Friday, December 16, 2011

12/16/11

* Palestinian Authority Music Video Lauds Yasser Arafat: 'Oh AK-47 Make Sounds of Joy' Palestinian Media Watch, a watchdog group whose sole purpose is to monitor print and broadcast media รข€” particularly put out by the Palestinian Authority, has uncovered a new PA music video honoring the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat.

* Hizbullah Charged with Laundering Money in the U.S. Several Lebanese financial institutions with alleged ties to the Hizbullah terror organization were part of a massive scheme that funneled hundreds of millions of dollars in criminal proceeds through the United States.

* U.S. to leave Iraqi airspace clear for strategic Israeli route to Iran The U.S. military's fast-approaching Dec. 31 exit from Iraq, which has no way to defend its airspace, puts Israel in a better place strategically to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

* Turkey, Egypt in Joint Naval Exercises Egyptian navy ships were on their way to the waters off Turkey Thursday afternoon, where they will rendezvous with Turkish navy vessels for a joint exercise.

* Expose: The Vatican Wants to Lay its Hands on Jerusalem The Vatican is now reiterating demands for control of religious sites in Jerusalem.

* Iran official: We tricked the U.S. surveillance drone to land intact Iranian electronic warfare specialists were able to "trick" the recently downed U.S. surveillance drone to land on Iran soil intact.

* Russian President: EU Parliament 'means nothing' President Dmitry Medvedev at his last-ever EU summit told MEPs to stay out of Russian affairs and dropped hints on a $10 billion donation for euro bail-outs.

* Israel's forms new brigade for deployment to Egyptian border Israel's military has established a regional brigade along the border with Egypt amid threats from the Sinai Peninsula.

* U.S. Proposal: Aid for the PA, but No More Pushing at UN A proposal released Thursday would see the U.S. Congress allowing American economic aid to the Palestinian Authority to continue next year.

* Syria crisis: Russia circulates surprise UN resolution The draft condemns the violence by both Syria's government and the opposition, but does not mention sanctions.