Thursday, April 17, 2014

04/17/14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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