09/30/14

* The Economic Miracle of Israel's Natural Gas Fields Thirty years ago I visited an oil rig at Atlit, a town on the Mediterranean shore just south of Haifa.

* Why is Adolf Hitler popular in India? Growing up in India, Rohee Dasgupta didn't realize the irony on display in bookstores across the country.

* Ya'alon rules out notion of West Bank withdrawal The 50-day offensive against Hamas in Gaza over the summer proved that a withdrawal from the West Bank would be both irrational and outdated, mortally threatening the Hashemite Kingdom and the Palestinian Authority, and placing Israel in even greater danger.

* Bleak Netanyahu warns of militant Islam's global ambition There were no gimmicks. Few excruciating one-liners. Just a single visual aid: a photograph of three children in Gaza at play right next to a rocket launcher.

* Islamic State crisis: Heavy fighting on Iraq-Syria border Heavy fighting is reported on both sides of a key border crossing between Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish forces are battling Islamic State militants.

* Pope calls Mideast envoys to Vatican as Islamic State advances Pope Francis, who has expressed alarm over the rise of Islamic State militants and the plight of Christians in the Middle East, has summoned his envoys in the region to a rare meeting to discuss a response to the crisis.

* Iraqi scholar: Jews persuaded Bush to invade Iraq in 2003 because of Torah prophecy A new book by an Iraqi scholar argues that the Jews persuaded US President George W. Bush to invade Iraq in 2003, as part of a global Jewish conspiracy rooted in the Torah and ancient history.

* Jewish settlers move into Palestinian homes in Old City's shadow Israeli police guarded Jewish settlers as they moved into seven homes in a Palestinian neighborhood of East Jerusalem on Tuesday while stunned and angry Palestinians looked on, aware that there was little they could do.

* ISIL threat at Mecca: Saudis complete exercise for upcoming pilgrimage Saudi Arabia has completed a major security exercise for upcoming pilgrimages to Mecca.

* Fatah official: Palestinians who sold homes to Jews in east Jerusalem should die Israeli police guarded Jewish settlers as they moved into seven homes in a Palestinian neighborhood of east Jerusalem on Tuesday.

09/29/14

* Netanyahu at UN: 'ISIS is Hamas, Hamas is ISIS' In landmark speech, PM calls UNHRC 'an oxymoron,' - and defends Israel as 'the most moral army in the world.'

* Islamic State crisis: Iraq air strikes 'halt IS advance' Iraqi ground forces, backed by air strikes, appear to have halted advancing Islamic State (IS) militants in a town west of Baghdad.

* Turkish tanks deployed to Syria border as Islamic State advances Jihadi forces reported to be within five kilometers of key border town, Turkish troops return fire.

* From Arab Spring to Islamic Winter - to Total Chaos Analysts sum up how the Middle East has gotten worse - and what Israel should do about it.

* Egypt Set to Boycott Turkey Over Muslim Brotherhood Support Officials in Egypt are demanding an immediate and total boycott of Turkish goods, as tensions between the two countries worsen.

* Poll shows fewer Palestinians support Hamas, new intifada against Israel Nonetheless, Hamas and Haniyeh are still more popular than Fatah and Abbas, and a majority of Palestinians remain in favor of rocket attacks against Israel "if the siege is not lifted."

* Egypt FM: Issue of Gaza demilitarization should be put off until permanent peace deal Sameh Shukri says ridding Gaza of weapons must come as part of larger, final settlement between Palestinians and Israelis.

* Stephen Hawkings: There is no God Hawkings has previous given the impression that he is neither a strong believer nor disbeliever in a higher power.

* Ukraine nationalists tear down Kharkiv's Lenin statue Nationalists have torn down a statue of Lenin in the centre of Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, in a move supported by officials.

* Rick Perry: White House must address beheading Rick Perry said on Monday that the Obama administration will have to address the beheading of an Oklahoma woman in what the Texas governor noted closely resembles an act of terrorism.

09/27/14

* British fighter jets set to strike ISIS in first mission since authorization Two British fighter jets flew over Iraq on Saturday, their first mission since parliament authorized strikes against Islamic State militants there.

* US-led air strikes hit IS on Syria's border with Turkey US-led coalition air strikes have hit Islamic State (IS) targets near the besieged Syrian town of Kobane on the border with Turkey, the Pentagon says.

* Iran nuclear talks: Rouhani warns time running out Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that time is running out for negotiating a permanent agreement on his country's nuclear programme.

* What will it take to defeat the Islamic State? Although more and more nations have agreed to join the coalition against Islamic State militants, a victory over the terrorist group is not in near sight.

* Op-Ed: Get Ready for the Real War In recent weeks, the media are filled with reports on the international preparations for a war against the "Islamic State" and an International Conference was even convened in Paris in an attempt to enlist the cooperation of as many nations as possible in waging it.

* Oklahoma Beheader Linked to Al Qaeda Leader Awlaki, Boston Bomber's Mosque Suhaib Webb, an Imam with ties to former Al Qaeda mastermind Anwar al-Awlaki, had also previously been the leader of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, which had been attended by Alton Nolen -- the man who on Thursday beheaded a former coworker after recently converting to Islam.

* Iran says it will strike if Islamic State nears border Iran will attack Islamic State group jihadists inside Iraq if they advance near the border, ground forces commander General Ahmad Reza Pourdestana said in comments published on Saturday.

* China, Iran to conduct joint naval exercises in defiance of U.S. interests For the first time in four decades, a Chinese naval flotilla has visited the Islamic Republic of Iran, as U.S. deterrence and its military presence in the region wanes.

* Turkey's overlooked role in rise of latest 'Islamic Caliphate', and what's coming next Much has been spewed forth about the seemingly inexorable and sudden rise, steeped in blood, of a chimeric new "state", the so-called Islamic Caliphate.

* Rouhani: Iran will never agree to stop uranium enrichment Iran's president on Friday urged faster progress at nuclear talks between his country and six world powers, joining other top international officials who say the current round has failed to make substantial headway toward sealing a deal by the November 24 deadline.

09/26/14

* Air raids disrupt jihadist oil operations in Syria US-led air strikes in Syria disrupted the Islamic State group's lucrative oil-pumping operations as Britain's parliament on Friday debated joining anti-jihadist raids in neighboring Iraq.

* ISIS shifts strategy in face of air strikes Islamic State militants are changing tactics in the face of US air strikes in northern Iraq.

* FBI says it has identified man in IS beheading videos The United States has identified the masked Islamic State terrorist who murdered two kidnapped American journalists in separate videotaped beheadings, FBI chief James Comey said Thursday.

* As U.S. takes on the Islamic State, al-Qaeda remains degraded but not defeated Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of al-Qaeda's founders and its leader for the past three years, released a video announcing the formation of a new affiliate in India and lamenting the turmoil being caused by the rival Islamic State in Syria.

* Abbas denounces 'genocidal' Israel, urges UN to back timetable for Palestinian statehood Without a "firm timetable" in place to end the Israeli presence in Gaza and the West Bank, there's no value in continuing peace talks President Mahmoud Abbas said during his speech at the UN General Assembly Friday.

* Middle Israel: Person of the year Our person of the year 5774 may well have been an Arab, yet another protagonist of the gruesome epoch that has been unfolding about us since autumn 2010.

* Syria's Islamist rebels fear US could hit them next When the United States opened its aerial campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria this week, its first salvo also hit an al-Qaeda cell it says was planning terror attacks - a move that has injected more chaos into the conflict and could help Syrian President Bashar Assad.

* Obama meets with el-Sissi, says Egypt key to Mideast security US President Barack Obama on Thursday touted the longstanding relationship between the United States and Egypt as a cornerstone of American security policy in the Middle East.

* Palestinians see UN session as window for US to show support WEST BANK - There are no surprises expected when Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas takes to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday even if different parties come away with vastly different reactions.

* MPs support UK air strikes against IS in Iraq The UK Parliament has backed British participation in air strikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq.

09/25/14

* Israelis usher in Jewish New Year with uncertainty Israelis ushered in the year 5775 as they celebrated the Jewish New Year on Wednesday still shaken from this summer's 50-day war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

* Islamic State crisis: US hits IS oil targets in Syria The US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) has targeted 12 oil refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.

* Iraq: We've uncovered Islamic State plot for attack on US, Paris subways Iraq has received "credible" intelligence that Islamic State militants plan to launch attacks on subway systems in Paris and the United States.

* Rouhani Blames the West for Rise of Islamic State, Demands Apology Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, whom the Obama administration has considered enlisting in the fight against the Islamic State, blamed the growing threat of the jihadist group on the West's involvement in the Middle East.

* Just do it! The simple meaning of the shofar On this Rosh Hashana, let us trumpet the message of the shofar, keep it simple and "just do it."

* Fatah, Hamas agree to cede control of Gaza to unity government Hamas and Fatah said on Thursday that they have reached agreement to allow the Palestinian Authority government to operate in the Gaza Strip.

* Pakistan policeman kills imprisoned Christian pastor accused of blasphemy A Pakistani policeman shot two men in jail on Thursday, killing one accused of blasphemy and wounding another condemned to death on the same charge.

* Jordan's king urges international defeat of jihadists Jordan's King Abdullah II, a key US ally in the fight against jihadists in Iraq and Syria, called Wednesday for a collective strategy to defeat militants who threaten global security.

* Study: Many European Jews Hide Their Identity A majority of Jews living in Europe today avoid outward demonstrations of their faith and nearly half actively hide their ethnic identity.

* European powers focus on Islamic State at UN assembly The fight against Islamic State (IS) took centre stage from the Ukraine war when European powers spoke at the UN general assembly in New York on Thursday (25 September).

9/24/14

* Police heighten security throughout capital for Rosh Hashana Special patrol units, undercover officers, and border policemen will patrol the Old City and the capital's surrounding neighborhoods.

* OBAMA DEFENDS ISLAM, SMACKS ISRAEL, AMERICAN RACISM AT UN On Wednesday, on the first anniversary of President Barack Obama's speech to the United Nations in which he called for ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, Obama attempted to rally support for his airstrikes against Assad's terrorist opposition.

* Reflections on Anti-Semitism Following Gaza War When Pope Francis hosted a joint prayer meeting in June with then-Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, some saw it as a significant step toward peace in the Middle East. In reality, it signaled that the situation had spiraled dangerously out of control, and that all was now in God's hands.

* Muslim States Say Israel Has No Right to Self-Defense Representatives of Muslim states participating in a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this week called into question Israel’s right to militarily defend itself against Palestinian terrorism.

* Islamic State crisis: New air strikes in Syria and Iraq US warplanes have carried out new air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria, hitting vehicles and arms dumps, the US military says.

* Rosh Hashana 5775: Each of us has a special role Every person has special strengths, specific desires, personal traits that are only his.

* Ukraine crisis: Nato sees 'significant' Russian troop pullback Nato says it has observed a "significant" withdrawal of Russian troops from eastern Ukraine, but adds that some forces still remain there.

* Watch: Minister Ariel 'Greeted' By Arab Rioters on Temple Mount Minister gives New Year wishes in video from Temple Mount - to the sound of explosions and Arab curses in the background.

* With nothing to show, Hamas slouches toward a new conflict Terror group has failed to make significant gains after summer war, leaving Gaza's population frustrated and looking elsewhere.

* Hezbollah leader Nasrallah opposes US-led action in Syria "We are against American military intervention and an international coalition in Syria, whether that (action) is against the regime or IS," Nasrallah said in a speech.

09/23/14

* US launches first strikes in Syria, kill, wound tens of IS fighters The United States and its partners carried out at least 50 air strikes on Islamic State targets in the Syrian provinces of Raqqa and Deir al-Zor on Tuesday.

* Al-Qaida-Affiliated Group Was in 'Final Stages' of Planning Attacks Against the West The United States Central Command said Tuesday morning that American forces hit the Khorasan Group near Aleppo to stop "imminent attack-planning against the United States and Western interests."

* ISIS Spokesman: 'We Will Burn Your Crosses and Enslave Your Women' The Islamic State released an audio recording of spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani encouraging Muslims in America, Canada, France, and Australia to murder non-believers.

* Expert: ISIS Changing the Entire Middle East Islamic State (IS or ISIS) is changing the Middle East, Middle Eastern affairs expert Dr. Eldad Pardo told Arutz Sheva Tuesday - and the Arab world's response to it will ripple into Israeli foreign relations as well.

* Israel downs Syrian fighter jet over Golan Heights A Syrian fighter jet which apparently strayed into Israeli-controlled airspace over the occupied Golan Heights has been shot down by Israel.

* IS strikes: Not America's fight alone - Obama President Obama has hailed the support of Arab nations in air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants, saying: "This is not America's fight alone."

* 'Israel the Only Place in Middle East Where Christians are Safe' Greek Orthodox priest Father Gabriel Nadaf, a leader of the Aramaean Christian minority in Israel, spoke before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday in a strong show of support for the Jewish state.

* Americans Have Returned After Joining Islamists, US Admits The White House believes some Americans who have fought for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (IS or ISIS) and other groups have returned to the US, an unnamed Obama administration official admitted for the first time Monday.

* Obama will meet with Netanyahu, Sisi and Abadi US President Barack Obama will meet with Iraq's new prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

* Abbas to propose new Mideast peace talks timetable at UN Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas vowed Monday to present a new timetable for peace talks with Israel when he addresses world leaders at the United Nations this week.

9/22/14

* Tony Blair: We'll need boots on the ground against Islamic State, possibly from West Former British prime minister Tony Blair went on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday morning to discuss the threat of the Islamic State and the role he believes Europe and the United States will have to play in combating the al-Qaeda-inspired extremist group.

* Jordanian king says borders "secure" from Islamic State After kingdom arrests 11 alleged IS members on terror suspicions, Abdullah asserts determination to contain jihadist threat.

* IS Calls to Kill Westerners, Claims Obama is 'Mule of the Jews' 'Islamic State' terrorist group calls on Muslims to kill random 'disbelieving Americans or Europeans', singles out 'filthy French'.

* Israel Police on Temple Mount is incompetent, Regev says "When only Jews are not allowed on the Mount because of rioting [by Arabs], the Muslims are getting exactly what they want," Likud MK says.

* THE ANCIENT WAR BETWEEN THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN WEST AND ISLAM Note from Senior Management: Jim Pinkerton outlines the central issues in the 1500-year struggle between competing cultural visions several years ago in this article, which first appeared in The American Conservative.

* Netanyahu and Barkat's 'Jerusalem Disengagement' - by 2030? Councilman Arieh King exposes 'de facto division' of the capital, with all the figures behind his prediction of an Arab majority by 2030.

* New Jerusalem Project to Provide 50,000 Jobs Jerusalem's “front gate” is set to get a major upgrade in the coming years, with a one billion dollar investment.

* Ahead of New Year, Aliyah Hits 5-Year High 24,800 new immigrants arrived in Israel in the Jewish year 5774, more of them from France than any other country.

* World Council of Churches Demands Israel Release Terrorists Global collective of 347 churches calls for 'political prisoners' - listing repeat terrorists - to be freed to end the 'illegal occupation.'

* Mars Maven mission arrives in orbit The US space agency's (Nasa) latest Mars satellite has arrived successfully in orbit above the planet.

09/20/14

* US Senate elevates Israel's status as 'major strategic partner' An omnibus bill full of measures improving the relationship between Israel and the United States has passed the US Senate.

* Russian Nuclear Bombers Buzz Alaska, N. Europe Russian strategic nuclear bombers carried out air defense zone incursions near Alaska and across Northern Europe this week in the latest nuclear saber rattling by Moscow.

* Inside the hierarchy of the Islamic State Documents seized in an Iraqi military raid of the home of an Islamic State leader reveal the governing structures of the new self-declared caliphate for the first time.

* Iran: Blogger Sentenced to Death for 'Insulting Mohammed' An Iranian court earlier this week sentenced a blogger to death for insulting the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

* US House unanimously condemns swell of anti-Semitism in Europe, Middle East The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday night condemning the surfacing of broad anti-Semitism worldwide.

* China plans nuclear submarines near US coast, miltary bases in South China Sea So far there has been no news about Chinese nuclear submarine cruising near the US. There has been official confirmation from China that a Chinese nuclear submarine operated in the Indian Ocean for a short period of time.

* Security stepped up at Vatican over fears of terror attack Security in the Vatican has been increased after intelligence agencies reportedly intercepted an unspecified threat against Pope Francis, on the eve of his visit to Muslim-majority Albania.

* Syria crisis: 45,000 'flee Islamic State' into Turkey Some 45,000 mainly Syrian Kurds have crossed into Turkey in the past 24 hours, officials say, as Islamic State militants advance in northern Syria.

* France to Turn to UN with Solution to Israel-PA Conflict French President Francois Hollande said on Friday that a "solution to the conflict" between the Israelis and Palestinian Arabs will be put to the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

* Ukraine says Europe at risk of 'terrible war' Ukraine leader Petro Poroshenko has warned the US that Europe is at risk of a "terrible and unimaginable ... war" despite his two-week ceasefire with Russia.

09/19/14

* Israeli official: Syria kept 'significant' chemical weapons Israel believes Syria has retained caches of combat-ready chemical weapons after giving up raw materials used to produce such munitions under pressure from foreign powers, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday.

* Israeli Islamic State member: 'We love to drink blood' An Arab-Israeli Islamic State fighter nicknamed "the Palestinian slayer" declared that the jihadist group "love[s] to drink blood."

* Study: America No Longer 'Needs' Israel A new Israeli study into the historical role of the United States in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has concluded that America no longer has "need" of the Jewish state.

* How Scotland's 'No' vote resonates around the world Scotland's historic referendum on independence has resonated across the world, with many countries watching its outcome closely.

* Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko in key US visit Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged the US to provide military assistance to his country to counter pro-Russian eastern separatists.

* Does moderate Islam exist? The guiding principle of the Islamic State (IS) is that Muslims must fight non-Muslims all over the world and offer them the following choices: Convert to Islam, pay a humiliating tax called "Jijya," or be killed.

* Watch: Syrian child sniper discusses killing soldiers: There's nothing to it The Syrian civil war, well into its third year, has not only claimed more than 190,000 lives and displaced millions of people from their homes, it has turned a number of children into soldiers, unmoved by taking the life of another.

* China's Xi Jinping signs landmark deals on India visit India and China have signed 12 agreements in Delhi, one of which will see China investing $20bn (£12.2bn) in India's infrastructure over five years.

* Poll: Israelis care more about peace process and EU than Iran Israelis see advancing the peace process with the Palestinians as more important than confronting the Iranian nuclear threat, according to a poll published this week.

* Crowdfunding Campaign for Third Temple Close to Goal A crowdfunding initiative to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem has gained steam, the Temple Institute stated Wednesday, and is close to reaching its $100,000 goal.

09/18/14

* Israeli official: Syria kept 'significant' chemical weapons Israel believes Syria has retained caches of combat-ready chemical weapons after giving up raw materials used to produce such munitions under pressure from foreign powers, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday.

* Israeli Islamic State member: 'We love to drink blood' An Arab-Israeli Islamic State fighter nicknamed "the Palestinian slayer" declared that the jihadist group "love[s] to drink blood."

* Study: America No Longer 'Needs' Israel A new Israeli study into the historical role of the United States in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has concluded that America no longer has "need" of the Jewish state.

* Scottish independence: Voting under way in referendum People in Scotland are voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.

* Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko in key US visit Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged the US to provide military assistance to his country to counter pro-Russian eastern separatists.

* Does moderate Islam exist? The guiding principle of the Islamic State (IS) is that Muslims must fight non-Muslims all over the world and offer them the following choices: Convert to Islam, pay a humiliating tax called "Jijya," or be killed.

* Watch: Syrian child sniper discusses killing soldiers: There's nothing to it The Syrian civil war, well into its third year, has not only claimed more than 190,000 lives and displaced millions of people from their homes, it has turned a number of children into soldiers, unmoved by taking the life of another.

* China's Xi Jinping signs landmark deals on India visit India and China have signed 12 agreements in Delhi, one of which will see China investing $20bn (£12.2bn) in India's infrastructure over five years.

* Poll: Israelis care more about peace process and EU than Iran Israelis see advancing the peace process with the Palestinians as more important than confronting the Iranian nuclear threat, according to a poll published this week.

* Crowdfunding Campaign for Third Temple Close to Goal A crowdfunding initiative to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem has gained steam, the Temple Institute stated Wednesday, and is close to reaching its $100,000 goal.

9/17/14

* The Islamic State Thinks 'Big': Next Target - Jordan and Israel? The Middle East has a serious problem, and it isn't the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

* Analysts Warn ISIS Terrorists May Attack Russia Hundreds of Chechen jihadists in ISIS have directly threatened Putin, leaving Russia president with 'chronic nightmare' of returning terror.

* Citing security threat, Obama expands U.S. role fighting Ebola President Barack Obama on Tuesday called West Africa's deadly Ebola outbreak a looming threat to global security and announced a major expansion of the U.S. role in trying to halt its spread, including deployment of 3,000 troops to the region.

* Steinitz ahead of nuclear talks: Iran is Israel's greatest threat, not ISIS or Hezbollah After returning from Washington, strategic affairs minister stresses that he does not see any hope in Iran making compromises.

* Poll: Half of Palestinians support armed intifada against Israel The poll found that 57% of respondents expected the eruption of a third intifada in the West Bank. Only 32% said they did not expect such a thing to happen.

* 'Who built the pyramids?' - Round Two Arab news outlet "Elaph" responds to "Jerusalem Post" report on allegations that Jews were fabricating Egypt's past.

* Isil want to assassinate the Pope, says Iraq's ambassador to Vatican Habeeb Al Sadr warns that Isil's "band of criminals" could have Pope Francis in its sights, ahead of the pontiff's visits to Albania and Turkey.

* First they take Damascus, not Jerusalem There have been no attempts by Syrian rebels to try and harm Israel, but cross-border action is possible, says Northern Command officer.

* On eve of talks, US and Iran remain "far apart" on key issues Top US negotiator warns of Iranian attempts to preserve status quo on enrichment in the final push for a deal.

* Scottish independence campaign finds support in Palestinian bagpipers A collection of bagpipe bands in Palestinian communities throw their support behind Scottish independence ahead of the upcoming referendum .

09/16/14

* US begins expanded strikes against Islamic State US' first offensive air attacks hit militants in Iraq; officials prepare to hit Syrian forces if attacked; Kerry open to talks with Iran.

* U.S. Pushes Back Against Warnings That ISIS Plans to Enter From Mexico Militants for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have traveled to Mexico and are just miles from the United States. 

* Doing nothing about jihadists who will never stop trying to outdo 9/11 Here's the first and last rule of Islamic jihad: If at first you don't succeed, plot, plot again.

* US general: Ground troops option if anti-IS strategy fails US ground forces could be deployed against Islamic State (IS) militants if the current US-led strategy fails, top US General Martin Dempsey has said.

* Islamic State post threatens to target 'the American depth' After Counter-Terrorism Bureau warns of attacks against Jews and Israelis abroad, supporter of terror group gives further signal that Islamic State may act beyond Middle East.

* Mideast Christians urge Arabs to lead fight against Islamic State Patriarch of Syrian Catholic church blasts Arab states for "timid" reaction so far to extremist group's killings and expulsion of Christians, ethnic minorities.

* Ebola outbreak: UN calls for $1bn to fight virus More than $1bn (£618m) is needed to fight the West Africa Ebola outbreak - a tenfold increase in the past month, the UN's Ebola co-ordinator has said.

* Turkey 'Would Welcome' Exiled Muslim Brotherhood Leaders Turkey-Egypt tensions spike further as Erdogan offers new home to Islamists booted out of Qatar, rejects reports he is buying oil from ISIS.

* Gaza Imam: Weapons Are Our Only Means to Establish the Caliphate In a Friday sermon, a Gazan cleric brandishes a gun and declares that weapons are the only means "to establish a caliphate."

* EU's Ashton to handle Iran talks beyond November deadline Outgoing European foreign policy chief said to lead P5+1 nuclear negotations even after she's replaced by Italy's Federica Mogherini

9/15/14

* Egyptian Academic Demands Jews Return Exodus Gold "The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold; The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians." Exodus 12:35-36

* Islamic State secretly near Israel border, Syrian rebel group says Free Syrian Army spokesperson says brutal jihadi group quietly making inroads in villages near Golan by offering aid in exchange for services to be named later.

* US and Nato troops begin Ukraine military exercise About 1,300 troops from 15 countries - including the US and other Nato members - have begun a military exercise near Lviv in western Ukraine.

* Islamic State crisis: World leaders pledge Iraq support Thirty countries have pledged to help Iraq fight Islamic State (IS) militants "by all means necessary".

* Obama said willing to overthrow Assad if Syria attacks US planes US president reportedly tells group he would destroy Syria's air defenses if they interfere with efforts to thwart Islamic State.

* 'Israel Might Have to Strike Iran at Any Moment' In battling the political echelon for defense budget increases on Sunday, the commander of the Israel Air Force, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, reminded everyone that the same planes used to attack Gaza over the summer could be called upon at any moment to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.

* Al Qaeda Flags Continue to Fly Near Temple Mount Black flags of jihad still flying atop the Kotel Hakatan - and neither the police nor the city are doing anything about it.

* Egyptian Cleric: 'Global Zionism' Behind Islamist Terror Senior Egyptian imam claims that fundamentalist terrorist groups are "in the service of global Zionism".

* ISIS war chest growing daily US officials, experts say terror group earns more than $3 million per day from a variety of smuggling, trafficking, and extortion.

* Nato describes Russia and Islamic State as main threats Nato has described Russia and Islamic State (IS) as the two main threats to Western security, but says it can still talk to Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.

09/13/14

* IISS: The U.S. withdrawal from Gulf led to Mideast cold war, rise of ISIL A senior fellow of the International Institute of Strategic Studies said that Washington decided to reduce its commitment to the Middle East.

* Iran: US playing with fire with Islamic State Iranian officials slammed the US' policy for fighting Islamic State forces currently ravaging Iraq and Syria.

* ISIS Popularity Growing in Israel As the Islamic State (formerly ISIS) inches closer to Israel in its sweeping conquest of Iraq and Syria, the real threat is that the extremist movement will gain a large number of followers in the Holy Land long before its current warriors reach the borders of the Jewish state.

* Israel tells US it will act if IS reaches Jordan In talks with US officials about the Islamic State this week, Israel has made clear that should the extremist group start operating in neighboring Jordan, it will not hesitate to act.

* Egypt 'has key role' in fight against Islamic State - Kerry Egypt has a key role to play in countering Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on a visit to Cairo.

* Pope says world's many conflicts amount to piecemeal World War Three Pope Francis said on Saturday the spate of conflicts around the globe today were effectively a "piecemeal" Third World War, condemning the arms trade and "plotters of terrorism" sowing death and destruction.

* Neo-Nazis Threaten German Newspaper The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Friday that neo-Nazi vandalism and threats against a local newspaper in eastern Germany were "unacceptable and must be stopped."

* Syrian rebels said to control most of the border with Israel Syrian rebels are in control of almost the entire Syrian border with Israel, a monitoring group and the Al-Arabiya news network reported Saturday.

* Palestinians Compare Gaza War to 9/11 State-run Palestinian Authority TV last week ran a report that visually compared the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York City's World Trade Center to Israel's bombing of Gaza's terrorist infrastructure over the summer.

* Who won the Russia-Ukraine war? The Ukraine ceasefire might collapse any day. But if it sticks and the war ends here, it poses the question: who won?

09/12/14

* ISIS Popularity Growing in Israel As the Islamic State (formerly ISIS) inches closer to Israel in its sweeping conquest of Iraq and Syria, the real threat is that the extremist movement will gain a large number of followers in the Holy Land long before its current warriors reach the borders of the Jewish state.

* Shin Bet shuts Nazareth offices of Hamas-linked group Islamic organization reportedly monitors Jewish activity on Temple Mount, tries to prevent "Jewish domination" of compound.

* Kerry in Turkey to boost support for anti-IS coalition US Secretary of State John Kerry is pressing Turkish leaders in Ankara to support more military action against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

* Netanyahu: Fighting ISIS key, but don't forget Iran On the 13th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, PM warns of threat of radical Islamist terrorism threatening the region.

* Syrian rebels: We 'will fight Islamic State so it cannot reach Golan' Syrian opposition forces operating near Israel border tell Israeli TV there will be "all-out war" against radical Islamist group in southern Syria without US ground invasion.

* Friday afternoon prayers end with arrests on Temple Mount Several instances of rock-throwing come as police officials say violence is on the decline.

* Report: Jordan to provide logistical support, training to Iraq US to send CIA officers to Jordan for security and intel coordination, reports Arab newspaper.

* Anti-Semitic Attacks up 400% in UK, Double in France 529 anti-Semitic violent incidents in France in first seven months; 302 in UK in July alone.

* Islamic State's financial independence poses quandary for its foes The group has formalized a system of internal financing that includes an Islamic form of taxation, looting and most significantly, oil sales, to run their 'state' effectively.

* Israel likely to take a backseat in war against Islamic State Jerusalem's role will probably be defined by ability to provide rapid and precise intelligence support to the US-led military forces charged with making air strikes on Islamic State positions.

09/11/14

* Analysis: US plunges reluctantly, but definitively, into Syria After years of fear and hesitating, Obama's National Security Council determines the US has no other choice than to fight Islamic State on its home turf.

* After Obama declares war on Islamic State, Iran slams make-up of emerging coalition Iran said on Thursday the emerging international coalition to battle Islamic State militants was "shrouded in serious ambiguities," Iranian state television reported.

* Israel Dismantles Access Ramp for Non-Muslims to Temple Mount Israel on Wednesday dismantled a newly erected wooden access ramp to Jerusalem's Temple Mount compound that would have increased access for non-Muslims but which angered Jordan, according to AFP.

* Putin promises new weapons to fend Western threats Russia will counter military moves by the U.S. and NATO with an array of new nuclear and conventional weapons, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

* It's time to back away from the Russian wolf The West has blundered into the Ukrainian forest and enraged the Russian wolf, only to discover that we cannot face him.

* America Is On The Verge Of Losing Its Place In The World As No. 1 The U.S. economy is the largest economy in the world. But it wasn't always the largest. And it's unlikely to remain the largest economy for much longer.

* Satanists to Hold Controversial Black Mass in Oklahoma A devil-worshiping group hell-bent on hosting a satanic black mass is planning to go ahead with its controversial ceremony this month.

* Solar Storm Warning: Sun Shoots X-Flare Outburst at Earth A cantankerous sunspot region erupted with a powerful X1.6-class solar flare at just the wrong time Wednesday.

* Dept. Defense Minister: Hamas Likely to Restart Hostilities Israel's deputy foreign minister warned Thursday that Hamas was likely to resume "violence" if it feels it has made no political gains from upcoming talks in Cairo.

* Most Europeans want Ukraine to join the EU Most Europeans say Ukraine should be invited to join the EU and want tougher sanctions on Russia.

9/10/14

* Report: Obama to Ask for Billions to Fight Islamic State President's address will give a broad outline of his strategy without providing details of how much it would cost or how long it would last.

* Peres, the pope and a plan for world peace Two months after completing his term as Israel's ninth president, 91-year-old Shimon Peres was pounding stony pavement at the Vatican.

* Gay Parade in Jerusalem Brings Disaster on Israel For the past decade, the gay pride community has been holding an annual parade through the streets of Jerusalem, much to the vexation of most of the city's Jewish, Christian and Muslim residents.

* Saudi Arabia's clerics condemn IS but preach intolerance Saudi Arabia applies Sharia Muslim law, has beheaded 20 people in the past month, and its clerics oversee a lavish state-funded religious infrastructure.

* Obama ready to strike at Islamic State militants in Syria, he tells policy experts President Obama is prepared to use U.S. military airstrikes in Syria as part of an expanded campaign to defeat the Islamic State and does not believe he needs formal congressional approval to take that action, according to people who have spoken with the president in recent days.

* India warns of al-Qaida terror plots against Israeli tourists during holiday season India has traditionally been a popular destination for Israeli hikers and backpackers, particularly during the Jewish holiday season.

* Leader of Syrian Islamist Group Killed in Bomb Blast Hassan Abboud, leader of Ahrar al-Sham, killed with other top commanders in a bomb blast in the north-western town of Ram Hamdan.

* Russia and Iran Planning to Boost Economic Ties Russia and Iran, both under sanctions from the West, plan to increase trade with one another.

* Pentagon: 'ISIL realizes' that against U.S. airpower, odds for survival are 'nil' The United States has refrained from targeting the commanders of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but the Pentagon said air strikes against ISIL have been effective.

* Juncker gives key EU economy jobs to UK and France The UK will oversee financial services in the new 28-strong European Commission - a surprise move that delighted the UK's PM David Cameron.

09/9/14

* Iraq approves new government, opens way for expanded U.S. role Under huge international and domestic pressure, Iraq swore in a new government on Monday.

* Is Islamic State snatching Iraqi children to groom as next generation of terrorists? Kurdish human rights group: 100 children abducted, held in Mosul.

* Ya'alon: Turkey is openly supporting terrorism In perhaps the most openly hostile comments made publicly by a senior Israeli official against former ally Turkey, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Monday said Istanbul, along with Qatar, was openly backing terrorism.

* Ya'alon: World Intelligence Agencies Must Cooperate to Combat IS Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday called for world intelligence agencies to work together against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.

* Watch: Islamic Jihad shows off purportedly new Gaza terror tunnel After Israel destroyed more than 30 tunnels during Operation Protective Edge, terror group claims it began rebuilding tunnels "the day after the war ended." .

* Hezbollah slams Islamic State for seeking to ignite sectarian strife in Lebanon Representative of Lebanese Shi'ite group downplays threat posed on his country by Sunni extremist militants.

* Rebels Reportedly Control Syrian Golan, Entering Lebanon Syrian rebels strengthened their hold of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights on Tuesday morning.

* Washington Post: There is No 'Occupied Palestine' One of the key tenets of the Palestinian narrative that underlies the land-for-peace process is that Israel currently occupies a country known as "Palestine" in the same way Germany once occupied Poland, or China still occupies Tibet.

* Juncker set to unveil new commission The new EU commission chief, Jean-Claude Juncker, is likely to present his new team and their posts on Wednesday (10 September).

* Ya'alon: Hamas's Foreign Headquarters are in Turkey Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon warned on Monday that Iran is trying to renew its aid to Hamas.

9/8/14

* Mofaz: Islamic State's goal is to conquer Jerusalem, just like Hamas Kadima party chairman and former defense minister Mofaz says "Islamic State and Hamas are one"; warns that if Gaza isn't disarmed through an arrangement, it will have to be disarmed by force.

* Palestinian Authority President Slams Hamas' Claims of Victory In a scathing criticism of Hamas, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ridiculed the organization's claims of victory in the recent confrontation with Israel and accused it over the weekend of executing 120 Gaza residents for breaching a curfew during the war, an allegation heretofore not heard publicly.

* It's time to learn the facts about Judea and Samaria To truly understand the status of this territory we have to first differentiate between the personal and the national.

* Israeli politicians praise Sisi plan to give Palestinians land for a state in Sinai Abbas reportedly rejected plan that would expand Gaza to five times its current size and give PA autonomy in West Bank cities; Yesh Atid's Peri, Bayit Yehudi's Shaked say proposal worth exploring.

* Netanyahu to West: Nip Islamic extremism in the bud, or you'll find it at your doorstep Prime minister hosts Norwegian FM Brende, says groups such as Islamic State, Hamas "form a clear and present danger to our civilization, to our way of life, our values."

* Anti-Jewish incidents at record high in Britain Abuse not as likely to be violent as in France, but trends worry community.

* Report: 60 British women now in Syria in all-female Islamic State brigade One of the prominent leaders in the Islamic State's police force is a 20-year-old from Glasgow, Scotland who fled to Syria and married a fighter.

* Russian Strategic Bombers Near Canada Practice Cruise Missile Strikes on US Nuclear launch rehearsal conducted in North Atlantic .

* 'Model Farms' to Feature Shemitta in Action Farmers and students will be able to learn all about the Shemitta year at special "model farms" run by the Agricultural Ministry.

* Nervous of IS, Saudi Arabia Building Border Fence with Iraq The high-security five-layered fence will cover 900km (560 miles) of the kingdom's northern frontier.

09/6/14

* To destroy Islamic State, US must tackle Syria The US and its allies are trying to hammer out a coalition to push back the Islamic State group in Iraq.

* Kurdish fighters retake territories seized by Islamic State According to the report, Kurdish fighters, known as the Peshmerga, recaptured several villages that were seized by ISIS over the past summer.

* Israel preparing for 'very violent' war against Hezbollah, TV report says ust 10 days after a ceasefire ended a 50-day Israel-Hamas conflict, the Israeli army is "making plans and training" for "a very violent war" against Hezbollah in south Lebanon.

* Russia 'will react' to EU sanctions The EU says the sanctions, targeting more Russian individuals, will come in on Monday but could be later suspended if Russia withdraws troops from eastern Ukraine and observes a current truce.

* Obama: Nato coalition ready to join US against IS A coalition of Nato allies is ready to join the United States in military action against Islamic State (IS), US President Obama has announced.

* ISIS, Hamas, Iran and the West The beheading of U.S. journalist Steven Satloff has raised concerns in the West about Islamist threats.

* Iran to spare no effort to help Iraq stave off IS Al-Hayat newspaper quotes Iranian sources as saying they would consider talks with US over Islamic State threat.

* The path to jihad and the Islamic State A burning desire to topple Arab dictators leads a young student from upscale Cairo to fight with Islamic State.

* Christians arm as Mideast perils mount Across Middle East, Christian communities feel their survival is now at stake, threatened by militants of Islamic State group rampaging across Iraq and Syria, but also in Lebanon.

* EU to adopt Russia sanctions despite ceasefire EU countries are to adopt new sanctions on Russia despite the Ukraine ceasefire, but might revoke them if things go well.

9/5/14

* Nato agrees on new 'spearhead' force amid Ukraine crisis The Nato military alliance has agreed on a new "spearhead" force amid growing concern at the Ukraine crisis and the rise of Islamic State militants.

* Iran 'backs US military contacts' to fight Islamic State Iran's Supreme Leader has approved co-operation with the US as part of the fight against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, sources have told BBC Persian.

* Talks on Ukraine ceasefire start in Belarus Talks expected to bring a much-anticipated ceasefire to the fighting in eastern Ukraine began on Friday in the Belarusian capital.

* Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels sign ceasefire deal The Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting.

* Egyptian militants being guided by ISIS leaders Ansar Bait al-Maqdis militant in Sinai says Islamic State helps the group, responsible for multiple attacks in Israel, by teaching the element of surprise and how to evade capture.

* Some Christians arm as Mideast perils mount With jihadist groups threatening their survival, ancient communities take measures to defend themselves.

* How did a few thousand fighters on pickup trucks manage to frighten the world? While Western media highlights the Islamic State's gains, and Obama seeks a strategy, the jihadists would be hard-pressed if faced with a conventional army.

* Iran nuclear talks to resume days before critical UN session US holds first meeting with Iranian counterparts following the announcement of additional sanctions enforcement.

* ISIS, Hamas, Iran and the West The beheading of U.S. journalist Steven Satloff has raised concerns in the West about Islamist threats.

* Nato expansion unlikely before late 2015 Nato leaders have indicated the alliance will not take in any new aspirant states until late next year.

09/04/14

* IDF attacks Syrian army position in response to cross-border fire The IDF said the mortar was most likely accidental fallout from the Syrian civil war.

* Nato summit: Alliance 'stands with Ukraine' The Nato military alliance, at its summit in Wales, has said it "stands with Ukraine" in the face of Russia's "destabilising" influence.

* 'Iran is Closer to Nuclear Capabilities Than Ever' Intelligence Minister Steinitz heads deligation to US as Iran talks renew, reveals Islamic regime has invested $200 billion on program.

* PA TV Feeds Into 9/11 Conspiracy: 'Israel Did It' A video clip comparing an IDF attack on a Hamas stronghold and the Twin Towers highlights the PA's anti-Israel incitement

* Obama, Cameron Seek International Front to Fight ISIS US President Barack H Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron are organizing an international coalition to fight terror group ISIS.

* Israel-Jordan gas deal a bulwark against Jihadis: expert Top security official says the $15 billion sale of Israeli natural gas could bolster regimes in Jordan and Egypt.

* How Sotloff's Jewish, Israel connections were hushed up 'Bond of silence' was forged amid fears that if journalist's roots were discovered, it would cost him his life.

* Senior Islamic State commander said killed in Mosul Abu Hajar al-Suri, the group's number 2, reported dead for second time; jihadists abduct 50 in northern Iraq

* Jerusalem approves plan to build 2,200 homes for Arabs Mayor Barkat and allies push measure through committee over vociferous opposition from right-wing council members.

* France halts Russia warship deal, as Nato leaders meet France has frozen its delivery of a warship to Russia, as Nato leaders meet in the UK for a summit to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.

09/03/14

* PM Caves to Jordanian Pressure on Temple Mount Renovations Second temporary bridge from Western Wall to Temple Mount scrapped after Jordanian royal family objects.

* Sotloff beheading: Obama warning to Islamic State President Barack Obama has vowed the US will not be intimidated, after Islamic State militants released a video showing the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff.

* Ukraine crisis: Putin hopes for peace deal by Friday Russia's president has said he is hoping for a peace deal between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels by Friday.

* Iran: We foiled plots against our nuclear program Nuclear official tells AP that attempts at sabatoge and recruiting Iran's nuclear experts were foiled; Zarean: 'We are not joking with anyone.'

* PA plan seeks Palestinian state, IDF pullout within 3 years Present a map of future Palestine or face international condemnation and an end to West Bank security cooperation, Abbas to tell Israel.

* Hamas's Haniyeh would trounce Abbas if elections held today, Palestinian poll says Hamas's popularity in the West Bank is at an all-time high following the 50-day long military confrontation with Israel.

* U.S. Airstrike in Somalia Targeted Al-Shabaab Leader Officials confirm that U.S. military airstrike in Somalia targeted the leader of the Al-Shabaab group.

* Israel signs $15 billion gas deal with Jordan 15-year agreement makes Israel chief energy supplier for kingdom; minister hails 'historic' move.

* Poll: Hamas Stock Soars, Palestinians Eager for More War A Palestinian public opinion survey carried out at the end of the summer's Gaza war showed that Hamas is more popular than ever, and that most local Arabs are eager to continue the campaign of violence against Israel.

* Fidel Castro: Israel, US responsible for creating Islamic State Writing for official Cuban state media, Castro alleged that Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, and US Senator John McCain conspired to create the Islamic State.

09/02/14

* Iran vows to 'save' al-Aqsa mosque from 'Zionists' Rouhani praises religious leaders who helped people of Gaza during war, pledges to continue supporting Palestinians

* Israel worried by increasing Islamist presence on Syria border Retired intelligence officer says now that al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra is in the Golan, it's 'only a matter of time' before Islamists engaged in Syria fighting turn attention towards Israel.

* New EU appointees speak out against Russia Two of the EU's new top officials - Donald Tusk and Federica Mogherini - have spoken out against Russia's 'war' on Ukraine.

* CDC Director: Ebola Outbreak 'Is Spiraling Out Of Control' The director for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention says that the Ebola outbreak is going to get worse.

* Russia 'to alter military strategy towards Nato' Russia is to alter its military strategy as a result of the Ukraine crisis and Nato's presence in eastern Europe, a top Russian official says.

* Afghan militants Hezb-e-Islami 'may join Islamic State' Fighters from a militant Islamic group in Afghanistan, allied to the Taliban, have told the BBC they are considering joining forces with Islamic State (IS).

* Somalia's al-Shabab: Ahmed Abdi Godane 'targeted by US' The US military has carried out air strikes in Somalia, reportedly targeting a convoy carrying the leader of militant group al-Shabab.

* Terrorists' Handbook In rhetoric and tactics, ISIS sounds a lot like an al-Qaeda manual.

* Hamas Leader Haniyeh Favored for Unity President Poll finds Haniyeh upsets Abbas among Arab residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza 62%-32%, gaining boost from terror war on Israel.

* Qatar Fingered as Top Mideast Terror Financier Qatar figured as a major player in this summer's Gaza war, and just might be involved in other regional conflicts involving brutal jihadist terror groups, and not in a good way.