12/31/14

* New Year's Eve: Global celebrations bring in 2015 Revellers across the globe are gathering to welcome in the new year, with New Zealand and Australia leading the celebrations.

* Abbas signs Rome Statute, paving way for possible war crimes probe against Israel at ICC In response to failure of UN draft resolution PA leader signs to join International Criminal Court. .

* Rabbis Ban New Year's Celebrations in Israel The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has declared that there can be no New Year's celebration in the Land of Israel.

* Leading Publishing House Wipes Israel Off Its Map HarperCollins' subsidiary remove Israel from school atlases for Middle Eastern countries to appease 'local preferences.'

* Oil could fall to $US20 over the coming year Revisiting the past year's predictions is, for most columnists a frequently humbling experience. The howlers tend to far outweigh the successes. Yet, for a change, I can genuinely claim to have got my main call for markets - that oil would sink to $US80 a barrel or less - spot on, and for the right reasons, too.

* Hamas blasts UN gambit as Palestinian Authority plans next steps Islamist group reiterates opposition to draft statehood resolution; slams PA for "another failure added to the choice of compromise" with Israel.

* Aliyah Figures at Highest in a Decade; France Leads the Way 26,500 new immigrants in 2014 with France leading for first time ever, and Ukraine immigration up by 190%, as aliyah continues to flourish.

* Wild Cheers for Proposed Invasion of Israel Turkish and Palestinian flags fluttered like angry birds in a crowd of thousands of people chanting "Allahu Akbar!" and "Down with Israel!"

* Ambassador Power: PA's Resolution was Not Constructive American envoy to the UN says PA's resolution doesn't offer constructive steps to solve the conflict. Jordan: We'll keep pushing.

* Islamic State to Systematically Target Europe in 2015: French Expert A French journalist and Middle East expert has told Sputnik that Europe should prepare for systematic attacks by Islamic State militants in the coming year.

12/30/14

* New Palestinian bid calls for E. Jerusalem capital, 'just' solution  A draft resolution calling for an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines within three years and revised to include language declaring East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state was presented to the UN Security Council late Monday. 

* Europe's Year of the Jihadist  Among the trends of 2014 - 'Gone, Girl,' Lena Dunham, and $55,000 potato salad - was another the list-makers seem to have missed: it was also a very good year for Islamic jihad. 

* Hamas Slams PA Statehood Bid as 'Surrender' to Israel  Hamas again criticized the political process of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the center of which is a draft resolution calls for Israel to 'end the occupation' - that is, to withdraw from Judea and Samaria - by 2017. 

* Obama on Iran Embassy: 'Never Say Never'  President Barack Obama hinted that he might be prepared to establish a new U.S. embassy in Tehran " if we can get a deal on making sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," and the deal led to warmer relations with the Iranian regime. 

* ISIS features Netanyahu in official magazine  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's media aides may want to add Islamic State to the list of recipients of their mass emails and press releases. 

* Russians Rage Against America  Relations between Russia and the US have sunk to new lows. 

* Palestinians say Jews will be a minority by 2016  A Palestinian census published Monday claims that Palestinians living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza will outnumber Jews in the same area by 2016. 

* 2014 comes to close with 8.3 million Israelis  Some 176,000 babies were born and some 23,000 new olim arrived in Israel over the past year; 6.2 million residents are Jews, 1.7 million Arabs. 

* Celebrate and Be Merry! Jesus the Messiah is Palestinian!  As has become custom, Palestinian Authority last week made a show of claiming Jesus as one of their own in the run-up to Christmas. 

* Ukrainian President Signs Law Allowing NATO Membership Bid  President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law abandoning Ukraine's neutral "non-bloc" status.

12/29/14

* PM: If int'l community doesn't oppose Palestinian UN bid, we will  'We expect the entire international community - at least the responsible members of that community - to oppose vigorously this UN diktat,' Netanyahu says, as Palestinians plan to submit final draft of Security Council resolution on 'end of occupation' on Monday.

* ISIS executed nearly 2,000 people in Syria, mostly civilians, in 6 months - monitor In the past six months, the Islamic State has killed 1,878 people in Syria, mostly civilians, a British-based Syrian monitoring organization revealed in its report, adding that the "real number killed by ISIS is higher." 

* Al-Qaeda urges 'lone wolf' attacks on airliners  Jihadist group's magazine encourages operatives to target commercial airlines, praises US terror attacks. 

* Wiesenthal Center top 10 list: Worst global anti-Semitic/anti-Israel incidents of 2014 Europe dominates the list of incidents of Israel hatred and anti-Semitic violence, with six mentions.

* Watch: Hamas Shows Off Army 'Ready to Conquer Jerusalem' In propaganda film, Hamas portrays itself as a modern Islamic army, with advanced weapons for abductions, tunnel and attacks, naval raids.

* Egypt Bans 'Zionist' and 'Inaccurate' Film on Exodus Egypt bans Hollywood film based on the book of Exodus because of "historical inaccuracies".

* Iran Unveils its Lethal New 'Suicide Drones' Iran tests out a new weapon meant to bring death from the skies on land, air and sea targets, as part of massive 6-day drill.

* EU foreign policy chief seeks new 'debate' with Russia Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, has said the bloc should launch a new 'debate' with Russia aimed at ending the 'confrontation' over Ukraine. 

* Christians now outnumber communists in China  Though the Chinese Communist Party is the largest explicitly atheist organization in the world, with 85 million official members, it is now overshadowed by an estimated 100 million Christians in China. 

* Turkish PM: Israel 'Reducing the Islamic Character' of Jerusalem Ahmet Davutoglu says he backs Palestinian Arabs in their efforts to oppose Israeli attempts to "reduce the Islamic character" of Jerusalem.

12/27/14

* Islamic State fighters are moving ever closer towards Israel  Islamic State has suffered severe losses as a result of coalition air strikes in the last months. 

* Iran stages massive military display to 'send message of peace' to neighbors  Iran has launched a six-day exercise involving all branches of its military. 

* Muslim Scholar Calls for Jewish Place of Worship on Temple Mount  A Jordanian Muslim preacher has called for Jews to be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount, and even for a special "house of prayer" to be set up for them there. 

* Erekat: UNSC to vote Monday on draft demanding Israeli withdrawal from West Bank  Erekat said that the draft resolution has been altered and amended. 

* Iranian Army affiliated twitter account: Our soldiers are on Israel's borders  A twitter account affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) tweeted photos of IRGC soldiers with blurred faces supposedly on the border of Israel. 

* In pictures: American astronaut photographs Israel from space on Christmas  On a clear day on Christmas morning US astronaut Barry Wilmore took some pictures of Israel from the International Space Station resulting in some stunning snaps of the holy land. 

* Mashaal in Turkey: We hope to liberate Palestine with you  On a surprise visit to Turkey Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal hailed the country's leaders and said he hoped to 'œliberate Palestine and Jerusalem' with them. 

* Iran's army tests suicide drone in drills  Army's commander of ground forces calls unmanned aircraft 'a mobile bomb', designed to plunge into aerial and ground targets, as well as ships. 

* It's a Black Christmas for the Christians of the Middle East  As 2014 draws to a close, ancient communities of faith confront the destruction of their world. 

* Report: Islamic State is turning churches into torture chambers in Iraq and Syria  The Islamic State (IS) is turning Christian churches in Syria and Iraq into torture chambers and selling stolen holy artifacts on the black market in the process.

12/26/14

* Iran holds 'largest military exercise in history', in bid to send 'message' 'This is a message of peace to our friendly neighbors, but a show of force to our enemies,' Iranian general says.

* Erekat: UNSC to vote 'Friday or Monday' on draft demanding Israeli withdrawal from West Bank Erekat said that the draft resolution has been altered and amended. The final draft has yet to be released for public consumption.

* New Russian Military Doctrine Says NATO Top Threat Russia named NATO's military buildup near its border as the main military threat and raised the possibility of using precision conventional weapons as a "strategic deterrent," according to the nation's new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin Friday.

* Secular activist crusades for religious access to the Temple Mount Joining forces with radical right-wingers preparing for a third Temple, Linda Olmert frames Jewish prayer at the holy site as a civil rights issue.

* Russia Expresses Support for PA's UN Resolution Russia says it intends to support the draft resolution which would set a deadline for Israel to withdraw from Judea and Samaria.

* Erdogan to Europe: Eradicate anti-Muslim racism before daring to criticize Turkey Turkish police earlier this month raided media outlets close to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

* Egypt bans Exodus Hollywood film Egypt has banned a Hollywood film based on the Biblical book of Exodus because of what censors described as "historical inaccuracies".

* Iran Launches Major Naval Drill - Eyeing Yemen? Iran holds massive military drill including farthest reaching naval exercises, in likely gesture for allied Houthis conquering Yemen.

* Four EU countries in top 10 world economies Four European countries are in the world's 10 largest economies, according to research by the Centre for Economic and Business Research.

* Europe in Review 2014 "The year politics came back to Europe" - Donald Tusk's words as he took over the EU Council presidency on 1 December, 10 months after Russia invaded Ukraine when a popular uprising overthrew its corrupt and pro-Russian president.

12/24/14

* Christmas pilgrims gather in Bethlehem after hard year Christians suffered attacks by jihadists in Syria and Iraq; Palestinian celebrations muted after Gaza conflict.

* 17,500 Germans gather to sing Christmas Carols against Islamisation The German PEGIDA movement held its largest meeting yet last night to protest what they call the 'Islamisation of the Western World', despite stiff opposition from all sections of Germany's elite including politicians, media, and the arts.

* IS captures Jordanian pilot after warplane crashes in Syria Islamic State (IS) militants have captured the pilot of a Jordanian warplane that crashed in northern Syria, Jordan's military has confirmed.

* A snapshot of Christmas in Iran Iran's Christian Armenian minority is storming the gift shops in Tehran, buying them out of all their ornaments, Santa figures and pine trees to hang in their stores and homes.

* Holiday lights and holy sites: Christians head to Jerusalem on Christmas Eve A combination of kitschy holiday decor and historic holy sites draw Christians to the Old City to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

* Hamas Continues Rocket Test Prep for Next War Two rockets shot into sea after attack on Israel last Friday, as the Gaza terror leaders gear up for next assault on Jewish state.

* Was Jesus born in a different Bethlehem? An Antiquities Authority archaeologist argues that the Christian savior hailed from Galilee, not Judea

* What would Jesus think about Israel? Just ask Iran's supreme leader Tehran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used his Twitter account to lambaste Israel by invoking Jesus.

* It's a Black Christmas for the Christians of the Middle East As 2014 draws to a close, ancient communities of faith confront the destruction of their world.

* Christmas Season Brings Christianity under Renewed Attack in India Christmas-related anti-Christian violence and harassment have begun as Hindu extremists undertake an aggressive effort to "reconvert" tribal people to Hinduism, sources said.

12/23/14

* In Pictures: Hundreds Witness 'Hanukkah Miracle' in Jerusalem Hundreds gathered in Jerusalem to witness history as Menorah lit using pure olive oil to Temple standards for first time in 2000 years.

* Report: Islamic State is turning churches into torture chambers in Iraq and Syria The militant group has also been selling stolen goods from ransacked churches on the black market in order to fund their terrorist mission.

* Pope's Christmas message to those fleeing ISIS: 'Do not be afraid or ashamed to be Christian' "I write to you just before Christmas, knowing that for many of you the music of your Christmas hymns will also be accompanied by tears and sighs," Pope Francis wrote.

* China ignores EU, offers to help Russia China has joined India in helping the Russian economy, but closer to home Belarus and Kazakhstan are hedging their bets on future relations.

* Russia, 4-ex-Soviet nations finalize new alliance Russia and four other ex-Soviet nations on Tuesday completed the creation of a new economic alliance intended to bolster their integration, but the ambitious grouping immediately showed signs of fracture as the leader of Belarus sharply criticized Moscow.

* Ukraine votes to drop non-aligned status Ukraine's parliament has voted to drop the country's non-aligned status and work towards Nato membership.

* North Korea struggles to stay online North Korea appears to have suffered a second internet blackout, according to internet performance measuring firm Dyn Research.

* Australia PM Abbott warns of 'heightened terror chatter' Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there has been a "heightened level of terror chatter" since the siege at a Sydney cafe last week.

* Giulio Meotti Lights a Menorah at the Arch of Titus The candles lit at the site where Rome commemorated its victory over the Jews are a symbol of Jewish renewal in the face of anti-Semitism.

* Winner of the International Bible Quiz: Hananel Malka Israeli takes home the fifth Bible Quiz, as PM praises Bible as 'spirit that gives us strength to stand against all challenges.'

12/22/14

*'First pure olive oil produced in 2000 years' says Temple Institute This year, the Temple Institute has produced pure olive oil fit for use in the Menorah of the Temple for what it says is the first time in two thousand years.

* China pledges to help Russia overcome economic hardships China's foreign minister has pledged support to Russia as it faces an economic downturn due to sanctions and a drop in oil prices. 

* Muslim Scholar Calls for Jewish Place of Worship on Temple Mount Jordanian Salafi cleric makes surprising ruling, notes Jewish presence pre-Islam and says 'Israelites' should thus be given a right to pray.

* Temple Mount Org.: Jordanian Cleric's Support a Positive Step Temple Institute head Rabbi Chaim Richman says Muslim cleric's 'bold' support for Jewish prayer rights on Mount is 'extremely positive.'

* Fatah Official: Yafo, Haifa, Acco, and Nazareth are Ours In a recent Lebanese television appearance, Fatah official Tawfiq Tirawi claimed several Israeli cities as belonging to 'Palestine.'

* David's Sling 'can intercept warheads over enemy territory,' Rafael official tells 'Post' Air defense system is entering the production stage and will have initial operational capability in 2016.

* Pope Francis sharply criticises Vatican bureaucracy Pope Francis has sharply criticised the Vatican bureaucracy in a pre-Christmas address to cardinals, complaining of "spiritual Alzheimer's" and "the terrorism of gossip".

* Temple Mount Hosts Pro-Hamas Rally A large group of Palestinian Muslims sporting green Hamas headbands rallied on Friday atop Jerusalem's Temple Mount, where they called for an Islamist conquest of the city.

* ISIL tests Jordan defenses with clashes along borders with Iraq, Syria Officials said the Hashemite kingdom was on alert for an ISIL presence along Jordan's borders with Iraq and Syria. 

* UN's 1,300 observers at loose ends after fleeing to Israel from Syria's Golan Heights The United Nations monitoring force is struggling to operate after fleeing Syria's Golan Heights.

12-20-14

* WATCH: Palestinians stage pro-Hamas rally on Temple Mount Dozens of Palestinians, some of them dressed in balaclavas with the trademark green headband and Hamas insignia, waved Hamas banners during a demonstration on the Temple Mount on Friday.

* Kerry may not want Netanyahu back as premier, but Abbas sure does Long-time State Department Middle East hand Aaron David Miller wrote a piece on Foreign Policy's website this week under the entertaining headline "All John Kerry Wants for Christmas Is an Israel Without Bibi."

* Russian Nuclear Bombers Again Buzz Guam Russian strategic bombers conducted a third circumnavigation of the U.S. Pacific island of Guam last week as other bombers flew close to Alaska and Europe, defense officials said.

* IS said to execute 100 foreign fighters who wanted to quit The Islamic State extremist group has executed 100 of its own foreign fighters who tried to flee their headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

* Israeli Aircraft Strike Gaza Terror Sites Israeli aircraft hit Gaza for the first time since an August truce ended 50 days of war after Palestinian terrorists fired a rocket at a southern Israeli town.

* Ukraine crisis: Russia defies fresh Western sanctions Russia says it will not "cave in" to pressure, following a fresh set of US, EU and Canadian sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.

* Hamas Official Says a 'New Chapter' Open with Iran Ali Baraka, Hamas's representative in Lebanon, said Friday that a recent visit by a Hamas delegation to Iran had "opened a new chapter" in relations between Tehran and the terror group.

* WHO: One Million People Wounded in Syrian War At least one million people have been wounded and 200,000 killed in Syria since its years-long Civil War began in March 2011, Syria's World Health Organization (WHO) representative stated to Reuters Friday.

* PA: Arab states have yet to transfer funds pledged for Gaza Less than two percent of the $5.4 billion of aid pledged by international donors to help rebuild Gaza following Operation Protective Edge has been transferred, and none of the Arab states have come through yet on their promised share.

* EU sanctions add to Putin's Crimea headache The EU will, from Saturday (20 December), ban almost all forms of business co-operation with Crimea in a further blow to the Russian economy.

12/18/14

* PM: Abbas's UN Bid Allows Hamas Takeover in Judea-Samaria Netanyahu slams PA resolution at UN demanding 2017 Israeli withdrawal, as Arab League urges US not to veto and 'ruin peace.'

* China Tests ICBM With Multiple Warheads China carried out a long-range missile flight test on Saturday using multiple, independently targetable reentry vehicles, or MIRVs, according to U.S. defense officials.

* Boko Haram unrest: Nigerian militants 'kidnap 200 villagers' Militants have stormed a remote village in north-eastern Nigeria, killing at least 33 people and kidnapping about 200, a survivor has told the BBC.

* Putin seeks to ease fears over Russian economic crisis President Vladimir Putin has sought to ease fears over Russia's economy, insisting that the dramatic fall in the rouble will stabilise.

* Hamas Holds Largest Military Exercise Since Op. Protective Edge al-Qassam 

Brigades hold largest military training exercise since Op. Protective Edge; Israelis report hearing explosions all night

* Genocide by General Assembly: The UN's latest resolution to disarm Israel Nuclear weapons and strategy have become indispensable to Israel's physical survival.

* Obama's Cuba 'lovefest': A real move to check Russia? Alarmingly, the Russians in recent months have been using Cuba to build up a menacing Cold War-era presence at America's doorstep.

* Palestinian draft resolution submitted to UNSC: Israeli withdrawal from West Bank by 2017 The Palestinian-drafted resolution was formally submitted to the 15-member council by Jordan, which means it could be put to a vote as soon as 24 hours later.

* ISIS Establishing Itself as Political Entity in Every Way By taking municipal and governmental services under its control, Islamic State is able to effectively provide the public with all its needs.

* Famous Egyptian writer says Hamas is 'the real enemy,' not Israel Ali Salem says there are currently Israeli factories in Egypt and normalization with Israel is necessary.

12/17/14

* Next Week: A Modern-Day Hanukkah Miracle Next week history will be made as experts reveal - and light - a batch of pure olive oil precisely as it was used in the Temple.

* Netanyahu: Too many in Europe have learned nothing from the slaughter of 6 million Jews PM slams EU for decisions to take Hamas off terror blacklist, recognize Palestinian state.

* Pakistan school attack: PM Sharif vows to end 'terrorism' Pakistan's prime minister has vowed to rid his country of terrorism after a Taliban attack at a school in Peshawar killed 141 people, mostly children.

* Abbas's Religious Adviser Promises Israel Will Disappear Al-Habash, PA Supreme Sharia Judge, says on TV 'Palestine will return to us,' all military and diplomatic options of 'resistance' are open.

* Erdogan's regime becoming more dictatorship than democracy The oft-repeated Erdogan quote that analysts cite again and again bears repeating - that democracy is a train that you get off once you reach your destination.

* EU parliament backs compromise resolution on Palestinian state EU "supports in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, and believes these should go hand in hand with the development of peace talks, which should be advanced."

* Russia plans new measures to stabilise the rouble Russia is planning new measures to stabilise the rouble to try to stem its recent slump against the dollar.

* Israel cries foul after EU strikes Hamas from terror list Assets of group to remain frozen after ruling issued on technicality, but Netanyahu says Jerusalem 'not satisfied'; Hamas praises move.

* Israel warns EU vote on Palestine is damaging to peace Foreign Ministry says the solution to the conflict to be found at the negotiating table.

* Hamas-Ruled Gaza Prepares for Next War Against Israel In Gaza, there is no serious reconstruction and certainly no disarmament. Instead, the Hamas-ruled enclave is gearing up for its next war against Israel.

12/16/14

* Pakistan Taliban: Peshawar school attack leaves 141 dead The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil reports from Peshawar: ''It started as a normal school day... but it turned into a massacre''

* World facing Armageddon unless Obama and Putin 'defrost' icy relationship: Gorbachev warns new Cold War could last for years Russian elder statesman Mikhail Gorbachev today warned of the threat of Armageddon if Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin fail to rapidly 'defrost' their icy relations.

* Estimated 15,000 people join 'pinstriped Nazis' on march in Dresden Its members have been dubbed the 'pinstriped Nazis' and they refer to their demonstrations as 'evening strolls' through German cities. 

* Glick files police complaint against 'al-Aqsa Mosque Preacher' "I say to the Jews clearly: It's time to slaughter you," said Omar Abu Sara in Temple Mount sermon posted on YouTube last week.

* Saudi Arabia to Hamas: Stay Away from Iran Saudi Arabia reportedly demands that Hamas stop its rapprochement with Iran in exchange for help in lifting the "siege" on Gaza.

* Ancient rock adds evidence of King David's existence House of David inscription, part of the 'Assyria to Iberia at the Dawn of the Classical Age' exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

* Kerry discusses Palestinian bid to end Israeli occupation US Secretary of State John Kerry has met the chief Palestinian negotiator in London over moves to set a timetable for an end to the Israeli occupation.

* EU parliament set to endorse Palestine recognition The European Parliament is poised to vote Yes on a non-binding motion on Palestine recognition after three of its biggest groups agreed a draft text.

* INDONESIA EDITOR FACES FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR BLASPHEMY OVER ANTI-ISIS CARTOON Indonesian police summoned The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Meidyatama Suryodiningrat over an anti-Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) cartoon the prominent newspaper published in July. 

* Russian rouble in free fall over oil price, EU sanctions In a surprise announcement on Monday (15 December), the Russian central bank said it would raise its key interest rate to 17 percent from 10.5 percent.

12/15/14

* THREE DEAD IN BLOODY END TO SIEGE Two hostages feared dead and Muslim gunman killed as police storm Sydney cafe with assault rifles and stun grenades moments after hostages fled.

* Historian Says War with Hezbollah is Imminent Aryeh Yitzhaki thinks Russian reaction to latest IAF strike in Syria shows something sinister is brewing.

* Germany says it will help finance four new Israeli warships The mass-circulation Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported on Sunday that Berlin had earmarked up to 115 million euros for the warships -- which would cost around 1 billion euros in total.

* Israel's New Chief of Staff Has Tough Stance on Hezbollah Says Israel will not hesitate to use 'disproportionate force' .

* Hamas Burns Temple Model in Anniversary Rally In honor of 27th anniversary, Hamas puts out new propaganda video and parade showcasing its "successes" over Israel.

* Russian rouble falls to new low against US dollar The Russian rouble has dropped to a new low against the US dollar, as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country.

* Turkey media arrests: Erdogan rejects EU criticism Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at the European Union after it criticised the mass arrest of opposition journalists at the weekend.

* Germany tense over anti-Islam 'Pegida' march in Dresden A march against "Islamisation of the West" is due to take place in Dresden, with turnout expected to reach about 10,000 in the eastern German city.

* Revitalized Turkey drifts away from Europe and towards Eurasia Along with Russia, Turkey lies at the confluence between Europe and Asia. A peripheral European power, like Russia, it is following Moscow's lead and also looking east.

* IS beheaded 4 Christian children, says "Vicar of Baghdad" Speaking from Jerusalem, Anglican priest Andrew White recounts murder of youths who refused to convert to Islam.

12-13-14

* Pakistani Opinion: Israel is the Next Superpower Pakistan's The Nation newspaper, which describes itself as being the market leader in the Punjab and Islamabad areas, has published an op-ed that predicts Israel will become the world's next superpower.

* Al-Aqsa speaker: The slaughter of the Jews is near Asheikh giving a spontaneous sermon at the al-Aqsa mosque recently called for the "slaughter" of the Jews, saying they were "the most evil creatures to have walked this Earth."

* UN: Iran's Israel-Genocide Threats 'Totally Unacceptable' Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Prevention of Genocide, on Tuesday emphatically stated that Iran's genocidal threats to "wipe Israel off the earth" are "totally unacceptable."

* Iran Talks with World Powers to Resume Next Week Iran will resume negotiations with world powers in Geneva next week aimed at reaching a deal over Tehran's controversial nuclear program, its deputy foreign minister said Thursday, according to AFP.

* Ukraine 'must double' defence spending to $3bn - minister Ukraine must double its military budget next year to $3bn (£1.9bn) to fund the fight against pro-Russian rebels, the defence minister has said.

* Top Iranian Official: Obama Begs to Meet Rouhani The head of the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei insists that US President Barack Obama is chasing after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

* ISIS published female sex slave handbook The pamphlet handed out by ISIS militants answers over 27 questions, and approves the enslavement, rape - including of prepubescent girls - and sale of sex slaves.

* Kerry Trying to Prevent Israeli-Palestinian 'Showdown' at UN US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday he hoped to head off an end-of-year showdown at the United Nations over the Palestinian Authority's planned push for statehood in meetings next week in Europe.

* Russia Baltic military actions 'unprecedented' - Poland Poland says the level of Russian naval and air force activity in the Baltic Sea region has been "unprecedented" this week.

* FBI warns of possible Iranian cyber attack on US defense and energy institutions The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned US businesses to be on the alert for a sophisticated Iranian hacking operation whose targets include defense contractors, energy firms and educational institutions.

12/11/14

* CIA boss John Brennan defends post-9/11 strategy CIA Director John Brennan has defended the agency's post-9/11 interrogation methods but admitted some techniques were "harsh" and "abhorrent".

* Not Sci-Fi anymore: Navy's 'fully operational' laser gun blows up boats, drones (VIDEO) The US Navy continues to tout its sophisticated warship laser system, saying it has performed above expectations for the last four months of operational testing aboard the USS Ponce during its deployment in the Persian Gulf.

* New rockets, astronauts and missions: ESA looks forward to next 50 years All things considered 2014 was was an extraordinary year for the European Space Agency, most notably with its success in landing a probe on a comet. 

* Pentagon Considering Deployment of Nuclear Missiles in Europe The Pentagon is considering the re-deployment of nuclear cruise missiles in Europe in response to a new Russian cruise missile that the United States has charged violates a 1987 nuclear treaty, a senior Pentagon official told Congress on Wednesday.

* Russia Baltic military actions 'unprecedented' - Poland Poland says the level of Russian naval and air force activity in the Baltic Sea region has been "unprecedented" this week.

* Israeli and Palestinian officials issue conflicting accounts of autopsy on PA minister Health Ministry says minister's fragile heart condition caused him to be more sensitive to stress.

* Jihadism: Tracking a month of deadly attacks Jihadist attacks killed more than 5,000 people in just one month, an investigation by the BBC World Service and King's College London has found.

* ISIS releases horrifying sex slave pamphlet, justifies child rape The Islamic State militant group has released a guide to the capture, punishment and rape of female non-believers. 

* Intelligence Officials: Enhanced Interrogation Helped Save Lives, Capture Terrorists and Protect America With enhanced interrogation back in the headlines after the release of the Senate Democrats' blistering report on the CIA, it's worth noting many former intelligence officials' comments, both now and in the past, about its benefits in protecting the homeland.

* IDF official: Israel must foster unlikely alliances with regional neighbors to combat ISIS threat The threat of Islamic State has compelled Israel to foster unlikely alliances, or 'frenemies,' IDF Planning Directorate head, Maj.-Gen. Nimrod Shefer tell Post's Diplomatic Conference.

12/10/14

* Pakistani Opinion: Israel is the Next Superpower A surprising op-ed in a large Pakistani paper sees Israel benefiting big-time from current chaos, rebuilding Temple.

* Over 700 Kurd fighters killed by Islamic State since June Kurdistan government says it is straining to maintain nearly a million refugees who have fled to its territory.

* Al-Aqsa speaker: The slaughter of the Jews is near In a sermon, sheikh calls the Jewish people "the most evil creatures" on Earth, warns a great battle is coming.

* IDF prepares for possible upsurge in West Bank violence after death of PA minister The IDF is investigating the death of a Palestinian Authority minister who died after an altercation with Israeli security forces on Wednesday and preparing for a possible upsurge in violence in the West Bank in the aftermath of the incident.

* Unveiled: How a Terrorist Killer Became a 'Senior PA Minister' Ziad Abu Ein's death death sparked Palestinian Authority outrage, but the PA 'minister' has a rather darker history than some might imagine.

* Bank of America sees $50 oil as Opec dies "Our biggest worry is the end of the liquidity cycle. The Fed is done. The reach for yield that we have seen since 2009 is going into reverse”, said Bank of America.

* Fearing Iran, Gulf Arab states close ranks with joint navy, police 'It will be an Interpol-like force but inside Gulf countries,' Qatari foreign minister says, announcing joint force for Gulf states weeks after West, Qatar reach compromise over terror funding claims.

* Poll: Most Palestinians Support Terror Against Jews A Palestinian public opinion poll conduced this week found that an overwhelming majority of Arabs in the Holy Land support acts of terrorism against the Jews in order to protect Jerusalem's Muslim-dominated Temple Mount from Jewish influence.

* EU leaders to pledge more Ukraine money, threaten Russia sanctions The EU is prepared to inject more money into Ukraine and to impose further sanctions on Russia if need be, draft summit conclusions say.

* Erdogan Vows to Make Ottoman Turkish Compulsory in Schools Turkey's President says he will make lessons in the Ottoman language compulsory despite objections from secularists.

12/9/14

* Report: Islamic State Claims 'Radioactive Device' Now in Europe An alleged weapons maker for the Islamic State (IS) claimed that a 'radioactive device' has been smuggled into an undisclosed location in Europe, according to an intelligence brief released Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group.

* CIA report details 'brutal' post-9/11 interrogations The CIA carried out "brutal" interrogations of al-Qaeda suspects in the years after the 9/11 attacks on the US, a US Senate report has said.

* Jordan king says war against Islamic State is WWIII Obama promises more aid, loan guarantees to Jordan.

* Poll: Israeli View of Obama Falls (Even Further) Whereas his predecessors were consistently counted among Israel's best friends in the international arena, US President Barack Obama is seen by the majority of Israelis as being either neutral or negative toward the Jewish state, according to a new survey.

* Walgreen's Removes Swastika Patterned Wrapping Paper Wrapping paper that contains a swastika pattern in its trim recalled from stores after an outraged California shopper noticed it.

* Poll: 40% of Israelis think 'Jewish State' law would damage the country Most respondents also think that Netanyahu supported idea for political purposes.

* WATCH: Israelis develop the world's smallest New Testament Israeli company aims to break the World Record for the smallest Bible with a nano chip that can be embedded in jewellery items.

* WATCH: Town of Bethlehem lights up Christmas tree next to the church of the Holy Nativity Bethlehem marks the beginning of the holiday season by lighting up a 15-meters Christmas tree at Manger Square.

* PM slams Abbas's 'impossible fantasies' on 'return' of 6 million refugees PA chief vows he'll never recognize 'Jewish' Israel, claims he disabused Obama of notion of 'moderate' Muslim Brothers, says Hamas 'liars' begged for ceasefire in summer.

* Ukraine crisis: Shaky ceasefire holds as talks expected Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine are observing a ceasefire after weeks of bitter fighting, officials say.

12/8/14

* Two Hezbollah Terrorists Killed in Syria Strike - Report Despite Syrian regime claims of no casualties, sources say senior Hezbollah figure among two killed in Damascus strikes.

* Steinitz doesn't confirm or deny Syria strike, says election politics not consideration Steinitz reiterated that Israel has a policy of preventing “game-changing” and ultra-sophisticated weaponry from falling into the hands of terrorists.

* Abbas' book reveals: The 'Nazi-Zionist plot' of the Holocaust In 1982 doctorate, Palestinian president not only doubts existence of gas chambers, number of Jews perished, he also accuses Zionist movement of secretly colluding with the Nazis and supporting the genocide of the Jews of Europe.

* US, NATO end Afghan combat command after 13 years The U.S. and NATO closed their combat command in Afghanistan on Monday, more than 13 years after invading the country in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to target al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden.

* Top Putin aide: Mossad training ISIS terrorists in Iraq, Syria A top aide to the Russian president accuses Israel and the US of training the Islamic State in order to undermine Moscow's interests in the Middle East.

* Russia wants Israeli explanation for 'aggressive actions' in Syria Israel has not officially acknowledged carrying out the attack, though that did not stop Iran and Syria from placing blame on Jerusalem.

* Execution rate accelerates in Iran under Rouhani The five main reasons for death sentences in Iran are heresy, homosexuality, rape, murder and armed struggle.

* Prince William holds first talks with President Obama The Duke of Cambridge has met US President Barack Obama at the White House as part of a three-day visit.

* Watch: PA Minister of Religion Incites with Temple Libel After PA sharia judge says Abbas is inciting religious war, PA minister accuses Israel of 'destroying Al-Aqsa' in blatant incitement.

* Top Iranian Official: Obama Begs to Meet Rouhani Khamenei office official boasts that Obama is 'knocking on every door' just to meet Hassan Rouhani, and that it 'demonstrates strength.'

12-6-14

* Reports: Obama Mulling Sanctions on Israel The Obama administration is refusing to discuss reports that emerged early Thursday claiming that the White House is considering imposing sanctions on Israel for CONTINUINGconstruction on Jewish homes in Jerusalem.

* UK to establish £15m permanent Mid East military base Britain is to establish its first permanent military base in the Middle East since it formally withdrew from the region in 1971.

* Islamic State group support grows in Jordan town Local authorities quickly stripped away public signs of support for the Islamic State group in this desert town.

* US hostage Luke Somers and SA Pierre Korkie killed during Yemen rescue bid UK-born US journalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie have been killed by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen during a failed rescue bid.

* How will the sharp drop in oil prices affect Israel's relations with its neighbors? Plunging oil prices have far-reaching implications for the global economy, the Middle East and the Jewish state.

* Politics: Guide for the politically perplexed As Netanyahu leads the country to new elections, political parties are scrambling to devise strategies to consolidate their power This summer.

* Christian Zionists funding Israel immigration still scares Jews Who first said, "Palestine is a land without a people for a people without a land?" referring to the Jews? Hint: not Theodor Herzl.

* Poll: One-state solution to conflict finds rising support in US A growing number of Americans back the idea of a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* Despite reports, Saudis not about to sell oil to Israel Saudi Arabia is most likely not willing to start selling oil to Israel, despite various news reports to that effect in the Israeli and Arab media this week.

* New trio of EU leaders has chance to make a difference Donald Tusk took office as president of the European Council on 1 December, completing the new EU leadership team.

12/5/14

* Hamas Official Vows to Annihilate 'Brothers of Apes and Pigs' Former Hamas Interior Minister promises to annihilate and destroy the Jews who build "settlements" around Al-Aqsa.

* Jordan's king meeting Obama, says Palestinian conflict is still region's "core issue" Abdullah urges Muslim world to counter jihadists, terms battle with IS "a third world war" and a "fight between good and evil".

* Expert: US Sanctions Report a Political Ploy Article claiming US looking to take 'active steps' against Israel meant to sway the elections, Strategic Affairs expert tells Arutz Sheva.

* Hamas Vows 'Blood-bath' in 'Spontaneous Reaction' to Israel Hamas leader blames Israel for terror, claims Netanyahu's refusal of PA ultimatums is cause of violence.

* NASA: 'There's your new spacecraft, America!" NASA's new Orion spacecraft made a "bull's-eye" Pacific splashdown Friday following a dramatic journey 3,604 miles beyond Earth. The achievement opens a new era of human exploration to put people on Mars.

* White House will report to Congress on Iran dealings NDAA provision will force the White House to verify Iranian compliance with an interim deal on the nuclear program within 30 days of the bill's passage.

* More Americans back US lean toward Israel over Palestinians, survey finds Survey examines American public's attitudes toward Middle East conflict amid recent developments.

* France agrees Holocaust SNCF rail payout with US France and the US have agreed a compensation package for Holocaust victims deported by a French rail company during World War Two.

* Obama nominates Ashton Carter as new US defence chief US President Barack Obama has nominated former Pentagon official Ashton Carter as new defence secretary.

* Netanyahu and a newly right-wing Israel Op-ed: In the last elections, despite Arab Winter instability, the Israeli right contracted. Snap polls suggest it will grow dramatically in elections now set for March. Netanyahu might have no problem building a coalition, but would it be the government he wants and Israel needs?

12-4-14

* Palestinians inciting terror to influence Israeli politics, security official says Amid the recent political turmoil, security forces are concerned about an upswing in attempts to carry out terrorist attacks .

* A failure to see why Jerusalem matters to the other Muslims and Jews around the world are today facing a fearsome specter, that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is increasingly turning into a war between our two religions.

* US Congress passes Israel strategic partnership bill The landmark US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 passed its final legislative hurdle and advanced to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature during a Wednesday evening Congressional session.

* Crimea is Russia's Temple Mount, Putin says In an annual speech ranging from economy to school tests, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evoked religious imagery and defended the Kremlin's aggressive foreign policy as necessary for his country's sheer survival.

* It's official: America is now No. 2 Chinese economy overtakes the U.S.'s to become the largest.

* President Putin urges Russian resilience for hard times President Vladimir Putin has warned Russians of hard times ahead and urged self-reliance, in his annual state-of-the nation address to parliament .

* The Night Sky in December: A new cold war waged not on Earth, but in space A war not with nuclear-tipped missiles but with destructive laser beams, travelling at the speed of light and reaching their targets 50,000 times faster than today's missiles.

* The 'New Anti-Semitism' Comes of Age - And How to Deal With It In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, internationally acclaimed author, lecturer and Arutz Sheva columnist Prof. Phyllis Chesler walked over to her COMPUTER and typed the sentence: "Now we are all Israelis."

* U.S. Confirms ISIS Has Training Camps in Libya The head of the U.S. Africa Command said on Wednesday that Washington is "very carefully" watching what he described as "nascent" Islamic State (ISIS) training camps in Libya.

* Syria chemical weapons bases' destruction to begin The destruction of 12 chemical weapons facilities in Syria is expected to start later this month, and the work should be complete by the end of June 2015, UN diplomats said Wednesday.

12/3/14

* Islamic State: Kerry says any Iran strikes 'positive' US Secretary of State John Kerry says any Iranian action against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq would be "positive".

* Iran Unveils Advanced Military Hardware After Nuke Talks Fail New cruise missiles, torpedoes, warships, combat helicopters unveiled .

* In face of beheading, Iraqi children proclaim love for Jesus More than 250,000 Christians have fled Northern Iraq amidst ISIS persecution.

* 'Palestinians No Longer Believe in Two-State Solution' Israeli human rights lawyer Calev Myers, who has done much to defend the local Messianic Jewish community, says most average Palestinians no longer believe in or desire a two-state solution.

* Hamas Hails Coalition Collapse as 'Victory' Hamas spokesman says the collapse of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's is a sign of the group's "victory" over Israel.

* Electronic Warfare Battalion officer: We are in a race against time Unit can target any wireless system, officer tells "Post."

* Judge who acquitted Mubarak: Revolution was Zionist-US-Brotherhood conspiracy Judge says Muslim Brotherhood conspired with Hamas, Hezbollah to infiltrate Egypt, topple Mubarak.

* Israel early election date set as Knesset votes on dissolution Israeli political parties have agreed to hold a general election on 17 March, two years ahead of schedule.

* Hamas Rocket Test Shows Prep for Next War Three rockets fired in test by Hamas from Tel Katifa, Jewish community before Disengagement expelled all Jews from Gaza.

* New trio of EU leaders has chance to make a difference Donald Tusk took office as president of the European Council on 1 December, completing the new EU leadership team.

12-2-14

* Deadly Attacks Spur New Wave of Online Palestinian Incitement As high-profile terrorist attacks escalate in Israel, particularly around the Jerusalem area, a new Palestinian Arab video uploaded to YouTube last week shows the idolization of terrorism and propaganda fueling the current wave of attacks.

* Kenya al-Shabab massacre: Kenyatta replaces security chiefs Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has replaced his interior minister and police chief following a massacre by Islamist group al-Shabab.

* Lebanon: Popular Children's Magazine Touts Martyrdom It's aimed at children, but instead of princes and princesses, fairies and magicians, the heroes of Lebanon's Mahdi magazine are the "fighters who fell resisting the Israeli enemy."

* Lebanon detains Islamic State leader Baghdadi's wife Lebanese security forces have detained a wife and son of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi near the border with Syria, the army says.

* Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood smuggling weapons into Israel The Jordanian government arrested 21 Muslim Brotherhood members for smuggling weapons and money into the West Bank, Arab media reported.

* French parliament votes in favor of symbolic motion to recognize 'Palestine' French lawmakers voted in favour of recognizing 'Palestine' as a state on Tuesday.

* Netanyahu fires Livni and Lapid, will call for dissolution of Knesset soon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the secretary of government on Tuesday evening to dismiss Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.

* Quartet envoy Blair: Overcoming differences of faith key to resolving Mideast political issues The key to resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is "cultural acceptance across the boundaries of faith" Tony Blair the Middle East envoy of the Quartet told President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday.

* Tusk takes up EU post, tells Russia to get out of Ukraine The EU's new Polish chairman has urged Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine in his first official statement.

* Putin says will not build South Stream gas pipeline Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said he will no longer build the South Stream gas pipeline due to EU opposition.

12/1/14

* Pope calls out Jihadists: Violence against innocents 'shows contempt for Image Of God' In Istanbul Sunday morning, Pope Francis employed some of his strongest language against Islamic extremism to date, condemning jihadist violence against the weak and defenseless as 'profoundly grave sin against God.'

* Amman reportedly sends letter admonishing Jerusalem against extremism on Temple Mount "Al Arab Al Yawm" reports Jordan has called on Netanyahu's government to maintain status quo in capital.

* Erdogan hosts Putin to tighten Turkey-Russia alliance Turkish, Russian presidents to meet Monday for first time amid strain over handling of Ukraine, Syrian crises.

* Sissi sees new future for Egypt after Mubarak acquittal Police clash with thousands protesting against decision clearing deposed president of civilian death charges.

* Turkish Minister: Muslims Discovered the Earth is Round The Turkish Science Minister has become the latest public figure to make outrageous claims over Islam's hand in science and technology, the Hurriyet Daily News reported Friday - this time, claiming that Muslims discovered that the world is round. 

* 'Haiku Herman' quietly leaves EU stage EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy on Monday (1 December) is handing over the baton to Polish ex-prime minister Donald Tusk.

* Khamenei says Iranian military should expand, irrespective of politics Khamenei spoke to a gathering of senior navy officials during a ceremony to mark the "Navy Week" in Iran.

* Rouble suffers biggest one-day fall since 1998 as oil slides The rouble suffered its biggest one-day decline since 1998 as oil prices continued to fall on Monday, escalating fears about the Russian economy.

* Hamas Declares Palestinian Unity Government Dead Leaders of the Palestinian terror group Hamas announced on Sunday that a national unity government formed earlier this year with the Fatah party had officially expired, leaving the status of the fragile political framework up in the air, according to regional reports.

* UNESCO Debates ISIS Erasing of Jewish History Special Paris session featuring Israeli expert to discuss ways of saving ancient Jewish sites that have come under ISIS's cruel grasp.