02/28/2011

* Libya unrest: Foreign ministers urge end to violence Governments around the world have condemned attacks on Libyan civilians.

* Americans: War is Coming, Cut Off Aid to Arabs Most Americans think that the political upheaval spreading throughout the Arab world may wind up drawing the United States into a new large-scale war, a Rasmussen Reports poll found.

* Obama Should Embrace Islam, Says Muslim Cleric The British radical Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary said on Sunday that US President Barack Obama must embrace Islam as a way of life or face the consequences of a trial under the Shariah Islamic court system.

* Blair in Jerusalem ahead of upcoming Quartet meeting Netanyahu tells visiting US senators that West should support anti-regime protesters in Iran, as it does in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

* False Rumor that Saudi King Will Buy Facebook to Stop Protests Arab and Iranian media are reporting a rumor – now officially rendered false – that Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has offered $150 billion to buy out Facebook in order to thwart a planned Day of Rage protest.

* Farrakhan: Mideast uprisings will come to US Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan predicted on Sunday that America faces imminent uprisings that mirror those in the Middle East.

* PA's Hevron Demand: Full Access for Arabs, None for Jews Palestinian Authority Arabs in Hevron are demanding full access to the city's only majority-Jewish street, while Jews remain confined to a mere 3% of the city.

* Bad weekend for EU-Turkey relations Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused German society of "xenophobia" and the German government of "discrimination" ahead of a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

* Egyptian prosecutor places travel ban on Mubarak, family Order will stay in place while investigations against Mubarak are carried out; move follows decision to freeze Mubarak family assets.

* EU approves wide sanctions against Libya The European Union slapped its own arms embargo, visa ban and other sanctions Monday on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's regime, part of an escalating global effort to halt a bloody crackdown on his critics in the North African nation.

02/26/11

* Libya revolt: Tripoli braced as Gaddafi arms supporters People in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, are braced for further battles after the country's leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi, said he would open weapons depots to arm his supporters.

* World powers struggle to find way to stop Gaddafi World powers struggled to find a way to stop Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi lashing out at his people as he clings to power in Tripoli.

* Cairo: Army violently disperses protesters Egyptian military police beat protesters Saturday to clear them from outside the Cabinet office.

* UN Security Council targets Gaddafi and his family UN Security Council members were mulling ways to punish Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

* Iran and Syria agree on military training cooperation Iran and Syria have agreed to cooperate on naval training, Iran's official news agency reported.

* UN concern over 'military angle to Iran nuclear plan' The UN's nuclear watchdog says it has received new information on "possible military dimensions" to Iran's nuclear development program.

* Protesters killed in Iraqi 'day of rage' At least nine people have been killed in anti-government protests in Iraq as thousands take to the streets in cities across the country for a "day of rage".

* Turkey to confront Sarkozy on opposition to EU bid Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says he will confront French President Nicolas Sarkozy over his negative stance towards Muslim Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

* Foreign Ministry to Send Ambassadors to Cave of Patriarchs Israel's Foreign Ministry is taking steps that must be bringing some 'naches' (Yiddish for parental pleasure) to the Foremothers and Forefathers buried in the Cave of Patriarchs.

* Quartet to Push New Negotiations Diplomats from the international Quartet – the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations – announced this week that they plan a new effort to push negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

02/25/11

* 'Gadhafi may use chemical, biological weapons against Libya unrest' Libyan Leader Muammar Gadhafi may resort to using biological and chemical weapons as a last resort.

* Quartet attempts to revive peace talks Envoys from the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia are hoping to hold separate meetings with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to try to revive peace talks.

* 4 nuclear sites found in Syria Syria established four additional nuclear facilities aside from the one bombed by Israel in 2007.

* China Rattled by Middle Eastern Events Coverage of the tumultuous events in the Middle East in the official Chinese press has gone through a few iterations.

* Africa shock to cause 'sea change' in EU foreign policy The European Commission has promised a "sea change" to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

* Arab Revolutions May Yet Yield Positive Results One of the things that Israelis fear most about the recent uprisings in the Arab world is the possibility that Islamist radicals or other violent militant groups could step into the vacuum.

* Egypt Mediating between 'Twin Terrors' Hamas and Fatah The Egyptian effort to mediate between Hamas and Fatah has resumed.

* U.S. Trying to Pick Winners in New Mideast As the Obama administration grapples with a cascade of uprisings in the Middle East, it has come to a stark recognition: the region's monarchs are likely to survive; its presidents are more likely to fall.

* Libya's Crisis: Bad News for Oil Prices, Economic Recovery Even before its outcome is known, Libya's uprising could leave an indelible mark on the world economy: oil prices have rocketed since Tuesday and could rise even further.

* 6 killed as Iraqis protest in 'Day of Rage' Thousands marched on government buildings and clashed with security forces in cities across Iraq on Friday.

02/24/11

* Battles rage as rebels seize Libyan towns Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi launched a counter-attack on Thursday.

* Barak: Iranian ships crossing Suez part of 'wider scheme' The two Iranian naval vessels crossing the Suez Canal was a show of power and part of a "wider scheme" to exert influence in the Middle East.

* Iranian naval ships arrive in Syria Two Iranian naval ships arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Port of Lattakia in Syria, after crossing the Suez Canal Tuesday.

* Satellite Photos: More Nuclear Sites in Syria Western intelligence agencies have detected another nuclear plant in Syria – in a Damascus suburb.

* Arab Unrest Propels Iran as Saudi Influence Declines The popular revolts shaking the Arab world have begun to shift the balance of power in the region.

* 'Days of Rage' Spreading to Africa? The government of Zimbabwe has arrested dozens of political activists in an attempt to stop protesters from igniting a "Day of Rage."

* EU wary of imposing sanctions on Libyan dictator The EU has refrained from imposing immediate sanctions against Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi.

* 'Fatah-Hamas unity gov't will be led by Salam Fayyad' Palestinian sources familiar with the details of a unity government deal being discussed by Hamas and Fatah representatives, said that the proposed government would be headed by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

* Gaza militants fire missile at Be'er Sheva for first time since Gaza war Grad rockets were fired at the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva on Wednesday, several hours after the Israel Defense Forces fired at a group of militants on the Gaza border.

* Qaddafi Ordered the Lockerbie Bombing A Libyan minister who has rebelled against dictator Muammar Qaddafi over the latter's brutal assault on protesters has alleged that Qaddafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing.

02/23/11

* Libya protests: Pressure mounts on isolated Gaddafi Pressure has mounted on isolated Libyan ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi after a chorus of international condemnation and resignations by top officials.

* Iranian warships sail through Suez Canal for the first time since 1979 amid accusations of 'provocation' from Israel Two Iranian ships travelled through the Suez Canal on Tuesday and were heading towards Syria.

* Gadhafi ordered sabotage of oil pipelines in Libya Time magazine's intelligence columnist reported on Tuesday that Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi has ordered his security forces to sabotage the country's oil facilities.

* Iran's president: Mideast upheaval will reach US Iran's president said Wednesday he is certain the wave of unrest in the Middle East will spread to Europe and North America.

* Oil prices push higher on Libya supply concerns Oil prices have risen further on worries that supplies could be disrupted if unrest continues in Libya and spreads across the Middle East.

* Libyan military units defecting; Gadhafi left with ex-Soviet special forces Units of Libya's military were said to be defecting to the opposition in the war to oust the regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi.

* Palestinian FM: Statehood by September Dr. Riyad Al-Malki, the foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority, spoke to The Media Line about Iranian backing for Hamas.

* Arab League suspends Libya; minister defects US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday Libya must end violence against protesters seeking to end Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

* Building Boom and Prosperity in Golan Heights The Golan Heights, demanded by Syria, is enjoying an unprecedented building boom.

* Peres: Iranian warships a provocation, not a threat The Iranian Navy warships that crossed the Suez Canal are more of a provocation than a threat, President Shimon Peres told a gathering of close to 400 editors.

02/22/11

* Defiant Gaddafi refuses to quit amid Libya protests Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has refused to stand down amid widespread anti-government protests which he said had tarnished the image of the country.

* Top Sunni cleric says army should kill Kadhafi Influential Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa on Monday that any Libyan soldier who can shoot dead embattled leader Moamer Kadhafi should do so "to rid Libya of him."

* Iran warships sail via Suez Canal amid Israeli concern Two Iranian warships have sailed through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea.

* Libya replete with EU arms as Gaddafi massacres protesters As dead bodies pile up on the streets of Tripoli and blocked phone lines hamper the EU evacuation effort, the latest EU figures show that EU countries just two years ago granted over €160 million of export licences to Libya.

* Israel and EU clash over handling of Arab-Israeli conflict Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman has said there is "no link" between the Arab uprisings and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

* Revolts Will Topple Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah, Peres Says The people of Iran and Lebanon will overthrow Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Nasrallah, President Shimon Peres told Spanish Jews.

* PA is using US veto to bolster its image Pro-Abbas demonstrations organized to showcase PA president's stand against Obama, show that PA president has support of Arab street.

* Egypt swears in new cabinet, retains Mubarak-era ministers Egypt's key portfolios of defense interior, foreign, finance and justice were unchanged in a cabinet reshuffle.

* The internet and the revolution of Homo Globalis In the last two decades, a new species has been born: Homo globalis is defined by its intimate connection to the global infotainment network.

* Israel and U.S. successfully test anti-missile system Israel and the United States successfully carried out a test of Israel's Arrow anti-missile system off the coast of California on Tuesday morning.

02/20/11

* Libya protests: Col Gaddafi under mounting pressure Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime is under huge pressure after a night of protests in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

* CoS Mullen in Turbulent Middle East, Stunned by Upheavals US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, on a pre-planned visit to the Middle East, says he is stunned by the pace of upheavals in region.

* US must be removed from Islamic world: Khamenei Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday called on Muslims to "remove" the US from the Islamic world.

* Italy and Czech Republic back Gaddafi despite bloodbath The EU is struggling to speak with one voice following a massive loss of life in Libya over the weekend and the regime's vow to fight protesters to the "to the last bullet".

* China's security tsar warns over 'jasmine revolution' China's official in charge of the state security apparatus has warned of the need to find new ways to defuse unrest.

* Suez Canal says Iran navy ships passage delayed Egypt postpones passage of Iranian vessels through Suez Canal en route to Syria by 48 hours. US says closely monitoring situation

* Why Arab Spring could be al Qaeda's fall The burgeoning democracy movement across the Middle East appears to have caught al Qaeda off guard and threatens to reduce the terrorist group to irrelevance.

* Wash. Post: Intransigent Abbas Unwilling to Make Peace The Washington Post says the recent US veto in the UN might have one positive effect: The prompting of a reevaluation of “weak and intransigent” PA chief Mahmoud Abbas.

* Saudi Arabia chides US for vetoing UN resolution on Israeli settlements In rare show of criticism of its ally, Saudi Arabia expresses regret over US vote regarding resolution that described settlements as illegal.

02/19/11

* Palestinians plan 'Day of Rage' to protest U.S. veto on UN settlement resolution Palestinians are planning their own "Day of Rage" to protest the American veto on a United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements.

* Suez Canal Authority: No military approval yet for Iran warships Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has not yet received military approval to allow two Iranian navy ships to pass north into the Mediterranean.

* As Army Pulls Back, Bahrain Protesters Retake Square Thousands of jubilant protesters surged back into the symbolic heart of Bahrain on Saturday.

* 'Process of democracy in Egypt not dangerous for Israel' Former head of Military Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin, said Saturday that "the process of democratization in Egypt is not necessarily dangerous for Israel."

* Rice: UN resolution veto not endorsement of settlements US Ambassador Susan E. Rice said Saturday that the US vetoed a UN resolution which condemned settlements and called for a freeze on construction should not be "seen as an endorsement of Israel's settlement policies".

* Ashton to host global conference on north Africa European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is to hold a high-level international conference in Brussels next week.

* Abbas: Ties with U.S. won't be severed over veto of UN settlement resolution Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that he does not expect to cut ties with the United States.

* Arab League sees grave situation and wants summit The Arab League said on Saturday it was important that a March summit goes ahead in Baghdad.

* Libya: Snipers shoot mourners, killing 15 Moammar Gadhafi's forces fired on mourners leaving a funeral for protesters Saturday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

* Jordan's king gets warning letter from leaders of his own Bedouin base King Abdullah was said to have been alarmed by unrest within his traditional Bedouin tribal base.

02/18/11

* Security Forces in Bahrain Open Fire on Mourners Government forces opened fire on hundreds of mourners marching toward Pearl Square Friday.

* Egypt approves passage of Iranian warships Egypt has approved the passage of two Iranian warships through the Suez Canal.

* Fatalities mount as Arab unrest continues Clashes broke out Friday in Jordan's capital between government supporters and opponents at a protest calling for more freedom and lower food prices, injuring eight.

* Brotherhood: Decision on peace up to 'entire people' The Muslim Brotherhood said on Friday that any decision on Egpt's peace treaty with Israel was up to the Egyptian people and it would not impose its view on them.

* PA Ignores Obama, Seeks UN Condemnation of Israel The Palestinian Authority is seeking international condemnation of Israel, despite the Obama administration's attempts to discourage the move.

* EU calls for dialogue as Bahrain, Yemen, Libya kill protesters The European Union has called for restraint and dialogue after Bahrain's absolutist monarchy launched a military crackdown on protesters.

* Syria to EU: tackle Israel, not Egypt for Middle East peace The EU should take firm action against Israeli settlement-building and human rights abuses instead of playing politics in Egypt if it wants to calm tension in the Middle East.

* Revered Islamic preacher rallies Egyptians in Tahrir, signaling larger role for Islam Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a leading Egyptian Islamic theologian popularized by Al Jazeera, returned to Cairo today to deliver a stirring but overtly political sermon.

* Arab World: The bad news from Egypt What does the Egyptian revolution mean for Israel? A great deal and, unfortunately, none of it is particularly good.

* Ahmadinejad: Obama can't spell his own name Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attacked Barack Obama on Friday, saying the American president "doesn't even know how to spell his own name properly."

02/17/11

* In sharp reversal, U.S. agrees to rebuke Israel in Security Council The U.S. informed Arab governments Tuesday that it will support a U.N. Security Council statement reaffirming that the 15-nation body "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity."

* Iran warships cancel request to cross Suez Canal A senior Suez Canal official says two Iranian warships have withdrawn their application to transit the waterway following expressions of concern by Israel over the plans.

* Abbas casts doubt on Palestinian elections Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that an election promised by September would not be held if Hamas refused to allow voting in the Gaza Strip.

* Bahrain protests banned as military tightens grip Protests have been banned in Bahrain and the military has been ordered to tighten its grip.

* Libya protests: Activists call for 'day of anger' Anti-government activists in Libya have been using social networking sites to rally support for protests on what they are describing as a "day of anger".

* The Land-Grab Competition in Judea/Samaria IDF Central Command officers – whose jurisdiction includes Judea and Samaria – say that in the coming months, Arabs will step up their efforts to take over lands in the region.

* Anarchy in Sinai Peninsula The recent revolution in Egypt has had its effect on the Sinai Peninsula as well.

* Bibi to Nasrallah: Stay in your bunker Israeli response to Hezbollah: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his speech Wednesday evening at the Conference of Presidents in Jerusalem to send a personal message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

* Turkey to help negotiate new 'road map' for Iran nuclear program Turkey has agreed to cooperate with Iran on a new "road map" for its disputed nuclear program.

* Israel 'may have to re-enter Lebanon' Speaking during a tour of the northern border with the new military chief of staff Benny Gantz, the Israeli defence minister said: "Even though it's quiet and deterrence exists - Hizbollah remembers the heavy beating they suffered from us in 2006.

02/16/11

* Protests in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen as unrest sweeps Arab world Inspired by revolts that have toppled Arab rulers in Tunisia and Egypt, protesters in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen have taken to the streets to demand the resignations of their own heads of state.

* Israel: Iranian Warships in Med are a 'Serious Provocation' Israel is "closely monitoring" Iranian plans to deploy warships in the Mediterranean Sea.

* Iranian Lawmakers Call for Opposition Leaders' Execution In the wake of rising protests Iranian lawmakers have called for the execution of two opposition leaders for incitement.

* Syria considering construction of new nuclear plant Syria is considering building its first nuclear power plant by 2020 to meet rapidly growing electricity demand.

* Gaddafi to Arab 'Refugees': March on Israel Libyan dictator Muammer Gaddafi has called for a mass Arab march on Israel, in an attempt to force Israel into accepting Arab demands.

* EU's Ashton Pressing for 'Peace' Talks European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday that the international community still sought to achieve a peace deal and a Palestinian Authority state by September.

* Education minister: Kids to tour Hebron Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar has announced a plan by which schoolchildren will tour Hebron and visit the holy site of the Cave of Patriarchs, located there.

* The Voice of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood This man is a word machine, a one-man talk show that leaves no subject unexamined.

* 'Iranian nuclear facility recovered quickly from Stuxnet' In an underground chamber near the Iranian city of Natanz, a network of surveillance cameras offers the outside world a rare glimpse into Iran's largest nuclear facility.

* New Middle East at a Glance-Country by Country: Part II Arab countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa are experiencing unrest.

* Nasrallah: Hezbollah will conquer the Galilee Hezbollah leader says he is prepared for war with Israel, will avenge Mugniyeh's death; Nasrallah says Israel has lost its confidence due to Mideast turmoil.

02/15/11

* 'Brothers' in Egypt Present Two Faces Moaz Abdel Karim, an affable 29-year-old who was among a handful of young activists who plotted the recent protests here, is the newest face of the Muslim Brotherhood.

* Nato: Russian hard men not packing much punch Russia could fight one small war in the west but not one in the east or two at the same time.

* Iran parliamentarians call for death of opposition leaders Several Iranian parliament deputies demanded that the country's opposition leaders be sentenced to death.

* France wants new global finance system France, as current head of the Group of 20 countries, will help the transition to a global financial system based on 'several international currencies'.

* Khamenei lauds Turkey's 'separation from Zionist regime' Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Turkey for distancing itself from Israel.

* 'Queen Rania is a corrupt thief' Will Jordanian Queen Rania Al-Abdullah and her husband be next in line to flee their homeland, as was the case with the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt?

* The New Middle East at a Glance Arab countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa are experiencing unrest.

* Israel Exports 'Bumper Crop' of Apples to Syria For the sixth year, Israel has authorized the export of apples grown on the Golan Heights to markets in Syria.

* Tunisia's 'Biblical exodus' pits Rome against Brussels Italy refused EU help in dealing with Tunisian migrants.

* Barak: IDF needs to deal with changing MidEast On a tour of the North with new IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz on Tuesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that despite the upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt, the peace treaty with Cairo will be maintained.

02/14/11

* Gaddafi tells Palestinians: revolt against Israel Libyan leader says refugees should mass on Israel's shores

* Hamas Chief: China, India to Replace Failing US as Superpowers The US empire is in decline and will fall because of the country’s immorality, promotion of open sexuality, and political injustice, says Mahmoud al-Zahar.

* Iran clamps down ahead of planned pro-Egypt rally Thousands gather in central Tehran, chant "death to the dictator"; 2 opposition leaders under house arrest; police out in heavy numbers to prevent rallies; SMS service reportedly cut.

* Western intel: Post-Mubarak Egypt is ripe for Islamic takeover With the departure of President Hosni Mubarak, the military is mulling the prospect of a partnership with the Islamic opposition.

* China overtakes Japan as world's second-biggest economy Japan has been hit by a drop in exports and consumer demand, while China has enjoyed a manufacturing boom.

* A Tunisian-Egyptian Link That Shook Arab History As protesters in Tahrir Square faced off against pro-government forces, they drew a lesson from their counterparts in Tunisia.

* Israel Ponders Google Street View Risks Israel is considering whether to allow the powerful Google search engine to send its photographers out to snap photos for its Street View service in major cities in the country.

* Friedman: White House disgusted with Israel Senior New York Times columnist describes Israeli cabinet as "out-of-touch, in-bred, unimaginative and cliché-driven".

* Thousands flood Cairo square as army struggles to halt rallies Egypt police march on Tahrir in unusual show of solidarity: We and the people are one.

* Egypt presidential hopeful: Peace treaty with Israel is over Dr. Ayman Nur, a secular and liberal member of the opposition, tells Egypt radio that it would behoove the new government to renegotiate the terms of the Camp David accord.

02/12/11

* Egypt will maintain its peace treaty with Israel, military says Egypt's ruling military reassured its international allies Saturday that there would be no break in its peace deal with Israel.

* Palestinians announce September elections as top negotiator resigns Palestinians will hold presidential and legislative elections by September.

* Last Pharaoh leaves a mixed legacy Hosni Mubarak's presidency was born amid gunfire and bloodshed, and ended in equally dramatic fashion.

* Ashton endorses army as 'guardians' of Egypt's transition The European Union appears to have endorsed the role of the army as "guardians" of the "transition process".

* Iranian diplomat: Egyptian protesters should beware EU help Iran's ambassador to the EU, Ali Asghar Khaji, has said that Egyptian protesters should be wary of EU and US patronage of the revolution.

* U.S. dispatches military chief to reassure Israel, Jordan after Mubarak's ouster The top United States military officer heads to Jordan and Israel next week for high-level talks.

* Islamists welcome 'day of victory' A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's biggest opposition group, said Egyptians had achieved the main goal of their popular uprising after President Hosni Mubarak resigned.

* Arab Leaders, Facing Calls for Reform, Consider Next Move Across the Arab world on Friday, thousands of people poured into the streets to celebrate the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

* IMF calls for dollar alternative The International Monetary Fund issued a report Thursday on a possible replacement for the dollar as the world's reserve currency.

* China warns Egypt events could alter peace process China's state-controlled media downplayed the news of Egypt's popular uprising that toppled its president.

02/11/11

* Mubarak Reportedly Leaves Cairo The Egyptian military appeared to assert its leadership Friday amid growing indications that President Hosni Mubarak was yielding all power.

* Digging on Temple Mount 'to Erase Traces of Jewish Altar' Muslim religious authorities are concluding a clandestine eight-month dig on the Temple Mount that is intended to erase traces of the Jewish Temple's Altar, Temple activists charge.

* Ahmadinejad: No Israel in new Mideast Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday called on Western powers not to "interfere" in the situation in Egypt and Tunisia.

* US spy chief: Muslim Brotherhood secular US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said during a House Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday that Egypt's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood movement was "a very heterogeneous group".

* Mubarak, family leave Cairo amid persisting unrest Al Arabiya television reported on Friday that President Hosni Mubarak and his family had left Cairo from a military airbase in the suburbs.

* Iran marks revolution, puts pressure on opposition Hundreds of thousands turned out on Friday to mark the 32nd anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution in a rally the clerical establishment billed as a chance to show solidarity with "Islamic" protesters in Egypt.

* Sharansky Marks 25 Years of Freedom Friday marks 25 years since Natan Sharansky, now head of the Jewish Agency, was released from prison.

* EU leaders renew call for government change in Egypt EU leaders renewed calls Friday for a new government in Egypt, after President Hosni Mubarak vowed to remain in power.

* Barak: Israel must move ahead toward peace Defense Minister discusses peace and stability in light of developments in Egypt, Tunisia with UN Secretary-General Ban.

* 'Protests offer chance to build new pact with Arab world' Natan Sharansky, whose walk to freedom across Berlin’s Glienicke Bridge precisely 25 years ago presaged the collapse of the Soviet Union, has urged the free world to give its backing to the Arab masses.

02/10/11

* Congress wary of Muslim Brotherhood role in Egypt Members of Congress warned about the risk posed by the Muslim Brotherhood's participation in a new Egyptian government.

* 'Saudi Arabia: We'll support Egypt if US cuts aid' US President Barack Obama spoke with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Wednesday to discuss events in Egypt.

* Egypt foreign minister criticises US calls for change Egypt's foreign minister has rebuffed calls from Washington to speed up the pace of political reform.

* Pakistan appears to be expanding nuclear site, says U.S. think tank Pakistan appears to be building a fourth military nuclear reactor, signaling its determination to produce more plutonium for atomic weapons.

* US to Russia: Hold Your Horses on UN Mideast Mission The United States Wednesday called into question the wisdom of an initiative by Russia to send a United Nations Security Council delegation envoy to the Middle East.

* Egypt's Mubarak refuses to quit Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has said he will stay in office and transfer all power only after September's presidential election.

* Threats to Western Oil: 2 Tankers Hijacked in 2 Days Major oil lines to the West are under severe threat after a second supertanker was hijacked in as many days in the Arabian Sea.

* Barroso-II team rated as 'average or below' in its first year European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has defended his team's performance one year into his second term.

* In its quest to go green, the old Hebrew language seeks new words The Hebrew Language Academy is looking for Hebrew words for terms like "compost" and "composter."

* Egypt asks Ashton to cancel her trip The Egyptian foreign ministry has told Catherine Ashton they do not want her to visit the country in the coming weeks as she had planned.

02/09/11

* Muslim Brotherhood text reveals scope of radical creed On Tuesday, two Brotherhood representatives participated in an opposition delegation that met with Vice President Omar Suleiman for the first set of talks over implementing political reforms.

* Egypt protests: People's Assembly rally amid strikes Soldiers are guarding the People's Assembly building after a 16th consecutive day of protests.

* Janet Napolitano: US terror threat highest since 9/11 The threat of terrorism against the US homeland is in some aspects "at its most heightened state" since the 9/11 attacks, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has said.

* Egypt regime warns of crackdown as revolt spreads Egypt's embattled regime warned of a military crackdown on Wednesday as massive protests demanding its overthrow spilled out across the country and deadly unrest flared in the remote south.

* 'Despite Egypt unrest, Arab world and Israel are unified on Iran' Israel and Arab states have a common interest in containing nuclear Iran and that has not been affected by protests in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak.

* Jordan tribes break taboo by targeting queen Popular discontent in Jordan has taken a new turn with unprecedented public criticism of King Abdullah II's wife, Queen Rania, who stands accused of "corruption" by large tribes.

* The Geneva Accord of Cyberwarfare The international community should create a modern equivalent of the Geneva Convention to govern cyberwarfare, according to a joint report by United States and Russian experts.

* Catholics Remove 'Holocaust' from Bible The Catholic Church is planning the release of a new translation of the Bible in early March. The new version will change several words, among them the term "holocaust."

* Facebook page urges Gazans to topple Hamas government A Facebook page created by anonymous people is calling on Palestinians to take part in mass protest against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday.

* Judea Tourism on Display at Intl. Expo Tourist attractions in Judea and Samaria were on display Wednesday at the international tourism exposition IMTM. The Tourist Minister stopped at booths advertising Judea, Binyamin, Samaria and the Hevron region.

02/08/11

* Egypt protests: Hosni Mubarak's concessions rejected Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians have poured into Cairo's Tahrir Square for the latest protest calling for Hosni Mubarak's government to step down.

* Army Chief Ashkenazi: Prepare for all-out war Given recent changes in the Middle East, Israel must prepare for a battle in several theaters.

* Beware of Middle East Democracy The Western world has traditionally strongly supported the process of democratization in the Middle East.

* 'Erdogan: Israel must not intervene in Egypt's matters' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that "Israel must under no circumstance interfere" in what is happening in Egypt.

* Assad's days numbered, dissident tells 'Post' A prominent US-based dissident Syrian blogger said on Monday he believes his homeland isn’t ripe for the kind of unrest that has rocked other Arab states in recent weeks.

* Jordan tribes threaten revolution over country's Palestinian Queen Rania Jordanian tribal figures have issued a petition urging King Abdullah to end his Palestinian wife's role in politics.

* Ashton aims to visit Tahrir Square, scene of Egypt's revolutionary drama U foreign policy head Catherine Ashton hopes to visit revolutionaries camped out in Tahrir Square in Egypt next week.

* Indonesia: Angry Muslim crowd attacks Java churches The attacks in Temanggung happened after a Christian man was sentenced to five years in jail for distributing leaflets deemed insulting to Islam.

* Violence continues in Iraq as US mission changes The White House says the U.S. combat mission in Iraq is over, but Army Lt. Daniel McCord and his fellow American soldiers feel anything but safe.

* US looks to reassure Israel as protests roil Middle East As domestic turmoil sweeps moderate Arab countries and emboldens Islamic groups across the Middle East, the US assured Israel Tuesday that it was attentive to its security concerns.

02/07/11

* Concerns grow over Egypt's WMD research US has been quiet about Cairo's weapons programs, but revolt changes the calculus

* After First Talks, Egypt Opposition Vows New Protest Leaders of the Egyptian democracy movement vowed to escalate their pressure for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

* Al-Qaeda: Still on Schedule for World Domination? Al-Qaeda watchers have been keeping their eye on its “master plan for world domination,” first revealed in 2005.

* Dangerously underestimating the Muslim Brotherhood Analysis: The Islamists’ tactical absence from the protests has been widely misread as proof of their lack of ambition and marginality.

* Turkey and Iran to triple bilateral trade despite nuclear sanctions Iranian FM says two countries determined to raise trade relations to $30 billion in five years, in areas such as transport, industry and customs.

* Iran proclaims complete domination over entrance to Persian Gulf As part of Iran's annual revolution celebrations, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled locally-made satellites while a senior commander showed off mass produced missiles.

* Obama Advisor Doesn't Fear Muslim Takeover - of US The latest Latma satirical video gets serious as it attacks the Obama Administration for its "clueless" abandonment of allies.

* Column One: Israel and Arab democracy Whether they are democrats or autocrats, we fully expect they will continue to hate us.

* NASA Releases First 360-Degree View of Entire Sun NASA has released the first 360-degree view of the entire sun today, just in time for Super Bowl Sunday.

* Iran TV says no to pasta, pizza Cooking shows ordered to shun Italian, French dishes, highlight Iran's achievements instead

02/05/11

* Shake-up in Egyptian ruling party The politburo of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has resigned en masse, in an apparent response to anti-government protests.

* US Policy: Disgracing Mubarak Is the US repeating with the Egyptian president the errors it made in handling the Shah?

* Hillary Clinton: Middle East facing 'perfect storm' US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Middle East is facing a "perfect storm" of unrest and nations must embrace democratic change.

* Arab World: Crossroads for Cairo Gamal Mubarak will not be president of Egypt. The de facto ruler is now former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

* US-Russia New Start nuclear treaty comes into effect Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exchanged ratification documents at a conference in Munich.

* EU: Egypt shouldn't distract from Mideast peace process European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Saturday that the Quartet of Mideast peacemakers can't be distracted from their task.

* Saboteurs attack Egypt gas pipeline to Jordan Unknown saboteurs attacked an Egyptian pipeline supplying gas to Jordan, forcing authorities to switch off gas supply from a twin pipeline to Israel.

* Eye on unrest, Iraq PM says he won't seek 3rd term Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will not run for a third term in 2014.

* Syria Is Not Egypt, but Might It One Day Be Tunisia? Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has yet to answer his people's demands to step down.

* Egypt's foreign minister to Iran: Mind your own business Egypt's foreign minister has told Teheran to mind its own business after Iran's top leader praised the Egyptian uprising as an appropriate response to dictatorial rule.

02/04/11

* 'Day of departure' rally in Egypt Huge crowds are occupying the main square in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to reinforce their demand for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

* Netanyahu's Speech: Whither Egypt In an address to the Knesset Wednesday, PM calls for a reality check and sums up Israel's overriding concerns regarding the situation.

* Iran: Riots sign of Islamic awakening Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says recent anti-government riots in Tunisia and Egypt are "a sign of the awakening of Islam inspired by the Islamic Revolution's victory in Iran."

* Why the Arab Democracy Wave is Unlikely to Reach Syria - Yet As all eyes in the Arab world are riveted by Egypt's democracy uprising, activists in countries such as Jordan, Yemen and Syria have begun organizing protests.

* Beware the Islamists The White House is calling for an "immediate" transition to democratic representation in Egypt.

* Hamas Stirring Up Violence in Egypt Hamas is attempting to increase the level of violence in Egyptian demonstrations.

* Anti, pro-Mubarak protests feared in J'lem As Egyptian uprising enters its 11th day, Israel fears riots may reach the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* Egypt revolution reaching climax as EU summit opens Anti-Mubarak protesters plan to march on the presidential palace in Cairo after prayers on Friday.

* Top US officer cautions against cut to Egypt aid The US military's top officer on Friday cautioned against moves to cut off aid to Egypt due to the unrest against the government of President Hosni Mubarak.

* Netanyahu commits to promoting Arab construction in East Jerusalem Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the international community's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, announced Friday a series of gestures that Israel will make to the Palestinians.

02/03/11

* Protesters Clash Again on Cairo’s Streets The Egyptian government broadened its crackdown on Thursday to the international news media and human rights workers.

* Pro-Mubarak rioters chase reporters in Cairo hotels Supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are storming hotels in Cairo and chasing journalists.

* Muslim Brotherhood wants end to Egypt-Israeli peace deal Egypt's banned Muslim Brotherhood movement has unveiled its plans to scrap a peace treaty with Israel if it comes to power.

* Region incredulous at speed with which U.S. betrayed Mubarak Israel and neighboring states have been stunned by what was termed the U.S. betrayal of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

* Ben-Eliezer: Americans Don't Realize What They've Done Binyamin Ben-Eliezer - a former army general, Labor Party Chairman and Cabinet minister - praises Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

* First Time? UFO 'Sighted' Over Temple Mount At least three videos taken simultaneously appear to show an unidentified flying lighted object - a UFO, in common parlance - hovering directly over the Temple Mount late this past Thursday night.

* 'Go now' EU countries tell Mubarak, as Egypt faces Tiananmen moment Germany, France and the UK have told Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak to begin the transition to democracy "now."

* Police find 2nd Temple-era coins, jugs during arms raid Police officers stumbled on a large stash of jugs and coins dating back from the Second Temple era in the Galilee village of Mazara.

* World food prices at fresh high, says FAO The FAO Food Price Index, which measures the wholesale price of basic foods within a basket, averaged 231 points last month, up by 3.4% from December.

* Exoplanet hunt turns up 54 potentially habitable worlds Astronomers have identified some 54 new planets where conditions may be suitable for life.

02/02/11

* Clashes erupt amid Cairo protests There have been fierce clashes in the Egyptian capital between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and protesters calling on him to resign immediately.

* Egypt protests: Israel watches anxiously Israelis are watching anxiously as anti-government protests continue in Egypt - one of the country's only friends in the Arab world.

* Obama Stands by Muslim Brotherhood Endorsement For the first time, a U.S. government supports granting a government role to an extremist Islamic organization: the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

* WikiLeaks: tension in the Middle East and Asia has 'direct potential' to lead to nuclear war Tension in the Middle East and Asia has given rise to an escalating atomic arms and missiles race.

* WikiLeaks: al-Qaeda 'is planning a dirty bomb' Al-Qaeda is actively tring to secure nuclear material and recruiting rogue scientists to build a radioactive "dirty" bomb.

* Strategic ramifications of the Egyptian crisis The prospect of an imminent, uncontrolled change in the leadership of Egypt, or other political paralysis in the state, as a result of growing popular unrest which began in the country in earnest on Jan. 25, has clear strategic ramifications.

* Netanyahu: A democratic Egypt won't threaten peace with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that if democracy prevails in Egypt then it will not pose a threat to peace with Israel.

* Expert: Allowing Egyptian Soldiers into Sinai was Mistake The Israeli government's Middle East expert Prof. Moshe Sharon is critical of the Israeli government's recent decision to let Egypt stream military forces into the Sinai peninsula.

* Hamas worried upheaval in Arab world will spill into Gaza Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip are concerned about the effects of the upheaval in the Arab world.

* Jordan's Islamists say new PM must step down Muslim Brotherhood slams King Abdullah's newly appointed prime minister, Marouf al-Bakhit, saying "he doesn't believe in democracy."

02/01/11

* Muslim Brotherhood's Message Same as Hamas: Kill Jews Many Western analysts agree that the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas are one and the same.

* Iran Sees 'New Egypt' as Part of Islamic Revolution Iran now is actively encouraging what it calls a "freedom seeking" movement in Egypt.

* Huge protests fan Egypt unrest Egyptian protesters are holding huge rallies in Cairo and other cities as they step up their efforts to force President Hosni Mubarak from power.

* Mubarak's Grip on Power Is Shaken Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians poured into Tahrir Square on Tuesday in scenes of jubilation and protest that cut across Egypt's entrenched lines of piety, class and ideology.

* Jordan's king sacks entire Cabinet amid street protests Jordan's King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet.

* Turkey PM calls on Mubarak to listen to demands of his people Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should listen to the demands of his people.

* Ashton calls for dialogue between Mubarak and opposition EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to enter into a dialogue with the opposition.

* ElBaradei: 'Mubarak must resign to prevent bloodshed Egyptian reform activist Mohammed ElBaradei called on Tuesday for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resign in order to save lives.

* US orders personnel to leave Egypt amidst massive protests The State Department on Tuesday ordered non-essential US government personnel and their families to leave Egypt.

* Peres: Democracy Can Lead to Dictatorship The world needs to keep in mind the results of the democratic elections in Gaza that led to the takeover by Hamas.