05/31/14

* Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann executed by Israel It was 52 years ago on Saturday that one of the most notorious Nazi war criminals paid for his role in helping to orchestrate the mass extermination of European Jewry.

* As Lebanon and Syria become one Forecasting the Middle East is a risky business.

* Rabbis 'Heartened' by Muslim Rioting as They Toured Mount A group of Jews that included leading rabbis managed to enter the Temple Mount and tour it for 17 minutes before being instructed to leave by the police.

* Jewish Women Recreating Temple Veil For more than two years a small group of women have been attempting to recreate the veil.

* 'Global US empire coming to end,' Iran says A senior Iranian military commander on Wednesday said the global US empire was "coming to an end".

* 'Islamic Movement in Israel serving as front for Hamas activities at Temple Mount' The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced Thursday that a senior Hamas operative, who was arrested at the Allenby Bridge last month, revealed during his interrogation that Hamas uses the Islamic Movement in Israel.

* Islamists at Al-Aqsa: Liberate Jerusalem from 'Jews Filth' Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization which aims to have all Muslim countries unify as an caliphate ruled by Islamic law, held a mass rally at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

* Turkish police tear gas protesters on Taksim anniversary Some 25,000 police have been deployed in the city amid calls for nationwide rallies to mark the anniversary.

* Chuck Hagel: Beijing 'destabilising' South China Sea The US defence secretary has accused China of "destabilising" the South China Sea.

* Author Says Earthquakes Are Predictable They are pretty rare in our area, but every few years the Pittsburgh area will feel an earthquake.

05/30/14

* Obama, Kerry haven't given up on Israeli-Palestinian peace US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry both said that they have not given up on the possibility of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

* Migration surge hits EU as thousands flock to Italy There has been a significant rise in the numbers of migrants reaching Europe in recent months.

* 'Hamas pays hundreds of youths to harass Jews at Temple Mount' Israel arrested a major Hamas figure earlier this month as he attempted to infiltrate the country via the Allenby Bridge crossing.

* Israel Hints at Renewed Settlement Activity The Jewish state is hinting at a full renewal of "settlement activity" in Judea and Samaria.

* Jerusalem Is Israel's Heart, but Airspace Is Its Lungs Mark Langfan, Arutz Sheva security analyst, notes that the airspace of Judea and Samaria is "Israel's lungs," and just as irreplaceable.

* 'Islamic Movement in Israel serving as front for Hamas activities at Temple Mount' The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced Thursday that a senior Hamas operative revealed during his interrogation that Hamas uses the Islamic Movement in Israel.

* Fmr. Ambassador Says Sisi May Face Revolution Egypt's former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi may have won the presidential elections, but former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt Tzvi Mazel told Arutz Sheva that Sisi will have a hard time putting the country in order.

* YU Seminar Reveals Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls Yeshiva University (YU) will host its second annual Dead Sea Scrolls Seminar in New York on June 8.

* Ukraine to sign EU trade treaty in June Ukraine's new leader has told Lithuania that he will sign the EU free trade treaty in Kiev in early June.

* Ukraine vows to bring peace to east Ukrainian forces will continue their offensive against rebels until peace and order are restored in the east.

05/29/14

* Islamists at Al-Aqsa: Liberate Jerusalem from 'Jews Filth' Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization which aims to have all Muslim countries unify as an caliphate ruled by Islamic law, held a mass rally at the Al-Aqsa Mosque last week.

* Saudis could Turn to Pakistan for Nukes, Congress Warned Congress has been warned that Saudi Arabia and its regional allies were moving away from the United States.

* Egypt election: Sisi secures crushing win Former military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won an overwhelming victory in Egypt's presidential election.

* Jerusalem Day census reveals modern day battle for Jerusalem A fundamental divide exists in Jerusalem as religious groups passively combat a slightly smaller, but equally influential, community of secular residents.

* Netanyahu: We intend to build everywhere in a united Jerusalem Building everywhere in Jerusalem, including areas over the pre-1967 lines, is the best response to those who deny Israel's right to exist.

* The watchmen of the Holy City On the occasion of Jerusalem Day, The Jerusalem Post spoke to two senior military officers who play a key role in protecting the capital against terrorists, rioters and criminals.

* Thousands celebrate Jerusalem Day in streets of capital Amid a specter of countless waving Israeli flags, thumping cacophonous music and uninhibited singing and dancing, a sea of young Jews reveled in the streets of Jerusalem Wednesday night.

* Three Chinese Nuclear Missile Submarines Photographed in South China Sea China has deployed three nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines to a naval base in the South China Sea.

* Is it the Bilderberg conference - or conspiracy? Conspiracy theorists may chuckle when they learn a debate entitled "Does Privacy Exist?" is to feature at this year's Bilderberg conference.

* 'Global US empire coming to end,' Iran says senior Iranian military commander on Wednesday said the global US empire was "coming to an end".

05/28/14

* Jerusalem to remain united forever, Netanyahu says Jerusalem will remain united forever, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

* Jewish Women Recreating Temple Veil For more than two years a small group of women have been attempting to recreate the veil.

* PM Netanyahu endorses Likud MK Rivlin for president Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that he would be endorsing Likud MK Reuven Rivlin in the June 10 presidential election.

* Preparations Underway for Landing Torah on the Moon An Israeli organization called "Torah on the Moon" is reportedly in talks with the Barcelona Moon Team.

* Rabbis 'Heartened' by Muslim Rioting as They Toured Mount A group of Jews that included leading rabbis managed to enter the Temple Mount and tour it for 17 minutes.

* PA defiant on Israel's Jerusalem Day, says no peace without J'lem as Palestinian capital The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday reiterated its position that east Jerusalem is the capital of the Palestinian state.

* Ya'alon: Without 'Settlements', There's No Security Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday visited the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council.

* Claim: Vatican Hoarding Second Temple Vessels The Vatican is evading questions on whether or not it is holding religious artifacts from the Second Temple.

* Top Iranian officer said beheaded in Syria A senior officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was recently killed in Syria by opposition rebels.

* EU to lay out strategic plan after election shock EU leaders meeting in Brussels Tuesday (27 May) agreed the EU must be more strategic in its approach and clearer about the division of powers.

05/27/14

* Egyptians line up to vote for new president Egyptians lined up to vote on Tuesday, the second and final day of the presidential election.

* Greece's neo-Nazis come into their own in EU vote Almost 13 percent of Greeks voted for anti-Semitic, extreme-right parties in Sunday's European Parliament elections.

* Hamas and Fatah agree on make-up of unity government, name ministers Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed on the make-up of a national unity government.

* Israeli Security Officials Warn Against Over-Investment by China As China significantly steps up its investments in Israel and in joint research programs, some prominent Israelis are warning against too close an embrace.

* Ukraine unrest: Dozens die as Donetsk airport retaken Ukraine's interior ministry says the military is now in full control of the airport.

* Pope's Visit to Israel A Victory for Islamic Terrorism If anyone was infallible during the Pope's visit to Israel, it was terrorist president Mahmoud Abbas.

* Jerusalem troubled by rise of far right in European election Jerusalem is worried about the results of this week's European Parliament election.

* Rabbis: Europe must take tougher stance against anti-Semitism The chief rabbi of Brussels, Albert Gigi, says local police estimates that Saturday's attack at the Belgian capital's Jewish museum could have been criminally motivated.

* Israelis Look to Place Torah Scroll on the Moon An Israeli organization called "Torah on the Moon" is looking to do just what its name implies.

* EU leaders digest anti-establishment vote EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (27 May) are still digesting the result of EU elections.

05/26/14

* 'We pray for you, you pray for us,' Netanyahu tells Pope Francis as he departs After meeting the president and PM, as well as visiting Yad Vashem and the Western Wall, Israel gives Pope Francis a last sendoff at Ben-Gurion Airport ceremony.

* Eurosceptic 'earthquake' rocks EU elections Eurosceptic and far-right parties have seized ground in elections to the European parliament, in what France's PM called a "political earthquake".

* Iran's Supreme Leader: Jihad Will Continue Until America is No More Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, all but said on Sunday that negotiations over the country's illicit nuclear program are over and that the Islamic Republic's ideals include destroying America.

* Russia says it's ready to talk to new Ukraine president Russian FM notes leading candidate has expressed desire to normalize ties with Moscow, talk to eastern regions

* French far right in 'earthquake' win as Europe votes Marine Le Pen's far right National Front scored a stunning first victory in European Parliament elections in France on Sunday as critics of the European Union registered a continent-wide protest vote against austerity and mass unemployment.

* Children Encouraged to 'Buy a Bullet' on Hamas TV A "Nakba Day" episode of a Hamas children's program featured a poem encouraging children to "buy a bullet at any price."

* Egypt elects new leader to steer country out of crisis Millions of voters are casting ballots across Egypt to choose a new president, for the second time in two years.

* Poll: Majority of Israelis Say PA Doesn't Want Peace The more right wing an Israeli, the less likely they are to agree with the 'two-state solution,' a poll said.

* Ukraine's new leader vows to reunite country, build EU ties Ukraine's new leader has said reuniting the country and building closer EU ties are his two main tasks, after stomping to victory with more than 55 percent.

* Abbas briefs Pope Francis on 'obstacles' to peace Pontiff: PA president a 'peacemaker,' visit attests to good relations with 'State of Palestine.'

05/24/14

* Pope Francis praises Jordan at start of Middle East visit Pope Francis has praised Jordan for its "generous welcome" to Syrian refugees at the start of a three-day visit to the Middle East.

* Arab World: Leading Egypt to a better future? Three years of revolutions and turmoil have taken their toll on Egyptians.

* Egypt's Brotherhood struggles to regroup in exile Exiled leaders of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood are struggling to regroup.

* Somalia parliament attacked by al-Shabab in Mogadishu Islamist militants from the al-Shabab movement have attacked the Somali parliament in Mogadishu, leaving at least 10 people dead.

* Ukraine plans to elect least bad candidate Even in normal times, Kiev can feel like a city perpetually under construction.

* Pope Francis faces political and religious minefield in Holy Land In a refugee camp near Bethlehem, final preparations are being made for Pope Francis's first official trip to the Holy Land.

* Vatican Says Pope Will Demand 'Sovereign Palestine' The Vatican's Secretary of State made a dramatic revelation ahead of Pope Francis's visit to Israel.

* Assad thanks Russia for help 'against terrorism' Syrian President Bashar Assad Saturday thanked key ally Moscow for its support.

* US urges Israel, Palestinians to refrain from unilateral steps The United State reiterated its opposition to any unilateral step made by either Israel or the Palestinians.

* 2014 European elections: latest projections of seats in the Parliament How will the European Parliament look after the European elections on 22-25 May?

05/23/14

* 'If Syria Crosses the Golan Heights Border, Assad will Fall' IAF chief and Major General Amir Eshel responded to news of major budget cuts in the IDF Friday.

* Stalled Bill to Combat Middle East Violence Sparks Intra-Party Fight Republican Sens. Mike Lee (R., Utah) and Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) have for months been the only two lawmakers standing in the way of the legislation.

* Putin on Gazprom-China gas deal: Russia has enough resources for 50 years Russia has more than the estimated 3 trillion cubic metres in natural gas reserves in its gasfields, enough to last for 50 years.

* US lawmakers vote to double funding for Iron Dome US lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a $601-billion defense authorization bill that would almost double funding for the Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile program.

* Israel's capital prepares for papal visit The visit of Pope Francis next week, like any top level visit, will cause inconvenience for Jerusalem residents.

* Ukraine: The other European election Pro-Russia separatists killed 16 Ukrainian soldiers.

* Russia's Vladimir Putin 'to respect' Ukraine vote Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the outcome of Ukraine's presidential election.

* Islamic Jihad Preparing to Join PLO Ramadan Salah, leader of the Gaza-based terror organization Islamic Jihad, declared to the Arabic paper Al-Hayat on Tuesday that his group "is prepared to join the PLO".

* Vatican Says Pope Will Demand 'Sovereign Palestine' The Vatican's Secretary of State made a dramatic revelation ahead of Pope Francis's visit to Israel.

* Anti-Semitism taboo under threat in Hungary Budapest's Jewish community is vibrant, visible and patriotic.

05/22/14

* Devastating Nigeria attacks show twisted ambition of Boko Haram A large part of northern and central Nigeria is now at the mercy of intensified attacks by Boko Haram.

* Russia Shifts to China After Ukraine Crisis Russia and China launched large-scale naval war games.

* Syrian al-Qaeda reach foothills of Golan Heights Extremist elements have made significant gains in the Syrian civil war's southern front.

* Ukraine crisis: Donetsk sees deadliest attack on troops A dawn attack on a checkpoint in eastern Ukraine has left at least 14 soldiers dead.

* Steinitz: Jordan Valley is critical to Israel's survival Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz can't see Iran as he stands on one of the highest peaks in the Jordan Valley.

* President Peres and staff prepare for Pope's visit Responding to numerous foreign media requests staff at the President's Residence on Thursday allowed media representatives to see preparations in progress for the Papal visit.

* Worrisome surge of extremists likely in European elections Armed with ropes and long sticks, a group of teens in Germany's capital headed out under the cover of night.

* Russia mulling deal to build up to 8 nuclear reactors for Iran Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant.

* Russia scolds Prince Charles for comparing Putin to Hitler Prince Charles's comparison of Vladimir Putin with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler triggered a diplomatic row on Thursday.

* Iran: Any aggression will be met with 'crushing and lethal response' The Iranian military highlighted its full preparedness in the event of foreign aggression.

05/21/14

* Why July matters Last week in Vienna, Iran's negotiators suggested that July 20 - a deadline self-imposed by world powers on their diplomatic effort to curb Iran's nuclear program - might not be particularly important.

* Russia signs 30-year gas deal with China Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed a multi-billion dollar, 30-year gas deal with China.

* Hitler, Mufti to grace DC buses An American Muslim group is up in arms over advertisements calling Islam inherently anti-Semitic.

* Jihadists look to form extremist state along Syria-Iraq border Jihadists have launched a fresh bid to take over the Syria-Iraq border area.

* Hamas Official: The Only 'Peace' will be via Ethnic-Cleansing Senior Hamas official Salah Bardawil called peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) "a disgrace".

* German party accused of neo-Nazi traits set for EU parliament Almost 70 years after Nazi Germany crumbled, a radical right-wing party that critics say shows an affinity for Hitler's National Socialist movement looks set to enter the European Parliament.

* Prince Charles 'compared Russian actions to Nazis' A former Polish war refugee who met Prince Charles in Canada has said he likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Russia's Vladimir Putin.

* Anti-Semitic 'Evolution of Jews' in Arab Technion Student Work The project contained an image that appears to show the four-stage evolution of a Jew in hareidi garb, from an ape.

* Commission hopefuls largely unknown on streets of Europe In the EU capital of Brussels there has been much political kerfuffle around Spitzenkandidaten.

* Pope Francis Insists His Visit is 'Religious, not Political' Pope Francis on Wednesday said his upcoming trip to the Middle East would be entirely devotional.

05/20/14

* Ayatollahs Riding a High-Speed Train to a Nuclear Bomb? The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, headed by Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home), has released an engaging new animated video.

* 'Hezbollah's Arsenal Similar to any National Army's' The IDF's Head of Operations, Major General Yoav Har-Even, spoke Tuesday at the "Combat Conference" and addressed the challenges of manning Israel's army.

* Israeli defense official: Iran can break out to nuclear weapons 'very quickly' Iran can break out to nuclear weapons "very quickly."

* Russian Prime Minister: We Are 'Approaching a Second Cold War' Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev says that "we are slowly but surely approaching a second cold war."

* Israel in danger without Egypt's army in Sinai, says al-Sisi Egyptian military chief turned presidential candidate Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has given Israel a clear reminder of the danger its faces.

* EU Officials Appalled at Rise of Anti-Semitism in Europe European Jewish Association (EJA) General Director Rabbi Menachem Margolin led a briefing for EU ambassadors and officials at week's end.

* China confronts U.S. envoy over cyber-spying accusations China summoned the U.S. ambassador after the United States accused five Chinese military officers of hacking into American companies to steal trade secrets.

* 74% of French Jews mulling emigration, poll shows Nearly 75 percent of thousands of French Jews who participated in a recent survey said they are considering emigrating.

* Replacement of EU foreign policy chief could complicate Iran talks Catherine Ashton, the British baroness who has held the EU's top foreign policy post for the past five years, may not be the critical decision-maker in the talks.

* Setting the Stage for the 'Isaiah 19' Highway We may well be living in the generation to witness Jesus' return, a pastor from Singapore told a conference in Jerusalem.

05/19/14

* Confusion over Temple Mount prayer law used to fan tensions Palestinian official warns Israel over changing the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, though bill refers only to compound.

* Strong showing for Golden Dawn in Greek local elections Neo-Nazi party takes 16% of the vote in Athens mayoral race, 11% for governor of capital's province.

* Iraq elections: Maliki's State of Law 'wins most seats' Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's alliance won last month's parliamentary elections in Iraq, but fell short of a majority, preliminary results show.

* Ukraine crisis: Putin orders troops back from border Russia's President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops near Ukraine's border to withdraw, the Kremlin says.

* Has al-Qaida lost its mantle as the leading jihadi organization? Despite the ongoing horrendous humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, the division between the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaida's Syrian branch could be good news for their opponents in Israel and the West.

* Black, proud ... and a Nazi? New York cabbie defends right to wear Swastika, says he is breaking down color barriers by showing that even African-Americans can be Nazis.

* Report: Jordan redeploys military along border with Syria 'Al-Hayat' quotes Jordanian sources as saying that the military high command has ordered all of its officers in the north to cut short their vacations.

* South Sudan President Salva Kiir warns of 'famine' South Sudan's president has warned his country faces "one of worst famines ever" unless the current conflict is ended, in an interview with the BBC.

* New bill would allow Jews to pray at Temple Mount Likud, Labor lawmakers behind controversial initiative; regulations currently permit only Muslim worship in compound

* Netanyahu hails booming ties with China PM meets with Beijing's deputy PM during unprecedented 'China Week' influx of Chinese leaders

05/17/14

* Jerusalem Imam to Muslims: Invade Israel! An imam at the Al Aqsa Mosque atop Jerusalem's Temple Mount has publicly urged the armies of the Arab world to invade Israel.

* Chaos in east Ukraine drives Jewish aliyah Chaos and criminal activity in eastern Ukraine are causing anxiety and increased emigration by Ukrainian Jews.

* Bring it on: Iran to 'destroy U.S. Navy' A top Iranian naval commander said that he is prepared to order suicide attacks, drone strikes, and missile technology to "destroy the U.S. Navy" in any upcoming confrontation.

* PM Urges International Community 'Not To Let Ayatollahs Win' Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Friday that world powers must deny Iran any possibility of developing a nuclear weapon.

* For Zion's Sake: Lose the blame game wisely Espionage, counter terror operations, military confrontations - Israel is adept at all these games.

* Warning signs in Vienna as Iran talks end with silence Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program appear to have hit a wall.

* Two Journalists Attacked while Covering Arab Riot Two Israeli journalists were attacked on Friday afternoon while covering a riot by Palestinian Arabs near the Ofer prison.

* Obama Sees Israel as Responsible for Peace Talks Failing U.S. President Barack Obama sees Israel as being responsible for the failure of the recent peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.

* Jewish Immigrant Demands Loan to Build Third Temple A Jewish immigrant from Ethiopia is looking to sue Israel's major banks for refusing to facilitate his efforts to raise money for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

* Husband of Condemned Sudanese Christian: 'I am just praying' Daniel Wani, the husband of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, tells CNN that praying "is all I can do".

05/16/14

* US says concerned at lack of progress in Iran nuke talks A senior US official expressed concern on Friday about a current lack of progress in negotiations between six world powers and Iran.

* Iran recruiting Afghans to fight in Syria Iran is recruiting Afghan refugees to fight in Syria.

* Hating the Jew you've never met The ADL's massive Global 100 survey of worldwide anti-Semitic attitudes, published Tuesday, offers some sobering statistics.

* NATO chief: 'No one can trust Russia' after Ukraine NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday he could no longer trust Russia's assurances.

* Confidential UN report: Iran's ballistic missile work complicating nuclear talks Iran is pursuing development of ballistic missiles.

* Sudan to execute Christian woman who refused to convert to Islam Sudan on Thursday sentenced a 27-year-old mother to hang for apostasy.

* Housing minister sees 50% more settlers in West Bank by 2019 The number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank could grow by as much as 50 percent by 2019.

* US Citizens Warned: Stay Away from Golan Heights US citizens have been warned to stay away from the Golan Heights.

* 93% of Palestinians hold anti-Jewish beliefs The Middle East is the most anti-Semitic region on earth, with 93% of Palestinians holding anti-Semitic beliefs.

* Egypt Could Alter Peace Deal With Israel Egypt's leading presidential candidate, former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, told Arab media this week that if elected, he was prepared to alter his nation's long-standing peace treaty with neighboring Israel.

05/15/14

* PA official: Security ties with Israel in jeopardy A senior Palestinian source warned Thursday that security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is on the verge of collapse.

* Hating the Jew you've never met The ADL's massive Global 100 survey of worldwide anti-Semitic attitudes, published Tuesday, offers some sobering statistics.

* PA Threatens to Abandon Security Arrangements The security arrangements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), established in the 1993 Oslo Accords, have reportedly continued in previous weeks.

* Nahal soldiers suspended over Facebook protest: 'We don't evacuate Jews' IDF soldiers, who posted photos of themselves holding signs against the evacuation of illegal outposts, were suspended Thursday.

* In wake of talks' collapse, Bennett to present PM with proposal to annex Area C Economy Minister Naftali Bennett will meet in the coming days with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

* Syria conflict: Deadly blast near Turkey border crossing At least 43 people have been killed in a car bombing near the border between Syria and Turkey.

* Turkey outraged as Erdogan's aide kicks protester Photos showing an aide to Turkey's prime minister kicking a protester held on the ground by special forces police sparked outrage Thursday.

* Egypt's Sisi asks for US help in fighting terrorism Abdel Fattah Sisi called on the United States to help fight jihadi terrorism.

* Sudan woman faces death for apostasy Amnesty International condemned the sentence, handed down by a judge in Khartoum, as "appalling and abhorrent".

* Worst crisis in decades: Vietnam riots over Chinese drilling spread, killing more than 20 More than 20 people have died and over 100 were injured in Vietnamese riots, signaling the worst breakdown in relations with China in decades.

05/14/14

* Hillary Clinton touts Iran achievements as her own in speech to American Jews Former secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton chronicled her efforts to bring Iran to the negotiating table.

* Turkey-Israel deal reached, awaits Netanyahu's approval A deal to end the four-year-old feud between Turkey and Israel is imminent and could be signed as soon as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns from his trip to Japan.

* Israel denies sovereignty deal with Vatican on holy site Israel said it had "no intention" of giving the Vatican sovereignty over a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem.

* Clashes, violent protests in Turkey after mine blast kills over 240 Clashes have erupted across Turkey as residents rally in anger.

* Ukrainian PM Yatseniuk accuses Putin of intimidating the Jewish population of Ukraine Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk on Wednesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "intimidation of the Jewish population" of Ukraine.

* Russian defense industry should obey 'made in Russia' principle - Putin No branch in Russia's defense industry should depend on foreign producers President Vladimir Putin said.

* IDF evacuates illegal settlement outpost, amid token resistance Security forces completed Wednesday the evacuation and demolition of eight illegal structures at Maale Rehavam in Gush Etzion.

* Patient with deadly MERS virus waited hours in Florida ER The second US patient to be diagnosed with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) waited four hours before he was seen by doctors.

* Economic recovery 'in spite of' European Commission, says economist Last year Slovenia was tipped as the next bailout candidate after Cyprus.

* Syrian recruits are 'ticking time bomb' The approximately 5,000 Arab foreign insurgents fighting in rebel Syrian ranks are a collective "ticking bomb for their countries of origin".

05/13/14

* Israeli Lunar XPrize team shoots for the moon One small step by Israelis could become a giant leap for the State of Israel.

* EU: Foreign ministers 'extremely concerned' about breakdown of peace talks EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday said they were "extremely concerned" about recent developments in the Israeli- Palestinian diplomatic process.

* US starts countrywide nuclear drill after similar war games in Russia The US Strategic Command, the agency responsible for country's nuclear arsenal, will hold large-scale war games this week.

* Netanyahu in Japan: You have North Korea, we have Iran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday drew a comparison between North Korea and Iran.

* In PA cartoon, 'reconciliation' smites Israeli snake A cartoon published in an official newspaper of the Palestinian Authority depicts a snake-like skullcap-wearing Israeli having his head cut off by Palestinian unity.

* World powers 'set to draft' grand compromise with Iran World powers convene once again in Vienna on Tuesday, set to begin drafting a comprehensive treaty.

* The beauty of Ottoman Palestine, lovingly explored and documented In the basement of a house on the Mount of Olives is a collection of 100-year-old photographs of Ottoman Palestine.

* Israel's Founding Through Eyes of People Who Lived It Steven Spielberg and Jewish organizations around the world have endeavored to record as much testimony from Holocaust survivors as possible.

* Power struggle looms after EU vote In just over three week's time the European elections will be over but a new process will have just begun.

* Palestinians: Hamas-Fatah unity government to be announced by end of month The new PA unity government will be announced before the end of May, Palestinian sources said.

05/12/14

* 'We Cannot Let the Ayatollahs Win' Netanyahu, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe commiserate on their shared nuclear threats: Iran and North Korea.

* Iran Unveils Copy of 'Obama Gift' Drone Just a few weeks earlier, the IAF rehearsed for infiltration of Israeli airspace by UAVs, 'including models that it has never encountered.'

* Hamas Tells Muslims Not to Visit Jerusalem Hamas rejects religious edict made in Jordan allowing Muslims outside of Arab lands to visit 'occupation,' slams prospect of normalization.

* Conchita Wurst's Eurovision win slammed by Russia as politician brands it 'the end of Europe' Conchita Wurst's Eurovision win has been branded "the end of Europe" by Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

* IDF declares Syrian border area a closed military zone as fighting nears Israeli Golan Assad's forces have been under siege in border area for months, facing rebels which include radical jihadi groups.

* Group Films Muslims Dumping Trash on Temple Mount Muslims claim to consider the Temple Mount a holy site, but have been caught doing some unholy things there - like dumping trash.

* Israel's senior Catholic cleric: 'Price tags' poisoning atmosphere ahead of Pope's visit Just two weeks before Pope Francis's scheduled visit, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal accuses state of not doing enough to bring ultra-nationalist perpetrators to justice.

* Nigeria kidnapped girls 'shown in Boko Haram video' Islamist militants Boko Haram have released a video apparently showing about 130 girls kidnapped from a school in northern Nigeria on 14 April.

* A modern pope gets old school on the Devil A darling of liberal Catholics and an advocate of inclusion and forgiveness, Pope Francis is hardly known for fire and brimstone.

* Islamic Jihad Demonstrates Anti-Tank, Anti-Aircraft Capabilities Islamic Jihad says it is prepared "for confrontation with the Israeli occupation" as it holds a military maneuver.

05/10/14

* 'Pilot program' revealed: Washington sends missiles to Syrian rebels The US is sending missiles to Syrian rebels as part of a "pilot program" to strengthen the opposition.

* Boko Haram and the History of Child Rape in Jihad On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram, (whose name either means "Western education is forbidden" or "a colonialist fraud being perpetrated against us"), captured three hundred Christian and Muslim Nigerian schoolgirls to become their sex and domestic slaves.

* Putin hails 'return' of Crimea in Sevastopol President Vladimir Putin hailed the return of Crimea to Russia as the restoration of "historic justice".

* Hamas MP: Jihad is the Only Way to Liberate Palestine A lawmaker for the Hamas terrorist group which runs Gaza recently called for jihad against Israel.

* 'Neo-Nazi Code' Forces Detergent to be Pulled in Germany Procter and Gamble has apologized for "any false connotations" after stirring anger in Germany for unintentionally placing a neo-Nazi code on promotional packages.

* 'Humiliate Christians Until They Convert' In a sermon earlier this year, a British Islamist leader outlined how under an "Islamic State" Christians and other non-Muslims would be systematically humiliated and persecuted.

* Palestinian unity gov't to be formed before deadline, official says A Palestinian unity government will be formed in less than three weeks.

* El-Sissi's coming victory is bad news for Muslim Brotherhood "One wish, one man... El-Sissi for Egypt's presidency".

* IDF General Defends Messianic Jewish Cadet A cadet in the IDF Officer's Training School has been thrown out of the program for refusing to participate in a lecture about Messianic Jews.

* Hearing: Electric Grid Vulnerable to EMP Experts on Capitol Hill Thursday warned that an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack aimed at the nation's electrical grid could leave the majority of Americans dead.

05/09/14

* Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin visits annexed Crimea President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Crimea, his first visit to the peninsula since Russia annexed it from Ukraine in March.

* Army Radio apologizes for anti-Orthodox statements An Israeli public radio station apologized for airing offensive statements about ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi Jews on the eve of Independence Day.

* EU targets more Russian names, firms ahead of 'long' weekend EU countries are preparing to blacklist more Russian officials and two firms depending on what happens in Crimea and Donetsk over the weekend.

* West sceptical of Putin's u-turn on Ukraine The US and Nato have voiced wariness over Russia's announcement that it pulled back troops from Ukraine's border.

* Rice: Every $1 spent on Israel's security is an investment President Barack Obama's security adviser said US investment in Israel's defense shows it is committed to its security.

* Golan Heights Welcomes 'Rains of Blessing' Rabbi Yehoshua Van-Dyke, the chief rabbi of the Golan Heights community Ramat Magshimim located near the Syrian border, welcomed the unseasonable heavy rains.

* Fatah Agrees to Release All Hamas Prisoners Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is apparently going well.

* Ukrainian minister: Some 20 pro-Russian rebels killed in fighting in Mariupol Ukrainian security forces killed about 20 pro-Russian rebels who tried to seize control of police headquarters in the eastern port city of Mariupol.

* 'Hilltop youth the hardest informants to recruit' The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police are failing to stop "price tag" attacks because they're facing off against a population that is almost impossible to infiltrate.

* Nigeria abductions: US and UK experts help seek schoolgirls Experts from the US and UK have arrived in Nigeria to help find some 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram Islamist militants.

05/08/14

* Inching Toward Civil War? An exchange of emails between young Jewish settlers has many in Israel worried that the nation could be inching toward civil war over the issue of future control of the land.

* Russia's Putin Cozies Up to Jews Amidst mounting tension between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin opened official government facilities to host the largest conference of Russian-speaking Jews.

* Israel: Assad has killed with poison gas 30 times since August Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Assad have used chemical weapons in over 30 cases.

* Israel swept by rainiest May day on record rare storm dumped rain across Israel over Wednesday night and Thursday morning, causing flash floods and wreaking havoc in the south of the country.

* Palestinian TV Show Encourages Children to Kill Jews Hamas's official TV channel aired a children's program in which viewers were encouraged to "kill the Jews".

* Ukrainian Jews form defense force to combat anti-Semitic attacks Ukrainian Jews with combat skills formed a rapid intervention force to stop anti-Semitic attacks.

* Syrian rebels blow up Aleppo hotel used by army Syrian rebels blew up a hotel used by President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the northern city of Aleppo.

* Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russia rebel vote to go ahead Pro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine have decided to go ahead with an independence referendum.

* Strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits Mexico An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude has shaken parts of Mexico, causing buildings to sway in the capital.

* Russia drives up euro, says Draghi Low inflation, weak demand and high unemployment are not the only reasons for a strong euro.

05/07/14

* Top Netanyahu aide: Here's proof Abbas deliberately destroyed peace talks A letter reportedly sent by Israel's national security chief to the White House, the EU and numerous ambassadors blames the Palestinians for the collapse of peace talks.

* US prepares for a deal with Iran - and for Israeli backlash American and Israeli officials have been off script all year on a wide range of issues.

* Hamas Kills Palestinian Arabs for 'Collaborating' with Israel Authorities in Hamas-run Gaza on Thursday executed two Palestinian Arabs for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

* Israel Furious Over American Charges of Espionage US intelligence officials say Israel has "crossed red lines" in its spying on America.

* Poll finds two thirds of Israelis support freezing peace talks More than two thirds of Israeli Jews support the government's decision to suspend negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

* Palestinian forces bust terror cell looking to attack Jewish-Israelis A bust by Palestinian security forces of a four-man Kalkilya terror cell led to the arrest and indictments of the cell by Israel.

* New Tyrannosaur named 'Pinocchio rex' A new type of Tyrannosaur with a very long nose has been nicknamed "Pinocchio rex".

* Police Clash with Group Demanding Temple Mount Sovereignty Members of the 'Hozrim La'har' (Trans: 'Return to the Mount') activist group marched toward the Temple Mount Tuesday.

* Ya'alon: There is no Palestinian partner, let's not delude ourselves The Palestinians are not a partner for peace, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

* EU and US draw new red line on Ukraine The EU and US have threatened further sanctions against Russia.

05/06/14

* With songs and pageantry, nation transitions from mourning to celebration Fourteen women representing a broad cross-section of Israeli society light 12 ceremonial torches at Mount Herzl event marking start of 66th Independence Day.

* Iranian navy chief: We aim to destroy the US Navy The naval commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, said Monday that the destruction of the US Navy is a major operational goal.

* Israelis jam-pack parks, army bases in celebration of Independence Day Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are expected to flock to the nation's parks, hiking trails, recreational areas, museums, and army bases in celebration of the country's 66th Independence Day.

* Yom Haatzmaut 2014: 66 Israeli Heroes Share a Powerful Message Celebrate Israeli Independence Day with 66 Israeli heroes sharing a powerful message!

* Ukraine crisis: Russia rules out new Geneva talks Russia's foreign minister has ruled out holding a new round of talks in Geneva.

* Iran: Naval drills 'build and blow up' replica US ships ran has been building replicas of US warships for years - to practice blowing them up.

* Egypt's el-Sisi vows to finish off the Muslim Brotherhood if elected Egypt's former military chief doesn't mince words when he describes what would happen if he wins this month's presidential vote.

* Swastika 'price tag' scrawled on tombstone of Rabbi in the Galilee A swastika was scrawled with spray paint on the tombstone of Rabbi Halafta outside the Arab village of Maghar.

* Obama's Last Shot - Climate Change - and Why It's Doomed to Fail The bad news - inevitably - is that the news is very bad: more heat, more extreme weather, more drought, everything worse than ever before.

* US 'outrage' as calls grow to help rescue Nigeria schoolgirls The US says it considers the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamist militants "an outrage".

05/05/2014

* Netanyahu: IDF only thing keeping Jews safe from new massacres Sirens wail as country honors 23,169 fallen soldiers and 2,495 terror victims.

* Netanyahu: The Jews would be massacred like our neighbors in Syria without the IDF Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu paid his respects to Israel's fallen soldiers.

* Hamas leader: We've never discussed disarmament Hamas and Fatah have never discussed disarming Hamas's military wing.

* Report: N. Korea Has Nuclear Warheads for Missiles North Korea has developed nuclear weapons capable of being launched on its ballistic missile forces.

* Nuclear experts to meet on Iran this week Nuclear experts from Iran and six world powers are meeting in New York this week.

* Egypt claims Israeli spy ring uncovered Egyptian government officials announced Sunday that they had captured an espionage network in the country.

* PA, Hamas chiefs hold first talks since unity deal Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was to hold talks with Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal in Doha.

* America: Palestine Will Be a State, One Way or Another American negotiators connected to US Secretary of State John Kerry's failed peace initiative warned in an interview with Israeli media last week.

* Oklahoma Battles Group over Statue of Satan A battle will soon be held in Oklahoma over a statue of Satan.

* Nigeria schoolgirl abductions: Protest leader detained A woman leading protests over the abduction of more than 200 girls in Nigeria has been detained.

05/03/14

* On its 66th birthday, Israel's population nears 8.2 million As Israel prepares to celebrate its 66th birthday, the Central Bureau of Statistics released a report on Thursday estimating the country's population at 8.18 million.

* The Future of Supersonic Flight No civilian travelers have flown aboard supersonic jets since the Concorde fleet was grounded in 2003.

* Russia: Ukraine's actions leading to catastrophe Russia warned on Friday that Ukraine's use of the army against its own people in the east will lead to catastrophe.

* Chaos in southern Ukraine: Deadly fire, choppers down and street fighting Deadly street fighting, helicopters shot down and civilians being used as human shields.

* Growing number of Americans fighting in Syria's civil war The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that it considers Americans fighting in the Syrian civil war a "growing problem for US intelligence and law enforcement."

* The 6 Biggest Lies About Benghazi An email demonstrates that the White House lied when it said it did not skew for political reasons the talking points provided to Rice.

* Al-Aksa mosque Imam says Arab legions to liberate Haifa, Safed, Jaffa, Beit Shean The Al-Aksa mosque has been involved with promoting extreme rhetoric in the past.

* Israel prepares to mourn 23,169 casualties of war and terrorism Israel is set to pay tribute to 23,169 casualties of war and terrorism who have fallen since 1860.

* Saudi Arabia Shows Off Chinese Missiles Saudi Arabia's military for the first time displayed Chinese made intermediate-range missiles .

* Iraq vote count under way in poll hailed by US and UN Vote counting is under way in Iraq after the country's first parliamentary poll since US troops withdrew in 2011.

* Iran terror network prolific Iran continues to arm and finance a terrorist network that extends from South Asia to the Horn of Africa.

05/02/14

* Hezbollah, Al Qaeda and Hamas Flags in Jerusalem During an Arab wedding procession in Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday night, the Jewish state's 3,000-year-old capital bore witness to a multitude of terrorist organization flags.

* Iran terror network prolific, US report says Iran continues to arm and finance a terrorist network that extends from South Asia to the Horn of Africa.

* Iraq vote count under way in poll hailed by US and UN Vote counting is under way in Iraq after the country's first parliamentary poll since US troops withdrew in 2011.

* Xi takes hands-on military role with emphasis on 'maritime' sovereignty, 'winning battles' The People's Liberation Army has beefed up its naval infrastructure.

* China to conduct naval drills with Russia in East China Sea China said on Wednesday it would conduct joint naval drills with Russia in the East China Sea.

* Saudi missile parade a signal to Iran, Israeli defense expert tells 'Post' Saudi Arabia concluded a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese- made Dongfeng 3 ballistic missiles.

* 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.

* 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.

* In Italy, al-Aqsa Mosque imam urges destruction of Israel An imam from Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque last week called for Israel's destruction while on a visit to Italy.

05/01/14

* On its 66th birthday, Israel's population nears 8.2 million As Israel prepares to celebrate its 66th birthday, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released a report on Thursday estimating its population at 8.180 million.

* Islamic Jihad Seeks to Join Hamas-Fatah Pact Despite last week predicting its failure, the Islamic Jihad terrorist group is trying to join in on the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation agreement.

* Iran terror network prolific, US report says Iran continues to arm and finance a terrorist network that extends from South Asia to the Horn of Africa.

* Iraq vote count under way in poll hailed by US and UN Vote counting is under way in Iraq after the country's first parliamentary poll since US troops withdrew in 2011.

* This spring, the Middle East gears up for 'End-of-time battle foretold by the Prophet Mohammed It is Spring in the Middle East. The rising temperatures and the end of rain and snow make fighting more pleasant.

* 'Anti-semitic Elmo' at it again The same "Evil Elmo" who became known for anti-Semitic rants in New York's Central Park and spent time in jail for trying to extort the Girl Scouts.

* Xi takes hands-on military role with emphasis on 'maritime' sovereignty, 'winning battles' The People's Liberation Army has beefed up its naval infrastructure the better to stake out China's claim as a "maritime strong power."

* China to conduct naval drills with Russia in East China Sea China said on Wednesday it would conduct joint naval drills with Russia in the East China Sea.

* Saudi missile parade a signal to Iran, Israeli defense expert tells 'Post' Saudi Arabia concluded a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese- made Dongfeng 3 ballistic missiles.