1-31-15

* Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Israel should expect reaction anywhere Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mohammed Ali Jafari, threatened Saturday that if Israel "wants to hit at the heart of Hezbollah, it should expect a powerful reaction, not just within its borders, but in any place in the world."

* Al-Qaeda in Yemen says France now #1 enemy in "war on Islam" The U.S. may have killed Awlaki and bin Laden, and conducted what Ibrahim al-Rubaish probably thinks of as "wars against Islam" in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the U.S. has indeed been weakened in recent years.

* 15,000 young Gazans complete Hamas terror training camps Thousands of recruits as young as 15 learned how to kidnap soldiers, use weapons, and infiltrate into Israel though tunnels at a Hamas paramilitary training camp in Gaza.

* 'Israel and US choosing to escalate rift' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama have chosen to intensify their ongoing conflict rather than diminish it.

* Report: Egyptian warplanes bomb Islamist terror bases in Sinai after deadly attacks Following the attacks carried out by Islamists in the Sinai peninsula on Thursday in which twenty-seven people were killed, Egyptian army warplanes were bombing terrorist bases in the area on Saturday.

* Egypt's decision to ban Hamas' armed wing only serves the Zionist occupation, Hamas says An Egyptian court on Saturday banned the armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas and listed it as a terrorist organization.

* 'The Settlement Floodgates Have Opened' A radical leftist NGO monitoring Jewish construction in eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria announced Friday that the Israeli government had published tenders that day to build 450 new homes in the region.

* Pro-Palestinian UK Priest Suggests Jews Behind 9/11 The Church of England has launched an investigation into charges of anti-Semitism made against one of its more controversial vicars, Dr. Stephen Sizer.

* In the cold of Auschwitz, Israeli survivors relive harrowing ordeals In one of the few armed Jewish uprisings during the Holocaust, on October 7, 1944, a group of Auschwitz-Birkenau prisoners working in the four crematoria staged the Sonderkommando Revolt.

* Some Shiâ'ites link Saudi king's death to end times, return of the Mahdi In the last two years, media outlets have published conflicting reports on Saudi King Abdullah's health. Just last week, Saudi Arabia's Royal Court announced that the king has pneumonia and is temporarily using a breathing tube.

1/29/15

* Iran Targets Netanyahu Children for Assassination Iran is encouraging its terror allies to pursue the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's children by publishing personal information about them, including photographs of the kids lined up in crosshairs, and declaring, "We must await the hunt of Hezbollah."

* HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND EMPOWER RADICALS: THE PEACE PRIZE PRESIDENT'S MORE DANGEROUS WORLD Since 2008, the world has become a significantly more dangerous place. 

* Arab official: Hamas may join Hezbollah to attack Israel Senior intelligence official assesses Gaza rulers likely to allow rocket fire on Israel if Lebanese group chooses to escalate situation in north.

* Obama's Israel Problem The Obama administration, after days of mounting tension, signaled on Wednesday how angry it is with Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Republican leaders' invitation to address Congress on Iran without consulting the White House.

* Russia warns West support for Kiev could lead to 'catastrophe' Russia's envoy to the European security watchdog OSCE urged the United States and Europe on Thursday to stop supporting the "party of war" in Ukraine and warned "catastrophe" could result, Interfax news agency reported.

* Hezbollah 'sends anti-escalation message' to Israel Israel says it has received a message from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah saying it does not want a further escalation after border clashes on Wednesday that killed three people.

* Would Moses retweet that? 929 project brings new media approach to learning a chapter of the Bible every day, aimed at both religious and secular communities.

* BOKO HARAM RELEASES NEW PHOTOS OF CHILD SOLDIER TRAINING CAMPS Photos have emerged on social media purportedly showing a Boko Haram-held child soldier indoctrination/training camp. 

* Gorbachev: US dragging Russia into new Cold War, which might grow into armed conflict Mikhail Gorbachev has accused the US of dragging Russia into a new Cold War. The former Soviet president fears the chill in relations could eventually spur an armed conflict.

* Greek government will seek 'common ground' - EU's Schulz European Parliament President Martin Schulz has said the new Greek government will seek "common ground" with its European partners as it tries to renegotiate its financial bailout.

1/28/15

* Two soldiers killed, 7 hurt in attack near Lebanon border Victims named as Yochai Kalengel, Dor Nini; Hezbollah claims revenge strike on Israeli patrol; IDF bombards targets in Lebanon in response, reportedly killing a UN peacekeeper .

* Netanyahu Warns Hezbollah 'Look What Happened to Hamas' Netanyahu holds emergency meeting over Hezbollah attack on Har Dov, as airports and sites close in north.

* 'We will cut off your head in the White House' ISIS threatens to behead Obama and turn the U.S. into a 'Muslim province' in new execution video.

* North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia Russia says North Korea's leader has accepted an invitation to travel to Moscow in May for World War Two anniversary celebrations.

* Artist draws The Simpsons as Jews in Auschwitz for anniversary of camp's liberation Alexsandro Palombo says we have to educate the new generations without filters, bluntly, over and over again, through the memory of facts and terrifying images.

* Pope Francis opens doors to transsexual dubbed 'devil's daughter': report Pope Francis has met a Spanish transsexual and his fiance at the Vatican, opening his doors to a man dubbed "the devil's daughter" by a local priest, media reports said Tuesday.

* Muslim Brotherhood-Aligned Leaders Hosted at State Department The State Department hosted a delegation of Muslim Brotherhood-aligned leaders this week for a meeting about their ongoing efforts to oppose the current government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt, who rose to power following the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, an ally of the Brotherhood, in 2013.

* Corruption is greatest threat to Ukraine sovereignty When Aleksandr Lapko received his drafting notice from the Ukrainian defence ministry, he was faced with a dilemma: either spend $2000 of his own money (the equivalent of 10 average monthly wages in the military) to buy the military equipment needed to serve, or pay a $2000 bribe to be declared medically unfit for service.

* Chinese yuan now top 5 major intl payment currency The Chinese currency is the 5th most-used currency in international payments, according to the SWIFT network responsible for international financial transactions. Breaking into the top 5 is symbolic to balance dollar-denominated payments.

* Pro-Russian Forces Seize More Terrain in Ukraine Putin's actions popular in Russia despite crashing economy .

1/27/15

* Netanyahu after rocket fire from Syria: Those who play with fire get burned A senior security source said Hezbollah was behind Tuesday's rocket attacks.

* Iranian Official Calls to 'Wipe Out the Zionist Regime' A senior Iranian general says last week's airstrike in Syria "will accelerate the collapse of the Zionist regime".

* IDF Source Reveals Golan Rockets Fired by Hezbollah Senior source reports IDF response destroyed source of two rockets that hit Golan Heights, fire came from territory controlled by Assad.

* Libya gunmen attack Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli Militants have attacked a hotel popular with foreigners in Libya's capital, killing at least three people and injuring 12 others, officials say.

* Jewish visits to Temple Mount increase by 92% since 2009 The trend is driven by several activist groups who encourage Jewish Israelis and tourists to visit the Temple Mount, saying they wish to re-assert the Jewish connection to the site.

* Analysis: Khamenei holds the key to nuclear deal between Iran, West Netanyahu's apprehensions about a bad agreement are unfounded, since it doesn't appear that Washington is showing signs of capitulating, at least not at this stage.

* Auschwitz 70th anniversary: Survivors warn of new crimes Auschwitz survivors have urged the world not to allow a repeat of the crimes of the Holocaust as they mark 70 years since the camp's liberation.

* Distant exoplanet hosts giant ring system Astronomers say they have discovered a planet with a gigantic ring system that is 200 times larger than that around Saturn.

* 'National Religious Factionalism Will Create an Arab Knesset' Temple Institute head Rabbi Ariel slams ex-soccer player's addition to Jewish Home list, laments 'factionalism' of religious-Zionist public.

* Anti-Semitic Right-Wing Politician Now Greek PM's Key Ally Panos Kammenos, who recently accused Greek Jews of not paying their taxes, is now an unlikely but crucial ally of Greece's new leftist PM.

1/26/15

* Some Shi'ites link Saudi king's death to end times, return of the Mahdi  "But some Shiite scholars think differently about the matter, believing that Abdullah's death will mark the beginning of a chain of great events that will shock the world."

* Ya'alon: Iran seeking to open front against Israel on Golan Heights Defense minister makes comments while visiting IAI's Missiles and Satellites plant; says Israel's satellites in space are able to track long-range threats, particularly Iran.

* Radical Left takes power in Greece The head of Greece's far-left Syriza party, Alexis Tsipras, has been sworn in as prime minister and is set to lead an anti-austerity coalition government.

* Obama in India joins Modi at Delhi Republic Day parade US President Barack Obama has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi, the first US head of state to do so.

* New Saudi king ascends the throne as terrorism threat grows At 3 a.m. on a cold desert night earlier this month, four Islamic State militants carrying guns, grenades and cash slipped into Saudi Arabia here through a hole in the new heavy fencing that separates this country from Iraq.

* Ukraine conflict: Putin 'foreign legion' remarks nonsense - Nato Nato's chief has dismissed as "nonsense" a claim by Russia's Vladimir Putin that the Ukrainian army operates as a "foreign legion" for the alliance.

* Saudi Arabia's New King Helped Fund Radical Terrorist Groups Monarch tied to anti-Semitic Muslim clerics, funding of jihad .

* Most Germans want to put the Holocaust behind them, survey finds Almost half of Germans have a poor opinion of Israel, and a third equate Israeli policies toward the Palestinians with Nazi policies toward the Jews .

* Iran: Goal Remains Israel's Full Obliteration A top Iranian general last week reiterated that one of the Islamic Republic's chief military goals remains the "full obliteration" of the Jewish State of Israel, according to Iran's state-run PRESSTV.

* Greece and Ukraine top EU agenda this WEEK EU finance chiefs will this week digest Syriza's victory in Greece, while top diplomats attend an emergency meeting on Ukraine.

1-24-15

* World leaders in Saudi Arabia to pay tribute to late king World leaders have gathered in Saudi Arabia to pay their respects following the death of King Abdullah on Friday.

* Yemen crisis: Thousands march against rebels in Sanaa Thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets in the capital Sanaa to protest against Shia Houthi rebels who have tightened their grip on the city.

* Russia and Iran sign deal to widen military cooperation Russia and Iran have signed an agreement to expand their military ties and resolve a long-standing dispute over the sale of a controversial air defense system to the Islamic Republic.

* The City of David vs. the Propaganda Machine While the political battles rages on in the national struggle between the Jews and Arabs of Israel, another battle goes on behind the scenes, away from the public's eye.

* Iran vows to attack Israel from West Bank Iran has threatened to attack Israel from the West Bank, in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria on Sunday that left 12 Iranian and Hezbollah operatives dead.

* Ukraine crisis: Rebels 'begin offensive' on Mariupol Eastern Ukraine's main rebel leader says he has launched an offensive against the government-held port city of Mariupol.

* Kerry: Don't blame Muslims for violent extremism Violent extremists who are killing children and others in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other parts of the world may cite Islam as a justification, but the West should be careful about calling them Islamic radicals, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

* Russia Says America 'Wants to Take over the World' Russia on Wednesday responded disparagingly to US President Barack Obama's annual State of the Union address, claiming it showed that the United States wanted to dominate world affairs.

* ISIS Hints it Wants to Depose Hamas and PA The Islamic State (ISIS) branch in "Bayt al-Maqdis," an Arabization of the Hebrew Holy Temple and a term for Jerusalem, has started distributing publications explaining ISIS's platform, in a campaign to expand its influence in Gaza, Judea and Samaria.

* ISIS Kills One Japanese Hostage, Demands Terrorist Release ISIS may have already beheaded one of the Japanese hostages being held by the organization, according to a video uploaded to the terror organization's Twitter account Saturday.

1/23/15

* Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dies Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died, royal officials have announced, weeks after he was admitted to hospital.

* Who is Saudi Arabia's new monarch, King Salman? Saudi Arabia's new king, Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, is a veteran of the country's top leadership, versed in diplomacy from nearly 50 years as the governor of the capital Riyadh and known as a mediator of disputes within the sprawling royal family.

* Doomsday clock inches forward to three minutes from catastrophic midnight The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a group founded by the creators of the atomic bomb, say the world is now three minutes from a catastrophic midnight and the closest it has been in 30 years.

* 'The Iranians Don't Believe Obama's Threats' Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton speaks with Arutz Sheva on why Iran's nuclear program is at a pivotal point.

* Using the Paris Attacks to Encourage Anti-Semitism Excalibur, the campus newspaper at York University in Ontario, last week featured an editorial penned by Features Editor Abdul Malik, who was attempting from a Muslim perspective to come to terms with the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.

* Report: Construction of footbridge to Temple Mount exacerbated geopolitical tensions Dismantled bridge built to supplant Mughrabi Bridge last summer resulted in status quo change allegations.

* EU official: Without Jews, Europe has no future French PM: "If 100,000 Jews leave, France will no longer be France. The French Republic will be judged a failure."

* Ukraine rebel Zakharchenko 'rejects truce talks' The main pro-Russian rebel leader in eastern Ukraine says his troops are on the offensive and he does not want truce talks with Kiev.

* Eurozone in suspense as Greeks head to polls Greeks head to the polls on Sunday (25 January) in an election likely to put a far-left government in power in the country most hurt by the economic crisis and the austerity measures linked to its bailouts.

* Ya'alon Warns Hezbollah: We Won't Tolerate Attacks Hezbollah, Syria will be held responsible for attacks, Defense Minister warns, amid 'largest buildup since Second Lebanon War.'

1/22/15

* Iran escalates threats, vows to shower Israel with 'Shahab' missiles Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the second-in-command in the Revolutionary Guards, told Iranian state media on Thursday that his troops are capable of firing Shahab-3 missiles on Israel.

* ECB unveils massive QE boost for eurozone The European Central Bank (ECB) says it will inject at least - 1.1 trillion into the ailing eurozone economy.

* 'I Am Knife': Twitter Users Praise Palestinian Terrorist Stabber In gross re-appropriation of #JeSuisCharlie, Twitter users write #JeSuisCouteau to praise Palestinian's stabbing spree in Tel Aviv.

* IDF sends reinforcement to north amid tensions with Syria, Hezbollah, Iran After airstrike attributed to Israel kills top Iranian general alongside six Hezbollah fighters, IDF shifts forces to north.

* UN to Hold First-Ever Conference against Rising Anti-Semitism Thursday's meeting at the General Assembly co-hosted by Israel, the US and Canada; meeting scheduled even prior to Paris attacks.

* Islamic State crisis: John Kerry hails coalition effort Coalition air strikes in Syria and Iraq have halted or reversed the momentum of jihadist group Islamic State, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

* Iran: We Will Continue Arming Terrorists in Judea and Samaria Iran plans to continue its efforts to 'destroy the Zionist entity' - and that includes arming terrorists in Judea and Samaria, it said.

* Israeli TV shows 'Iranian missile' that 'an reach far beyond Europe' Satellite images taken outside Tehran feature first look at long-range missile newly developed by Iran, TV report says.

* NATO wants to re-establish contacts with Russia's military - bloc chief NATO's top official has announced plans to re-establish contact with Russian military leaders after months of tensions, calling the relations "important."

* Hamas's Deif Tells Hezbollah's Nasrallah: Let's Join Forces Elusive al-Qassam Brigades chief sends condolence letter to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for Hezbollah members killed in IAF strike.

1/21/15

* Iran warns Israel of "crushing response" to Syria strike Top military official says reports that Revolutionary Guards commander was not the target of attack stem from fear.

* In State of the Union, Obama reiterates vow to veto Iran sanctions bills President says "no guarantees" Tehran talks will succeed; Alan Gross, released from Cuban prison last month, gets standing ovation .

* Europe Plans its War on Islamist Terrorism France and EU officials to reveal new counter-terror measures as the continent reels from attacks, and raids continue to spread.

* Russia Says America 'Wants to Take over the World' Russian FM responds to Obama's State of the Union, saying he is looking for confrontation, as fallout from Ukraine, Syria deepens.

* Palestinian cartoons praise Tel Aviv stabbing attack Only an hour after it ended, Palestinian media was already praising the Tel Aviv bus stabbing that injured nine with cheerful cartoons.

* Can Europe Convince Jews Not to Leave? EU admits to 'huge challenge' reassuring Jews that 'they have a future in Europe,' as Islamist terror and anti-Semitism continue to rage. .

* The City of David vs. the Propaganda Machine In the struggle for Jerusalem, archaeology is key. .

* Survey finds 24% of young Brits expect another Holocaust "A repeat of the Holocaust is no longer something outside of our wildest nightmares," says European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor.

* Netanyahu invited to address Congress on Iran White House says it was not informed of Netanyahu's plans; invitation comes day after Obama said he would veto legislation to impose new sanctions on Iran.

* Orban-Putin summit to test meaning of EU sanctions Hungary's Viktor Orban will host Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest next month despite an EU decision to "not hold bilateral regular summit".

1/20/15

* Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief: Israel should expect destructive thunderbolts "The Revolutionary Guard is committed to the annihilation of the Zionist regime," Iranian media quoted the general as saying.

* Apocalyptic horse toys: My Little Pony from hell If you like your horse-themed toys with more skulls and less sunshine and rainbows, then you might want to enjoy "Four Horsies of the 'Pocalypse."

* Watch: PA Tourism Ministry Replaces Israel with 'Palestine' Two states? Bethlehem festival of PA min. on official PA TV features popular song claiming Israeli cities are in 'my beautiful Palestine.'

* Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Besiege Yemen's President Presidential palace comes under canon fire as Houthis demand control to give their backers Iran domination, and a way to cut off Israel.

* Report: IDF Deploys Iron Dome on Syrian Border IDF mum on Iron Dome deployment along border, as Israel braces for possible retaliation from Hezbollah for airstrikes.

* Japan's Abe cuts short visit to region amid Islamic State hostage crisis ISIS demands huge ransom for lives of two Japanese citizens, Abbas says abductions "violate moral and humane values."

* Japan PM in Jerusalem demands release of Islamic State hostages Shinzo Abe says lives of two captive Japanese 'top priority' after video emerges demanding $200 million ransom.

* Russia and Iran sign deal to widen military cooperation Tehran says agreement will 'solve' held-up sale of S-300 air defense system, without elaborating.

* Israel didn't target Iranian general in strike, says security source 'We did not expect the outcome in terms of the stature of those killed - certainly not the Iranian general,' security source says

* EU to increase intelligence sharing with Arab states The EU wants to step up security and intelligence co-operation with neighbouring countries to counter terrorist threats.

1/19/15

* Iran confirms general killed in Syria strike attributed to Israel Revolutionary Guard names General Mohammed Ali Allah Dadi as casualty of Sunday's attack on Syrian side of Golan; source tells AFP that six Iranian troops also killed, bringing death toll to 12.

* Hamas Blasts EU's Decision as 'Immoral' As Hamas slams the EU for appealing its terror blacklist status, Israel welcomes the 'unsurprising' news with 'happiness.'

* Israel: The International Criminal Court Promotes Terror Here in Jerusalem we are outraged by the preliminary investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza by the International Criminal Court in The Hague (pictured). 

* Bangladesh: Islamists Planned to Establish 'Islamic State' ISIS terror cell busted with arrest of four suspects; cell planned to establish 'caliphate' in Bangladesh.

* Gazan Hamas-Supporters Burn French Flag on Temple Mount Israel lets nearly 200 Gazans protest Charlie Hebdo's cartoon after Paris massacre, fly Hamas banners on Temple Mount.

* Masses chant 'Death to Israel' at funeral for Hezbollah commander slain in alleged Israeli strike Jihad Mughniyeh was buried in Beirut alongside his father Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in Damascus in 2008.

* Palestinians seeking ICC investigation of Arafat's death Senior Fatah official says Palestinians want to bring Israel to trial " for every crime it committed against our people."

* Hungarian Jews Mark 70 Years Since Ghetto Liberation Hungarian Jews gather to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation by the Red Army of the Budapest ghetto in World War II.

* EU holds talks on terror after Paris attacks European and Arab leaders meet to discuss rising fundamentalism and the Islamic State.

* Argentina Accused of Covering Up Iran Involvement in Bombing The lead prosecutor investigating the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina was found dead on Sunday, just hours before he was to present parliament with evidence that the government had covered up Iranian involvement in the terrorist attack.

1-17-15

* ISIS Shows its Most Popular Execution Style is Crucifixion The brutal Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization that has conquered large swathes of Iraq and Syria continues to impose Islamic Sharia law sprinkled with generous helping of executions.

* Belgium boosts security at Jewish sites, embassies to guard against attacks Belgium is deploying hundreds of troops to guard possible terrorism targets, including Jewish sites and diplomatic missions.

* Belgium deploys troops following anti-terror raids Troops have been deployed across Belgium to guard potential targets of terrorist attacks, following a series of anti-terror raids and arrests.

* Watch: IDF Prepares for Hezbollah's 'Invasion' The IDF Artillery Corps performed an extended drill to prepare for possible war coming from Israel's northern border.

* WATCH: French flag burned on Temple Mount in a large rally against Mohammad cartoons Hundres of Palestinians attended a rally on Friday afternoon on the Temple Mount against the new cover of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

* CNN's Jim Clancy resigns after controversial Israel tweets Veteran CNN anchor Jim Clancy stepped down on Friday.

* Charlie Hebdo: Niger protesters set churches on fire At least two churches have been set on fire in the capital of Niger amid fresh protests against French magazine Charlie Hebdo's cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

* Rampant anti-Semitism a major aliyah factor, French Jewish leader says Rampant anti-Semitism in French public schools and threats against Jewish ones are spurring Jewish emigration, a leader of French Jewry said.

* Islamic State issues photos of toddlers in gun training In the wake of a video purporting to show a child executing two prisoners, Islamic State militants released images Thursday of toddlers practicing their skill with toy guns.

* US Slams 'Tragic Irony' of ICC Israel 'War Crimes' Probe The United States joined Israel in condemning the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to open a preliminary probe Friday into possible "war crimes" committed by Israel, blasting the move as a "tragic irony."

1/16/15

* Turkish premier says Israeli 'provocations' radicalizing Muslim world In a Reuters interview, Davutoglu said peace in the Middle East and the eradication of extremist groups would be virtually impossible without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

* ICC launches initial inquiry into potential war crimes in Palestinian territories Lieberman slams 'anti-Israel' decision after prosecutor at The Hague says preliminary probe opened into alleged violations will be 'independent and impartial'.

* Israel Allows Gazans to Pray at Al-Aqsa 185 Palestinian Arabs from Gaza allowed by Israeli authorities to travel to Jerusalem for Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

* Nasrallah: Hezbollah Can Conquer the Galilee If We Want Hezbollah chief says revelations that a Mossad spy infiltrated his group's upper echelons hadn't harmed its capabilities.

* Netanyahu denounces ICC, says war crimes probe 'proves it is part of the problem' Premier releases statement hours after The Hague announces inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by Israel and Palestinian rejectionist groups.

* Churches torched, Christian-owned shops raided by Muslims in Niger Police in the former French colony's southern town of Zinder fired tear gas on a crowd of hundreds of people as tires burned in the streets.

* David Cameron and Barack Obama in anti-terror push David Cameron: "Britain and America face threats to national security by people who hate what our countries stand for"

* US Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage The US Supreme Court will rule this year on whether gay couples have a right to marry across all states.

* 'Boy Who Came Back From Heaven actually didn't; books recalled Tyndale House, a major Christian publisher, has announced that it will stop selling 'The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven,' by Alex Malarkey and his father, Kevin Malarkey.

* EU commission backs passport confiscation of jihadist suspects The European Commission has endorsed national plans to seize travel documents of suspected jihadists.

1/15/15

* Nuclear talks resume with warnings to Congress over Iran sanctions US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif engaged in "substantive meetings" on Wednesday, the State Department said.

* Rev. Graham: End the Muslim Call to Prayer Policy at Duke University Donors and alumni of the prestigious Duke University in Durham, N.C., a school founded by Quakers and Methodists, should 'withhold their support' until Duke reverses its new policy allowing the Muslim Call to Prayer on Fridays, said Rev. Franklin Graham, son of world renowned pastor Billy Graham.

* Abbas's Fatah Presents Bibi the Nazi SS Officer Ruling PA faction continues to simultaneously use Nazi imagery to defame Israel, while glorifying Adolf Hitler and Nazism itself.

* Iran's far right say nuclear negotiators 'loading the enemy's weapons' Hardliners in Tehran say Rouhani is giving way to American demands to enfeeble Iran's nuclear programme and its missile capacity.

* Amidror: Hezbollah's firepower of 150,000 projectiles exceeds all European armies combined Former national security adviser outlines all the major security threats Israel faces in Begin-Sadat Center report.

* Seriously? Israel, Jews Said Behind Paris Attacks It's inevitable. Any time there is a high profile terrorist attack, someone, somewhere will say the Jews did it. 

* Nasrallah: Hezbollah prepared for war deep into Israel, beyond the Galilee "We have made all necessary preparations for a future war with Israel," Hezbollah chief says.

* Turkish PM says Netanyahu on par with Paris terrorists Netanyahu fires back, calling on the international community to stand united against terrorism and its supporters.

* Nigeria's Boko Haram: Baga destruction 'shown in images' Satellite images of Nigerian towns attacked by Boko Haram show widespread destruction and suggest a high death toll, Amnesty International says.

* 2015 Oil Market Outlook Saudi Arabia is extending its own international jihad not only through its export of Wahhabism, an extreme form of Sunni Islam.

1/14/15

* Netanyahu: 'Hypocritical' War on Terror Will Fail PM hits back at Erdogan's attack on his attendance at Paris counter-terror rally, demands world denounce 'shameful remarks.'

* Israel to Europe: We Warned You Israel's outspoken embassy in Ireland this week again stirred the pot with a post to its Twitter feed reminding Europe that the Jewish state had warned it about failing to take seriously enough the threat of radical Islam.

* Prominent Rabbi Calls on Europe to Allow Jews to Carry Guns Following last week's deadly attacks in Paris, Rabbi Menachem Margolin urges EU gov'ts to allow special gun permits for Jews.

* Hamas Blackmail: Pay for Rebuilding or Face Gaza Extremism Hamas makes ironic demand, warning delay in aid that is used to rebuild terror tunnels may make Gaza ripe for 'extremism and terrorism.'

* Nasrallah: Israel can't even imagine Hezbollah's weapons arsenal Hezbollah chief says that the Shi'ite group has arms Israel isn't aware of.

* Jerusalem cleric, Muslim world slam publishing of new Charlie Hebdo cartoons Muslim leaders call new cartoons an unnecessary provocation and sign of disrespect.

* RADICAL IMAM ANJEM CHOUDARY CALLS CHARLIE HEBDO FRONT PAGE 'ACT OF WAR' Hate preacher Anjem Choudary has called the latest front cover of Charlie Hebdo an 'act of war' against Muslims. 

* 'US Consulate in Jerusalem arming Palestinian guards' Israeli report says developments violate agreements; guards say the chief security officer is establishing 'a militia'.

* Jewish Home 'Messianic', Says Ex-Candidate It did not take Batya Kahana-Dror long to attack the party viciously after bowing out of the primaries.

* Senate bill seeks to force embassy move to Jerusalem Legislation is opening salvo as Republican lawmakers look to use Congress to challenge Obama's foreign policy.

1/13/15

* West wants to end confrontation with Russia over Ukraine - EU foreign policy chief Western powers want to find common ground with Russia and end their confrontational approach over Ukraine, the EU's foreign policy chief told Italian media. She denied that the EU differs from the US in its position towards dealing with the crisis.

* PEGIDA SHOWS NO SIGN OF SLOWING AS 25,000 MARCH AGAINST ISLAMISATION Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA) have "strolled" again, but despite a week of Islamist terror in France and the fire-bombing of a German news paper which printed Mohammed cartoons, the German establishment has continued to condemn the movement.

* 'Piles of Bodies' in Nigerian Town Attacked by Boko Haram, Say Locals ABUJA: When Borye Kime crept back into the fishing town of Baga in northeast Nigeria in the early hours of Monday, a weak moon shone on a grisly sight. "It is corpses everywhere," he told AFP.

* Syria: Turkey is Allowing Terrorists to Freely Cross the Border Syrian government accuses Turkey of allowing "terrorists" to freely cross the border, calls the world to stop its "destructive policy".

* 'Russian Spies' Executed by Child Soldier in Shocking ISIS Video A shocking video posted online Tuesday appears to show ISIS using a young child soldier to execute two alleged Russian spies in Syria.

* Egypt's Grand Mufti warns Charlie Hebdo against publishing new Mohammad caricature Charlie Hebdo is due to publish a front page on Wednesday showing a caricature of the Prophet in its first edition since Islamist gunmen attacked the weekly's offices last Wednesday.

* Jimmy Carter Blames Israel for Paris Attacks Former US President Jimmy Carter once again provided his sagacious insight into the root causes of Islamic violence by pointing an accusing finger at, where else, Israel!

* Erdogan blasts Netanyahu and 'West's hypocrisy' over Paris attack Turkish Preisdent Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of hypocrisy in its response to the attack on Charlie Hebdo. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no business at the memorial in Paris.

* EU ministers vow new counter-terrorism rules after Paris attack Top officials at an international ministerial meeting in Paris on Sunday (11 January) vowed an immediate response to last week's Charlie Hebdo attack.

* The Possible Presidential Candidate Who Agrees the Most With Pope Francis Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is Jewish. He's also the likely 2016 presidential candidate whose political philosophy lines up most closely with the economic and social theories of Pope Francis.

1/12/15

* Israel police, Shin Bet close three Islamic charities for causing unrest on Temple Mount The main bone of contention appears to be the payment of activists, youths, and students, who arrive at the Temple Mount each day to harass visitors. .

* Germany to Turkey: 'Turkey must prevent terrorists from crossing its borders to Syria' Turkey should take more action to prevent extremists from entering Syria to join the Islamic State, Germany's domestic intelligence chief believes.

* ISIS Renews Previous Calls for Attacks in West as Police Remain Vigilant Only days after terror attacks killed 17 people in Paris, one of the world's most brutal terrorist organizations is using the tragedy to rehash previous calls for small-scale attacks around the world.

* Nuclear war possible between Europe and Russia over Ukraine, Mikhail Gorbachev warns Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned that tensions between Russia and European powers over the Ukraine crisis could result in a major conflict or even nuclear war, in an interview to appear in a German news magazine on Saturday.

* Jews are focus of most hate speech in Turkey, media study finds Upcoming MEMRI report details growing anti-Semitic language in Islamist, pro-AKP outlets .

* Hamas slams Abbas "hypocrisy" for Paris trip Terror group says PA president should first worry about his own people, show solidarity with them.

* France to deploy 5,000 police to protect Jewish schools In address to parents of Jewish students, interior minister says soldiers will also be posted as reinforcements.

* Rally for unity against terrorism is France's largest ever Millions of people and over 40 world leaders march in solidarity with victims of three-day killing spree in Paris.

* PETERS: OBAMA A PHYSICAL, MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL COWARD THAT CHOSE THE SIDE OF THE TERRORISTS On Monday's "America's Newsroom" on the Fox News Channel, former U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, a Fox News contributor, scolded President Barack Obama for his absence at yesterday's rally in Paris to show support in defiance of Islamic terrorism on a French magazine.

* POPE FRANCIS: "YOU CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN OUTSIDE THE CHURCH" Pope Francis baptized 33 children on Sunday morning, the day that Christians celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In his homily, the Pope told parents to teach their children that "you cannot be a Christian outside the Church, you cannot follow Jesus Christ without the Church, because the Church is mother, and makes us grow in love for Jesus Christ."

1-10-15

* Assad's Secret: Evidence Points to Syrian Push for Nuclear Weapons At 11 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2007, 10 F-15 fighter bombers climbed into the sky from the Israeli military base Ramat David, just south of Haifa.

* Islamic leader urges Muslims to visit Temple Mount The head of the world's largest Islamic organization on Monday paid a rare visit to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque, urging Muslims to follow suit and come to the city in a bid to strengthen Palestinian claims to the holy site.

* Charlie Hebdo attack: Extra troops for Paris Some 500 extra troops are being deployed around Paris after three days of terror in the French capital killed 17 people.

* Apocalypse prophecies drive Islamic State strategy, recruiting efforts Leaders of the Islamic State movement in Syria and Iraq are infatuated with apocalyptic Muslim prophecies foretelling a titanic final battle of good and evil that even involves the re-emergence of Jesus Christ to join their cause at the end of time in the Middle East.

* Poll: Majority of Palestinians believe Jews intend to destroy al-Aksa Mosque The poll, conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, based in Ramallah, stated that 86% of Palestinians believe that the structures are "in great danger."

* Boko Haram's 'deadliest massacre': 2,000 feared dead in Nigeria Hundreds of bodies - too many to count - remain strewn in the bush in Nigeria from an Islamic extremist attack that Amnesty International described as the "deadliest massacre" in the history of Boko Haram.

* Zinke: Obama Foreign Policy 'Provides Fuel for Terrorism' Congress' first Navy SEAL says that President Obama's "reckless" foreign policy has emboldened Islamic terrorists to carry out deadly attacks in France and Australia.

* The 'forever war' comes to Paris The slaughter of the satirists in Paris on Wednesday, executed in the name of radical Islam, is but one scene in the nightmarish reality that Western intelligence officers had been dreading since the war in Syria became a jihadi lodestone.

* Hubble returns to 'old friends' for 25th anniversary The Hubble Space Telescope, which in 2015 completes 25 years in orbit, has gathered dramatic new views of two well-known celestial objects.

* The Arab oil era is over The most dramatic news in 2014 almost went unnoticed: The United States lifted the restrictions on American oil exports, and as of the first day of the new year it has begun exporting oil to the world.

1/9/15

* Charlie Hebdo hunt: Police storm two hostage sites French police have stormed two hostage sites in the Paris area, killing three hostage takers.

* Charlie Hebdo attack: Hollande confirms four killed in Paris - live updates Hollande confirms that four people were killed in the siege in the Vincennes supermarket.

* Terrorism grips France: Four dead at Paris kosher market after police raid; Hebdo gunmen killed BBC: A 37-year-old woman called her mother from inside the supermarket and told her five people have already been killed.

* Netanyahu to France: A Global Struggle with Radical Islam Netanyahu meets with French Ambassador to Israel saying Islamist terrorist organizations 'all seek to destroy our civilization and values.'

* Hundreds of Hamas Terrorists in Israel Switching to ISIS Hevron ISIS cell just 'tip of the iceberg' as Arab terrorists flock over from 'moderate' Hamas - PA, Hamas in their sights, not just Israel.

* Worth 1,000 words: Cartoonists draw for slain colleagues Artists around the world react to terrorist attack at Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris that killed 12.

* Sharansky: Paris massacre shows time running out for Europe We're not building our immigration strategy on tragic events, Jewish Agency chief says, but on the fact that European Jews are increasingly uncomfortable.

* Putin and Erdogan: A new year and new challenges in the EU neighbourhood For decades, the European Union symbolised "liberal democracy" as a political project, one that would be disseminated through its enlargement and neighborhood policies.

* Gay Marriage Takes Center Stage in Israeli Election Campaign At first it was the economy, now it's gay marriage that is taking center stage in Israel's roiling election campaign.

* Report: Christian Persecution Reaches New Levels, Worse to Come Christian persecution across the globe has reached a new high in modern times and the worse may be yet to come, according to a report from the Christian watchdog group Open Doors.

1-8-15

* The 'forever war' comes to Paris The slaughter of the satirists in Paris on Wednesday, executed in the name of radical Islam, is but one scene in the nightmarish reality that Western intelligence officers had been dreading since the war in Syria became a jihadi lodestone.

* Paris massacre highlights jihadists' Mideast-Europe traffic Wednesday's terror attack in Paris, foul as it was, was sadly no great surprise given the movement of Islamist terrorists between Europe and the Middle East.

* Egypt's Sisi: 1.6 Billion Muslims Antagonizing the Entire World Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a highly unusual and surprising speech to Islamic clerics at Cairo's Al-Azhar University last week.

* US: Palestine not a state, does not qualify for ICC membership Palestine is not a state, and therefore does not qualify for membership in the International Criminal Court, the State Department said on Wednesday.

* Poll: Majority of Palestinians believe Jews intend to destroy al-Aksa Mosque A poll published by a Palestinian research organization on Wednesday claimed that nearly 90 percent of Palestinians believe that al-Aqksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are in imminent danger of being destroyed by the Israeli government.

* CNN Anchor Drags Israel Into Debate Over Paris Shooting In the aftermath of the horrific massacre at the headquarters of a satirical magazine in Paris, veteran CNN news anchor and international correspondent tried to promote the notion that the Muslim perpetrators of this and all such atrocities are extremists.

* EU leaders raise hopes of Putin breakthrough over Ukraine EU leaders have talked up the prospects of a breakthrough with President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine amid a divisive debate over whether to ease or lift European sanctions on Russia.

* Netanyahu: Israel is standing by Europe, Europe must stand by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende on Thursday, saying that the same forces that are attacking Europe are attacking Israel.

* Fewer American Jews now identify as Democrats, poll finds The number of American Jews who identify as Democrats dropped by 10 percent over the past seven years, according to survey results released by Gallup.

* IDF Chief of Staff Gantz: No country can remain isolated from terrorism No country can remain isolated from the threat of terrorism, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said Thursday, in reference to the deadly shooting attack by jihadi gunmen in Paris.

1/7/15

* Charlie Hebdo: Gun attack on French magazine kills 12 Gunmen have shot dead 12 people at the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in an apparent militant Islamist attack.

* French weekly has history of angering Muslims with cartoons Charlie Hebdo's satire has lampooned not only Islam but also Pope Benedict XVI, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Jews.

* Winter Storm Paralyzes the Holy Land The predicted severe winter weather has reached Israel, and much of the country is now on lock-down amid hailstorms and snowfall.

* Syrian army forms suicide bomber platoon In video, masked soldiers loyal to Assad wear explosive belts as they declare their intention to die for their country.

* Hubble returns to 'old friends' for 25th anniversary Being 7,000 light-years away, we see the pillars as they were. 

* 'Alien Earth' is among eight new far-off planets One of eight new planets spied in distant solar systems has usurped the title of "most Earth-like alien world", astronomers have said.

* Top Islamic State commander decapitated in Syria Body found after being killed by unknown assailants, peppered with cigarette burns and anti-smoking message.

* Peace chances mothballed by Palestinian moves, Netanyahu says. PM indicates Palestinian state impractical for now, doesn't envisage evacuating settlers; blames Olmert, Lapid for housing crisis.

* Most Persecution of Christians is at Hands of Muslims The non-denominational relief organization Open Doors on Wednesday published its annual World Watch List of the 50 countries around the world where Christians face the most persecution.

* Age of stars is pinned to their spin Astronomers have proved that they can accurately tell the age of a star from how fast it is spinning.

1-6-15

* Apocalypse prophecies drive Islamic State strategy, recruiting efforts Leaders of the Islamic State movement in Syria and Iraq are infatuated with apocalyptic Muslim prophecies foretelling a titanic final battle of good and evil.

* France warns Palestinians over escalating crisis with UN bid France warned the Palestinians on Tuesday against escalating a diplomatic battle with Israel after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would resubmit to the UN Security Council a resolution calling for the creation of a Palestinian state.

* Rare look into secret testing facility Every missile or aerial vehicle manufactured in Israel - from the Iron Dome interceptor to the IAI Heron UAV - passes through the same halls at Israel Aerospace Industries' facility near the Ben Gurion Airport.

* ISIS says it has executed Iraqi govt infiltrators (GRAPHIC CONTENT) The Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has released pictures allegedly showing the execution of eight people.

* Islamic leader urges Muslims to visit Temple Mount The head of the world's largest Islamic organization on Monday paid a rare visit to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque, urging Muslims to follow suit and come to the city in a bid to strengthen Palestinian claims to the holy site.

* Germany Pegida protests: Rallies over 'Islamisation' Supporters and opponents of a group campaigning against what it sees as the "Islamisation" of Europe have held rival rallies across Germany.

* Report: Qatar to banish Hamas' Mashaal, who will relocate to Turkey Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas' political bureau, is expected to leave his base in the Qatari capital of Doha and relocate to Turkey.

* Israeli Diamond Market Continues to Shine Despite Rough Year Diamond exports from Israel rose slightly in 2014, despite a general slowdown in the global trade of precious stones, an Israeli official said Tuesday.

* Israel Marks its Second Christmas; Third Coming Up Suffer from post-Christmas blues? That's not uncommon. One cure would be to move to Jerusalem, where not one, not two, but three Christmases come around every year.

* North Korea has 6,000-strong cyber-army, says South South Korea has claimed that North Korea has a 6,000-member cyber-army dedicated to disrupting its military and government.

1/5/15

* Egyptian President Calls for "Religious Revolution" in Islam Wants to displace violent jihad.

* Potentially dangerous asteroid to fly by Earth on January 26 A potentially hazardous asteroid, at least 20 times the size of the Chelyabinsk meteorite, will approach the Earth on January 26. The rock is expected to fly by at a distance of 1.2 million kilometers.

* The Arab oil era is over Op-ed: As the Gulf states are left with no money to spend and are experiencing internal shocks, the era of destructive Arab power is coming to an end; the Israeli mind and innovation era, on the other hand, is just beginning.

* Saudi Islamic leader tours Temple Mount on visit coordinated with Israel Iyad Madani, head of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, urges others to follow him and come to Al-Aqsa Mosque .

* "Most Palestinians believe Israel wants to destroy Al-Aqsa" Fearful of Israel and distrustful of their own leadership, 43% of Gazans and 23% of West Bankers seek emigration, poll finds; 77% back rocket attacks on Israel; Hamas popularity soaring .

* Top Hezbollah official: Shi'ites and Sunnis will unite to fight Israel in next battle Lebanese newspaper quotes Hezbollah's Executive Council chief as saying that group is preparing for the next confrontation with Israel, which will feature "thousands of our Sunni brothers." .

* Al-Qaida threatens to use "undetectable" bombs against U.S. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is warning Americans that they’ve been working long and hard on a new tool to attack the U.S..

* Hamas 'Totally Opposed' to PA Statehood Bid Hamas spokesperson blasts Abbas for plans to refile draft resolution to UN Security Council as 'political foolishness.' .

* ADL Urges Venezuela To Ensure Jewish Community's Safety Following reports of anti-Semitic graffiti found on a synagogue in Caracas, the ADL condemns the 'troubling' attack.

* Israel: EU support for Palestine is 'biggest challenge' Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman has described EU support for Palestine as Israel's top diplomatic challenge after a UN vote on withdrawal from the occupied territory.

1-3-15

* 'Islamic State seeking bases inside Lebanon' Head of Lebanon's main security apparatus says Islamic State militants are looking to gain control over Lebanese villages.

* Iran denies nuclear deal with US Iran has denied striking a deal with the US to reduce Tehran's potential ability to manufacture nuclear weapons, following earlier reports that an agreement had been reached.

* Islamic State to Systematically Target Europe in 2015: French Expert In an interview with Sputnik, well-known French journalist and Middle East intelligence services expert Jean-Michel Vernochet said that he foresees an impending Islamic State group attack on Europe in the very near future.

* Jordan Arrests Cleric for Advocating Jewish Temple Mount Prayer A Jordanian Muslim cleric has been arrested for advocating Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount.

* Middle East, 2015: further standoffs, tripwires and catastrophes The jihadist threat of Isis and ongoing Syria disaster will pile pressure on western leaders. Then there's Iran, Turkey, Israel-Palestine and north Africa.

* Islamic umbrella leader to visit Temple Mount mosques The secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation plans to visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Abbas's Fatah Celebrates 50 Years - With 'Jewish Skulls' The official Facebook page of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party is marking 50 years since the first terror attack carried out by the Arab nationalist group - and in typical style has posted a graphic image glorifying the murder of Israelis in celebration.

* Ukrainian President Signs Law Allowing NATO Membership Bid President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law abandoning Ukraine's neutral "non-bloc" status, and said Ukrainians will decide whether the country should seek NATO membership once it meets the standards of the Western military alliance.

* Watch: Hamas Shows Off Army 'Ready to Conquer Jerusalem' The propaganda unit of Hamas's "military wing", the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, kicked into overdrive recently with a new film, which attempted to portray the terrorist organization's Gazan fighting force as a modern Islamic army.

* Turkish PM: Israel 'Reducing the Islamic Character' of Jerusalem Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday said that Turkey stands behind the Palestinian Arabs in their efforts to oppose Israeli attempts to "reduce the Islamic character" of Jerusalem.