06/30/14

* Watch: ISIS fighter says group will 'break all borders to reach Jerusalem' Social media clip shows man, who claims to be standing on the Iraq border with Syria, reaffirm the declaration of an Islamic "caliphate."

* Isis rebels declare 'Islamic state' in Iraq and Syria Jihadist militant group Isis has said it is establishing a caliphate, or Islamic state, on the territories it controls in Iraq and Syria.

* Netanyahu Threatens Hamas: Stop The Rockets 'Or We Will' Netanyahu says Israel 'will not allow continuation of rocket fire,' after morning of rocket attacks against southern communities.

* In face of ISIS threat, Liberman terms Jordan's stability a vital Israeli national interest In meeting with German FM, Liberman makes strongest public statement by a senior official so far of Israel's commitment to Jordan's security in light of the advances made by ISIS.

* Hamas Asks Turkey to Stop 'Israeli Aggression' Khaled Mashaal calls Turkish FM, asks for pressure against Israel same morning Hamas terrorists pepper Israel with rockets.

* 'Kidnapping Handbooks' May Have Guided Abduction Hamas distributed detailed booklets providing doctrinal, logistical instructions to abduct Israelis. Was this abduction 'by the book'?

* Kurds in Iraq deserve independence, Netanyahu says Faced with ISIL threat, PM calls for 'enhanced regional cooperation,' announces plan to build security fence along Jordan border.

* How 2014 Is Strikingly Similar to 1914 This week rings a historical bell. On June 28, it will be exactly 100 years since one man in the Balkans changed the world forever - with two shots from a pistol in the dusty provincial town of Sarajevo

* Netanyahu: Islamic Extremism Getting Closer PM Netanyahu asks the international community to support Jordan in fight against ISIS, back the independence of Iraq's Kurds.

* EU diplomats unsure of next step on Ukraine crisis EU leaders last Friday (27 June) gave Russia a new ultimatum on sanctions, but opinion differs on when the ultimatum is due and what the reaction will be.

06/28/14

* Ukraine crisis: New clashes test ceasefire in east A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is coming under increasing strain amid fresh clashes between government forces and pro-Russia separatists.

* Iraq crisis: Helicopter strikes on Tikrit rebels Helicopter gunships have conducted strikes on the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit.

* Ukraine hails EU's 'historic pact' with ex-Soviet states Ukraine's president has hailed a "historic" trade pact with the European Union.

* Red Heifer Found in America Finding a red heifer is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

* Militia-backed Shiite cleric vows to battle ISIL in Iraq Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has vowed to "shake the ground" under the feet of advancing Sunni militants.

* Most Palestinians want to eliminate Israel Palestinian support for a two-state solution with Israel has dropped to below the 30 percent mark.

* Arab MKs Declare 'Temple Mount for Muslims Only' The Arab Raam-Taal party in the Knesset held a meeting on Monday with all its members.

* Sarajevo marks 100 years since Archduke Franz Ferdinand shooting Bosnia is commemorating 100 years since the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, the act that triggered World War One.

* Israel, US prepared to help Jordan fight ISIS Israel and the US may be prepared to aid Jordan as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) eyes the Jewish State's eastern neighbor.

* Juncker chosen for EU commission job, Cameron defeated EU leaders on Friday (27 June) nominated Jean-Claude Juncker to be European Commission president.

06/27/14

* Ukraine hails EU's 'historic pact' with ex-Soviet states Ukraine's president has hailed a "historic" trade pact with the European Union.

* Netanyahu: Impending Agreement with Iran is Very Bad Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday warned against the impending nuclear deal between Iran and the West.

* 'ISIS commits mass murder, advertises it': Iraq executions detailedSatellite imagery and photographs confirm that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) have staged mass executions in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit.

* Arab states at United Nations deplore 'Israeli aggression' Several representatives of Arab and Muslim states announced Thursday at the UN they would be asking the Security Council to condemn Israel's actions in the West Bank.

* Pentagon assigns 2-star general to oversee assessment in Iraq, a sign of task's sensitivity The U.S. military named a two-star general to head up the teams that have been sent to Iraq.

* 'Nipsters?' German Neo-Nazis Market 'Nazi Hipster' Lifestyle Neo-Nazi culture has traditionally been a legion of counterculture.

* Homosexuals Destroy Israeli Messianic Business The Jerusalem District Court has ordered Moshav Yad Hashmonah, a community of Messianic Jews and Evangelical Christians, to pay compensation to two lesbians.

* Chinese Navy near Hawaii: First time participation in US-led RIMPAC drills For the first time ever Chinese warships are taking part in the world's largest naval drills.

* Athena: Europe plans huge X-ray space telescope Europe has initiated the process that should lead to the biggest X-ray space telescope ever built.

* EU backs Juncker to head Commission in blow to UK EU leaders in Brussels have nominated former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker to be president of the European Commission.

06/26/14

* Iraqi PM welcomes Syria air strike on border crossing Military and rebel sources say the strike took place inside Iraq.

* Militia-backed Shiite cleric vows to battle ISIL in Iraq Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has vowed to "shake the ground" under the feet of advancing Sunni militants.

* Most Palestinians want to eliminate Israel Palestinian support for a two-state solution with Israel has dropped to below the 30 percent mark.

* Arab MKs Declare 'Temple Mount for Muslims Only' The Arab Raam-Taal party in the Knesset held a meeting on Monday with all its members.

* Putin meets with Abbas, calls for renewal of Mideast peace talks Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Wednesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

* This Week in History: Hitler invades Russia A glimpse into historical moments in Israeli news from this week in 'The Jerusalem Post' front covers.

* Kurdish State 'A Foregone Conclusion' - One Israel Would Support An independent Kurdish state is "a foregone conclusion", according to Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.

* Germany Decides to Extend Ban on Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' Germany wants to uphold an effective post-war ban on the publication of genocidal Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's manifesto "Mein Kampf".

* EP gets set for a tumultuous few weeks The incoming European Parliament is to hit the ground running in the coming days.

* Red Heifer Found in America Finding a red heifer is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

06/25/14

* Islamist fighters reportedly attempting to encircle Baghdad Iraq's dire situation has gone from bad dream to nightmare in two weeks of fighting.

* Tanks, copters and cash: Bank robberies in Mosul make ISIL 'wealthiest terrorist franchise ever' Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has seized major U.S. combat platforms in Iraq.

* EU wants stronger military industry The European Commission on Tuesday (24 June) laid out plans on how to boost the EU's military and defence industries.

* Israel Concerned by US Failures in Iraq While the Israeli government is officially keeping mum on the advance of radical Islamist forces in Iraq, local security officials are again voicing concern over America's failures.

* Jordan, Israel cooperate in face of ISIS threat Cooperation between Israel and Jordan is growing as armed Sunni men from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) make additional gains in Iraq.

* Hamas Summer Camp Sparks 'Lynch Mob' on Temple Mount Hundreds of Arab visitors to the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, surrounded and harassed a group of Jews visiting the site on Wednesday morning.

* Nigerian extremists kidnap 91 more people Extremists have abducted 91 more people, including toddlers as young as 3, in weekend attacks on villages in Nigeria.

* Spying Concerns, Regional Belligerence Cloud Chinese Role in Pacific Naval Exercises The U.S. military's largest international naval exercise in the Pacific begins this week.

* JCPA analyst: 1,000 Chinese jihadists training in Pakistan Some 1,000 Chinese jihadists are receiving military training at a base in Pakistan.

* Iraq PM Nouri Maliki rejects 'salvation' government raq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has rejected calls for a national salvation government to help counter the offensive by jihadist-led Sunni rebels.

06/24/14

* As Muslims prep for hajj, Israel confident MERS is no danger As several million Muslim faithful get set to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, among them thousands of Israelis and Palestinians.

* Iraq crisis: Kerry urges unity to expel Isis rebels He said there was no military solution, stressing the need for a new Iraqi government that empowered people in communities where Isis had taken hold.

* Turkey tells Europe: End jihadi travel to Syria Turkey's prime minister has called on European nations to prevent jihadi fighters from travelling to Turkey.

* Iran and Russia Finalizing Plans for Two More Nuclear Plants Iran is moving to finalize plans with Russia to build at least two more nuclear power plants on the Islamic Republic's southern Gulf shores.

* Russian President Putin 'scraps Ukraine military move' Vladimir Putin's move was aimed at "normalising the situation" in the conflict-torn eastern regions of Ukraine.

* State seeks to return to prison 54 Palestinians released in Schalit deal The state is seeking to return 54 Palestinians who were pardoned and released in the framework of the Gilad Schalit deal.

* Ya'alon Denies IDF to Scale Back Hamas Crackdown After Pressure The Security Cabinet may have decided Tuesday afternoon to end the wider campaign to eradicate Hamas.

* One Day Later, Sudan Re-arrests Death Row Christian Woman A Sudanese woman who on Monday was acquitted of a death sentence against her for being Christian was re-arrested hours later on Tuesday as she tried to leave the country.

* Netanyahu: Mashal made it clear Hamas was committed to fighting Israel Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, who praised the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens, has shown once again that Hamas is committed to fighting Israel.

* EU threatens more Russia sanctions, prepares to sign Ukraine pact EU countries have threatened to impose more sanctions on Russia if it does not help to stop violence.

06/23/14

* Iraq crisis: Kerry vows 'intense support' to counter Isis US Secretary of State John Kerry has vowed "intense and sustained support" for Iraq after meeting key politicians in the capital, Baghdad.

* Syria Says IDF Raids are a 'Flagrant Violation' of Territory IDF air raids killed 10 Syrian soldiers overnight near the Golan Heights, in response to killing of a teenage boy.

* The Presbyterians and Anti-Christ The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) continues its spiritual and social war against the people of Israel.

* Kerry promises 'intense and sustained' support for Iraq Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday promised "intense and sustained" U.S. support for Iraq, but said the divided country would only survive if its leaders took urgent steps to bring it together.

* Could Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki be forced out? Two-term Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and his State of Law alliance performed well, winning 92 seats directly and being able to count on at least a further 10 to 20 seats held by close allies.

* Kurds edge towards statehood, with Turkish, Israeli help The age-old dream of a Kurdish state is on the verge of being realized as the authority of Iraq's central government frays.

* Children being lured into Syrian civil war, suicide missions A Human Rights Watch report says Syrian militants use promise of free education to recruit children from war-torn areas into combat.

* Last of Syria's chemical weapons shipped out The last of Syria's declared chemical weapons have been shipped out of the country for destruction, the international watchdog OPCW says.

* China's Tianhe-2 tops supercomputer chart again China has the world's most powerful supercomputer for the third time in a row as the country once again ups its presence in the global top 500.

* Jewish Home MK Opposes Party on Temple Mount Status Quo MK Kalfa opposes committee suggestion to preserve status quo on holiest site in Judaism.

06/21/14

* Iraq crisis: Shia militia show of force raises tensions Thousands of Shia militia loyal to the powerful cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have paraded through the streets of Baghdad.

* Israel vows to 'tighten ring around kidnappers' as it targets Hamas infrastructure The IDF arrested 25 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank overnight Thursday.

* Guns and camouflage: Welcome to Hamas' summer-camp Hamas in Gaza Strip showcased Thursday their annual summer-camp for Gaza children.

* Russia Puts Troops on Alert as U.S. Broadens Sanctions Russia put more than 65,000 troops on combat alert and ordered them to take part in a drill a day after Ukraine called a week-long cease-fire to quell violence.

* Ukraine crisis: Fighting rages on despite declared truce Pro-Russian separatists have carried out several attacks on Ukrainian troops.

* Palestinians on social media scorn Abbas for aiding Israel in search of teens Palestinians posted cartoons on Facebook and Twitter depicting Abbas as a "puppy" of Israel.

* Court confirms Egypt Muslim Brotherhood death sentences An Egyptian court has confirmed death sentences for 183 Muslim Brotherhood supporters accused of a 2013 attack on a police station.

* New Agers, Neo-Pagans gather tp greet solstice Self-styled Druids, new-agers and thousands of revelers have watched the sun rise above the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge.

* Hamas vows revenge for IDF West Bank operation A senior Hamas official vowed Saturday that the terror group would respond to Israel‚Äôs military operation in the West Bank.

* Presbertyrian Church votes to divest as protest against Israel The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Friday became the most prominent religious group in the United States to endorse divestment as a protest against Israeli policies toward Palestinians.

06/20/14

* Islamic Army of Iraq founder: Isis and Sunni Islamists will march on Baghdad A top commander of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq has told The Telegraph how his men are fighting alongside the Islamic State of Iraq.

* Obama: Iran could play constructive role in Iraq President Barack Obama said Thursday Iran can play a constructive role in Iraq.

* Israel vows to 'tighten ring around kidnappers' as it targets Hamas infrastructure The IDF arrested 25 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank overnight Thursday.

* Hamas threatens 3rd Intifada to answer massive Israeli crackdown Hamas is promising to "open the gates of hell" if Netanyahu's government expels its leaders from the West Bank to Gaza.

* ISIS Captures Saddam's Chemical Weapons Complex The radical Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) continues to ride high in Iraq.

* Israel receives first ever oil shipment from Iraqi Kurdistan A tanker delivered a cargo of disputed crude oil from Iraqi Kurdistan's new pipeline for the first time on Friday in Israel.

* Marines' laser weapon targeting enemy drones revealed Watch out, enemy drones. The U.S. military is developing laser weapons to smite you.

* Riots at Temple Mount Amid Uptick in Violence Arab rioters threw rocks and bottles at police at the entrance to the Temple Mount on Friday.

* Terrorist Rocket Lands Inside Gaza A rocket fired by terrorists in Gaza never made it to its target.

* Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko declares ceasefire Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has declared a week-long unilateral ceasefire.

06/19/14

* Back to Iraq: F-18 Super Hornets patrol desert to track ISIS forces In less than three years US fighter jets have returned to Iraqi skies.

* Hamas threatens third intifada amid ongoing IDF operation in West Bank Hamas threatened to ignite a third intifada on Thursday.

* Iraq crisis: Baiji oil refinery contested Iraqi government forces are battling Sunni Muslim militants for control of the country's biggest oil refinery.

* Pro-kidnapping salute gains steam on Palestinian, Arab social media Even as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the kidnapping last week of three Israeli teens, popular support for the abduction has continued to proliferate on Palestinian social media.

* Israel Fears US Cozying Up to Iran Due to Iraq Crisis Israel fears that a jihadist offensive that has swept up swathes of Iraq may prompt concessions to arch-foe Iran from its longtime ally the United States.

* King Felipe VI calls for 'new Spain' as he is sworn in King Felipe VI has called for "a new Spain that we will build together".

* Dark net 'used by tens of thousands of paedophiles' Tens of thousands of paedophiles are using the so-called dark net to trade images of sexual abuse.

* EU ministers to discuss Ukraine security mission Foreign ministers will, in Luxembourg on Monday (23 June), discuss a new EU proposal to send security experts to Ukraine.

* US wants to oust Maliki, while he refuses to resign in exchange for airstrikes Recent reports indicate the White House wants Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki out of power.

* Kurdish journalists to 'Post': We may fast-track push for independence Independence is at the forefront of Kurdish minds as they seek to consolidate recent territorial gains in northern Iraq.

06/18/14

* Iraq formally asks US to launch air strikes against rebels Iraq has formally called on the US to launch air strikes against jihadist militants who have seized several key cities over the past week.

* Anti-paedophile police fight child porn 'epidemic' The internet trade in images that show child sex abuse is now "an epidemic".

* UN, PA Suggest Israel Made Up Abduction Story Senior officials from both the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday suggested that Israel might have fabricated the story.

* Syria conflict: Toxic chemicals 'used systematically' in attacks The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons sent a fact-finding mission to the country's north last month to investigate several incidents.

* Iraq crisis: Battle grips vital Baiji oil refinery The Iraqi military says it has driven off Islamist-led militants attacking the country's biggest oil refinery amid reports it had been overrun.

* Hamas Attacks 'Harmful' Abbas for Condemning Kidnappings Hamas lost no time taking Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to task on Wednesday.

* Tony Blair: World is repulsed by kidnapping The international community is repulsed by the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers.

* UNESCO vetoed display on Jewish refugees from Arab lands panel about Jewish refugees from Arab countries was removed from an UNESCO exhibition.

* Muslim candidate wants to shake up EU parliament The 43-year old of Pakistani descent was the first British Muslim to be elected as MEP, in 2004.

* Envoys: Iran refuses to budge on centrifuges Iran is refusing to significantly cut the number of centrifuges it intends to keep to produce nuclear fuel.

06/17/14

* Iraq conflict: Clashes on approaches to Baghdad Iraqi government forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Sunni insurgents who have made major advances in the past week.

* As the US dawdles in Iraq, opportunity for the Kurds - and Iran The swift advance of Sunni Islamists has cleared the way for Peshmerga forces to take control of Kirkuk, the Kurdish 'Jerusalem'.

* Tony Blair Attempts to Reason with Hamas Over Abduction Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Quartet representative and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair Tuesday.

* Israel Determined to Crush Hamas Israel is working hard to find and rescue three abducted Jewish youth.

* Israel detains dozens more in search for missing teens Israel's military has arrested 41 more Palestinians as it expands the search for three Israeli teenagers believed kidnapped in the West Bank.

* No responsibility claimed at Hamas, Fatah press conference in Gaza Masked gunmen belonging to 10 Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip welcomed any effort to release Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

* Over 5,000 Iranians 'sign up to defend Iraq holy sites' Some 5,000 Iranians have pledged online to defend Iraq's Shiite Muslim holy sites against Sunni extremists who are waging war against the Baghdad government.

* US Arrests First Benghazi Suspect Two Years Later Reports on Tuesday reveal that US Special Operations forces captured a terrorist leader in Libya on Sunday.

* Egypt's Sisi swears in new government Egypt's newly elected President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi chaired the first meeting of his new Cabinet on Tuesday.

* Five Days Later, EU Finally Condemns Kidnapping The European Union (EU) finally issued a condemnation of the abduction of three yeshiva students by Hamas terrorists on their way home from school Tuesday.

06/16/14

* Seconds before the slaughter: Global horror at images of Iraqi army deserters who were rounded up at gunpoint, herded into lorries and shot dead by masked ISIS fanatics Islamist militants in Iraq have boasted of slaughtering dozens of Iraqi soldiers captured in the fighting which has consumed the country in recent days.

* Israel to 'Overthrow Hamas Infrastructure' in Judea and Samaria Army Radio says cabinet meeting on kidnapping crisis ends with decision to 'crush' Hamas in Judea-Samaria once and for all.

* In bid for Palestinian street, Hamas gambles all The Gaza-based group ended the unity pact with Abbas - and risked Israel's wrath - when it kidnapped the three youths.

* Kenya attack: Mpeketoni near Lamu hit by al-Shabab raid At least 48 people have died after al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked hotels and a police station in a Kenyan coastal town, officials say.

* Abbas's Palestinian Authority, Fatah Celebrate Abduction In an odious distortion of the World Cup 2014 logo, the official Palestinian Authority daily printed Sunday a cartoon celebrating the kidnapping of three Israeli youths on Thursday night.

* Iraq conflict: Militants 'seize' city of Tal Afar Sunni militants have seized the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, officials and residents say.

* Ukraine crisis: Russia halts gas supplies to Kiev Ukraine says Russia has cut off all gas supplies to Kiev, in a major escalation of a dispute between the two nations.

* Iraqi Christians flee homes amid militant push Over the past decade, Iraqi Christians have fled repeatedly to this ancient mountainside village, seeking refuge from violence, then returning home when the danger eased.

* Fewer bombs, but nuclear states 'determined' to keep arsenals Obama's vision of a world free of nuclear weapons is still an unrealistic dream as nuclear states insist on maintaining arms, while North Korea is believed to be closer to putting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles.

* Israel could kill Hamas leaders, defense minister hints Moshe Ya'alon warns of 'very heavy price' for chiefs of organization Israel holds responsible for kidnapping 3 teens

06/14/14

* ISIS Leader: 'See You in New York' When Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi walked away from a U.S. detention camp in 2009, the future leader of ISIS issued some chilling final words to reservists from Long Island.

* Iraq unraveling as top Shiite cleric issues call to arms The likely breakup of Iraq into feuding ethnic and sectarian bastions accelerated Friday as Iraq's senior Shiite Muslim cleric broke years of support for the central government and decreed that every able-bodied Shiite man had a religious obligation to defend the sect's holy sites from rebellious Sunni Muslims led by fighters from the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

* Iraq conflict: Iran's Rouhani 'ready to help' Iran is ready to assist the Iraqi government in its battle against extremist Sunni insurgents, President Hassan Rouhani has said.

* Afghan election: Violence overshadows run-off vote At least 46 people have been killed as millions of Afghans cast their votes in a run-off to elect a new president.

* Is this the end of Iraq? Iraq is facing its most severe crisis in years, with the country on the brink of break-up amid lightning offensives by jihadist militants. How has it happened so quickly?

* "World's best gay city" shows off its pride with 16th-annual Gay Pride Parade Tens of thousands of people take streets of Israel's LGBT capital, marching under the banner of equality.

* Pope Condemns Religious Fundamentalism, Middle East Violence In wide-reaching interview Pope Francis says he's worried about sectarianism worldwide, will 'ask God' about retirement.

* Islamic Jihad: 'Kidnappings the only way to release prisoners' Senior official of terror organization calls on Palestinians to abduct Israeli citizens, target settlers in West Bank.

* Barroso agrees new Russia talks, as warfare escalates The EU is to mediate new talks between Moscow and Kiev, as fighting continues to escalate in east Ukraine.Ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has vowed to to tackle "terrorism" and bring security, after being sworn in as Egypt's new president.

* Invading jihadists capture U.S. equipment worth billions as Iraq Army collapses Iraq has acknowledged that its Army collapsed amid the Al Qaida offensive.

06/13/14

* Iraq conflict: Sistani issues Shia call to arms Iraq's most senior Shia cleric has issued a call to arms after Sunni-led insurgents seized more towns.

* Iraq crisis: Baghdad prepares for the worst as Islamist militants vow to capture the capital Iraq is breaking up. The Kurds have taken the northern oil city of Kirkuk that they have long claimed as their capital.

* Alarmed by Iraq, Iran open to shared role with U.S. - Iran official Shi'te Muslim Iran is so alarmed by Sunni insurgent gains in Iraq that it may be willing to cooperate with Washington .

* Iraq's Vulnerable Christians Further Imperiled by Jihadist Advance The startling gains made by jihadist fighters in Iraq are placing the region's already extremely vulnerable Christians in even greater peril.

* Iranian Revolutionary Guard Helps Iraqi Government Retake Tikrit Iranian troops have helped the Iraqi government retake the City of Tikrit from the Islamic fundamentalist force.

* Did FIFA Ask U.S. to be Ready to Host 2022 World Cup Instead of Qatar? As soon as Jorge Ramos of ESPN Deportes reported on Thursday that FIFA had asked the United States delegation to be ready to host the 2022 World Cup if Qatar is stripped of it, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati immediately denied it.

* US airstrikes to support Iranian Revolutionary Guard's offensive in Iraq? Iran deployed its Revolutionary Guard to help Iraq battle insurgents.

* Jerusalem aglow during International Festival of Light Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to converge on Jerusalem's Old City each evening for the next week.

* Muslim Rioters Stone Police on Temple Mount Twenty masked Muslim rioters on Friday pelted police forces with stones on the Temple Mount.

* Unity Pact 'Peaceful'? Recent Fatah Film Glorifies Terrorism The film, "The Revolutionists of the Land," was produced by Fatah's military wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

06/12/14

* Iraqi Kurds 'fully control Kirkuk' as army flees Iraqi Kurdish forces say they have taken full control of the northern oil city of Kirkuk.

* ISIS Siezes Tikrit as Islamist Takeover of Iraq Continues The Al Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has attacked the central Iraqi city of Tikrit.

* As Iraq Islamists advance, Iran says it will enter fight Predominantly Shiite Muslim Iran will combat terrorism by Sunni extremists in neighboring Iraq.

* Israel's Ofek 10 satellite '100 percent successful' after two months in space Israel Space Agency says satellite has already made 1,000 revolutions around the Earth.

* Islamist militants vow to march on Baghdad after seizing key Iraqi Sunni cities The al-Qaeda inspired group that led the charge in capturing two key Sunni-dominated cities in Iraq this week vowed Thursday to march on to Baghdad.

* Jordan minister calls to 'protect' al-Aksa from 'Israeli violations' Hayil Abdelhafeez Dawoud, Jordan's minister of Religious Affairs, called for a comprehensive Arab and Islamic plan.

* IDF uses Facebook, Instagram to warn soldiers over cyber security Dozens of soldiers and officers from IDF'S Information Security Department sent hundreds of fabricated messages in Arabic through social networks to soldiers who published sensitive military information.

* Hamas Official Calls on Fatah to Join in Jihad Fathi Hammad, who served as the Interior Minister in Hamas's government in Gaza, recently called on Fatah to join Hamas.

* Found on the Temple Mount On the one hand, we know that over the years, the Waqf and other Islamic bodies have been engaged in seeking to destroy any remains from earlier Jewish periods.

* India hangings: Fourth woman dies in Uttar Pradesh A teenager has been found hanging from a tree in a village in northern India, the fourth woman to die in such a way in recent weeks.

06/11/14

* Militants Overrun Iraq's Second-Largest City as Government Forces Flee Islamist insurgents seized control of Iraq's second-largest city.

* Muslim Mob Block Jewish Entry to Temple Mount Muslims visitors to the Temple Mount formed a riotous mob.

* Knesset Rejects Civil Marriage Bill The Knesset rejected Labor Mk Stav Shafir's Civil Marriage bill Wednesday.

* EU Delegation Meets Palestinian Unity Gov't Officials in Gaza A delegation of European diplomats traveled to the Gaza Strip to meet the Gaza-based ministers of a new Palestinian Authority "unity government".

* How the World Looks a Day After an Iranian Nuclear Deal Experts on Iran took part in a unique round-table discussion on Tuesday at the Herzliya Conference.

* After election win Netanyahu meets with president-elect Rivlin in Jerusalem Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and president-elect Reuven Rivlin met in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

* Maliki offers to arm citizens willing to fight ISIS Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday offered weapons and equipment to citizens who volunteer to fight Islamist militants.

* Mosul Seized: Jihadis Loot $429m from City's Central Bank to Make Isis World's Richest Terror Force The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (Isis) has become the richest terror group ever.

* Fearing jihadi attack on Israeli planes, Egypt sends troops to border The Egyptian military recently deployed a large military force near the border crossing with Israel at Taba in order to prevent rocket and missile attacks on Israel.

* Syria says it is ready to help Iraq fight jihadist 'terror' The regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad said Wednesday it is willing to help Baghdad in the fight against "terrorism".

06/10/14

* IDF Official: 170,000 Missiles Aimed at Israel Terror groups have managed to replenish their supply of missiles.

* Hamas calls on armed wing to kill soldiers and settlers Hamas has called on members of its armed wing in the West Bank to target Israeli soldiers and civilians.

* Al-Qaida offshoot in fierce offensive, carves out territory across Syria and Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is battling to control a huge area of east Syria and western Iraq, has advanced along the Euphrates River.

* Exercise in Jordan with U.S., Saudis, Turkey focuses on 'unconventional wars' Jordan has hosted a major exercise that stressed border security.

* 'No sugarcoating' as first movie on '67 battle for Jerusalem takes shape They weren't yet born, but Joseph Schick and Jacob Septimus remember 1967.

* Likud's Rivlin defeats Sheetrit, will be tenth president of Israel Likud MK Reuven Rivlin will be the tenth president of Israel after he scored a victory over Hatnua MK Meir Sheetrit.

* Tourism to Israel at record levels, 1.5 million visit between January-May Tourist entries into Israel are up by 17% for the first quarter of 2014.

* Iraq militants control second city of Mosul Iraq's prime minister has asked parliament to declare a state of emergency.

* Angela Merkel still backing Juncker for EU top job Germany's Angela Merkel has restated her support for Jean-Claude Juncker to take over as president of the European Commission.

* Israeli Ministers Propose Annexing, Abandoning 'West Bank' With the collapse of the latest round of US-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli ministers seem to be of one accord that the Jewish state needs to take the initiative and formulate its own outline for the future.

06/09/14

* Tel Aviv municipality morphs into giant rainbow flag for Gay Pride Month 480 colorful LED light bulbs adorn the municipality building, creating the world's largest rainbow flag.

* The Long Arm that Leads the Fist Why is the Israeli Air Force desperate to acquire a 1950s-era aircraft? Arutz Sheva finds out.

* Taliban claim deadly attack on Karachi airport The Pakistani Taliban have said they were behind an assault on the country's largest airport that killed at least 28 people, including all 10 attackers.

* Eyes on Syria as Iran's Rouhani meets with Turkish leaders Two-day trip to Ankara aimed at restoring strong ties between regional powers, resolving differences over Syrian civil war.

* IDF Chief: Hezbollah Stronger than Most Countries in the Region Chief of Staff outlines security issues: Russia arming Assad weekly, Hezbollah massive threat to Israel, Iran can be stopped by force.

* Honk if you love Israel South Carolina approves Israel-friendly license plates for private cars.

* Israel Will Always Live by the Sword, Says Amidror Former National Security Adviser provides a pessimistic forecast regarding Israel's ability to evade future wars.

* At the Vatican, no closer to peace, but perhaps a step away from war Pope Francis brings together two presidents in a prayer session he hopes might inspire, but knows cannot fully replace, political will.

* Egypt's Sisi vows tough line to bring security Ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has vowed to to tackle "terrorism" and bring security, after being sworn in as Egypt's new president.

* Israel Encourages Farmers to Honor Biblical Sabbatical Year The Israeli government has reportedly set aside NIS 100 million (~$29 million) to encourage local farmers to honor the biblical command to let their fields lie fallow for one year every seven years.

06/07/14

* The Seventh of June and the Ninth of Av To understand contemporary Israel and the emotions present in any discussion of Middle East peace, one needs to grasp the significance of two dates-June 7 and the Ninth of Av.

* Jerusalem is the '2016 Islamic Tourism Capital' A Palestinian Authority (PA) official said Thursday that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) chose Jerusalem as the "capital of Islamic tourism" for 2016.

* Ukraine's Poroshenko sworn in and sets out peace plan Petro Poroshenko has been sworn in as president of Ukraine, setting out a plan to bring peace to the conflict-torn east of the country.

* Egypt's new leader vows to uphold ties with Israel Egypt's President-elect Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi told Israeli leaders in a phone call on Friday that he was committed to his country's peace treaty with Israel.

* Iraq university hostages' ordeal ends in Ramadi Militants have stormed a university in the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

* Nasrallah: Assad must be part of any future peace accord in Syria Syrian President Bashar Assad's landslide election victory means that his civil war foes can no longer call for his departure as a precondition for peace.

* The Fatah-Hamas honeymoon is already over Just days after they formed a unity government, fissures have emerged between Hamas and Fatah.

* Where Joshua, Solomon and Ahab built what was once Israel's greatest city The Canaanites who lived in Hatzor during the biblical era were pretty smug. And for good reason.

* Pope tweets message of peace ahead of prayer summit Pope Francis on Saturday entreated social media followers to pray for Middle East peace.

* GHOST: An Anti-Terrorism Vessel Built to Outperform Stealth Aircraft Like all branches of the military, the U.S. Navy is undergoing revolutionary change.

06/06/14

* D-Day anniversary: Veterans mark historic invasion Almost 2,000 veterans and world leaders are attending the main commemoration event marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.

* Nasrallah: Assad election win shows West has failed The "massive" turnout in Syria's presidential election and President Bashar Assad's sweeping victory in the polls shows the civil war and the West's conspiracy against Syria have failed.

* Netanyahu 'loathes' Obama, Israel's opposition leader charges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "loathes" Barack Obama, and his hostile attitude to the US president constitutes a danger to Israel's well-being.

* Jerusalem is the '2016 Islamic Tourism Capital' A Palestinian Authority (PA) official said Thursday that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) chose Jerusalem as the "capital of Islamic tourism" for 2016.

* Ya'alon blasts 'sweet talking' Palestinian leadership In the wake of this week's swearing in of an interim Palestinian unity government, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon condemned the Palestinian leadership.

* Vatican insists pope not meddling in Mideast politics with Peres-Abbas invite Pope Francis hopes an unprecedented meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian presidents at the Vatican on Sunday can help end "eternal negotiations" and lead to peace.

* Peres to Sisi: Israel remains committed to peace with Egypt President Shimon Peres spoke on Friday with Egyptian President-elect Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, highlighting Israel's continued commitment to peace.

* Ukraine crisis: Moscow and Kiev seek 'end to bloodshed' Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko have called for a quick end to the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine.

* Rising red tide: China's navy, air force rapidly expanding its size and reach Beijing is growing the size and reach of its naval fleet.

* Temple Mount archaeological project yields treasure, unearths conflict For three of the world's faiths, the Temple Mount bears special sanctity and significance.

06/05/14

* Israel's Ambassador: Move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem Israel's ambassador to the United States has called on Congress to "finally" and "very soon" move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

* In Nigeria, hundreds feared dead from Boko Haram raids Hundreds of people may have been killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack on four villages in northeast Nigeria.

* Khamenei: American invasion not likely because of Iraq and Afghanistan failures Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Grand Ayatollah Khomeini's death that an American attack is not likely.

* Putin: A Closer Look At Russia's Compelling And Controversial Leader Vladimir Putin has been painted as a corrupt politician, remarkable strategist, and even as the worlds most manliest man.

* D-Day 70th anniversary: Ceremonies and staged landing held Hundreds of the last surviving veterans of the D-Day landings are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the mission on both sides of the English channel.

* Is Russia orchestrating east Ukraine violence? Russia is widely accused of orchestrating the separatist insurgency in Ukraine's eastern provinces.

* Israel's response to PA unity gov't: Building 3,000 new units beyond Green Line In its first demonstrative step in reaction to the Hamas-Fatah unity government, Israel is poised to immediately approve construction of some 3,000 new units.

* European tremors have only begun When President Obama arrived in Poland earlier this week, it was as two decades of uncritical integration exuberance had faded in Europe.

* Govt. Set to Discuss 'Jewish National Homeland' Law The Ministerial Law Committee is set to examine a new proposed Basic Law that will codify the status of the State of Israel as the National Home of the Jewish People.

* Vatican Defends Controversial 'Joint Prayer' Pope Francis hosts an unprecedented joint peace prayer in the Vatican on Sunday with Israeli president Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

06/04/14

* Jordan Condemns Israel for Allowing Jews on Temple Mount The Temple Mount became Jewish again on Tuesday, and Jordan didn't like it.

* U.S. vacates base in Central Asia as Russia's clout rises The United States on Tuesday handed back its only Central Asian airbase to the government of Russia's close ally Kyrgyzstan.

* Erdogan's tightening grip on Turkey On the first anniversary of nationwide protests that shook Prime Minster Tayyip Erdogan's rule, barely a thousand anti-government demonstrators marched in Istanbul.

* First words of Bergdahl's father at White House were Arabic Clare Lopez is a former CIA operations officer, a strategic policy and intelligence expert with a focus on Middle East.

* Hamas opts for the Hezbollah model On June 2, Hamas and Fatah formed a unity government in the Palestinian Authority after many months of reconciliation talks.

* Palestinian analysts: Hamas ceded power to save face Isolated in the region and facing a major economic crisis in Gaza, Hamas ceded power to gain breathing space and recuperate.

* Iran's reactor fuel demand emerges as sticking point in nuclear talks Iran has said it should be able to produce fuel for its Bushehr nuclear power plant.

* US 'looks forward' to working with Egypt's el-Sissi The United States said Wednesday it looks forward to working with the government of Egyptian president-elect Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

* Obama pledges to defend Poland's security US leader Barack Obama has promised to defend Poland and other Nato allies against potential Russian aggression.

* Khamenei blasts 'evil Zionist regime' for sowing discord among Muslims Iran's supreme leader accused Israel on Tuesday of sowing dissension and pitting Muslims against one another in Syria.

06/03/14

* Temple Mount is Jewish for a Day The Temple Mount became Jewish again, at least for one day, on Tuesday.

* Israel denounces US for accepting Abbas's Hamas-backed government Jerusalem on Monday night slammed the United States for announcing that it will work with the new Palestinian unity government.

* Prayers on Tisha B'Av on the Temple Mount? The Women in Green (WIG) movement has asked for the Israel police's response to its request to hold a rally on the night of Tisha B'Av.

* Syria election: Assad win expected amid civil war Syria is holding a presidential election in government-held areas, amid heightened security.

* Ukraine crisis: 'Heavy fighting' around Sloviansk Heavy fighting is taking place in and around the rebel-held city of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.

* Israel flowing with increased levels of Milk and Honey The land of milk and honey is still living up to its name, according to data the Central Bureau of Statistics released.

* Chinese General Says U.S. Foreign Policy Has 'Erectile Dysfunction' Problems A Chinese general used a regional security conference this weekend to tell a global audience that U.S. rhetoric about the South China Sea risks provoking Beijing.

* Celebrate Shavuot with water, shortcakes and community There are several ways to celebrate Shavuot, and you can tailor your approach according to your priorities.

* Assad hiding chemical arms in remote mountainside, activist charges Opposition figures accused the Syrian regime of hiding chemical weapons in remote Alawite regions of northwestern Syria.

* Former American UN Envoy Slams 'Despicable' Taliban Deal America's former ambassador to the United Nations has branded Washington's recent prisoner swap deal with the Taliban as "despicable".

06/02/14

* Air Force 'Second Only to USAF,' Says Its Commander Major General Amir Eshel says by years' end, the Air Force will soon be four times as effective as it was 2 years ago.

* 'Peace talks will fail if West Bank construction resumes 'Netanyahu Slams Unity Gov't, Says 'Abbas said 'Yes' to Terror' Official Israeli response rejects negotiating with terrorists; Cabinet debating imposing more sanctions on the PA after unity declaration.

* Bennett: PA government made up of 'terrorists in suits' Left-right divide seen in Israeli reactions to Palestinian unity government; Yair Lapid warns against overreaction

* Arab Israelis Find Israel 'Good Place to Live' An annual survey of Arabs in Israel directed by a Haifa University sociologist shows they are self-identifying as Israeli Arabs rather than as Palestinians in greater numbers and increasingly believe Israel is a good place to live.

* Abbas swears in Palestinian unity gov't despite last minute difficulties PA president swears in unity gov't with Hamas in Ramallah after compromise on Ministry of Prisoner Affairs reached.

* Darwin enters Israeli schools, but humans left out Education Ministry introduces theory of evolution to core curricula, but human-ape connection omitted out of concern for Orthodox

* Israeli Professor: New Testament is a Jewish Text A prominent Israeli professor writing in the free Israeli daily newspaper Israel Hayom continues the trend of Jews both here and abroad reclaiming Jesus and even the New Testament as their own.

* EU states at odds over Juncker Jean-Claude Juncker may have been endorsed by Germany for the European Commission top job, but Italy and France have signalled opposition, while Britain has warned about the consequences of choosing the former Luxembourg PM for the post.

* King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicates King Juan Carlos said his son Prince Felipe would "open a new era of hope"

* Saudis to prosecute homosexuality, and atheism on social networks Saudi official says that up to 25,000 Arabic language Twitter accounts are carrying out a "planned culture war."