8-31-15

* On Temple Mount, some see a dome and imagine an altar The night before she visited Temple Mount for the first time last year, Aviya Fraenkel was so excited she couldn't sleep a wink.

* Russian jets in Syrian skies Russian fighter pilots are expected to begin arriving in Syria in the coming days, and will fly their Russian air force fighter jets and attack helicopters against ISIS and rebel-aligned targets within the failing state.

* 'Supergiant' gas field found off Egyptian coast The Italian energy company Eni SpA announced Sunday it has discovered a "supergiant" natural gas field off Egypt, describing it as the "largest-ever" found in the Mediterranean Sea.

* Ukraine crisis: Deadly anti-autonomy protest outside parliament Clashes between nationalists and riot police erupted after MPs gave initial backing to reforms for more autonomy in the rebel-held east.

* Merkel: Unacceptable how Iran continues to talk about Israel German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a news conference in Berlin on Monday that she would welcome Iran's participation in the ongoing fight against ISIS in Syria, however Iran's attitude and slander towards Israel must change.

* Turkish delegation arrives in Israel to discuss investment in Palestinian business project A Turkish delegation met in Tel Aviv on Monday with Likud Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara, the acting minister of the Regional Cooperation Ministry, to promote a proposal to build an industrial zone near Jenin in the West Bank.

* Xi's Military Parade Fans Unease in Region Already Wary of China As Xi Jinping presides over thousands of goose-stepping troops marching down Beijing's Changan Avenue -- or "Eternal Peace Street" -- on Thursday, the Chinese president will also proclaim his commitment to the world's peaceful development.

* Pakistani Muslims to Refugees: Convert, or Become Slaves Heavy flooding in Pakistan has washed away thousands of homes - and the Pakistani government has responded curiously: It has offered aid to homeless Muslim families, but ignores hundreds of Christians facing the same plight.

* Egypt 'Goes Medieval' With Moat Around Gaza After clearing away villages and farms within 3 to 5 kilometers of its border with Gaza, Egypt on Monday embarked on the second stage of its plan to protect itself from Hamas terrorists and tunnel smugglers - the construction of a medieval-style moat around Gaza.

* Report: Abbas searching for candidates to replace him as PA head Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has asked members of his Fatah party to select three candidates to replace him, a daily linked to rival group Hamas reported on Monday.