan during this year's fighting season.

* US Arms Reach Hizbullah, US Official Admits Some of the American-funded weapons that are being supplied to Lebanon fall into the hands of Hizbullah.

* UK considers recognizing PA diplomats London looking into possibility of upgrading Palestinian delegation to status of diplomatic mission.

* The verdict that may shake Russia The most important court trial in modern Russian history has drawn to an end.

* Violence fears grow in Ivory Coast as Gbagbo stays Fears of renewed fighting in this country once divided by civil war grew Monday following a threat from West African neighbors.

* South Korea must unite to survive, says President Lee South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has told his nation it must unite in the face of military aggression from the North.

* Ashkenazi: We will not accept rocket fire from Gaza IDF chief-of-staff meets with Italian counterpart in Tel Aviv; says IDF is "preparing for any scenario" in the Strip.

* Jerusalem mayor holds off eviction of settlers from East Jerusalem home Compromise achieved after settlers agree not to press for eviction of a Palestinian family living in a nearby Jewish-owned building.

* Thousands greet Turkish protest ship; chant "death to Israel" Pro-Palestinian activists gather at Istanbul port to greet ship raided by Israeli commandos on its way to Gaza in late May. Crowds wave Palestinian, Turkish flags; chant "Allah is great".

12/25/10

* Christmas celebrations across the Middle East Secret Celebrations held throughout the region, from Bethlehem to Afghanistan to Lebanon, but the celebratory atmosphere covered up difficult circumstances for some in the largely Muslim region. of the production of a new type of explosively formed penetrator, or EFP in military jargon, is being produced by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

* Hamas: We are ready to answer any Israeli aggression Speaking in Gaza, Hamas spokesman says group will abide by truce, but will "respond strongly" to Israeli attacks.

* Abbas: No room for Israelis in Palestinian state During tour of Ramallah, PA president expresses opposition to settlers, stationing of Israeli soldiers at borders of new state.

* Turkish FM: We want to make peace with Israel Speaking on the eve of the return of the 'Mavi Marmara' to Istanbul, Davutoglu says Ankara intends to reconcile with Israel, but accuses Jerusalem gov't. of not reciprocating Turkish overtures.

* Ecuador formally recognizes Palestinian state President Rafael Correa follows other S. American countries and signs official recognition of Palestine as independent state with 1967 borders.

* Iraqi Christians mark a muted Christmas (Roundup) Iraqi Christians celebrated Christmas under tight security on Saturday as concerns over sectarian attacks led to a muted holiday, while the Vatican offered a message of comfort and a special prayer for their plight.

* Hamas commander: Israel will disappear Day after Mahmoud al-Zahar says Islamist group committed to unofficial truce, head of its armed wing says Israel will 'cease to exist and we will have Palestine.

* Abbas in Bethlehem: We hope for year of peace PA leader says Palestinians seek peace 'in path of Jesus,' expresses hope for state next year.

* Suspect in Plot to Murder Jews, Christians Released in Turkey A Turkish court has released a man accused of planning to murder Jewish and Christian leaders, according to Turkey's Anatolia news agency.

* "Start" of Good Things for Obama? Barack Obama and the Democratic Party exulted in the Senate ratification of the New Start Treaty reducing the number of nuclear warheads held by the United States and Russia.

12/24/10

* 'Christmas is evil': Muslim group launches poster campaign against festive period Fanatics from a banned Islamic hate group have launched a nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil.

* Hitler's Christmas party: Rare photographs capture leading Nazis celebrating in 1941 This is Hitler and his henchmen celebrating Christmas in 1941 – not that you’d know it from their glum expressions.

* Russian parliament tentatively approves arms pact Russia's lower house of parliament on Friday gave preliminary approval to a U.S.-Russian arms treaty.

* Pilgrims, clergy come to Bethlehem for Christmas Thousands of tourists, pilgrims and clergy converged on Bethlehem on Friday as the town of Jesus' birth prepared to celebrate Christmas Eve.

* Hamas strongman says group against escalation in Gaza A Hamas strongman in Gaza, on Friday, said the group does not want an escalation in fighting with Israel.

* WikiLeaks: Israel bombed Syrian nuclear facility Israel destroyed a nuclear reactor in Syria, apparently built with North Korea's help, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

* North Korea nuclear test "possible" in new year North Korea could carry out a third nuclear test next year to strengthen the credentials of its young leader-in-waiting.

* Jordan bans textbook on Holocaust A private school in Jordan stirred the anger of many in the Hashemite Kingdom.

* Stuxnet may have destroyed 1,000 centrifuges at Natanz Malicious computer virus accelerated, wrecked motors and may have decommissioned uranium enrichment centrifuges, think tank concludes.

* And the most popular religion in the US is... What is the most popular religion in the US?

12/23/10

* Vice Admiral: Obama was outmaneuvered by Russians on START President Barack Obama was outmaneuvered by the Russians and should have abandoned the New START negotiations instead of seeking a political victory.

* Mass Rally in Honor of Jewish Life in Judea and Samaria A mass rally to salute the settlement enterprise in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem will be held in downtown Jerusalem's Kikar Tzion.

* Netanyahu: World starting to understand that Israel is not obstacle to Mideast peace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the world is starting to understand that Israel is not the obstacle to Middle East peace.

* North Korea 'ready for sacred war' with the South Kim Yong-chun accused South Korea of making preparations for war by holding live-fire exercises near the border.

* Christians make up 2% of population on Christmas 2010 Christian citizens of Israel make up roughly two percent of the country?s population or 153,000 people out of the 7.5 million population.

* Palestinians draft UN resolution against settlements A Palestinian draft resolution condemning Israel's West Bank settlement activity is ready to be presented to the United Nations Security Council.

* Christian exodus from Iraq gathers pace Churches empty and Christmas decorations are put away after al-Qaida renews deadly threat.

* Hundreds of Gaza Christians leave for Bethlehem More than 500 members of the Gaza Strip's tiny Christian community left the blockaded territory on Thursday.

* Plan to Use Christmas, New Year to Bring the Messiah This year, the two holidays fall out on the Sabbath (Shabbat) day. "That means that the Christian world takes a rest".

* Palestinian Christians get head start on Christmas Though they make up a small minority in Israel and the Palestinian areas, the Christian community in the West Bank and Jerusalem has begun preparing for the upcoming Christmas celebrations.

12/22/10

* Obama signs 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal President Barack Obama signed a landmark law Wednesday repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military, fulfilling one of his major campaign pledges and casting the issue as a matter of civil rights long denied.

* The Net Neutrality Coup The campaign to regulate the Internet was funded by a who's who of left-liberal foundations.

* Don't believe the media: 'Don't ask, don't tell' has not been repealed The headlines said that the Pentagon’s homosexual exclusion policy had been repealed.

* Is Obama ashamed of America's ties with God? As President Obama lit the National Christmas tree this year, he said the story of the birth of Jesus is "dear to Michelle and me as Christians."

* After Freeze, Settlement Building Booms in Israel In the three months since Israel ended its settlement construction freeze in the West Bank, causing the Palestinians to withdraw from peace talks, a settlement building boom has begun, especially in more remote communities that are least likely to be part of Israel after any two-state peace deal.

* South Korea Begins New Round of Military Drills Despite previous warnings of retaliation from North Korea, the South Korean military continued to defy the North on Wednesday by launching a three-day naval drill in the Sea of Japan and scheduling an exercise by the army and air force about 30 miles from the North-South demilitarized zone.

* PA: Hamas Plans 'Civil War' in Judea, Samaria Seventeen rockets and two rocket launchers were recently seized from the hands of Hamas men in Ramallah, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority security forces said Wednesday.

* Censoring of Temple Mount Report Causes Anger The State Comptroller has prepared a report on the wanton destruction caused by the Waqf on the Temple Mount, and on Israel’s response.

* Turkey and Syria Tighten Ties, Say They'll "Fight Terrorism" Turkey and Syria have announced a joint initiative to fight “terrorism,” but it is not clear which enemies are targeted.

* Saudi pro-democracy group's protest banned No reasons given for ban on sit-in protest seeking end to royal family privileges

12/21/10

* The Big Lie: '1967 Borders' is a Fallacy, Says Former Ambassador The term "1967 borders," the Arab world's mantra for the borders of a PA state, never existed, says former Ambassador to Canada Alan Baker.

* IDF Beefs Up Tanks in Gaza as Terrorists Improve Weapons The IDF is deploying the Trophy "Windbreaking" defense system on its tanks in the Gaza Belt.

* Hamas Shells Prompt Resolute Israeli Response The Israel Air Force's attack on seven Gaza targets last night was the strongest in the past two years.

* Iraqi Parliament Approves New Maliki Government The Iraq parliament has voted to approve the new government of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

* US Census 2010: Population hits 308.7m but rise slows The US population has risen by almost 10% in the last 10 years to stand at 308.7 million, according to new data from the US Census Bureau.

* 'The economy, stupid' to dominate Hungary's EU agenda Budapest will in its time at the EU helm in 2011 seek to shepherd through EU financial governance laws.

* Internet rules to get go ahead by US regulators Controversial new rules affecting the running of the internet are expected to be approved by US regulators today.

* Report Ready on Israeli Sovereignty on the Temple Mount State Comptroller Michal Lindenstrauss has prepared a report on Israel's approach to Waqf excavations on the Temple Mount.

* Yad Vashem roll of Holocaust victims reaches 4 million Yad Vashem announced on Tuesday that it has identified two-thirds of the Jews murdered in the Holocaust, a total of 4 million names thus far.

* 'Koran etched in Saddam Hussein's blood found in Iraq' A Koran etched in the blood of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been hidden away in a vault in a Baghdad mosque for the past three years.

12/20/10

* Horses, battles and street theater as Iran marks anniversary of imam's death Iranians took the streets of Noushabad, 233 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, on Friday, to mark the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, one of Shiite Islam's most beloved saints.

* Israel orders envoys: Take urgent action against Palestinian efforts at UN Palestinians have been pushing for a UN resolution to recognize unilateral declaration of statehood and pressure Israel to freeze settlements; classified cable to diplomats abroad warns such efforts are "not effective or constructive".

* Erdogan: Israel is to blame for failed peace talks Turkish PM also says Israel must "apologize to the Turkish republic" for the "murder" of 9 Turkish citizens on Gaza flotilla raid.

* Public Pressure Works: YouTube Allows PA Watchdog Massive public pressure via ‘Tweets” and e-mails have convinced YouTube to reinstate the Palestinian Authority watchdog site Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), which had been accused by YouTube of spreading incitement.

* 'Tis not the season to be jolly in Iraq Iraqi Christians will not have a "merry little Christmas" as many flee the country out of fear for their safety and lives.

* Ramallah: 10 EU states to upgrade Palestinian missions The Palestinian Authority's chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has said that 10 EU member states are ready to upgrade the status of the occupied territories' representative offices in their capitals.

* Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki delays unveiling new government Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has not unveiled his new cabinet, which was expected on Monday, amid ongoing disputes among Iraq's rival factions.

* The FCC's Threat to Internet Freedom "Net neutrality" sounds nice, but the Web is working fine now.

* North Korea "will not hit back" over Yeonpyeong drills North Korea says it will not retaliate despite "reckless provocations" from the South, which held live-fire drills on the flashpoint island of Yeonpyeong.

* Space laser spies for woodpeckers US scientists are developing techniques to monitor woodpeckers from space.

12/20/10

* Horses, battles and street theater as Iran marks anniversary of imam's death Iranians took the streets of Noushabad, 233 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, on Friday, to mark the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, one of Shiite Islam's most beloved saints.

* Israel orders envoys: Take urgent action against Palestinian efforts at UN Palestinians have been pushing for a UN resolution to recognize unilateral declaration of statehood and pressure Israel to freeze settlements; classified cable to diplomats abroad warns such efforts are "not effective or constructive".

* Erdogan: Israel is to blame for failed peace talks Turkish PM also says Israel must "apologize to the Turkish republic" for the "murder" of 9 Turkish citizens on Gaza flotilla raid.

* Public Pressure Works: YouTube Allows PA Watchdog Massive public pressure via ‘Tweets” and e-mails have convinced YouTube to reinstate the Palestinian Authority watchdog site Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), which had been accused by YouTube of spreading incitement.

* 'Tis not the season to be jolly in Iraq Iraqi Christians will not have a "merry little Christmas" as many flee the country out of fear for their safety and lives.

* Ramallah: 10 EU states to upgrade Palestinian missions The Palestinian Authority's chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has said that 10 EU member states are ready to upgrade the status of the occupied territories' representative offices in their capitals.

* Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki delays unveiling new government Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has not unveiled his new cabinet, which was expected on Monday, amid ongoing disputes among Iraq's rival factions.

* The FCC's Threat to Internet Freedom "Net neutrality" sounds nice, but the Web is working fine now.

* North Korea "will not hit back" over Yeonpyeong drills North Korea says it will not retaliate despite "reckless provocations" from the South, which held live-fire drills on the flashpoint island of Yeonpyeong.

* Space laser spies for woodpeckers US scientists are developing techniques to monitor woodpeckers from space.

12/18/10

* U.S. military chief: We are 'very ready' to counter Iran Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb, posing a threat to its neighbors, and the United States is "very ready" to counter Iran should it make a move.

* Barack Obama urges US Senate to pass new Start treaty President Barack Obama has renewed his call for US senators to ratify an arms control treaty with Russia before the Democratic-led Congress breaks up.

* Iraqi PM to Name New Cabinet Monday Iraqi officials say Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will name a new Cabinet Monday.

* US envoy Bill Richardson warns of Korea tinderbox An unofficial US envoy visiting North Korea has warned that the situation on the peninsula is a "tinderbox".

* North predicts 'disaster' if S.Korea drill goes ahead North Korea on Saturday predicted "disaster" if South Korea goes ahead with a live-fire artillery exercise on a border island bombarded by the communist state last month.

* Iran's new FM to bolster ties with Saudi, Turkey Atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi officially took charge on Saturday as Iran's new foreign minister.

* Bolivia recognizes Palestinian state Bolivia announces Friday that it is officially and fully recognizing the Palestinian state in line with the 1967 borders.

* Ban Ki-moon names settlement freeze a top UN goal for 2011 The United Nations named improving the living conditions in the Gaza Strip and ending Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of its goals for 2011.

* 'Wikileaks: Spielberg movies banned by Arab League' After making a $1m. donation to Israel during the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Steven Spielberg was blacklisted by the Arab League's Central Boycott Office.

* Christians flee central Iraq in thousands, UN reports The UN refugee agency says thousands of Iraqi Christians are fleeing from central provinces of the country.

12/17/10

* Nasrallah: We're not scared of Israel Last week, a senior IDF officer told Yedioth Ahronoth that Hezbollah faces the gravest crisis in its history.

* Bethlehem Mayor's Christmas Wish: Sanctions on Israel Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarseh lashed out at Israel this week at a tree-lighting ceremony in honor of the Christmas holiday.

* Christians flee central Iraq in thousands, UN reports The UN refugee agency says thousands of Iraqi Christians are fleeing from central provinces of the country.

* Japan defence review warns of China's military might Japan has unveiled sweeping changes to its national defence polices, boosting its southern forces in response to neighbouring China's military rise.

* N.Korea says war with South would go nuclear North Korea warned that another war with South Korea would involve nuclear weapons.

* Oil prices rise to nearly 92 dollars World oil prices rose on Friday as the dollar fell against the euro amid improving demand for crude.

* This week in Haaretz 1949 / Jerusalem is declared the eternal capital of Israel On December 9, 1949, the U.N. General Assembly voted to implement the resolution to internationalize Jerusalem.

* Israel Remembers the Holy Temple and the Holocaust on Tevet 10 Friday is the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, a fast day on which Jews remember the siege of Jerusalem.

* EU leaders agree to tweak treaty, keep bail-out fund unchanged European Union premiers and presidents have agreed to a surgical change to the bloc's treaty to enable the creation of a permanent bail-out fund from 2013.

* UN mulls internet regulation options The United Nations is considering whether to set up an inter-governmental working group to harmonise global efforts by policy makers to regulate the internet.

12/16/10

* US strategy on Afghanistan 'is weakening al-Qaeda' Al-Qaeda's leadership in Pakistan is at its weakest since 2001, a US review of Afghan strategy has said.

* Israel shoots down 'suspicious flying object' near Dimona nuclear reactor An Israel Air Force warplane on Thursday shot down an apparently unmanned balloon that flew over the Dimona nuclear reactor.

* EU leaders meeting amid eurozone jitters Concerns about the stability of the eurozone are set to dominate a meeting of European leaders in Brussels.

* Arabs reject Middle East peace talks without US plan Arab foreign ministers have rejected further Palestinian-Israeli peace talks without a "serious offer" from the US on ending the Middle East conflict.

* Islam's record of erasing, rather than co-existing with other cultures Recently the Palestinian Authority sanctioned a research project aiming at denying any connection between the Western Wall and the Second Jewish Temple destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans.

* US House opposes unilateral declaration of 'Palestine' Consensus adopts resolution raised by Rep. Howard Berman supporting negotiated solution to conflict, condemns unilateral moves by PA.

* Interview: Jewish Monetary Law Should be Israeli Law “If Israel wants to call itself a Jewish state, it has to be about more than just physically housing Jews,” says Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arusi.

* Construction of Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem underway Construction commenced on Wednesday on a new residential Jewish neighborhood atop the Mount of Olives Ridge in east Jerusalem, near Hebrew University.

* Bethlehem tourism swells as violence and terror ebbs Bethlehem has seen a record number of tourists this year and its thousands of hotel rooms are fully booked for Christmas week.

* Israeli Arabs: No Compromise on 'Right of Return' A poll of 600 Arab citizens of Israel has found that most believe that the millions of descendants of Arabs who fled Israel during the 1948 War of Independence must be allowed to "return" to Israel.

12/15/10

* 'Stuxnet virus set back Iran’s nuclear program by 2 years' The Stuxnet virus, which has attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and which Israel is suspected of creating, has set back the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program by two years.

* Intelligence Reports Offer Dim View of Afghan War As President Obama prepares to release a review of American strategy in Afghanistan that will claim progress in the nine-year-old war there, two new classified intelligence reports offer a more negative assessment.

* 'Nazism, Islam shared common enemies - the Jews' A newly released report by the US National Archives details the close collaborative relationship between Nazi leaders and the grand mufti of Jerusalem.

* British PM: We have not done enough to stop Islamic extremism in the U.K. Britain admitted lapses in its attempts to tackle Islamist militancy on Wednesday after an attack in Sweden.

* Hamas anniversary: Ismail Haniya addresses Gaza rally Hamas leader Ismail Haniya says the Islamist movement is committed to Palestinian national reconciliation in order to fight the Israeli occupation.

* Wen says world big enough for India and China growth Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began a visit to India on Wednesday, pledging to improve market access for Indian companies.

* Chavez seeks power to rule by decree for 1 year Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday asked congress to grant him special powers to enact laws by decree for one year.

* Mitchell: U.S. remains committed to pursue substantive Mideast talks U.S. envoy George Mitchell said Wednesday his country remained committed to the two-state solution and Mideast peace.

* Austria: Judge Rules That Yodeling Offends Muslims It seems as though in Austria, the popular yodel is an insult to Muslims.

* Palestinians warn Israeli settlers: 'Over our dead bodies' A grassroots initiative urges West Bankers to stop land confiscations by burying their dead in rural areas.

12/14/10

* Despite fresh U.S. approach, Palestinians say no Mideast talks without settlement freeze U.S. envoy George Mitchell said Tuesday that Washington remained "determined to persevere" in its efforts to see an independent and viable Palestinian state living alongside a secure Israel.

* Voyager near Solar System's edge Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, has reached a new milestone in its quest to leave the Solar System.

* Berlin, Paris and Warsaw keen to beef up EU military muscle France, Germany and Poland have urged EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton to personally take charge of plans to boost military co-operation between EU countries and between EU and Nato structures.

* WikiLeaks: Egyptian military an institution in decline Relations between the Egyptian military and the United states have deteriorated in recent years.

* Haniyeh: Hamas will never recognize Israel "Hamas will never recognize Israel, despite pressures and efforts aimed at achieving this," Hamas Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh said.

* Russia Decides to Search for Sodom and Gomorrah-in Jordan Russia and Jordan have signed an agreement to search the bottom of the Dead Sea for the remains of the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

* 'N. Korea operating 4-5 uranium sites' North Korea has been secretly enriching uranium that could be used to build nuclear weapons at three or four undisclosed locations.

* YouTube users can now flag videos suspected of promoting terrorism YouTube is to start allowing users to flag videos that they suspect of promoting terrorism.

* Who's stopping the peace process? The breakdown of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks has predictably resulted in blame laid almost exclusively on Israel.

* Netanyahu: Both Israel and the Palestinians need peace Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his meeting with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell had been "very good."

12/13/10

* Australia feared Israeli strike on Iran could spark nuclear war, WikiLeaks cables reveal WikiLeaks cables show that Australian intelligence believed that Iran should not be considered a rogue state.

* Jordan's king wants improved ties with Iran Abdullah II accepts Ahmadinejad's invitation to visit Tehran, says it is "imperative to undertake practical steps for improving Jordanian-Iranian relations".

* Middle East peace: Elders urge revised process A group of elder statesmen says a new approach is needed for the Middle East peace talks, after failed US efforts to get an extended Israeli settlement ban.

* Ahmadinejad to Gaza convoy: Israel an insult to humanity Iranian president accuses world of giving Israeli leaders Nobel Prize while "real genocide" goes on in "Palestine"; Asian convoy heads to Strip.

* Erekat calls on EU to recognize a Palestinian state Ahead of EU foreign ministers' meeting, top Palestinian negotiator quoted as saying move would "provide protection for the principle of two states."

* November: Israel Breaks Yet Another Tourism Record Tourism to Israel broke yet another all-time record in November, when 310,000 visitors entered the country - more than during any previous month in modern history.

* Manouchehr Mottaki fired from Iran foreign minister job Iran's president has fired Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in part of a perceived power struggle in Tehran.

* Europe will recognize Palestinian state when appropriate Erekat asks for recognition of Palestinian state, but ministers convening in Brussels expected to say EU "will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties".

* US cables expose clumsy Vatican diplomacy "Most of the top ranks of the Vatican - all men, generally in their seventies - do not understand modern media," the US said.

* Germany predicts EU political union in 10 years German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said his country is willing to discuss greater harmonisation of eurozone tax policy, adding that the next decade is likely to see Europe take significant steps towards closer political union.

12/11/10

* Abbas Lays Groundwork for Unilateral Declaration of PA State Arab media is reporting that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has told his aides to ask the United Nations Security Council to recognize the PA as a new Arab country.

* Palestinians to decide on return to indirect talks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to decide on his next steps in coming days.

* Hillary Clinton 'frustrated' at Middle East deadlock US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed frustration at the latest setback to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

* PA: Clinton should have blamed Israel Palestinian officials said Saturday they'll decide in coming days whether to agree to a US proposal to return to indirect peace negotiations with Israel.

* Iranian defector witnessed VIP treatment for visiting N. Korean nuke technicians An Iranian defector said he learned first-hand of Iranian-North Korean cooperation in strategic weapons programs.

* U.S. says recognition of Palestinian state premature Brazil and Argentina's recognition of a Palestinian state is premature, U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns said.

* 'Turkish officials say Barak preventing flotilla apology' A senior Turkish official on Saturday told Turkish paper Today's Zaman that domestic Israeli political considerations may be preventing a return to normal relations.

* Violence Flares Anew in Southern Afghanistan Violence has flared in southern Afghanistan, disrupting a long period of relative quiet.

* Holder reassures Muslims of DOJ's anti-bias focus Attorney General Eric Holder reiterated his resolve to prosecute hate crimes while standing behind the methods used in anti-terrorism.

* Database shows how bees see world in UV Researchers are being offered a glimpse of how bees may see flowers in all their ultra-violet (UV) glory.

12/10/10

* Jewish leaders ask Pope Benedict to combat delegitimization of Israel A delegation of leaders of the World Jewish Congress met with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican on Friday.

* Abbas Lays Groundwork for Unilateral Declaration of PA State Arab media is reporting that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has told his aides to ask the United Nations Security Council to recognize the PA as a new Arab country, to be called "Palestine."

* Obama withdraws offer to donate 20 F-35s to Israel The United States has abandoned an offer to sell additional Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Israel.

* Former EU leaders challenge Ashton on Israel A large group of former EU leaders and commissioners, including Catherine Ashton's predecessor Javier Solana, has urged the Union to take sanctions against Israel on settlements.

* 71% of Iranians want nuclear arsenal Survey finds less than half of Iranians think sanctions having major impact; only 1 in 6 believes Israel, US will attack nuclear facilities.

* Stuxnet Worm Still Out of Control at Iran's Nuclear Sites, Experts Say Iran's nuclear program is still in chaos despite its leaders' adamant claim that they have contained the computer worm that attacked their facilities.

* Israel's Arabs don't want to be part of Palestinian state While Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman continuously discusses the possibility of territorial exchanges as part of a future peace agreement with the Palestinians, it seems that Israel's Arabs are simply not interested.

* Gates Warns on Failure to Repeal Gay Ban U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Congress Friday that its failure to pass legislation to allow gays to serve openly in the armed forces will put the U.S. military at the "mercy of the courts."

* Web Attackers Find a Cause in WikiLeaks They got their start years ago as cyberpranksters, an online community of tech-savvy kids more interested in making mischief than political statements.

* Kremlin aide says Medvedev wants second term The Kremlin's top economic aide said he believes President Dmitry Medvedev wants to seek a second term in Russia's 2012 presidential election.

12/09/10

* Israel draws international rebuke over refusal to freeze settlement construction The European Union, the United Nations and the Arab League have rebuked Israel after its refusal to halt settlement construction forced Washington to drop efforts to relaunch Mideast peace talks.

* Iran will produce an atomic bomb when the Supreme Leaders say so The meeting that concluded on Tuesday in Geneva between the big powers, Germany and Iran brought up a feeling of deja vu.

* China-US row over North Korea as tensions rise Earlier, top US military official Adm Mike Mullen said China was "enabling" North Korea's "reckless behaviour".

* Anonymous hacktivists say Wikileaks war to continue Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Coldblood said that "more and more people are downloading the voluntary botnet tool".

* U.S. intelligence estimate on Iran rocked by news of North Korean facility North Korea's new centrifuge plant calls into question the U.S. assessment of Iran's nuclear program.

* Abbas reiterates refusal to resume talks without freeze Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday reiterated his refusal to resume peace talks with Israel unless it freezes all West Bank settlement construction.

* Bible Quiz for Adults Sparks Interest Private Refael Meyuchas, 24, from Netanya, is the winner of the renewed National Bible Quiz for Adults.

* Extreme world: Is Sweden as clean as it seems? The world is considered a more corrupt place now than it was three years ago, a poll suggests.

* Launch Signals New Space Race The world's first commercially developed space capsule was successfully launched into orbit and then recovered at sea.

* Egypt: Time running out for Mideast 2-state plan Major powers should push Israel and the Palestinians to agree a deadline for establishing an independent Palestinian state before a two-state solution becomes impossible to achieve.

12/08/10

* Middle East peace talks 'crisis' over settlement row His comments come hours after the US admitted that it had failed to get Israel to renew its settlement curbs.

* PLO: US failed, we'll turn to UN The American effort to revive direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians has failed.

* U.S. Military Chief Criticizes China Over North Korea The top American military officer lashed out at China on Wednesday for failing to intervene diplomatically with North Korea.

* PA official questions US ability to broker ME peace A top Palestinian Authority official on Wednesday questioned Washington's ability to forge Middle East peace.

* Impending Crisis: Earth to Run Out of Food by 2050? Is the earth running out of food? That's what scientists warned if the world leaders don't act now.

* 'Tunisian premier predicts Muslim Brotherhood takeover' The moderate Arab states' fear of Iran and Islamic radicalism continued to pour forth from documents released by WikiLeaks Tuesday night.

* The PA's ultimate act of resistance Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has said that he is presiding over an authority without any authority.

* Arab States to US: 'Don't Close Door to Peace' Members of the Arab League's "Followup Committee" don't want the United States to "close the door" to peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

* Israeli Flags to be Made in Israel The Knesset voted Tuesday in favor of a measure that will require all Israeli flags used for official functions to be made in Israel.

* Bizarre hairy fly is rediscovered Scientists have rediscovered a bizarre insect in Kenya, collecting the first Terrible Hairy Fly specimen since 1948.

12/07/10

* Argentina, Uruguay Recognize PA as a State Argentina announced on Monday that it recognizes a Palestinian state, calling Palestine "a free and independent state within its 1967 borders."

* IDF: Hezbollah to take over Lebanon, dozens will die The tensions in Lebanon are growing as the release of recommendations by the international tribunal tasked with probing the Hariri murder nears.

* Gulf Arab leaders note 'utmost concern' over Iran Leaders of six U.S.-allied Gulf Arab nations said Tuesday they are watching Iran's nuclear ambitions with "utmost concern."

* Barak: WikiLeaks keeping US from finalizing freeze deal Defense minister tells Knesset committee that US preoccupied and process completely stalled; deal would need to be approved by congress.

* WikiLeaks: Syria gave Hizbullah Scud-D missiles The US lodged a complaint against Syria for providing "advanced ballistic missiles and other weaponry" to Hizbullah.

* WikiLeaks cables: Barack Obama is a bigger danger WikiLeaks harms the US. But the president's refusal to acknowledge the threats we face is a bigger danger.

* 'I see no future for Jews in the Netherlands' Former European Union Commissioner Frits Bolkenstein said that Jews have no future in the Netherlands and recommended that they emigrate to the US or Israel.

* Egypt election: Hosni Mubarak's NDP sweeps second round The two main opposition parties - the Muslim Brotherhood and Wafd - boycotted Sunday's second-round vote.

* Lighting Chanukah Candles at Joseph's Tomb The IDF gave permission Monday night for Jews to visit the tomb of the Biblical patriarch Joseph (Kever Yosef) in Shechem.

* Wikileaks founder Julian Assange refused bail The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been refused bail by a court in London but vowed to fight extradition to Sweden.

12/06/10

* Clinton: Saudi Arabia funding terror Principal American ally described in diplomatic cables revealed by WikiLeaks as source of terror funding

* Dutch MP Wilders and Israeli MK Eldad: Jordan is Palestine Dutch politician Geert Wilders gave a speech in Tel Aviv, Israel at a conference of the HaTikvah movement.

* Abbas in Turkey for Meetings Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Turkey Sunday for an official visit.

* WikiLeaks: Iran financed Hizbullah fiber optics network Lebanese minister: Shi'ite group said it would view cutting of lines as Israeli attack; calls move last step in creating Hizbullah nation-state.

* Iran dominant player in Iraq politics Leaked US diplomatic cable reveals Tehran using all means of diplomacy, intelligence and economy to get a pro-Iranian regime in Baghdad.

* Delay in Korea Talks Is a Sign of US-China Tension President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China talked by telephone on Monday about North Korea, culminating 13 days of effort by the White House to persuade China’s leaders to discuss a crisis that many experts fear could escalate into military action.

* Nuclear Talks Start Between Iran and 6 Nations Six world powers began two days of talks with Iran on Monday to seek reassurances that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions are peaceful.

* PA Chairman Threatens 'One State' Solution Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is threatening to give up the fight to transform the PA into an independent Arab country.

* 14-year-old admits to accidentally starting Carmel fire During police probe teen admits to throwing burning Hookah coal into open area in the forest, which caught on fire immediately.

* UK condemns leak of 'critical infrastructure' list Britain condemned WikiLeaks for publishing a classified US list of "critical infrastructure" in European countries which could form terrorist targets.

12/04/10

* 'Fire is God punishing Israel for occupying Arab lands' Many in the Arab world seem to be happy with the big fire that has been raging in northern Israel over the past few days.

* Obama Rallies Troops in Afghanistan: 'Tired of Playing Defense' One year and two days after President Obama appeared before an audience at West Point and told the nation he was sending 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, he has come to meet with troops in the war-torn country.

* World's largest fire fighting plane to join bid to halt Carmel inferno The largest fire fighting aircraft in the world will arrive in Israel in the coming days to join the fight to control the devastating wildfire.

* World Wide Web Inspector Charles Scholl scurried back and forth, barking orders and keeping a close eye on the preparations.

* Turkey's military pressed to accept Islamists; Tensions high Turkey's military, under heavy government pressure, has suspended its dismissal of Islamic fundamentalists.

* Unmanned US spacecraft returns after 7-month trip he U.S. Air Force's secrecy-shrouded X-37B unmanned spaceplane returned to Earth early Friday.

* EU officials give first analysis of WikiLeaks impact More investment in European External Action Service (EEAS) security, loss of goodwill in the EU's special relationship with the US and heightened tension in the Middle East are all likely consequences of the WikiLeaks scandal.

* Abbas Threatens to Dissolve Palestinian Authority Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has raised the possibility of dissolving the Palestinian Authority if a peace deal cannot be reached with Israel.

* 'Study' denying Jews' right to Kotel resurfaces Only days after it was removed from the website of the Palestinian Authority Information Ministry, a "study" denying Jews' right to the Western Wall has resurfaced.

* Iraq blasts target Shia pilgrims At least 16 people have been killed in a spate of attacks apparently targeting Shia Muslim pilgrims in Baghdad.

12/03/10

* As massive blaze devastates North, two men arrested on suspicion of starting fires Police on Friday arrested two male residents of Daliat al-Carmel on the suspicion that they had attempted to ignite fires in the Muhraka area of the Carmel hills.

* PM thanks Erdogan for airplanes to battle Carmel fire Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Friday evening was at the PMO making contact with additional foreign governments.

* Lebanon defense minister 'offered invasion advice for Israel' Lebanon's Defense Minister offered advice on how Israel could defeat Hezbollah if a new war erupted on Israel's northern border.

* Lebanon seen in Congress as losing soverignty and 'subordinate to Iran and Syria' The United States regards Lebanon as a vassal of both Iran and Syria.

* Wave goodbye to Internet freedom The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to add the Internet to its portfolio of regulated industries.

* EU officials give first analysis of WikiLeaks impact More investment in European External Action Service (EEAS) security, loss of goodwill in the EU's special relationship with the US and heightened tension in the Middle East are all likely consequences of the WikiLeaks scandal.

* Ashton names EU foreign-service priorities at low-key launch event Relations with the US and China, climate change, poverty eradication, crisis management and counter-terrorism are to be the top priorities of the EU's new diplomatic corps.

* South Korea raises rhetoric against the North South Korea on Friday threatened to bomb North Korea if it tries a repeat of last week's attack.

* Barack Obama in surprise Afghan visit to thank troops He was flown into Bagram airfield - home to a key US base - near Kabul to thank US troops for their service.

* Possible Syrian nuke facility identified by satellite A compound in western Syria with buildings and hundreds of missile-shaped items has been identified as functionally related to a nuclear reactor Israel destroyed northeast of Damascus in 2007.

12/02/10

* WikiLeaks founder: Netanyahu believes exposé will aid Mideast peace Julian Assange tells Time: Netanyahu says leaders must speak in public like they do in private

* Fayyad says Palestinians ready for statehood by August With 2-year plan in final phase, Palestinian Authority PM says it's time to challenge Israel's exclusive control over vast tracts of the West Bank.

* Gaddafi proposes bi-national state at UN Libyan leader catches General Assembly off guard, presents plan to establish Isratine

* Scientists Find 200 Sextillion More Stars in the Sky The night sky may be a lot starrier than we thought.

* Below Surface, U.S. Has Dim View of Putin and Russia Early in 2009, as recession rippled around the world, the United States Embassy in Moscow sent to Washington a cable summarizing whispers within Russia’s political class.

* Turkish official: Israel initiated massive leak Jewish state initiated massive WikiLeaks report, senior official in Erdogan's party says

* Palestinians: Israel has chosen West Bank settlements over peace After Israel announces plans for 625 new homes in Pisgat Ze'ev, Palestinians say Jerusalem has signaled it is not willing to resume peace negotiations.

* Patten: The EU will never be a real power Former external relations commissioner Chris Patten in a 2004 conversation with US diplomats explained why the EU will never be a real power.

* China says North Korea ties survived tempests China, pushed again by Washington to bring North Korea to heel after last week's artillery attack on the South, told Pyongyang their relationship had withstood international tempests.

* Japan, US to conduct biggest ever military drill Japan and the United States will hold their biggest ever joint military drills just days after a US and South Korean show of force amid tensions on the Korean peninsula, officials said Thursday.

12/01/10

* Hamas vows to honor Palestinian referendum on peace with Israel Islamist leader Ismail Haniyeh says he would accept a deal with Israel based on 1967 borders and denies that Gaza has become a stronghold for al-Qaida.

* State Dept. Slams PA Report Denying Jewish Connection to Western Wall The State Department on Tuesday condemned a Palestinian Authority report that denies the Jewish connection to the Kotel, the Western Wall.

* Special Chanukah Events Highlight 'Living History' in Yesha Like so many holidays, Chanukah has a rich history. But unlike many of the holidays, Chanukah's history is easily accessible.

* North Korea 'likely to attack again' South Korea's intelligence chief is reported to have said that North Korea is very likely to attack again, a week after an artillery strike on a South Korean island.

* Pentagon study 'backs allowing gays to serve openly' Allowing gay troops to serve openly in the US military would carry only a low risk to fighting ability, a Pentagon study has found.

* FCC Sets Net-Neutrality Vote The Federal Communications Commission chairman announced plans to vote this month on rules to prevent Internet providers from interfering with traffic.

* Israeli Jews Begin to See Arabs as Fifth Column A growing majority of Israel’s Jews are beginning to see the country’s Arab citizenry as a fifth column.

* Lisbon Treaty weathers stormy first year Many hoped it would be the last treaty change for many years.

* Egypt election routs popular Muslim Brotherhood from parliament A tightly controlled Egypt election appears to have given President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party its biggest share of the legislature in 15 years.

* Iran's military looks to the sky as new priority Iran's military trying to quickly bolster its ability to patrol skies in belief that US or Israeli warplanes or missiles could strike its nuclear facilities.