04/30/14

* Fatah: 'Two-State Solution Is Dead, Time for Armed Conflict' Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction espouses the same ideology of destroying Israel as Hamas.

* Combat alert: Ukraine on 'full military readiness' in anticipation of Russian invasion Ukraine's interim president, Oleksandr Turchynov, says the country's armed forces have been put on full military alert, in case of a Russian invasion.

* Hamas holds massive West Bank rally, testing Palestinian unity deal Over a thousand supporters of the Islamist group Hamas marched through the streets of a West Bank stronghold of its rival Fatah party on Wednesday.

* Iraqis vote in parliamentary polls in security clampdown Iraqis have voted in their country's first parliamentary elections since the withdrawal of US forces in 2011.

* Religious Affairs Ministry Vows: Jews will Pray on Temple Mount Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Eli Ben-Dahan spoke via video message at a conference for Jewish Temple Mount prayer rights.

* Obama's pivot to Asia will lack firepower President Obama's pivot to Asia will lack a crucial military underpinning next year.

* EU firms help power China's military rise An AFP investigation shows that European countries have approved billions in transfers of weapons and military-ready technology to the Asian giant.

* Israeli Minister: Annex Settlements, Give Citizenship to Palestinians Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett seeks to kill the vacuum by urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to implement an "Israeli initiative."

* Turkey calls on Europe to help prevent jihadists entering Syria A Turkish government minister has called on Europe to do more to stop radicals travelling through his country to join the jihad in Syria.

* China Rejects Sign It May Soon Be No. 1 Economy China has rejected a World Bank report that suggests it might pass the United States this year to become the biggest economy.

04/29/14

* Hamas Leader Says Abbas Is 'Lying' About Unity Govt. Hamas will never recognize Israel's right to exist or put its terrorist army under Palestinian Authority (PA) control according to a senior Hamas official.

* Israel greets 16,884 new immigrants in 2013 Immigration to Israel increased by 2% in 2013.

* Abbas Charges 'Ethnic Cleansing' in 'Occupied' Jerusalem Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Monday attacked Israel for not recognizing eastern Jerusalem as "occupied territory."

* Surprise! Hamas Won't Recognize Israel Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas tried to soften the impact of his reconciliation with Hamas.

* Filipino Protesters Burn Effigy Of Barack Obama to Protest New Defense Deal The crowd paraded through the streets with several figurines that appeared constructed with the full detail of a parade float.

* What Jews Endure on the Temple Mount When a group of easily identifiable religious Jews is actually allowed to ascend Jerusalem's Temple Mount, the reaction of Muslim worshippers typically borders on open violence.

* The Anti-Semitism of the Obama Administration Kerry went on to state that Israel risked more violence if it didn't make concessions.

* The Swastika Passport The story of Yaakov Frommer, his Swastika Passport, and the personal intervention by Winston Churchill is told in the weekly magazine "Matzav Ruach."

* Holocaust Denial Still Rife Among Palestinians Mahmoud Abbas may think that "the Holocaust is the most heinous crime" against humanity in the modern era.

* Ya'alon: Enemies of Israel, Jews Will Stop at Nothing Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Monday spoke at an event commemorating Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Memorial Day at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai.

04/28/2014

* Netanyahu Vows: No Second Holocaust Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu compared the existential danger posed by Iran to Israel with the Nazi war machine.

* Iran to target decoy US carrier in drills An Iranian newspaper reported that the country's military plans to target a mock-up American aircraft carrier during upcoming war games..

* Vatican declares Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints Pope Francis has declared Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints, in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

* Israel Won't Recognize 'Palestinian Unity Gov't' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday Israel would not negotiate with a "Palestinian unity government" unless Hamas declares it recognizes Israel.

* Netanyahu compares Iran nuclear threat to Nazi menace The world turned a blind eye to the rising Nazi threat over 75 years ago.

* Ukraine crisis: US and EU to intensify Russia sanctions The US and EU are preparing to impose fresh sanctions against Russian individuals and companies.

* 'PLO to pursue efforts to join 60 international bodies' The PLO's central council decided Sunday to pursue attempts to join 60 United Nations bodies and international agreements.

* Kerry: Israel could become an 'apartheid state' If Israel does not make peace soon, it could become an 'apartheid state' like South Africa.

* Anti-Semitism A Major Problem for Jews Everywhere, Says Expert Arutz Sheva discussed Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Memorial Day with Carol Nuriel.

* EU: American peace efforts 'must not go to waste'The European Union on Sunday urged Israel and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.

04/26/14

* Iranian diplomat: Israel sole obstacle to nuclear weapons-free Mideast Iran's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations has blamed Israel as the sole obstacle for "a Middle East free of nuclear weapons."

* Iran Displays Its New S-300 Equivalent Missile The Iranian army is poised to display it's new "Bavar (Belief) 373" air-defense missile launcher.

* Experts Warn more European Muslim Youth are Radicalizing So violent, so bloodthirsty, is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a Syria-based jihadist group, that even al-Qaida will have nothing to do with them.

* Abbas: Palestinian unity government will recognize Israel Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said the Palestinian unity government Hamas and Fatah will form.

* Putin Halts All Talks With White House As new U.S. sanctions against Russia loom, the Kremlin has shut down.

* Pentagon: Russian Spy Ship, Tug Operating Near U.S. A Russian intelligence-gathering ship has been operating off the U.S. East Coast and near the Gulf of Mexico for the past month.

* Russian Jets Cross Into Ukraine Airspace U.S. defense officials said Friday that Russian fighter jets flew into Ukrainian airspace a handful of times over the last 24 hours.

* Inside iNet - IDF's secret news website Military Intelligence run website 'iNet' provides high clearance level Israeli officials with classified updates and forum of discussion.

* Al-Qaeda linked Syria group hails Bin Laden in Golan battle A group of militants fighting with the al-Qaeda linked Jabhat al-Nusra group in Syria invoked terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden after a battle near the Israeli border.

* Ukraine crisis: G7 'to intensify Russia sanctions' The G7 group of economic powers has agreed to intensify sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

04/25/14

* Obama: Israel, Palestinians in need of 'pause' in talks US President Barack Obama said on Friday that Israel and the Palestinians may be in need of a "pause" in their negotiations.

* Palestinians weigh 'all options' after talks suspended The Palestinians are considering "all options" in response to Israel's decision to halt peace talks and punish the Palestinian Authority.

* 'Russia Wants to Start World War Three' Rhetoric escalated between Moscow and Kiev Friday, as a tense standoff ensues in eastern Ukraine.

* Secret Shin Bet Unit at The Front Lines of Israel's Cyber-War Several weeks ago, a vigilante by the name of "Buddhax" made waves when he exposed the true faces.

* WATCH: Al-Qaida branch, other Islamist groups take Syrian army post near Golan The Nusra Front, al-Qaida's branch in Syria, released a video showing the group taking over an important Syrian army post.

* Netanyahu keeps door open to future negotiations after talks suspended due to Hamas-Fatah pact Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he will "be there in the future if we have a partner that is committed to peace."

* Dazzling supernova mystery solved An exceptionally bright supernova that baffled scientists has been explained.

* Iran Displays Its New S-300 Equivalent Missile The Iranian army is poised to display it's new "Bavar (Belief) 373" air-defense missile launcher.

* A New 'Popular Revolution' In China? China saw a new "revolution" of sorts, as thousands of angry people in the southeast of the country beat to death.

04/24/14

* Israel suspends peace talks over Palestinian unity deal Israel on Thursday afternoon announced the suspension of peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

* Jordan recognizes Palestinians' rights to all of east Jerusalem Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met in Ramallah on Wednesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

* NO ONE CARES HOW MANY PREDICTIONS EARTH DAY FOUNDERS GOT WRONG Earth Day was hijacked a month later by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) as a day for environmental and social injustice teach-ins on April 22, 1970.

* Tiny Pacific nation sues Israel, others over nukes The tiny Pacific nation of the Marshall Islands is taking on the United States, Israel and the world's seven other nuclear-armed nations.

* Russia orders exercises after Ukraine moves on separatists Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border with Ukraine.

* Crimea's Anti-Russian Muslims Gather Arms Russian sabre-rattling on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula this weekend is unleashing age old ethnic enmities and political divisions.

* UK enlists Muslim women to prevent Syrian recruitment British police reached out to Muslim women on Thursday in an attempt to prevent young people going to fight in Syria.

* Nationalists to Face Islamists in Galilee Showdown Arab Islamists are planning a show of strength on Israel's Independence Day.

* Abbas-Hamas Deal 'a Tragic Game Changer' Dore Gold, who has been described as one of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's closest foreign policy advisors, called the reconciliation between Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) "a game changer".

* Egypt's army says it has 'complete control' over Sinai Peninsula Egypt's military said on Thursday it had gained "complete control over the situation" in the Sinai Peninsula.

04/23/14

* Fatah and Hamas agree to form unity government within 5 weeks Fatah and Hamas have agreed to form a unity government within five weeks.

* El-Sissi's campaign chief hails 'anyone who fights Zionist enemy' The campaign manager for Egypt's former army chief, Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, frontrunner in next month's presidential elections, pledged backing in a TV debate for anyone who fights Israel.

* Air Force Strikes Gaza as Hamas, Fatah Sign Unity Deal An Israeli warplane struck the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday wounding six people.

* US troops arrive in Poland for exercises across Eastern Europe amid Ukraine crisis U.S. Army paratroopers are arriving in Poland on Wednesday as part of a wave of U.S. troops heading to shore up America's Eastern European allies.

* Tony Blair: 'West should focus on radical Islam' Tony Blair has warned Western leaders they must put aside their differences with Russia over Ukraine to focus on the threat of Islamic extremism.

* WAR ON CHRISTIANS: THE POLITICS OF PERSECUTION In Nigeria, 234 Christian schoolgirls abducted; a Jesuit priest shot in the head outside his house in Homs, Syria; a young Christian woman dragged from her car in Egypt and beaten to death...

* Israel cancels planned peace talks meeting after Fatah-Hamas unity deal announced Israel cancelled a planned meeting Wednesday night with Palestinian officials over extending the negotiations.

* EU elections may strengthen Putin in Europe Far-right parties are set to do well in next month's elections to the European Parliament.

* US Supreme Court to Decide on Jerusalem's Status The US Supreme Court Monday decided to hear the case of an American born in Jerusalem.

* From commune to oasis: Postcards from the American Colony If the American Colony Hotel could talk, the stories it would tell.

04/22/14

* Jordan summons Israeli envoy in Amman after Temple Mount clashes The Jordanian Foreign Ministry asked Israeli Ambassador Daniel Nevo on Monday to convey to Israel Jordan's protest.

* Ukraine crisis: Biden says Russia must 'start acting' US Vice-President Joe Biden has said Russia must "stop talking and start acting" to defuse the Ukraine crisis.

* Upping the Ante? Iran Fits Destroyers with New Cruise Missiles Iran is continuing its process of military armament, which is largely based on domestically-manufactured weapons including satellites.

* Israel is monstrous mosque-eating soldier One of the libels continuously repeated by the PA is that Israel is planning to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

* Israel's Arab Secret Weapon Near Israel's northern border, a special Bedouin unit is acting against attempts to infiltrate Israel.

* US says no plans for Kerry to return for last-minute bid to save Mideast peace talks With only seven days until the Israeli-Palestinian talks expire, US Secretary of State John Kerry has no plans now to return to the region.

* 'More activity' at North Korea nuclear test site Activity has increased at North Korea's nuclear test site.

* Experts: Civilians not ready for EMP-caused blackout The catastrophic effects of an electromagnetic pulse-caused blackout could be preventable.

* Calls to Fire Internal Security Minister Over Temple Mount Riots Likud MK and Knesset Deputy Speaker Moshe Feiglin has called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to investigate the recent riots by Muslim extremists on the Temple Mount.

* Pro-Russian TV channel in Ukraine said to combat 'zombie Zionists' Ukrainian separatists pledged to combat "zombie Zionists" in what appeared to be a promotional video.

04/21/2014

* Ukraine's Jewish residents look for a refuge in Israel Concerns have been raised after a leaflet reminiscent of Nazi Germany was distributed in Donetsk demanding that Jews over 16 should register with the authorities.

* Art and devotion: 'A biblical Harry Potter' A devout Jew who sets his mind to creating a fictional account of a biblical story must inevitably grapple with artistic barriers.

* Egypt election panel: Sisi, former MP only candidates in presidential poll CAIRO - The former army general who toppled Egypt's first freely elected president will face a leftist politician in next month's presidential election.

* Cameron risks alienation for saying Britain is a "Christian nation" Author Sir Terry Pratchett was among 50 signatories of a letter to the Daily Telegraph saying Britain was a largely "non-religious society".

* Rioting After Police Limit Muslim Access to Temple Mount Tens of Palestinian Arab youths rioted at the Temple Mount Sunday morning.

* Fatah officials set to head to Gaza for unity talks A delegation from Fatah is set to head to Gaza on Monday to negotiate a deal that would reunite the two factions.

* Syria to hold presidential election in June The speaker of Syria's parliament has announced that the country will hold a presidential election on 3 June.

* Ahmadinejad's return may be boost for Rouhani This is why, eight months after he left office, his supporters are embarking on a public relations campaign to facilitate his return.

* 1947-1967: Rare archive videos of Israel released Hours of rare historical footage filmed by the British news archive British Pathé has recently been uploaded to Youtube.com.

* UN: South Sudan rebels killed hundreds in ethnic cleansing of captured oil city Hundreds of civilians were killed in a mosque and a hospital while hiding from a rebel onslaught on the city of Bentiu, says the UN.

04/19/2014

* 'For Kerry, Israeli blood is cheaper than American blood' When Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu formed his government last year, he promoted four young, up-and-coming Likud MKs to deputy minister.

* Likud Minister Says Terror has Won on the Temple Mount Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz (Likud-Beytenu) called on his own government to allow Jews to freely ascend to the Temple Mount.

* Riots Begin in Jerusalem After Muslim Prayers Dozens of Arab youth rioted in Jerusalem on Friday.

* Middle East: Can Israel be neutral on Ukraine? Bored by life in the opposition and missing his previous career's action, Moshe Dayan decided to go to Vietnam.

* Ukraine crisis: Kiev calls Easter truce in east Ukraine's foreign minister has said that operations against pro-Russian militants in the east of the country have been suspended over Easter.

* EU countries to boost defence budgets in light of Ukraine Military chiefs have said the Ukraine crisis is a "wake-up call" for EU countries' defence spending, as the US backed Ukraine's use of force in eastern regions.

* The Ultimate Source of Islamic Hate for Infidels Who is ultimately responsible for the ongoing attacks on Christians.

* Sources: Syrian jihad coming to Egypt with help from Turkey, Qatar and Obama The struggle for Egypt is on the verge of a major escalation.

* Ukraine 'On the Brink of Civil War'? A civil war may be brewing in Ukraine analysts say.

* Jordan Blames Israel, Jews for Temple Mount Riots - Again Jordan urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to end Israeli "escalation" at the Temple Mount.

04/18/2014

* Rand Paul: Nuclear Iran Not a Threat to U.S., Israel Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) denied that a nuclear Iran would pose a national security threat to the United States or Israel in a 2007.

* The Golan Heights, where al-Qaeda fights Hezbollah While the border with Israel is mostly held by Islamist rebels, pro-Assad forces maintain pockets of control.

* Riots Begin in Jerusalem After Muslim Prayers Dozens of Arab youth rioted in Jerusalem on Friday.

* Iranians carry 'death to Israel' signs as Rouhani tells crowd he supports dialogue Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had the might to deter any attacks.

* Eastern Ukraine militants snub Geneva deal on crisis The separatists' spokesman said that the Kiev government was "illegal" and so they would not go until it stepped down.

* Nigeria abductions: Military admits girls still missing Nigeria's military has admitted that most of the teenage girls abducted by suspected Islamist militants have not been freed as it earlier stated.

* Police State? Turkey Passes New Intelligence Law Turkey's Parliament approved a new law on Thursday, granting the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) greater powers and immunities.

* Christians mark Good Friday in Jerusalem JERUSALEM - Christians in Israel commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Good Friday prayers and processions through Jerusalem's Old City on Friday.

* Jordanian jihadis returning from Syrian war rattle Hashemite kingdom AMMAN - Jordanian Islamist Ahmad Mahmoud fought with rebels in Syria for six weeks earlier this year.

* EU Focuses Pressure on Israel to Make Concessions, Restart Talks EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton called on Israel to reverse recent announcements regarding construction in Judea and Samaria in order to advance peace talks.

04/17/14

* Thousands congregate for Priestly Blessing at Western Wall Birkat Kohanim ceremony takes place each year during the intermediate days of both Passover and Succot; prayer area for women was expanded for event.

* Ukraine on the Brink of Civil War? Armored Ukrainian vehicles have been seized by pro-Russian protestors, raising concerns of an all-out war over regional tensions.

* Jordan Blames Israel, Jews for Temple Mount Riots - Again Amman runs to UN Security Council over clashes at Judaism's holiest site, claim "Jewish radicals" cause Muslim rioting.

* Putin warns of abyss on Ukraine, and in relations with US US, Russia, European Union and Ukraine ostensibly agree on a political structure to de-escalate the crisis.

* Syria hell: Fear and famine stalk a war-ravaged land Syria’s harrowing civil war has taken a new turn as the beleaguered Mid East country now faces a deepening drought and food crisis in the midst of an expanding conflict.

* Violent clashes between IDF and Palestinians break out in Hebron Dozens of rioters angry at Israel over its failure to release prisoners from its jails throw stones at IDF soldiers.

* Palestinian Authority: ‘Holding our people in Israeli jails is a war crime’ Marking Palestinian Prisoner Day, PA says its ratification of Geneva Convention makes Israel liable for war crimes over prisoner issue; Israeli officials respond: Entire Palestinian leadership should be indicted.

* Likud Minister Says Terror has Won on the Temple Mount Minister Yisrael Katz points to Hamas parades and flags on Temple Mount, calls for change of policy.

* Israeli firm’s tech protects from next Heartbleed Attention to potential security holes could have prevented the "biggest bug ever to hit the Internet"

* Russia and China forge closer ties, as EU explores sanctions Russia is rolling out two major projects – a gas pipeline and a Crimea deep water port – with China, as EU countries and the US weigh options on economic sanctions.

04/16/2014

* Temple Mount riot in Jerusalem: Hundreds of Palestinians clash with police Hundreds of Palestinians threw stones and lit fire crackers at police upon opening the main entrance to the Temple Mount.

* Has the Temple Mount Become A Hamas 'City-State'? Prime Minister criticized for condemning PA incitement while ignoring Hamas incitement, violence on Temple Mount.

* Unsettling video shows large al Qaeda meeting in Yemen A new video shows what looks like the largest and most dangerous gathering of al Qaeda in years.

* Netanyahu, Putin confer on Ukraine crisis Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* Temple Mount: Jews Arrested Attempting to Bring Pesach Sacrifice Eight Jews were arrested Monday for attempting to sacrifice a goat on the Temple Mount.

* Thousands Visit Kotel but Temple Mount Closed to Jews Birkat Hakohanim, the traditional priestly blessing ceremony, is expected to bring tens of thousands of Jews to the Western Wall.

* Passover blood libels, then and now Passover is a festival of redemption, a day when we celebrate our forefathers' exodus from Egypt.

* Hamas: Passover night Hebron attack revived Palestinian 'resistance' The prime minister of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Tuesday praised shooting attack.

* EU countries to boost defence budgets in light of Ukraine Military chiefs have said the Ukraine crisis is a 'wake-up call' for EU countries' defence spending.

* Jordanian warplanes destroy Syrian vehicles who crossed border Jordanian warplanes hit and destroyed several vehicles trying to cross the border from Syria.

04/15/14

* Blood moon: Sky gazers mesmerized as red hue lights up night sky Sky gazers caught a glimpse of the "blood moon" crossing the Earth's shadow Tuesday in all its splendor.

* Nigeria unrest: Attackers abduct 200 schoolgirls Scores of girls have been abducted in an attack on a school in north-east Nigeria, parents say.

* Passover: Becoming a Jew of the ages Time rules our life.

* China's President Xi urges greater military use of space Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the air force to adopt an integrated air and space defence capability, in what state media on Tuesday called a response to the increasing military use of space by the United States and others.

* Ukraine says Donetsk anti-terror operation under way Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has announced the start of an "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russian separatists.

* How to move a T-Rex dinosaur across the US One of the most complete tyrannosaurus skeletons ever found is being moved from Montana to Washington DC.

* Nazi memorabilia auction nixed in Paris after Jewish groups protest Head of French anti-Semitism bureau says there is link to sale of such items and type of violence seen in Kansas City on Sunday.

* Syrian army seizes ancient Christian town near Lebanon border Fighting damages town revered for Christian sites; Assad gaining confidence, says conflict at a 'turning point' in his favor.

* Rouhani says Iran sanctions will unravel in months Iranian president says he will fight against lies about nuclear program, that Tehran "never pursued nuclear weapons and never will."

* Time for US to forsake peace efforts, New York Times says Editorial argues Israelis and Palestinians lack determined, courageous leaders needed for an accord

04/14/14

* Israel to Miss Out on 'Blood Moon' Phenomenon The scheduled appearance of four total lunar eclipses on major Jewish holidays between this Monday night (the start of Passover 2014) and September 27, 2015 (the start of Sukkot) has the attention of much of the Christian world. 

* Five arrested for planning Passover sacrifice on Temple Mount Police transfer animal to Ministry of Agriculture, bring in suspects for further questioning

* Report: Iran says entitled to enrich uranium at 90% weapons-grade level Iranian nuclear energy chief announces his country is planning to build 4 new nuclear plants with Russian help.

* Peres makes pre-Passover visit to IDF soldiers on Israel's northern border "The nation will be able to celebrate the seder...thanks to the fact that the IDF is constantly on guard," Peres tells soldiers.

* Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian attack in Ukraine's Horlivka The BBC's Olga Ishvina reports from inside a police department in Gorlovka, near Donetsk, where police and pro-Russian activists are 'cohabiting'

* Saudi Arabia Orders 'Anti-Islamic' Website Closed A Saudi court orders the permanent closure of a liberal website for publishing "anti-Islamic content."

* World's Biggest Passover Seder to Be Held in Kathmandu Chabad Lubavitch seder, which was in danger of being postponed due to Foreign Ministry strike, to be held as scheduled.

* US envoy Indyk flying in Tuesday to try to save peace talks Liberman tells foreign envoys Palestinians scuppered complex deal, as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators meet again in Jerusalem

* UN rights chief slams 'rampant' torture in Syria Navi Pillay says her office documented cases of rape, beatings and burning in army and rebel facilities alike

* El-Sissi omnipresent ahead of Egyptian elections Former army chief clear front-runner in upcoming presidential race, as only his posters appear in public

04/12/2014

* Security and Defense: Delivering the most aggressive blow The 'Post' joins an F-16C squadron at Ramat David Air Base for a peek into the life of its fighter pilots.

* U.S. calls on Muslim allies Turkey and Morocco to train Libya's 'weak' military U.S. officials said the Obama administration has reached out to Muslim allies.

* Top economies monitoring Ukraine for effects on global growth Ukraine is a major focus for leading finance ministers and central bankers.

* Watching Iran? Ofek 10 Spy Satellite Enters Orbit Israel launched the spy satellite 'Ofek 10' into space on Wednesday evening.

* Ukraine gunmen seize buildings in Sloviansk Further seizures of official buildings have been reported in east Ukraine.

* Egypt's Tahrir Square dream fades as Sisi builds power For now, Sisi enjoys the adulation of the majority of Egyptians.

* Iran anger over US visa refusal for UN envoy Hamid Aboutalebi Iran has insisted it will not replace its new envoy to the UN in New York.

* 'No chance' of solving talks impasse in coming weeks, Israeli officials say There is "no chance" to reach an agreement that would end the impasse in peace talks in the coming weeks.

* 'Israel is a Paradise for Christians' In an interview with Italian media, Israeli Christians from Nazareth once again debunked assertions that Israel is an apartheid state.

* Pope Francis makes historic plea over child sex abuse Pope Francis has delivered one of his strongest pleas yet over child sex abuse.

04/10/14

* Syria chemical weapons: Time running out for destruction Time is fast running out for Syria to hand over its chemical weapons stocks.

* Hamas: Unleash the Resistance Hamas responded on Wednesday to Israel's sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.

* No breakthrough, but some movement in talks to agree on continuation of negotiations Israeli and Palestinian officials did not reach agreement Thursday during their fourth meeting.

* Sinai Terrorists Vow 'Revenge' on US Terror group Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis announced Thursday that it will carry out revenge attacks on the United States.

* 'Anti-radiation belt' developed by Israeli firm for nuclear emergencies An Israeli company called Stemrad has developed a body belt that protects people from the worst effects of gamma radiation.

* Far-right makes major gains in Europe in last decade The rise of far-right politics in Europe reached new heights in last Monday's elections in Hungary.

* In sign of warming ties, Russian military delegation visits Egypt A 19-member Russian military delegation arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for a visit that is to last several days.

* Ofek 10 satellite 'can gather intel on targets in interesting places' The Ofek 10 spy satellite, launched into space from Palmahim airbase on Wednesday night, has successfully entered its orbit.

* Putin letter threatens gas-cut off to Ukraine, EU countries Russian leader Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine.

* Hungarians Protest Monument Whitewashing Holocaust In a protest action Tuesday, hundreds of people in Hungary's capital city of Budapest prevented work on a monument.

4/9/14

* APOCALYPSE NOW: Why a rare astrological event LAST NIGHT could herald the 'End of Days' Mars, Earth, and the Sun all aligned last night, a rare 'opposition of the planets' that only happens once every 778 days.

* Netanyahu instructs government ministries to cease cooperation with Palestinians Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday instructed all government ministries to cease civilian and economic cooperation with the Palestinian Authority.

* Bennett to Netanyahu: Annex West Bank now Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday to annex portions of the West Bank.

* Khamenei: Iran will never give up its nuclear program Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has backed talks with world powers but warned Tehran will never give up its nuclear program.

* Hamas calls on Abbas to 'unleash the resistance' in the West Bank Hamas on Wednesday called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to "unleash the resistance" in the West Bank against Israel.

* Gaza Terrorists Open Fire on IDF Forces Terrorists in Gaza shot at IDF soldiers near the Israeli "kibbutz" - type community of Kissufim.

* Meet the Israeli Hackers Who Are Striking Back Israel this week has faced a heavier than usual amount of cyber-attacks, but local hackers are doing their bit to fight back.

* Ukraine in 48-hour ultimatum to east's pro-Russia activists Arsen Avakov said the situation would "be resolved in 48 hours" either way.

* Egypt presidential hopeful would void treaty with Israel A controversial lawyer who is campaigning to become Egypt's next president said that should he gain power he would cut off aid from the US.

* Israel 'deeply disappointed' with Kerry's 'poof speech' Israel was "deeply disappointed" in US Secretary of State John Kerry's placing the bulk of the blame for the breakdown on talks at Israel's doorstep.

04/08/14

* Ukraine crisis: Nato warns Russia against further intervention Nato has warned Russia that further intervention in Ukraine would be a "historic mistake" with grave consequences.

* Russia and Iran said to be in talks for major oil deal Reports of multi-billion dollar oil talks between Iran and Russia are emerging.

* Israel Under Cyber-Attack, Jewish Hackers Strike Back The international hacker group Anonymous warned that Israel would be under a constant and determined cyber-attack on Monday.

* Kerry focuses blame for impasse in talks on Israel US Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that both Israelis and Palestinians were responsible for the current crisis in peace talks.

* The Grand Mufti's Nazi connection On November 5, 1941, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, arrived in Berlin.

* Austrian politician quits under fire after comparing EU to Third Reich A far-right Austrian politician under fire for racist comments and likening the European Union to the Third Reich quit on Tuesday.

* 9 out of 10 Jewish Israelis say little chance of deal between Israel, PA Only seven percent of Jewish Israelis believe there is a strong chance of US Secretary of State John Kerry reaching an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

* Congressman 'Shocked' by anti-Jewish Measures on Temple Mount An American Congressman has expressed his "shock" after witnessing anti-Jewish discrimination on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

* Hungarian Jews: Anti-Semitism is everywhere The substantial gains made by far-right opposition party Jobbik in Hungary's general elections this week have raised concerns among the country's Jews.

* EU and US agree Ukraine talks with Russia The EU, Russia, Ukraine and the US are to hold joint talks in the next 10 days.

04/07/14

* Leftists, Temple Mount Activists Clash at Knesset Hearing Fireworks as Knesset Interior Committee's Subcommittee on Temple Mount Issues hears testimony of discrimination.

* Activist: Police Ignore Temple Mount Damage, Disrespect Once again, children are playing soccer on the Temple Mount - and activist Michael Pu'ah is demanding it stop.

* Iran hopes Vienna talks will yield draft of comprehensive nuclear deal Tehran believes this week's talks with major powers will see drafting of final deal begin; US official says drafting likely to begin in May.

* Israel under cyber attack, but only few sites brought down Technion calls attacks so far 'unsophisticated'; Anonymous says day of targeting Israel in response to IDF strikes on Gaza.

* Radical Cleric: Israel Has Been 'Occupied Territory' Since 1948 Kamal Al-Khatib, deputy head of the radical Islamic Movement in Israel, claims that Israel is gradually "Judaizing" Jerusalem.

* Assad using chemical weapons again, Israeli official says Source claims nonlethal agent used last week in two attacks around Damascus

* Egypt court sentences homosexuals to prison Men accused of holding 'deviant parties' and dressing in women's clothing

* Pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine proclaim independence Activists who seized main administration building in Donetsk declare creation of 'people's republic'

* Rwanda genocide: UN ashamed, says Ban Ki-moon The UN is still ashamed over its failure to prevent the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has said.

04/05/14

* Top Religious Zionist Rabbi: Allow Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount Influential Religious Zionist Rabbi Benny Lau - a nephew of Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Meir Lau - said Thursday that he supported the rights of Yehuda Glick and his Temple Mount Faithful group to ascend the Mount to pray.

* Iran says nuclear expert discussions 'useful' Nuclear talks between technical experts from Iran and world powers preparing for a third round of talks next week on a lasting deal were "useful".

* 'Blood moon' rising: Total lunar eclipse on April 14-15, first in rare series A total lunar eclipse set to sweep the skies on April 14-15 and turn the moon blood-red just before midnight.

* Maher: "There Is A Gay Mafia - If You Cross Them, You Do Get Whacked" In the online-only "Overtime" portion of his HBO show Real Time, host Bill Maher weighed in on the Mozilla controversy.

* Afghanistan election: Millions vote in presidential poll Seven million Afghans out of an estimated eligible 12 million voted in the election for a new president.

* EU backs Kerry's efforts in Mideast peace process European foreign ministers expressed their support on Saturday for US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to continue the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians.

* Japan to intercept any North Korea missile deemed a threat Japan will strike any North Korean ballistic missile that threatens to hit Japan.

* Hungarian Jews' Holocaust memorial challenges official event In 1944, Andras Szasz's mother obtained an admittance slip to a Red Cross children's home.

* Israel Responds to Gaza Rocket Fire The Gaza border region remains restless, as Palestinian terrorists operating out of the coastal enclave fired three rockets.

* Controversial UK TV show claims Hitler's wife may have had Jewish ancestry The same British TV show that recently bought what turned out to be a fake lock of Adolf Hitler's hair for intended DNA testing now claims Hitler's girlfriend of 12 years and wife of 40 hours, Eva Braun, may have had Jewish ancestry.

04/04/14

* Kerry's threat to 'evaluate' next steps fails to break peace deadlock Palestinian Authority officials insisted Friday night that they had not abandoned the negotiating table.

* Russia recalls ambassador to NATO amid Ukraine tensions Russia recalled its ambassador to NATO for consultations Thursday.

* Officials Say Kerry About to Abandon Peace Talks Sources close to US Secretary of State John Kerry, including senior White House staff, say Kerry may throw in the towel on peace talks in the very near future.

* MKs Urged to Establish Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria Israel already began taking steps against the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Friday.

* 'This is Our Country - Period' Deputy Education Minister Avi Wortzman (Jewish Home) sharply criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Friday for making endless demands to continue peace talks.

* Syrian Opposition Accuses Assad of Chemical Attack Syrian opposition activists have once again accused President Bashar Al-Assad's forces of using chemical weapons.

* New City of David Tourism Center Approved A new tourism center was approved on Thursday night for the City of David National Park.

* ADL leader says political anti-Semitism threatens US Jews Political anti-Semitism remains a threat in the US, a top Jewish-American leader said Thursday.

* Spectacular Archaeological Finds in Israel Israeli archaeologists recently made two sensational finds, one thanks to the work of the police.

* Secret EU lawmaking: the triumph of the trialogue The setting could not be less spectacular.

04/03/14

* Israel cancels fourth round of prisoner releases As prospects for the extension of the current round of peace talks took a further bleak turn, Israel officially canceled the fourth release of Palestinian prisoners.

* Bennett: 'Here's a Commitment - You'll Never Get Jerusalem' Jewish Home Chairman, Economics Minister Naftali Bennett, pithily rejected Thursday the Palestinian Authority (PA) demand that Israel give a commitment that the future Palestinian state would include eastern Jerusalem.

* Iraq's Al Qaida teams with Syrian forces to fight off rival Sunni rebel operation Al Qaida's Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is fighting to stop a Sunni rebel offensive in Syria.

* Top Religious Zionist Rabbi: Allow Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount Influential Religious Zionist Rabbi Benny Lau - a nephew of Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Meir Lau - said Thursday that he supported the rights of Yehuda Glick and his Temple Mount Faithful group to ascend the Mount to pray.

* IDF Training for Ground Invasion of Lebanon The IDF is rehearsing scenarios of mass rioting combined with guerrilla warfare.

* Assad: Russia creating multi-polar world Syrian President Bashar Assad told members of a Russian delegation on Wednesday that their country is playing an important role by creating a "multi-polar world."

* Amnesty International welcomes Palestinian unilateral moves, calls on PA to join ICC Human rights group slams Israeli politicians for threatening to sanction the PA for its unilateral moves.

* Nato's Eastern Europe build-up plans alarm Russia Moscow is pressing Nato to explain its plans to enhance its military presence in Eastern Europe.

* Iran, six powers start expert-level nuclear talks in Vienna Iran and six world powers began an expert-level meeting about Tehran's nuclear program.

* Lebanon Marks One Million Syrian Refugees The number of Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon officially topped 1 million.

04/02/14

* Arafat-style, Abbas is playing with fire "It was expected that the fourth phase (of prisoner releases) would be executed on the 29th of Mar".

* US Army chief: Israel trusts we'll bomb Iran if needed Israel and the US have bridged the gap in their once-divergent opinions regarding Iran's nuclear program.

* Israel, India agree on missile defense system against China, Pakistan nuclear strikes India and Israel have concluded an agreement to assemble a ballistic missile defense system.

* Hamas PM says peace talk troubles 'no surprise', calls for action to end 'occupation' Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday said that he was not surprised by the crisis in peace talks.

* Israeli Iron Beam laser air defense system 'brings down mortars like flies' creator says A new air defense system being developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which uses lasers to shoot down low altitude threats, is able to bring down "mortars like flies."

* Turkey's constitutional court: Twitter ban violates free speech The Twitter ban imposed by Turkey's government violates freedom of expression and individual rights.

* U.S. sends in team with Apache attack helicopters to help Iraq against Sunni onslaught The United States plans to send advanced attack helicopters to help Iraq quell the Sunni revolt.

* US says 'still a chance' in peace process Obama administration officials expressed dismay on Wednesday reflecting on a series of "unhelpful actions taken on both sides" of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* Earthquakes in Chile and L.A. Raise Fears About 'Ring of Fire' The 8.2 earthquake that shook northern Chile and surrounding countries late Tuesday night was one of a string of recent earthquakes.

* NATO‚Äôs Rasmussen: more Russian intervention in Ukraine would be 'historic mistake' As NATO suspended cooperation with Russia over its annexation of Crimea, Moscow has denounced what it called the "verbal jousting" of the Cold War.

04/01/14

* Apocalyptic prophecies drive both sides to Syrian battle for end of time Conflict in Syria kills hundreds of thousands of people and spreads unrest across the Middle East.

* Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists in new law to crack down on political dissidents Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of new laws which define atheists as terrorists.

* Syria civil war 'kills over 150,000 people' in three years Over 150,000 people have lost their lives since the March 2011 outbreak of the devastating civil war in Syria.

* Ukraine crisis: NATO suspends cooperation with Moscow ATO will suspend "all practical civilian and military cooperation" with Russia because of its annexation of Crimea.

* Islamic intolerance and the Temple Mount Between 1948 and 1967, not one Jew prayed at the Western Wall.

* Al-Qaida says Saudi rulers controlled by US Al-Qaida's Yemen branch has mocked tough new counterterrorism measures adopted by neighboring Saudi Arabia.

* Iraq general election campaign begins Campaigning has begun for next month's general election in Iraq, with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki seeking a third consecutive term in office.

* Kerry Cancels Abbas Meeting as PA Requests To Join UN Agencies Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas breached the conditions of the peace talks Tuesday by signing a request to join several United Nations (UN) agencies.

* Israeli and USA Army Chiefs Meet in Jerusalem Top-ranking Israeli and American defense officials met in Jerusalem to discuss regional security.

* Time to take Sino-EU relations to a new level As the first Chinese leader to visit the EU headquarters, President Xi Jinping is seeking a new trade opening with Brussels.