11/30/13

* Hanukkah at Temple Institute: Working to Rebuild the Temple A representative from The Temple Institute, an organization in Jerusalem which works toward the rebuilding of the Third Temple, stated in a Hanukkah speech Wednesday that a Cohen-priest training program is in place in anticipation of its rededication.

* Israeli MKs Demand Jewish Access to Temple Mount on Hanukkah Jerusalem's Temple Mount is a focal point of the upcoming holiday of Hannukah.

* UN's Ban to Israel: Stop building settlements in W. Bank, e. Jerusalem UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People called on Israel to stop building in the settlements.

* Syria rebels say peace talks destined for failure The Bashar al-Assad regime and the Syrian National Coalition, Syria's Western-backed political opposition, committed this week to peace talks.

* UN chief warns of 'dangerous situation' between Israel, Palestinians UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Friday that although Israelis and Palestinians were engaged in peace talks brokered by the US, an "increasingly dangerous situation" on the ground could threaten future negotiations.

* Syrian chemical arms 'to be destroyed on US Navy ship' The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said the US was contributing technology and financing.

* Iran, Turkey Boost Intelligence Cooperation After Deal On Friday Alireza Bikdeli, Iranian ambassador to Turkey, announced that the two nations would launch "improved cooperation".

* Abbas: We'll Never Give Up on a Single Demand The Palestinian Authority (PA) is not planning to back down from any of its demands from Israel.

* Iran success of EU's Ashton keeps Brussels in game When US Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped his arm around Catherine Ashton as they boarded his plane on Sunday after they clinched a breakthrough nuclear deal with Iran in Geneva, it capped a turnaround in her career.

* The U.S., Japan and South Korea Flout China's Air Defense Zone. What's a Superpower To Do? The Americans struck first. Just days after the Chinese had demarcated an air defense zone.

11/29/13

* Israeli MKs Demand Jewish Access to Temple Mount on Hanukkah Jerusalem's Temple Mount is a focal point of the upcoming holiday of Hannukah.

* Iraq Bomb Wave Raises Fears of Sectarian War Eleven car bombs wrought havoc throughout Iraq.

* Will Iran nuclear deal unleash the 'Germany of the Middle East'? The historic six-month agreement over Tehran's nuclear program may begin a new era of relations with Iran.

* Historically unprecedented number of European Muslim fighters in Syria A leading European expert on security and counterterrorism published an analysis on a range of countries.

* Muslim Sisterhood - meet Egypt's new pro-Morsi avant-garde Since the ouster of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, female members of the Muslim Brotherhood have moved to the forefront.

* EU summit shows no sign of reviving Ukraine deal Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych abruptly froze plans to sign the trade and reform deal last week.

* E.U. Court: Homosexuality Can Be Grounds For Asylum Refugees facing imprisonment in their home country because they are gay may have grounds to be granted asylum in the European Union.

* China scrambles jets in air zone to monitor US and Japanese planes China says it scrambled fighter jets to monitor US and Japanese planes as they flew in its newly declared air defence zone.

* EU rejects Russia 'veto' on Ukraine agreement The EU will not accept a "veto" by Russia on the bloc's ties with former Soviet republics.

* Some refreshing, politically incorrect clarity from Tony Blair on Islamic extremism It's heartening to see a former British Prime Minister act the role of statesman and sage.

11/28/13

* Israel and U.S. to Hold Military Exercises When Iran Deal Ends Despite the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran, Israel will still beat the drum of protest until the six-month agreement expires, when a joint military exercise with the U.S. will help it ram a message home to the Iranians, says a high-ranking Israeli official.

* Estimate: Iran Could Produce a Nuclear Weapon Within 36 Days Israeli experts: even after deal, Tehran capable of producing weapon within just over a month. US also OKs Iran to keep building Arak plant.

* Israeli MKs Demand Jewish Access to Temple Mount on Hanukkah Jerusalem's Temple Mount is a focal point of the upcoming holiday of Hannukah, as it is for many aspects of the Jewish faith. As such, Israeli lawmakers are insisting that Jews have freer access to the Temple Mount over the week-long festival.

* PA Arafat Event Song Vows Unending Violence At memorial event for Yasser Arafat on PA TV performers sing a song glorifying martyrdom and vowing violence 'no force can stop' on Israel.

* Assad to Rouhani: Iran nuclear deal boosts Tehran's position in region, world Syrian president says Rouhani has succeeded in enshrining rights of developing countries to pursue nuclear energy.

* IN PICTURES: The first night of Hanukka in the Holy Land In light of the first candle, JPost's photographer catches a glimpse of Jerusalem as it is lit up, one candle at a time.

* Ison: Critical time for 'comet of the century' Astronomers are anxiously waiting to see if a comet survives its encounter with the Sun.

* Report: Pope Francis to make maiden visit to Israel in May CNN cites Israeli official as saying leader of Catholic Church will come to Holy Land on May 25-26.

* UN rings in 'The Year Of Palestine' by passing six resolutions condemning Israel Friday marks one-year anniversary of the vote to upgrade the Palestinian Mission to the UN's status to 'non-member observer state.'

* New breed of radical Islamists in West Bank worries Israel, PA Extremist Salafi jihadists threaten to exploit a power vacuum in the territories.

11/27/13

* Hanukkah Begins Tonight; Celebrations Commence Worldwide Hanukkah has begun in Israel, as most of the Jewish people across the globe prepare to light the first candle Wednesday night.

* Iran-North Korea Missile Cooperation Undermines Recent Geneva Nuclear Deal Iranian collaboration with North Korea on a new rocket booster for long-range missiles undermines the deal with Tehran on its nuclear program.

* US now indicates Iran interim deal wasn't quite finalized Iran is currently enjoying a "window" of time before the six-month deal signed in Geneva early Sunday goes into effect.

* Rouhani says Geneva nuclear deal increased Israel's isolation The first-stage deal signed between Iran and world powers in Geneva has caused the isolation of the Islamic Republic's enemies.

* Iran: Construction will continue at Arak nuclear site Iran will pursue construction at the Arak heavy-water reactor.

* Obama's call to close Vatican embassy is 'slap in the face' to Roman Catholics The Obama administration, in what's been called an egregious slap in the face to the Vatican, has moved to shut down the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

* Pope-Putin Visit: Is church detente in the works? President Vladimir Putin's Nov. 25 meeting with Pope Francis was the third to the Holy See by a Russian leader.

* Syria gov't says will attend peace talks, but Assad won't cede power Western countries which demand that President Bashar Assad step down should either stop dreaming or forget attending peace talks in January.

* Israel: EU funds will not reach West Bank Israel will ensure that money it receives under a technology-sharing pact with the European Union will not be spent in the West Bank or east Jerusalem.

11/26/13

* Most Israelis believe interim Iran deal endangers them A large majority of Israelis believe the interim accord signed by world powers with Iran on Sunday endangers Israel.

* Pro-Morsi Egyptians to Picket Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC A group of Egyptians sympathetic to former President Mohmamed Morsi are gearing up to stage a demonstration along the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route in New York City.

* Saudis 'Lied To' by US, Pursue Independent Policy A senior advisor to the Saudi royal family said that his country was deceived by its American ally.

* American Jihadist in Syria: Entire World Will Be Muslim A US citizen, who joined the Al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS) in Syria, has sent a video message to the West expressing his desire to wage total war.

* Likud MK Regev: Police must allow Jews to visit Temple Mount on Hanukka MK Miri Regev, chairwoman of the Knesset Interior Committee, instructed police on Monday to ensure that Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount will be able to go up to the site.

* Pope Francis calls for power to move away from Vatican Pope Francis has called for power in the Catholic Church to be devolved away from the Vatican.

* US B-52 bombers challenge disputed China air zone The US has flown two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new Chinese air defence rules.

* China to land first Jade Rabbit Moon probe next month Chinese officials say they intend to land the country's first unmanned probe on the Moon next month.

* Aliya from France soars, while immigration from North America drops Jewish immigration from France to Israel has increased by 49 percent in the first nine months of 2013 compared to last year.

* In breakthrough, Israel and EU to sign science cooperation deal After negotiations reached an impasse earlier this week, Israel is expected to sign an agreement with the European Union.

11/25/13

* Special Report: 'Great Satan' meets 'Axis of Evil' and strikes a deal Saturday night had turned into Sunday morning and four days of talks over Iran's nuclear program had already gone so far over schedule that the Geneva Intercontinental Hotel had been given over to another event.

* PM: Deal Would Have Been Much Worse Without Us Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu says lobbying had an impact; Israeli team will have an opportunity to weigh in on the deal with Iran.

* Iran nuclear deal fuels anger, jitters in Mideast Israel's prime minister harshly condemned the international community's nuclear deal with Iran on Sunday while Western allies in the Persian Gulf were conspicuously quiet, reflecting the jitters felt throughout the Middle East over Iran's acceptance on the global stage.

* Iran nuclear deal: Saudi Arabia warns it will strike out on its own Saudi Arabia claims they were kept in the dark by Western allies over Iran nuclear deal and says it will strike out on its own.

* TAU Analysts: No Israeli Strike on Iran for 6 Months Tel Aviv University researchers suggest slim chances for an Israeli strike on Iran during 6 month negotiation period.

* Angola Becomes 'First Country to Ban Islam' Southern African nation reportedly bans Islam and orders the demolition of mosques in the country.

* Strange new apps let you slaughter sheep and 'play' the Holocaust Jewish educators and entertainers are finding inspiration in their roots for new, sometimes controversial, games.

* IAF, US Air Force hold largest joint-military exercise in Israel's history Israel, Greece, Italy, US are holding massive aerial training exercise in Israel with almost 100 aircraft. IDF stress: Exercise has nothing to do with Iran.

* Israel's 'Angels in Green' Descend on Philippines Israel has long been one of the first nations on the scene following major natural disasters. Most notably, Israel provided disproportionate assistance following the devastating earthquakes in Haita (2010) and Japan (2011). And Israel has not disappointed in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan that killed over 10,000 and left upwards of 800,000 wounded and homeless in the Philippines.

* Pope puts St. Peter's relics on display, reviving scientific debate The Vatican publicly unveiled a handful of bone fragments purportedly belonging to St. Peter on Sunday, reviving the scientific debate and tantalizing mystery over whether the relics found in a shoe box truly belong to the first pope.

11/23/13

* Senior General: US in Greatest Danger Since 1930s Senior military analyst Lt. Gen. Thomas G. McInerney spoke to Arutz Sheva on Tuesday, warning that rising Russian and Iranian influence, coupled with America's waning Middle East presence, has put the US in the most dangerous situation.

* Egypt's Brotherhood marks milestone with clashes Clashes erupted Friday as thousands of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood around Egypt held protests.

* Pope to put 'St. Peter's bones' on display at Vatican After centuries buried beneath the Vatican, and decades hidden away inside the Holy See, the bones of a man long believed to be St. Peter, one of the founding fathers of the Christian church, are to go on display.

* Ya'alon: Nuclear Iran could plant dirty bomb anywhere in West Israel is very concerned by the proposed initial deal between the international community and Iran.

* Iran nuclear talks: Hague bids to close 'narrow gaps' William Hague called for any deal to be thorough, after he arrived to negotiate alongside counterparts from the US, Russia, France, China and Germany.

* Egypt expels Turkish ambassador Relations with Ankara would be lowered to charge d'affaires, officials said.

* China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea China's defence ministry said aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".

* Hillary Clinton: If U.S. Doesn't Get Act Together, World Will "De-Americanize" HILLARY CLINTON: We were in another one of these dramas in Washington -- would we or would we not default on our debt?

* Israeli Expert: Strike on Iran Complex, But Possible "An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure is a risky and militarily-complicated endeavor, but within reach," says a leading strategic analyst, Prof. Efraim Inbar.

* Fear is Driving Hamas to Further Radicalize Hamas finds itself increasingly isolated and under pressure after the fall of its Muslim Brotherhood patrons in Egypt.

11/22/13

* Senior General: US in Greatest Danger Since 1930s Senior military analyst Lt. Gen. Thomas G. McInerney spoke to Arutz Sheva on Tuesday, warning that rising Russian and Iranian influence, coupled with America's waning Middle East presence, has put the US in the most dangerous situation.

* US remembers Kennedy 50 years after assassination The US is marking 50 years since President John F Kennedy was killed by an assassin's bullet in Dallas, Texas.

* Iran Talks On the Rocks As Two Sides Needle Each Other U.S. and Iranian diplomats failed to meet at the negotiating table together.

* The Saudis, Iran and the spreading Islamic Cold War in the Middle East In 632 the Prophet Mohammad died, leaving behind a struggle between Shi'ites and Sunnis over the true line of succession.

* Iran: Geneva talks are 'complicated and tough' Differences on whether Iran has the right to enrich uranium that could be used to make nuclear weapons appeared to be a key sticking point.

* Hamas Threatens Israel with Genocide Members of the Hamas terrorist group that controls Gaza have threatened Israel with genocide.

* Pope says 'no Middle East without Christians' Pope Francis on Thursday said the Catholic Church will not accept a Middle East without Christians.

* Scientists witness massive gamma-ray burst, don't understand it An exploded star some 3.8 billion light-years away is forcing scientists to overhaul much of what they thought they knew about gamma-ray bursts.

* Six Islamist factions unite in largest Syria rebel merger The six largest Islamist rebel factions in Syria declared a new Islamic Front.

* Sisi hints at presidential run, return of military establishment rule in Egypt Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi, held open the possibility he might run for the presidency.

11/21/13

* Netanyahu vows: No nukes for Iran's 'dark regime' The Iranian government is reminiscent of "dark regimes of the past".

* Iran Launches 'Massive' War Drills Iranian military forces launched a series of "massive military drills" across nine provinces.

* Air Force Seeks Laser Weapons for Next Generation Fighters The U.S. Air Force has released a new request for a high-powered laser weapon that could be mounted on a next-generation air dominance fighter.

* Iraq militia says fires mortar bombs at Saudi as warning Six mortar bombs landed near a border post in northern Saudi Arabia.

* Filling the Mideast vacuum Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in a Kremlin side-room fit for a prince.

* 40,000 NATO troops to stage massive European war games After the 2014 pullout from Afghanistan, NATO is set to stage huge European war games involving 40,000 troops.

* Pakistan: Possible US Drone Kills 5 at Islamic School A drone attack on an Islamic seminary in Pakistan, likely carried out by the US, left 5 dead.

* Dutch Catholic TV airs Jews-killed-Jesus video A Dutch Catholic public broadcaster has apologized for and pulled off the air a video clip featuring a song which accuses Jews of plotting to kill Jesus.

* Seven EU states create military drone 'club' Seven EU countries have formed what France calls a "club" to produce military drones from 2020 onward.

* EU population booms as migrants pour in Migrants remained the main drivers of a return to growth for Europe's official population in 2012.

11/20/13

* Iran nuclear talks: Tehran 'will not step back one iota' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he would not intervene directly in the negotiations.

* Iran nuclear talks adjourn, Netanyahu leaves Moscow 'empty-handed' Talks between Iran and world powers on an interim deal over Iran's nuclear program resumed.

* Khamenei: 'Israeli regime is doomed to failure, annihilation' Iran's supreme leader says "Zionist officials cannot be called humans".

* Egypt to Receive $4 Billion in Russian Arms A Kuwaiti newspaper reported Wednesday that Russia was set to transfer billions of dollars worth of arms to Egypt.

* Jews and Muslims to share al-Aqsa Mosque? Until a few weeks ago, most Israeli and Palestinian pundits dismissed the possibility of a Palestinian uprising in the near future.

* 'The foundations of Christian civilization are crumbling' The "red line" has been crossed in Britain as the foundations of Western civilization crumble.

* Egyptian troops die in Sinai bomb attack Eleven Egyptian military personnel have been killed and dozens more wounded in a car bomb attack near the North Sinai city of el-Arish.

* Netanyahu, Putin set to meet in Kremlin Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu landed in Moscow Wednesday afternoon and, just three hours later, was scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* David's Sling shoots down ballistic missile in trial The Ministry of Defense and the US Missile Defense Agency (MSA) held a successful test of the David's Sling air defense system.

* Gaza: Terrorist Killed, 4 Injured in 'Work Accident' One Gaza terrorist has been killed, and 4 others wounded, in an accidental blast in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. 

11/19/13

* Lebanon blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut The Iranian cultural attache, Sheikh Ibrahim Ansari, is among the dead, according to the Fars news agency.

* Prime Minister: Radical Islam Taking Us Back to the Past Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at an Israeli-French technology conference Tuesday, contrasted Israel's goals with those of Islamic radicals as a matter of modernity and anachronism.

* Group behind Beirut bombing has fired rockets at Israel The Abdullah Azzam Brigade, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group that claimed responsibility for Tuesday‚Äôs deadly attack on the Iranian embassy in Beirut.

* Egypt unrest: Rival groups mark anniversary of clashes Police fired tear gas at anti-army demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

* Hamas: 'We'll Come to Your Homes, Your Schools' Mushir al-Masri, a top Hamas terrorist and member of the PA parliament, declared that a 'calm' or cease-fire period with Israel was the best time to prepare new tactics.

* Nigeria Islamist Group Seizing Christian Women As Slaves Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram has been kidnapping Christian women from rural areas.

* Hezbollah Part and Parcel of Iran's Islamic Revolution Conventional wisdom states that Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah was birthed in direct response to Israel's 1982 invasion.

* Comet Ison brightens, but no fireworks so far Astronomers are getting good views of Comet Ison, but the icy object has not yet lived up to the high expectations set for it.

* Ancient Jewish Altar Found in Shilo An ongoing archaeological dig in the ancient Jewish village of Shilo in Samaria (Shomron) has turned up a stone altar dating back thousands of years.

* US Jewish leaders feel misled by White House over Iran deal American Jewish leaders feel they were misled by the White House in recent contacts.

11/18/13

* Putin calls Iran's leader, sees chance to end nuclear row The Kremlin said Putin and Rouhani had spoken by telephone at the Russian leader's request.

* EU 'civilian' mission training paramilitaries in Libya The EU's "civilian" border mission in Libya is in fact training paramilitary forces, amid a wider European and US effort to stop Libya becoming a "failed state."

* New Iranian Combat Drone 'Can Reach Israel' The 'Fotros' can fly 2,000 kilometers and stay in air 30 hours, armed with air-to-surface missiles.

* Report: Mossad working with Saudis on contingency plans for potential attack on Iran 'Sunday Times' quotes diplomatic source as saying Saudis are furious over Iran deal and are willing to give Israel "all the help it needs."

* Hollande Lays Out Four Conditions for Iran Agreement French President insists on four points for an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.

* Louie Gohmert Cites Bible As Foreign Policy Guide On Israel: 'The Bible Is Accurate' Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) took to the House floor Wednesday for a speech on the Obama administration's Israel policy, using the Bible for guidance.

* Turkey's secularists alarmed over rise of Islamic 'moralism' Turkey's secularists alarmed over rise of Islamic 'moralism'

* Lawmakers Warn: US Military 'Not Ready to Deploy' Senior lawmakers warn US military unprepared to deploy as a result of military budget cuts; danger to soldiers as training reduced.

* Nasa's Maven Mars mission set for launch The US space agency (Nasa) is all set to launch its latest mission to Mars.

* Hollande urges 'total halt' to settlement construction Hollande urges 'total halt' to settlement construction

11/16/13

* On Iran, cavernous tactical gaps separate Israel, US On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took to the US airwaves to present Israel's case to the American public.

* Fear and loathing in Riyadh Western news coverage tends to depict Israel as the chief advocate for a hard line against the Iranian nuclear program.

* Egypt gives Russian dignitaries a red carpet welcome Retired Egyptian military general says Egypt may sign a $2 billion deal with Russia for the purchase of 24 MiG fighter-jets.

* Majority of Israelis believe solo strike on Iran can succeed Israel Hayom-New Wave Research poll finds 52.4% of the Israeli Jewish public is in favor of an independent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

* Assad gaining ground in Syrian civil war Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have firmly seized the momentum in the country's civil war in recent weeks.

* IDF: Hamas Continues to Grow Stronger Colonel Amos Hacohen, head of the IDF's Southern Gaza Brigade, said on Friday that Hamas continues to grow stronger in Gaza.

* Eurozone economy still in troubled waters The eurozone economy grew by a meagre 0.1 percent in the last three months.

* Libya Reels as Tripoli Violence Continues Fresh gunbattles have erupted between rival militias in the Libyan city of Tripoli.

* Islamists protest military coup in Egypt Several thousand supporters of Egypt's ousted president rallied Friday.

* Sun Set To 'Flip Upside Down' Within Weeks The Sun's magnetic field is expected to flip upside down within weeks as its north and south poles swap sides.

11/15/13

* Diplomat: 'Quite possible' Iran deal reached next week Major powers and Iran are getting close to a first-stage agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program.

* Senior US official blames settlements for talks impasse A top White House official on Thursday blamed Israeli settlement building for tensions between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

* Netanyahu prepares hero's welcome for France's Hollande French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to arrive Sunday for a high-profile visit to Israel.

* Libya Making Its Laws 'More Islamic' A recently revealed document from Libya's justice ministry announces the establishment of a committee to make the nation's laws better conform with Islamic Sharia law.

* Hamas Tells Fatah to 'Prepare for War' During an Al-Qassam Brigade military parade Hamas officials called on Fatah to prepare for war with Israel.

* Behind the IAEA report: Iran halted uranium enrichment for maintenance purposes Iran appears to have moved quickly to prevent a large increase in its most disputed nuclear stockpile.

* On war anniversary, Hamas holds major military rally The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas looked to project an image of strength in Gaza.

* Israeli public backs Netanyahu in dust-up with US The public has Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's back in the public tiff with the US over policy toward Iran.

* Syrian rebel 'beheaded in case of mistaken identity' An al-Qaeda affiliated rebel group in Syria is reported to have asked for forgiveness after beheading a fellow rebel in a case of mistaken identity.

* Deaths at Libya anti-militia protest in Tripoli The demonstrators had marched to the headquarters of the Misrata militia to demand that it leave Tripoli.

11/14/13

* Ex-Israeli intel chief: Pakistan nukes for Saudis bought and paid for Saudi Arabia was said to have paid Pakistan for nuclear weapons.

* China Tests High-Speed Precision-Guided Torpedo China's navy recently conducted a test of a new high-speed maneuvering torpedo that poses a threat to U.S. ships and submarines.

* Russia and Egypt in key Cairo talks It is the highest level visit to Egypt by a Russian delegation in years.

* Asteroid Strikes 10 Times More Likely Than Previously Thought Asteroid strikes similar in size to the explosion over Russia in February may be 10 times more likely than previously thought.

* 'We Will Fly the Islamic Flag Over the White House' A video offering a rare look at the two Al Qaeda-linked rebel groups operating in Syria offers some of the most compelling evidence yet .

* Russia to Deploy Long-Range Attack Drone by 2016 Russia is developing its first long-range drone aircraft capable of conducting ground attack missions.

* EU settlement guidelines do Israel a favour The European Commission is in the process of implementing territorial guidelines for its future co-operation with Israel.

* Russian lawmaker wants to outlaw U.S. dollar, calls it a Ponzi scheme Predicting the imminent collapse of the U.S. dollar, a Russian lawmaker submitted a bill to his country's parliament Wednesday that would ban the use or possession of the American currency.

* Obama said to suspend Iran sanctions without informing Congress President Barack Obama has ordered an easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

* IAF strikes underground rocket launchers in Gaza following mortar fire The Israel Air Force bombed two underground rocket launchers in northern Gaza.

11/13/13

* Netanyahu: Iran proposal 'worse than a bad deal' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday fired another volley in what has turned into an ongoing, very public war.

* Biggest children's book publisher erases Israel from map Arab textbooks are not the only ones erasing Israel from their maps.

* Hamas marks year since 'victory' against Israel Thousands of Hamas security men staged a military parade in the Gaza Strip.

* Syria: Rebels in Crisis as Regime Forces Continue to Make Gains Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have wrested control of a flashpoint suburb of the capital Damascus.

* Russian Officials in Egypt to Discuss Arms Deal The most senior Russian officials to visit Egypt in years will arrive Wednesday to discuss weapons deals.

* New Council to Spread Hebrew in North America The World Zionist Organization (WZO) has announced a new initiative, The Hebrew Language Council (HLC) of North America.

* Right-Wing European Alliance To Challenge EU French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen will meet Dutch Geert Wilders.

* Putin Called Saudi King, Next US Ally Lost? Russian President Vladimir Putin called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

* Israeli Pill to Replace Colonoscopy In August Given Imaging, an Israeli medical technology company, received FDA approval for their Pill Cam SB3 which will potentially replace colonoscopies in screening for colorectal cancer.

* UN agency sees no big change in Iran's nuclear work The head of the UN nuclear agency said on Wednesday he saw "no radical change" in Iran's nuclear program.

11/12/13

* Why France stood alone to scuttle Iran deal In 1979, France promised Iraq it would build it a light-water nuclear reactor to be fueled with uranium enriched to 93 percent.

* Iran blames Western powers for nuclear talks failure Iran's foreign minister has blamed divisions between Western powers for the failure to agree a deal on its nuclear program.

* Mufti: Jerusalem is 'Islamic' The Supreme Palestinian Mufti, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, has issued a warning against what he says are the dangerous repercussions of excavation.

* After Kerry's 3rd intifada comment, Shapiro says violence never acceptable Violence is completely unacceptable regardless of the outcome of the current round of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

* Jordan vetoes Israeli request to allow Jewish prayer on Temple Mount The top Jordanian government official responsible for the custodianship of religious holy sites in Jerusalem is quoted in local press on Tuesday as saying that he is "adamantly opposed" to any Jewish worship atop the Temple Mount.

* 'Stuxnet has infected Russian nuclear plant and International Space Station' Web security expert says had tip off about malware that originally targeted Iran's nuclear program.

* Typhoon Haiyan: UN launches $301m Philippines aid appeal The UN has launched an appeal for $301m to help relief efforts in typhoon-hit areas of the Philippines.

* Are there really 100,000 new Christian martyrs every year? Gunmen on motorcycles kill three people when they open fire on a wedding outside a Coptic Christian church in Cairo.

* China Third Plenum: Leaders unveil key reforms China's leaders have unveiled a series of reforms aimed at overhauling its economy over the next decade.

* Churches post 'Thou shalt not kill' billboards around Detroit Churches post 'Thou shalt not kill' billboards around Detroit.

11/11/13

* Don't say it can't be done There is only one way to avoid a nuclear Iran: to attack it ~ Any deal, bad or somewhat bad, won't change that ~ The IDF has already proved it can do the impossible; it can also do the unthinkable ~ Ultimately, we cannot trust anyone but ourselves.

* France: Israel Will Attack Iran It's not just that the West risks upsetting Israel by signing a poor nuclear deal with Iran, warned a French lawmaker at the weekend, insisting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will follow through on his threat to attack the Islamic Republic.

* Kerry: Iran, not France, scuttled nuclear deal Secretary of state denies daylight with Paris over terms, says compromise with Tehran will provide Israel with 'greater security'.

* Disappointed with the US, Saudi Arabia eyes the bomb Egypt and 'maybe even Turkey' will also seek to acquire atomic weapons if Iran's nuclear ambitions aren't reined in, expert says.

* Islamists Threaten: Al Aqsa is 'a Volcano' Islamic Movement concerned Israel will divide the Temple Mount to Jewish and Arab areas, opposed to equal prayer rights on the Mount.

* CIA warily watches for threats to U.S. now that 87 nations possess drones The age of the drone is here, and U.S. intelligence agencies are warily monitoring their proliferation around the globe.

* ATHEIST 'MEGA-CHURCHES' TAKE ROOT ACROSS US, WORLD It looked like a typical Sunday morning at any mega-church. Several hundred people, including families with small children, packed in for more than an hour of rousing music, an inspirational talk and some quiet reflection. The only thing missing was God.

* Hamas, Palestinian Authority Clash Over Arafat Accusations Hamas prevents commemorative celebrations for Arafat in light of PA-backed study; PA: Hamas 'doesn't care' about Arafat's death.

* Khamenei's massive business empire revealed Special report by Reuters reveals massive holdings by Iran's supreme leader, unearths complex web of corporations, valued at $95 billion, more than Iran's oil exports. If Khamenei were owner he would be richest man in world

* Netanyahu: I Won't be Silenced on Israel's Security Netanyahu: I Won't be Silenced on Israel's Security

11/09/13

* Iran airs animated strike on Israel Iranian state television aired a computer-animated video that showed an imagined Iranian missile strike on Israeli cities.

* Netanyahu urges Kerry not to sign deal with Iran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday "not to rush to sign" a deal with Iran.

* Iran announces new air defense missile system amid nuclear talks Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan announced that the Islamic Republic has successfully developed a new air defense system.

* Amid negotiation tensions, Obama tells Netanyahu he's committed to nuclear weapons free Iran US President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Friday afternoon to discuss developing talks in Geneva over Iran's nuclear program.

* Palestinian investigators: Israel is 'the only suspect' in Arafat's death Palestinian investigators said Israel was the "only suspect" in the death of Yasser Arafat.

* Diplomats: Jordan likely to take UN Security Council seat rejected by Saudis Jordan appears set to take the traditional Arab seat on the UN Security Council.

* Israel surprised by US course of action on Iran, officials say Israel was surprised with the diplomatic course being taken by the US during nuclear negotiations in Geneva.

* Egypt to hold parliamentary vote in February or March Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy said on Friday Egypt would hold parliamentary elections between February and March.

* Sochi Olympic torch taken on historic spacewalk Two Russian cosmonauts are taking the torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics on its first historic spacewalk.

* Germans commemorate 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht Germans across the country on Saturday commemorated the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht - the night of broken glass.

11/08/13

* Iranian TV airs animated strike on Tel Aviv, Dimona Iranian state television aired a computer-animated video that showed an imagined Iranian missile strike on Israeli cities.

* John Kerry says no Iran nuclear deal yet US Secretary of State John Kerry has stressed that no agreement has yet been reached on Iran's nuclear program.

* Frustrated Kerry's peace critique a heavy slap in Netanyahu's face On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his old friend John Kerry in Jerusalem that he was concerned about the peace process.

* US carrier crosses Suez Canal into Red Sea An official at Egypt's Suez Canal says a US aircraft carrier and a destroyer have crossed the waterway from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

* Hamas Official: We'll Expel or Kill All the Zionists A senior Hamas official declared on Thursday that his group intends to stick to its mission - "liberating" all of "Palestine" (meaning all of Israel).

* Palestinian officials: Israel only suspect in Arafat death The Palestinian committee investigating the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 has said Israel is the "only suspect".

* Iran, EU and US voice optimism on nuclear deal Iran's top diplomats have said they will begin drafting a written agreement on its nuclear programm.

* 'National governments declining in importance' As more key powers are transferred to Brussels, it poses an existential question for central governments.

* 29% of European Jews considered emigrating due to anti-Semitism Nearly a third of respondents to a survey on anti-Semitism in Europe said they "seriously considered emigrating" because of perceived anti-Semitism.

* The Threat of Israel's 'Women of the Wall' I have written before about the Women of The Wall (WotW).

11/07/13

* Saudi could have Pakistani-made atom bombs upon request Saudi Arabia has reportedly financed Pakistani-developed nuclear weapons.

* PLO demands international probe into Arafat's death The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is calling on the international community to further probe the death of former leader Yasser Arafat.

* Netanyahu says nuclear deal with Iran would be a 'mistake of historic proportions' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned on Thursday against an agreement with Iran that stops short of getting it to halt its uranium enrichment.

* Putin to Visit Egypt, Replace US Military Ties Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Egypt later this month.

* Hamas: New Terror War 'A Matter of Time' A senior Hamas politician has joined the call for an "intifada" terror war against Israel over Jews' visits to the Temple Mount.

* Prominent cleric calls for jihad against Egyptian army Jihadi cleric Sheikh Abu Mundhir al-Shinqiti has called on Egyptians to stop using nonviolent means such as protests.

* Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan Saudi Arabia has invested in Pakistani nuclear weapons projects.

* Iran State TV Presents: Missiles on Tel Aviv, Dimona As the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.

* Saudi Arabia is First on the Iranian Nuke Hit List On October 23, 2013, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni stated, in English, responding to a question about Gulf Sunni States' cooperation with Israel.

* Kerry warns of violence if peace talks fail US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Thursday of a return to violence if faltering peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians ultimately fail.

11/06/13

* Syria's 'black hole' threatens known universe, or at least could bring wider war Syria, like one of those mysterious black holes in space, is irrevocably sucking its neighbors and the major powers into an unknown vortex that could lead to regional war.

* Chinese state media for first time raises prospect of nuclear attack on U.S. cities Chinese state-run media revealed for the first time this week that Beijing's nuclear submarines can attack American cities.

* Kerry: US considers Israeli settlements to be 'illegitimate' US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Israel on Wednesday to limit settlement building.

* Mix of radical ideas and idealism drives Europeans to join global jihad One way to curb the existing threat from the European jihadist fighters is to monitor them upon their return from warzones.

* Saudis unconvinced by Kerry's show of US goodwill King Abdullah, who is 90 this year and rarely meets visiting officials, mustered a full complement of senior princes to sit in on Monday's talks with Kerry.

* One in five suns has habitable world Astronomers have estimated how many of the 100 billion stars in our galaxy hosts a potentially habitable planet.

* To save Middle East's cultural treasures, a race against time The archaeology site of Gobekli Tepe sits at the top of a mountain ridge in Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region.

* New book quotes Obama calling Netanyahu 'a pain in the a**' US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu "a pain in the...".

* Ten Basic Points: Israel's Rights to Judea and Samaria Upon Israel's taking control of the area in 1967, the 1907 Hague Rules on Land Warfare and the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) were not considered applicable to the West Bank.

* Palestinian official: No talks while settlement construction continues The Palestinian Authority will not continue with peace talks as long as Israel continues building in the settlements.

11/05/13

* Fatah Gloats: Israel, Go Pray for Your Dead The Fatah movement has welcomed the latest freed terrorists as "heroes" and mocked Israel, telling Israelis to "Die in your rage."

* Bolz-Weber's liberal, foulmouthed articulation of Christianity speaks to fed-up believers Nadia Bolz-Weber bounds into the University United Methodist Church sanctuary like a superhero from Planet Alternative Christian.

* 'Death to America', 'Down to Israel' chants as Iran celebrates US embassy siege anniversary Thousands of Iranians chanted ‚ÄúDeath to America‚Äù on Monday, the anniversary of of the 1979 seizure of the US Embassy.

* Lapid: Jerusalem is not up for negotiation because the city will never be divided The issue of Jerusalem is not on the table in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

* The ticking clocks of Iran's nuclear program On October 29, with just a day's notice, members of the National Security Council summoned four of America's most influential pro-Israel lobbyists to the White House.

* Nazi trove in Munich contains unknown works by masters Previously unknown artworks by masters are among more than 1,400 pieces found in a trove of Nazi-looted art in Munich, German.

* Terror Victims' Org Urges Kerry to Meet With Victims' Families The anti-terror and victim advocacy group Almagor - who recently launched a massive last-ditch effort to prevent last week's release of 26 convicted Palestinian Arab terrorists to Judea, Samaria, and Gaza - is reportedly appealing to US Secretary General John Kerry.

* Vatican Embassy in Syria hit by mortar fire The Vatican Embassy in Damascus was hit by mortar fire on Tuesday but there were no casualties.

* India launches spacecraft to Mars The Mars Orbiter Mission took off at 09:08 GMT from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the country's east coast.

* Russia demands Iran be included as talks heat up over Syria conference The UN's top Syria envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, headed into meetings with senior Russian and US officials.

11/04/13

* Israel to US: Syria raid leak 'endangers our national security' Jerusalem reportedly conveys bitter protests to White House, Pentagon, CIA for confirming that IAF hit missile shipment; 'embarrassed' administration has yet to respond.

* Israel thinks US will make 'reversible gestures' to Iran World powers and Iran to hold another round of talks in Geneva later this week ~ Israel concerned that Iran will make proposals that will lead to the easing of sanctions ~ U.S. official: We will consult with Israel about any deal with Iran.

* PM: 'Real Face of Iran' On Display at Tehran Hate Rally Iranians 'celebrated' the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran said PM Netanyahu, but they were really showing the world their true face.

* Egypt ex-president Morsi tells trial: 'I am president' Egypt's ousted leader Mohammed Morsi has gone on trial in Cairo, telling the judge the case is illegitimate as he remains president.

* Arab MKs denounce Jewish visitation to Temple Mount in Knesset hearing "There is no Temple Mount," shouts MK Zahalka at proposal to find solution to allow Jews to enter compound.

* Poll: Most Israelis think US is spying on them 65% of Israelis, 22% of Arab Israelis support spying on friendly countries, while 73% of Jewish Israelis believe Israel already does so.

* Brazil and Germany want anti-surveillance UN resolution Brazil and Germany want the UN General Assembly to adopt a draft resolution to end mass surveillance, as German public figures call for Edward Snowden to receive asylum.

* John Kerry praises US-Saudi ties as 'enduring' US Secretary of State John Kerry, visiting Saudi Arabia, has said ties between the two nations are "strategic" and "enduring".

* Arab League to campaign against settlements Agreement provides a loophole for the Palestinian Authority, which committed not to lobby world powers during peace talks.

* US plans for hypersonic robot spy plane revealed Lockheed Martin has begun work on a successor to the supersonic Blackbird SR-71 spy plane.

11/02/13

* While Obamcare stuns the U.S., 'leading from behind' unravels world peace The U.S. is transfixed by the Obama administration's massively bungled attempt to nationalize one sixth of the economy.

* Israel: Hizbullah remains 'elite force' fighting rebels for Assad in Syria Despite reports of a withdrawal, Israel continues to determine a large Hizbullah role in Syria.

* Israel said to bomb Syrian base containing missiles from Iran and Russia A Syrian missile base has been bombed in an attack attributed to Israel.

* DL director: US seen as 'weak and retreating' on world stage American wariness of foreign military involvement is making it seem "weak and retreating."

* Israel 'furious' with White House for leak on Syria strike Israel is fuming with the White House for confirming that it was the Israeli Air Force that struck a military base near the Syrian port city of Latakia.

* U.S. Roman Catholic Church And Protestant Denominations Agree To Recognize Each Other's Baptisms In a monumental occasion for ecumenical relations, the U.S. Roman Catholic church and a group of Protestant denominations plan to sign a document on Tuesday evening to formally agree to recognize each other's baptisms.

* Hakimullah Mehsud drone strike: 'Death of peace efforts' Pakistan's interior minister has said the death of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud has destroyed the country's nascent peace process.

* Behind The Lines: Assad's North Korean connection Reports have emerged this week indicating the presence of North Korean military personnel in Syria.

* In midst of Syrian war, giant Jesus statue arises In the midst of a conflict rife with sectarianism, a giant bronze statue of Jesus has gone up on a Syrian mountain.

* Why Vladimir rules and Obama bombs On both the NSA saga and the Syrian crisis, Putin played chess while Obama played checkers with himself - and lost.

11/01/13

* Inside China: Nuclear submarines capable of widespread attack on U.S. Chinese state-run media revealed for the first time this week that Beijing's nuclear submarines can attack American cities.

* Putin instead of Obama: Russian foothold in Cairo Russia's military intelligence chief Viackeslav Kondraskou landed in Cairo this week for a few days' visit.

* Habayit Hayehudi pushing law to allow Jews to pray on Temple Mount Habayit Hayehudi faction is cooperating with the Religious Services Ministry to propose legislation which would allow Jews to openly pray on the Temple Mount.

* Kerry to arrive as Palestinians threaten to walk away from talks US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit next week for talks on the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

* Syria conflict: Israel 'carries out Latakia air strike' Israeli aircraft have carried out a strike near the Syrian coastal city of Latakia.

* New documentary challenges evangelical bonds with Israel A new documentary about Palestinian Christians is challenging mainstream evangelical assumptions about the Holy Land in the United States.

* Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gather in Jerusalem to celebrate return to Israel on Sig'd holiday Thousands of Ethiopian Israelis from across the nation gathered in the capital Thursday to celebrate Sigd.

* 26% of Americans believe Jews killed Jesus Twelve percent of Americans harbor deeply anti-Semitic attitudes.

* Iranian reports say supreme leader's health worsening Reports Thursday suggested that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's health may have taken a turn for the worse.

* Financing the flames from a mobile home in Florida A regular feature of West Bank confrontation between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians seems to be a corps of intrepid young women that villagers call "internationals."