04/30/12

* Iran Optimistic as Obama Capitulates Tehran's envoy to the IAEA is upbeat ahead of nuclear talks after learning the United States is unlikely to oppose continued enrichment

* London Olympics: Jerusalem Capital of 'Palestine,' not Israel On official website, Israel had no capital; capital of "Palestine" was Jerusalem. Israelis protested, error was fixed.

* New blasts mar Syria truce, killing 20 Twin blasts targeting security buildings killed more than 20 people in the northwest Syrian city of Idlib on Monday, a monitoring group said.

* Leading candidate in Egypt presidential race calls Israel peace accord 'dead and buried' Amr Moussa tells a mass rally in south Egypt that the Camp David Accords with Israel should be 'consigned to the shelves of history.'

* Occupy Wall Street Plans Global Disruption of Status Quo Occupy Wall Street demonstrators plan marches across the globe tomorrow calling attention to what they say are abuses of power and wealth.

* Benzion Netanyahu to be laid to rest in Jerusalem PM Netanyahu's father was prominent Revisionist Zionist activist in the US, served as secretary to Jabotinsky.

* Israel Building Security Wall Along Lebanese Border The wall is intended to protect the city of Metulla from sniper fire coming from the Lebanese border town of Kfar Kila.

* Turkey to Block EU From NATO Summit Unless OIC Attends Turkey said it will block EU participation in NATO summit unless the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is allowed to participate

* Connecting rural China to the Internet via Israeli technology Alvarion has set up a wi-fi network that will let residents of the most out-of-reach areas of China connect to the web

* Israeli prime minister explores early elections In a political development with global implications, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled he soon might call early elections — a decision that could put Mideast peace efforts on hold for months.

04/28/12

* US deploys F-22s to base near Iran The U.S. military has deployed several F-22s, the nation's most advanced fighter jets, to an allied base less than 200 miles from Iran.

* Muslims revive old pilgrimage route via Jerusalem After decades of shying away from an ancient pilgrimage route, Muslims are visiting Jerusalem to pray at Islam's third-holiest site, the revered Al-Aqsa mosque.

* Syria rebels 'launch sea raid' as Lebanon seizes weapons Syrian rebel gunmen in inflatable dinghies have attacked a military unit on the Mediterranean coast, with deaths on both sides.

* Iraq leaders call for solution to political crisis Leaders from nearly all of Iraq's top political blocs called Saturday for a solution to a crisis pitting the Shiite-led government against Sunnis and Kurds.

* Iranian nukes a key issue among young Americans, poll finds Harvard published a survey this week that shows broad support for stopping Iran from acquiring the bomb.

* Islamic Jihad: Abduct more Israelis Islamic leaders in the Gaza Strip called on Friday to kidnap Israelis and use them as bargaining chips.

* Veteran peacekeeper takes helm of UN Syria mission A veteran Norwegian peacekeeper was heading to Damascus on Saturday to take charge of a UN mission overseeing a troubled truce.

* Libya 'must clarify' status of Kadhafi-era supporters Libya must clarify the rules under which it disqualifies from public office individuals who stood by the regime of former leader Moamer Kadhafi.

* In Egypt president race, Muslim clerics seek voice Egypt's presidential contenders have been going through a new campaign rite of passage.

* Ministers ponder creation of EU super-president Ideas kicking around in a reflection group of select EU foreign ministers include merging the roles of the EU Council and European Commission presidents.

04/27/12

* Syrian women risk lives to smuggle aid to dissidents When the aspirin and alcohol swabs fell from under her clothes at a Syrian army checkpoint, Rania stood petrified, looking first down at her fallen contraband and then up at the soldier who stared straight back at her.

* Sadr 'against' fall of current Iraqi government Powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr opposes toppling the Iraqi government.

* Israel is backing Assad, claims Syrian Muslim Brotherhood official in scathing interview Breaking his movement's policy against speaking to representatives of the Israeli media, a senior member of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood, exiled for 30 years, met this week with The Times of Israel.

* EU police warn of new-model jihad threat The EU's joint police body, Europol has noted there were no successful Islamist attacks in Europe last year, while warning about future Toulouse-type 'lone wolves.'

* Gazan leaders call for abduction of Israelis Islamic leaders in the Gaza Strip called on Friday for militants to kidnap Israelis and use them as bargaining chips to secure the freedom of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

* German Jews Welcome Publication of 'Mein Kampf' The German Jewish community welcomed Bavaria's decision to republish an annotated version of Adolph Hitler's "Main Kampf" for the first time since World War II.

* Nakba march: We can free ourselves of brutal regime "The Jews' independence day is our day of mourning," thousands of Arab Israelis chanted Thursday during a march commemorating the "Nakba," or the "catastrophe" of the establishment of the State of Israel.

* Saudi activists demand permission to visit Jerusalem A day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas renewed his call on Arabs and Muslims to visit Jerusalem, a group of Saudi activists are demanding permission to do exactly that.

* Netanyahu Planning Election in the Coming Months Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has recently held discussions with the leaders of some of the factions of the coalition.

* Syria's Grand Mufti Blames Arab Spring on West, Israel The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, has described the battle that is currently taking place in Syria as a "battle against our roots".

04/26/12

* Israel marks 64th Independence Day Celebrations of 64 years of Israeli independence kicked off on Wednesday night with the lighting of beacons at the official ceremony at Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem.

* Independence Day celebrations brought to halt by rocket fire While Independence Day celebrations are continuing throughout the country, residents of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council once again found themselves running for shelter.

* Israel at 64: Population of 7,881,000 Israel's population numbered 7,881,000 people on the eve of its 64th anniversary.

* Syria: Massive explosion in Hama 'kills 70' They said several houses in the Masha at-Tayyar district in southern Hama were destroyed by a big explosion.

* Abbas: Arab visits to al-Aksa mosque not forbidden High-level Arab visits to Jerusalem to pray privately at the third holiest site in Islam should not be seen as acceptance of Israel control over the eastern half of the city, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said.

* New IDF Rifle has Double Barrel A new Israeli assault rifle features a twin barrel – the first such gun to be made in Israel, writes Israel Defense.

* Palestinian UN observer calls for Security Council action against Israel over outposts Riyad Mansour labels legalization of three West Bank sites 'glaring proof' of Israeli expansionist aims.

* Photos from IAF Flyby The IAF released a short clip Thursday with a pilot's-eye view of the President's Residence from the Independence Day flyby.

* Missions around the world celebrate Israel's independence Israeli missions around the world found creative ways to celebrate Israel's 64th Independence Day.

* Gantz says 'other forces' could strike Iran IDF chief Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz hinted on Thursday that other countries could also strike Iran's nuclear sites.

04/25/12

* Israel kicks of 64th Independence Day celebrations An annual torch-lighting ceremony was being held at Israel's capital on Wednesday, marking the end of Remembrance Day.

* Gantz: We won't agree to be under constant threat The State of Israel will not agree to live under constant threats like those emerging from the ongoing upheaval in the Middle East.

* Israelis observe Remembrance Day Israelis paid tribute to fallen soldiers and terror victims during Remembrance Day ceremonies in Jerusalem.

* Syria crisis: France raises use of force France says the Security Council should consider the use of force in Syria if a UN-backed peace plan fails to stop violence in the country.

* EU slams Israeli legalization of 3 outposts The European Union on Wednesday stated that it is "extremely concerned" about a government panel's Monday decision to recognize three West Bank outposts as legal settlements.

* Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' may return to Bavarian schools The German state of Bavaria is considering publishing a book with excerpts from Hitler's Mein Kampf for use in schools after its legal power to ban the book expires in 2016.

* 'Best Buy': Electronics and Hamas On April 19, Marc J. Fink at Islamist Watch broke the story that the retail electronics superstore Best Buy was a "Platinum Sponsor" for a fundraising banquet for the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

* Iran Hopes New Talks Will Mark 'End of Nuclear Issue' Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi expressed hope on Tuesday that Tehran's next round of talks with the six powers will mark "the beginning of the end of the nuclear issue."

* Van Rompuy: 'Winds of populism' threaten free movement EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy has spoken out against the "winds of populism" threatening freedom of movement in the Union.

* US and Philippines stage South China Sea military drill Annual joint military exercises involving thousands of US and Philippine troops are taking place in the South China Sea.

04/24/12

* Memorial Day: Israel Prepares to Remember As Israel prepares to begin its Yom Hazikaron [Memorial Day] observance on Tuesday evening many bereaved families are reminded their lives contain a vacuum.

* Netanyahu: Our Comfort - the Building of Zion Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu quoted a passage from the Prophet Isaiah - "be comforted, be comforted, my people" (Isaiah 40:1)" in a message for Remembrance Day for the IDF's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror.

* Hitler? There's an App for That! Tablet Magazine's Lea Zeltserman examines the fine line between propaganda and history as it relates to the dissemination of knowledge through technology and "the smartphone world."

* 'Reclaiming Land of Israel Continues on Yom HaAtzmaut' The struggle for reclaiming all of the Land of Israel continues even on "Independence Day," Yom HaAtzmaut, say Women in Green.

* Supreme Court Rejects Mughrabi Bridge Petition Supreme Court justices Eliakim Rubinstein, Uzi Fogelman and Tzvi Zylbertal on Tuesday rejected the appeal from "The Temple Mount Faithful" calling for the reconstruction of the Mughrabi Bridge.

* At Tehran University Occupy Wall Street Conference, U.S. Professors, Activists Speak Out Against U.S. U.S. academics participated in an Occupy Wall Street (OWS) conference held this month at Tehran University.

* South Sudan's Salva Kiir says Sudan has declared war South Sudan's President Salva Kiir says Sudan has "declared war" on his country, following weeks of fighting along their common border.

* Exclusive: North Korea's nuclear test ready "soon" North Korea has almost completed preparations for a third nuclear test.

* Is there a drone in your neighborhood? Rise of spy planes exposed after FAA is forced to reveal 63 launch sites across U.S. There are at least 63 active drone sites around the U.S, federal authorities have been forced to reveal following a landmark Freedom of Information lawsuit.

* Arabs in Hebrew U in Pro-Terror Event on Memorial Day The Arab student cells on the Mount Scopus campus of Hebrew University are holding a gathering in support for terrorist administrative prisoners.

04/23/12

* Israel’s ‘right’ to hit Iran goes viral YouTube clips, viewed by over 2 million people, compare Iranian threat to the Holocaust

* Syrian security forces 'shell city of Hama' Shells fired by Syrian security forces have killed at least 20 people in the central city of Hama, activists say.

* Lieberman Warns Netanyahu Egypt More Dangerous than Iran Foreign Minister Lieberman has warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that Egypt presents more of a security danger than Iran.

* Egypt’s military leader responds to Lieberman with threat of violence Cairo seeks clarification after foreign minister reportedly branded Egypt more dangerous than Iran

* Army chief: IDF prepared for Iran strike IDF ready to attack Tehran’s nuclear facilities if needed, Chief of Staff Benny Gantz says; military constantly engaged in covert, high-risk operations beyond Israel’s borders, he says

* Iran: We reverse-engineered downed U.S. drone, making copy Comment by chief of the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace division comes after Iran official claims Tehran received requests from Russia, China for info on the RQ-170 Sentinel.

* North Korea vows 'unprecedented' action against South North Korea has warned of "unprecedented" action against South Korea's ruling establishment, amid tough rhetoric between the two sides.

* Pentagon releases results of 13,000-mph test flight over Pacific The results are in from last summer’s attempt to test new technology that would provide the Pentagon with a lightning-fast vehicle, capable of delivering a military strike anywhere in the world in less than an hour.

* Sudan Muslims Torch Catholic Church in Khartoum Sudanese Muslims torched a Catholic church in Khartoum, part of clashes between Sudan and South Sudan over control of an oil town.

* Turkey says Israel not welcome at NATO summit Turkish official says Ankara still seeking an official apology and compensation for the victims of the 'Mavi Marmara' raid.

04/21/12

* UN team visits Syria's battered Baba Amr UN monitors visited the restive province of Homs on Saturday ahead of an expected Security Council vote.

* Egypt grand mufti: Muslims must protect J'lem The Egyptian grand mufti - who has come under heat in Egypt for a visit to Jerusalem - defended his pilgrimage in front of an Islamic council in Cairo.

* Ministers ponder creation of EU super-president Ideas kicking around in a reflection group of select EU foreign ministers include merging the roles of the EU Council and European Commission presidents.

* Hamas Won't Honor Peace Accords With Israel A senior Hamas leader on Thursday said that if the terror group came to power in a future 'Palestinian state,' it would not abide by any previous peace agreements with Israel.

* China says India is a 'partner, not rival' after missile launch China downplayed India's successful missile launch this week, saying that the two sides are not rivals but cooperating partners.

* A Quixotic Quest to Mine Asteroids A new company backed by two Google Inc. GOOG -0.54% billionaires, film director James Cameron and other space exploration proponents is aiming high in the hunt for natural resources.

* Israelis advised to leave Sinai amid terror threat The National Security Council's counterterrorism bureau issued a travel advisory on Saturday.

* Tens of thousands in Egypt demand military rulers retreat from power Tens of thousands of Egyptians demanded on Friday that their military rulers stick to a pledge to hand over power by mid-year.

* Iran seeks support to censor Internet, disconnect from global network Iran's Information Ministry has recently released a "Request for Information", geared at fetching outside aid for the creation of a more regulated and restricted web.

* In a bronze inscription, a remnant of Roman might We do not know the name of the Roman war veteran who owned this bronze certificate, which marked his discharge from active service 1,922 years ago.

04/20/12

* Ministers ponder creation of EU super-president Ideas kicking around in a reflection group of select EU foreign ministers include merging the roles of the EU Council and European Commission presidents.

* Barak Doesn't 'Buy' Khamenei's Anti-Nuke Fatwa Defense Minister Ehud Barak - in Washington to meet with American officials ahead of the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 - said Iranian supreme leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei could not be trusted to halt Tehran's controversial nuclear program.

* Iraq's second Gulf oil terminal comes online Iraq's second of five floating Gulf oil terminals came online on Friday.

* Tens of thousands protest military's rule in Egypt's Tahrir Square The protests were aimed at stepping up pressure on the generals to hand over power to civilians.

* Egypt grand mufti: Muslims must protect J'lem The Egyptian grand mufti - who has come under heat in Egypt for a visit to Jerusalem - defended his pilgrimage in front of an Islamic council in Cairo.

* Security and Defense: Meet the 'Cyber Defenders' August 2013. IDF tanks and armored personnel carriers are taking up positions throughout southern Lebanon following a series of Scud missile attacks on Tel Aviv.

* South Sudan 'to withdraw troops' from Heglig oil field South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has ordered the withdrawal of his troops from the Heglig oil field across the border in Sudan.

* 'Fed up' French Muslims mobilize to unseat Sarkozy France's Muslim community is mobilizing voters to reject President Nicolas Sarkozy in Sunday’s election.

* 'PA Terrorists Continue Nazis' Work' "There is no difference between the Nazis and those who stabbed and try to kill a Jew tonight near the Tomb of Simon the Righteous."

* Brussels to breathe sigh of relief after French vote The first round of France's presidential elections on Sunday (22 April) will bring Brussels a step closer to resumption of normal business.

04/19/12

* Knesset marks Holocaust: Every man has a name Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, ministers, MKs and other government officials read names of those who perished in the Holocaust during the Knesset's memorial ceremony on Thursday.

* NATO Renews Commitment to Afghanistan At a meeting in Brussels Thursday, the foreign ministers from the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan renewed their commitments to continue supporting the country's government.

* Iraq attacks kill at least 38 A wave of apparently coordinated bombing and shooting attacks in seven different provinces across Iraq killed at least 38 people.

* Merkel ally: Islam does not belong in Germany A leading conservative politician said on Thursday that Islam did not belong in Germany.

* Grand Mufti's Al-Aksa Visit Raises Islamist Ire Al-Azhar students and political activists in Egypt are calling for a protest Friday.

* Israel stands in silence to remember the six million Siren is sounded throughout the country on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

* UN's Ban says situation in Syria is 'highly precarious' The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the situation in Syria remains "highly precarious".

* Thousands attend March of the Living in Auschwitz to honor Holocaust victims Thousands of youth from Israel, the United States and other countries marched Thursday between Auschwitz and Birkenau.

* IMF: eurozone at centre of coming storm International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday (19 April) warned of "dark clouds" hanging over the global recovery.

* How austerity measures may kill states - and the EU "Discipline must be accompanied by convergence and responsibility must be matched by solidarity", European Commission President Barroso said.

04/18/12

* Netanyahu at Holocaust Remembrance Day: Jewish people still face existential threat Holocaust Remembrance Day began Wednesday night at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

* Anti-Semitic Incitement and Harassment Up in 2011 The Kantor Center's Program for Study of Anti-Semitism and Racism at Tel Aviv University released their 2011 Anti-Semitism Report on Wednesday.

* Bashir threatens to oust South Sudan government Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir threatened Wednesday to overthrow South Sudan's "insect" government.

* No fans of Assad, Syria's Kurds distrust uprising Syria's Kurds, who have long complained of discrimination under President Bashar Assad, would seem a natural fit to join the revolt against his rule.

* Jordan's king moves toward banning Muslim Brotherhood King Abdullah is moving to thwart a similar process in Jordan.

* 'Netanyahu among world's most influential people' Time Magazine named Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to its list of the 100 most influential people in the world for the second year in a row.

* Settlers, Palestinians clash in Hebron Palestinians threw stones at two Israeli teenage girls who were walking towards Givat Ha'avot neighborhood in the West Bank city of Hebron.

* Egypt's grand mufti visits Al-Aqsa mosque Egypt's Grand Mufti, the country's top Islamic cleric, paid a rare visit to Jerusalem Wednesday.

* European Jewish group warns of attacks on Jews if Israel hits Iran he head of a major European Jewish group warned Wednesday of a "dramatic increase" in anti-Semitic violence across the continent.

* Saudi Arabia Bars 'Gays and Tom-Boys' from Government Schools Saudi Arabia has decided to bar "gays and tom-boys" from government schools and universities. 

04/17/12

* Ahmadinejad: Strike on Iran will cause enemy's destruction Iran's armed forces will make its enemies regret any act of aggression against the Islamic Republic, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Tuesday.

* Palestinian delegation delivers peace talks demands to Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, detailing the PA's demands regarding the resumption of Middle East peace talks.

* Ban: Syria truce holding; need more peacekeepers Unrelenting bloodshed in Syria complicated preparations by a team of UN observers on Tuesday to monitor a truce.

* Barak: Talks Don’t Give Iran Immunity from Strike Israel has not given the U.S. a commitment to hold off from striking Iran.

* Palestinian Authority Hunger Strike Latest PR Ploy Palestinian Authority residents joined terrorists and security prisoners Tuesday in an open-ended hunger strike.

* Shuttle Discovery retires with Washington flypast Discovery flew over the monuments along the National Mall in Washington DC at about 10:00 EST.

* War Game: Israeli Air Strike Deals Severe Blow to Iran Nukes In a simulation war game featuring Israelis in senior positions, Israel loses 10 fighter jets in a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

* Fiscal treaty - taking the EU in the wrong direction As an Irish legislator and citizen I keep asking myself, would it not be absurd if Irish voters were to vote in the 31 May Fiscal Compact Referendum in favour of imposing austerity rules.

* Top Islamists, Suleiman out of Egypt vote Ten Egyptian presidential candidates, including Hosni Mubarak's spy chief, a Muslim Brotherhood leader and an Islamist preacher, lost appeals.

* EU Ambassador: Israel 'Occupying' Hevron The European Union continues to regard Israel's presence in the Jewish people's ancestral homeland as "occupation."

04/16/12

* "Jordan will regain Jerusalem from slayers of prophets" "The arrogance of the Jews will be defeated, Allah willing," imam tells worshipers on state TV at Friday prayers in Jordan.

* Israeli TV report shows air force gearing up for Iran attack, says moment of truth is near IAF expects losses, and knows it can’t destroy entire Iranian program

* International truce monitors begin work in Syria Six unarmed observers arrive in Damascus, remaining 25 expected to arrive within days to monitor ceasefire.

* Taliban lead attacks on US bases and government sites across Afghanistan Taliban-led insurgents opened a spring offensive Sunday with a wave of coordinated suicide missions, firing at embassies and government offices from seized buildings in Kabul and attacking US bases and police stations in three eastern provinces.

* US will veto any Palestinian statehood bid at UN Daniel Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel, calls on Palestinians to return to direct negotiations without preconditions.

* Web freedom faces greatest threat ever, warns Google's Sergey Brin Threats range from governments trying to control citizens to the rise of Facebook and Apple-style 'walled gardens'

* 12,000 Holocaust survivors died over the past year Needs of the aging greater than ever, Elazar Stern, chairman of Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel says.

* British Peer Lord Ahmed suspended after 'offering £10m bounty on Barack Obama and George Bush' A controversial British peer has been suspended from the Labour Party amid reports that he offered a £10 million bounty for the capture of President Barack Obama and his predecessor President George W Bush.

* Iranian nuclear scientists were present at failed North Korean missile launch Anonymous diplomatic source tells South Korea's state news agency 12 Iranian officials observed the failed missile launch last week in North Korea.

* US and Philippines begin South China Sea drills Joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines are getting under way in the South China Sea, even as Manila remained locked in a stand-off with Beijing over a disputed shoal.

04/14/12

* PA Minister: 'Palestinians' Must Unite to Destroy Israel A Palestinian Authority minister stated last month that Fatah and Hamas must unite in order to achieve the destruction of the state of Israel.

* Egypt Islamists rally against ex-regime candidates Islamists were out on the streets of Cairo in a show of force Friday to demand members of ousted president Hosni Mubarak's regime be barred from politics.

* Iran nuclear talks 'positive' after 15-month break Six world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - and Iran are meeting in Istanbul in Turkey.

* UN Security Council passes plan to deploy Syria monitors A small group of observers has been poised to leave for Syria as soon as a resolution is passed.

* Syrians take to the streets amid a fragile cease-fire Syrians poured into the streets after Friday prayers, chanting and raising opposition flags in a major test of a fragile cease-fire.

* This WEEK in the European Union The EU will on Thursday (19 April) present proposals on how to get Europe back to work and increase economic growth.

* American Nazi Party registers first lobbyist in DC The American Nazi Party has registered its first Washington DC lobbyist.

* 1600 Palestinian prisoners to go on hunger strike Some 1600 Palestinians in Israeli prisons will go on an open-ended hunger strike as of April 17.

* Iraq political blocs accuse PM of dictatorship Key political factions accused the premier of moving towards a dictatorship with the arrest of Iraq's electoral commission chief.

* German ship carrying Iranian weapons to Syria stopped at sea A German ship carrying Iranian weapons was stopped in the Mediterranean on Saturday. 

04/13/12

* North Korea's failed rocket launch draws shame, anger North Korea's widely condemned rocket splintered into pieces over the Yellow Sea soon after takeoff Friday.

* West pushes UN Syria vote, despite Russian criticism Western powers brushed aside Russian criticism of a US-drafted Security Council resolution authorizing an advance team of UN observers to monitor Syria's fragile ceasefire.

* UN team ready for Syria deployment A United Nations team of 30 unarmed military observers is ready to deploy to Syria.

* Sudan, South Sudan on track for all-out war Sudan and its new southern neighbor have been advancing toward full-scale war.

* Waiting for a meltdown ahead of Iran talks Despite the dramatic media reports, don't get too excited about the next round of talks between Iran and six nations regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

* Islamists rally in Cairo against Mubarak old guard Thousands of Egyptians packed into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against a run for the presidency by former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

* Former Astronauts and Employees to NASA: Stay Away from Global Warming A group of former NASA employees, including astronauts, has called on the agency to stop making "unproven and unsubstantiated remarks" regarding global climate change.

* US Officials: Drone Strikes Will Go on in Pakistan U.S officials say the White House has no intentions to end CIA drone strikes against militant targets on Pakistani soil.

* US aid to rebels aims to oust Assad President Barack Obama has ramped up US aid.

* Officials, diplomats want even more EU secrecy Most member states and EU institutions are keen to draw a new veil of secrecy over how they appoint top officials and enforce EU law. 

04/12/12

* Iran official: Only faint chance of war breaking in the Middle East There's only a faint chance of war breaking in the Middle East, a top Iranian official was quoted.

* Abdullah seeking divorce from Palestinians King Abdullah is seeking to complete the divorce proceedings between Jordan and the Palestinians which his late father, King Hussein, began in 1988.

* Iranian forces to conduct joint military maneuvers The Islamic Republic Army of Iran and the Revolutionary Guards are to conduct joint military exercises in the southwest or southeast of the country.

* Egypt MPs bar Mubarak-era officials from standing for office Egypt's parliament on Thursday approved a law that would ban members of ousted president Hosni Mubarak's regime from standing for public office.

* EU keen to send in UN monitors as fighting halts in Syria EU countries are keen for a UN monitoring mission to go to Syria as fast as possible amid reports that fighting stopped at dawn on Thursday.

* Despite chaos at home, Assad finds time to 'defend' Jerusalem Amid mounting international pressure on Bashar Assad to halt his military's onslaught on the country's civilian population, the Syrian president nonetheless found time to convene a clerical conference "for the defense of Jerusalem.".

* Egypt's army fills Sinai, but business runs as usual A bearded Bedouin approached a cab on the main street of Rafah, in Egypt.

* North Korea Fueling Rocket as Launch Window Opens North Korea on Thursday defied world pressure to back down from a controversial ballistic missile launch .

* Palestinians rebuff Netanyahu's call for direct peace talks The Palestinians have spurned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest invitation to resume peace talks.

* Jordan Denies Iraqi Oil Reaching Israel Jordan is fending off accusations that Iraqi oil is reaching Israel. 

04/11/12

* 'Silent Terrorists' Hijacking 'Arab Spring' The Muslim Brotherhood and similar "silent terrorists" have sabotaged the Arab Spring movement.

* Syria to end military operations on Thursday - state TV Syria will end military operations on Thursday, state TV has said.

* Mideast Quartet criticizes Israeli settler violence, incitement in West Bank The Quartet for the Middle East is concerned over ongoing settler violence and incitement in the West Bank.

* Jordan to revoke citizenship of PA, PLO officials In a surprise move, Jordan has decided to revoke the Jordanian citizenship of Palestinian Authority and PLO officials.

* Tsunami watch lifted after two big earthquakes A massive earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday afternoon.

* Egypt Islamists to show strength against old guard Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood rallied its followers for mass protests against plans by ousted leader Hosni Mubarak's former intelligence chief to run for president.

* Israel braces for another 'flytilla' Is a second fly-in underway? Hundreds, possibly thousands, of foreign pro-Palestinian activists are set to arrive in Israel via the Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday.

* Iran Touts 'New Initiatives' for Nuclear Talks Iran said Wednesday it will present "new initiatives" at upcoming nuclear talks with the so-called P5+1 in Istanbul on April 15.

* Israel, Lebanon navy increase cooperation in Mediterranean The Israel Navy has recently strengthened its cooperation with the Lebanese Navy in the Mediterranean.

* IDF Shops for More Precision Rockets Israel's military is going shopping to upgrade the missiles fired from its helicopters. 

04/10/12

* As Annan deal falters, Russia pushes for end of Syria violence Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed both Damascus and the Syrian opposition on Tuesday for the apparent failure of special UN envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.

* CBS's Ben Stein Warns of Second Holocaust In light of the Passover holiday, CBS's Ben Stein warned that the Jewish people must heed the lessons of history in order to prevent another Holocaust from befalling it.

* PA Minister: 'Palestinians' Must Unite to Destroy Israel A Palestinian Authority minister stated last month that Fatah and Hamas must unite in order to achieve the destruction of the state of Israel.

* Israel Told US 'No Attack until Early Fall' Israeli newspaper Maariv reported Tuesday that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu refused to commit before U.S. President Barack Obama that Israel would not attack Iran before the U.S. presidential elections.

* 'Every aspect of life is to be Islamized' The Muslim Brotherhood's main presidential candidate Khairat al-Shater seeks to fundamentally Islamize Egyptian society if elected.

* No 'signal of peace' from Syria - Annan The Syrian army continued operations in population centres despite an agreement to pull out troops by Tuesday.

* Palestinians gather for popular resistance conference "The non-violent popular resistance is showing results and the whole world supports us on this issue," declared Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

* Mexican town celebrates Easter with 'burning of the Jews' The world is full of charming Easter traditions, but this isn't one of them.

* Ahmadinejad: Iran can stand 2-3 yr oil blockade Iran has enough funds to withstand a total embargo on its oil sales for two to three years.

* Egyptian Constitutional Assembly Suspended An Egyptian court on Tuesday suspended an Islamist-dominated panel tasked with rewriting the country's constitution. 

04/09/12

* Israel: Iran Claims Validate Nuclear Threat Israeli officials say an Iranian lawmakers claims Tehran could build a nuclear bomb proved something is rotten in Tehran

* This Week in History: Toppling Saddam Hussein The dramatic scene of knocking down one of hundreds of statues of the dictator, turned out to be not much more than an opportune media event.

* Mofaz: Give the Palestinians 100% of Yesha Kadima head Shaul Mofaz says he will give the PA 100% of its territorial demands if he is elected Prime Minister.

* Top Iran army official: No country would dare strike us Comment by head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' ground forces comes despite comments by Iran's nuclear chief, who hinted at possible compromise ahead of talks with West.

* Abbas to Netanyahu: Respond favorably to Palestinian peace plan or we return to UN Abbas gave the PM a month to respond to the Palestinian positions, which will be laid out in a letter to be delivered to Netanyahu next Wednesday during a Jerusalem meeting with Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad.

* Thousands attend priestly blessing at Kotel Chief rabbis address worshipers at ceremony held at Western Wall in the intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot.

* PM is most popular Israeli politician on Facebook Netanyahu's personal page on the social network passes 200,000 fans, ahead of Yair Lapid, Tzipi Livni, Shelly Yacimovich.

* North Korea moves rocket into place for launch North Korea has moved into place a long-range rocket for a controversial launch later this month - amid reports it is also planning a nuclear test.

* US Navy deploys 2nd aircraft carrier to Gulf The U.S. Navy said Monday it has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region amid rising tensions with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.

* Syria peace plan in jeopardy as clashes rage A peace plan for Syria was in jeopardy on Monday as fresh clashes raged after President Bashar al-Assad's government laid down conditions for it to pull troops and armour out of protest hubs.

04/07/12

* Easter, Easter is a Christian feast and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament.

* Egypt launches operation to gain control of Sinai Days after Katyusha rocket fired from Sinai into Eilat, Cairo seeks to increase sovereignty in lawless region.

* Erdogan: Turkey will take 'steps' if Syria disregards ceasefire deadline Turkey's prime minister says the country will wait "patiently" to see if Syria abides by a cease-fire deadline.

* Israel Blames U.S. for Media Reports About Iran Strategy Top officials in Israel are charging that national-security leaks coming from the U.S. government are undermining Israel's military options against Iran.

* Ex-spy chief enters Egypt presidential race Former Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said on Friday he would run for president if supporters complete his paperwork within a day.

* Palestinian rights groups condemn Gaza executions One of the three men that were hanged was found guilty by a Hamas court of "collaboration" with Israel.

* Syria fighting 'kills 100' ahead of ceasefire At least 100 people have died on one of the bloodiest days in the Syrian uprising, according to unverified reports, days ahead of a ceasefire.

* Vatican, Israel Spar Over Disputed Last Supper Site If there's one building in Jerusalem that represents the city's tangle of religions, this is it.

* Triumphant Tuareg rebels fall out over al-Qaeda's jihad in Mali As one group of rebels proudly proclaimed the independent state of Azawad in the "liberated" north of Mali last week, their allies were preparing for jihad.

* Muslim Brotherhood: We will not put Egypt-Israel peace treaty to referendum A member of parliament for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice party said on Friday that the movement would not put Egypt's peace treaty with Israel to a national referendum vote.

04/06/12

* Pilgrims fill Jerusalem for Good Friday, Passover Christians and Jews in the Holy Land were set to begin marking their most important festivals of the year on Friday.

* Friday Night is Seder Night The Holy One, Blessed be He, passed over the homes of the Israelites as he smote the firstborn of the Egyptians.

* Islamic Jihad Threatens More Attacks The Islamic Jihad terror group downplayed on Thursday warnings by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and threatened to continue to carry out attacks against Israel.

* US Confident Iran Nuclear Talks Will Occur The United States said Thursday it still expects talks between the P5+1 and Iran on the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program to go ahead next week.

* 'Obama signaled Khamenei that U.S. could accept civilian nuclear program in Iran' U.S. President Barack Obama has recently passed a message to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

* When the Exodus was now A unique Haggada created by Jewish soldiers in Europe after WWII infuses the traditional Passover story with the drama of a momentous era.

* Security on high alert ahead of Passover holiday The Israel Police was on high alert throughout the country on Friday morning ahead of the Passover holiday.

* Syria crisis: Turkey refugee surge amid escalation fear More than 2,300 fled on Wednesday, by far the highest number in one day.

* U.S. officials debate virulence of Iran-backed Hezbollah's threat The warning last month from Representative Peter King, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, was blunt: An investigation by his staff had determined that "hundreds" of people he described as "Iranian and Hezbollah terrorists" were in the United States.

* China, Israel close to establishing strategic ties China and Israel have moved toward renewing strategic relations. 

04/05/12

* Rav Ariel: Let Us Bring Offerings to G-d on the Mount Rav Yisrael Ariel says Jews must carry out the laws commanding the Pesach offering even though the Temple has not been rebuilt.

* Egypt's Brotherhood launches US diplomatic push With PowerPoint presentations and political promises, Egypt's influential Muslim Brotherhood made its US diplomatic debut this week.

* New clashes as UN team arrives in Syria Activists says several towns, including Homs, Deraa and the Douma suburb of Damascus, have been shelled.

* Expert: 'Settlements' Are Legal, Look at the UN Documents Dr. Meir Rosenne, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and France, said on Wednesday that the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are legal and that this is true under international law.

* Officials from Egypt's Brotherhood at White House White House officials held talks with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood in Washington this week.

* Egypt Brotherhood candidate: Sharia is main goal The Muslim Brotherhood's candidate for the Egyptian presidency, Khairat al-Shater, declared that introducing sharia law would be his "first and final" objective.

* Egypt's loathe affair with America Over the past year, discussing politics has become the norm for these seven middle class Egyptians.

* 'IDF has recently thwarted 10 terror plots from Sinai' The IDF has thwarted 10 different terrorist plots to attack Israel from the Sinai Peninsula in the past two months.

* Israel Goes on High Alert for Passover Israel is on high alert going into the Passover holiday after a pair of Grad rockets fired from Egypt exploded in Eilat early on Thursday.

* Towards a more secure Europe Since autumn 2008, the financial crisis and its implications has dictated EU policies.

04/04/12

* Netanyahu: No choice but to order Israeli security forces to evacuate settlers from Hebron house Following the surprise evacuation of house invaded by settlers over two weeks ago, Foreign Minister Lieberman says authority over West Bank settlement should be taken away from Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

* Iran proposes Iraq, China as nuke talks venue With nine days to go, Iran still has not agreed on a location for talks with world powers over its nuclear program.

* Russian warns against arming Syrian opposition Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Syria's opposition will never defeat the country's armed forces even if it is "armed to the teeth".

* Furious Reactions to Hevron Expulsion The expulsion of Jewish families from the Machpelah House in Hevron on Wednesday afternoon caused outrage in the coalition as well as the opposition.

* Jordan's crown prince pays visit to Temple Mount Crown Prince of Jordan Hussein bin Al-Abdullah paid a surprise visit to Jerusalem Wednesday afternoon and visited the Temple Mount.

* Tanker with Syrian oil passes through Egypt's Suez The ship, owned by ISIM Tour Ltd, had been held up by Egyptian authorities for five days for not paying passage fees through the canal.

* Egypt Presidential Race Heats Up Egyptian political parties close to the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) are pressuring the Egyptian military to put forward a presidential candidate.

* Syrian intelligence accused of making threats in EU capital The Belgian foreign ministry is to investigate allegations that Syrian intelligence is terrorising Syrian opposition expats in the EU capital.

* 18 killed in Syrian clashes, mostly in Homs Fierce clashes in Syria killed at least 18 people Wednesday, mostly in Homs, as regime forces stormed and shelled villages in fresh operations.

* Netanyahu-Fayyad Confab After Passover Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad after Passover.

04/03/2012

* Online graphic warns of al-Qaida return to NYC A mock movie poster warns al-Qaida wants to return to New York City, but authorities say there's no evidence of an actual threat.

* Israeli-US Air, Naval Forces Train for Energy War Israeli, Greek and U.S. forces are in the midst of a drill in preparation for a possible war over Israel's huge off-shore gas discoveries.

* Muslim Book Calling for World Domination Sold in Canada After it was revealed that a book advising Muslim men how to abuse and control their wives is being sold in a Toronto bookstore, The Toronto Sun newspaper has exposed that there are other controversial Muslim books being sold in Canadian stores.

* '4th year in power is no small achievement' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special press conference Tuesday, summing up his government's three year in power.

* New Arab Book Furthering Anti-Semitic Blood Libels A new book, entitled Jewish Hostility Towards Christ and Christians and written in Arabic by Assad Azzouni, has been gaining much Jordanian media publicity.

* UN peacekeeping advance team due in Syria in 2 days An advance team from the UN peacekeeping department is expected in Damascus within 48 hours to discuss deployment of observers to monitor a ceasefire in Syria.

* Moses was a Muslim who led Muslims in Exodus from Egypt, says PA university lecturer on PA TV A Palestinian university lecturer taught during a recent Palestinian Authority TV program on religion that Moses, a Muslim, brought "the Muslims of the Children of Israel out of Egypt."

* Cabinet hears 300 would die in Iran strike In the event of an Iranian attack on Israel, less than 300 people would be killed during three weeks of non-stop fighting.

* Hague: Palestinian Authority Has No Standing The Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced Tuesday that he rejected a complaint filed by the PA against Israel for alleged war crimes during "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza in 2009.

* Gov't set to meet over Hebron settler home eviction Right wing politicians said they expected Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to authorize the controversial presence of 15 Jewish families in a newly purchased Hebron building in a Palestinian neighborhood.

04/02/12

* Blair meets PM, Fayyad in effort to engage sides Israeli official says Jerusalem wants to see resumption of peace talks, "diplomatic work going on behind the scenes."

* Iran vows to stick to nuclear 'path' Iran declared on Monday it will not be swayed from its nuclear "path" by sanctions, a week before talks with world powers that are increasingly seen as a last chance for diplomacy in its showdown with the West.

* Hundreds embark on Palm Sunday pilgrimage to Jerusalem Prayers and processions mark holiday in Holy Land

* Jordan Arabs Attack Anti-Zionist Jews The anti-Zionist Neturei Karta found out Friday what can happen when it joins Arabs against Israel.

* Video: Hamas Urges Women to Blow Themselves Up A Hamas legislator gave a fiery speech, urging women to blow themselves up for the sake of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa mosque.

* Fatah claims PFLP-GC plan to assassinate Abbas Officials say Syria and Iran behind alleged PFLP-GC plot to eliminate Palestinian Authority president.

* Descendants of grand mufti want to build peace center at razed Jerusalem hotel Descendants of Haj Amin al-Husseini, who led terror attacks on Jews and collaborated with the Nazis, seek to keep site of old Shepherd's Hotel from being used to house settlers

* Khairat Shater, the candidate who wasn’t supposed to run Not only Israel but Egyptian liberals, too, are wary of the Islamist bidding unexpectedly to be president

* IDF gives settlers 24 hours to evacuate Hebron house According to eviction order, settlers have until Tuesday afternoon to evacuate the house on their own will.

* Tombstone of Hitler’s parents removed in Austria An anonymous relative of the Nazi dictator has relinquished her rights to the burial plot, which had served as a pilgrimage site for right-wing extremists