Friday, August 14, 2015

8/14/15

The quest for the red heifer: An ancient commandment meets modern technology  The Temple Institute launched a crowdfunding campaign last month to help raise the first authentic, kosher red heifer in 2,000 years in the land of Israel. 

'US believes ISIS likely used chemical weapons in Iraq attack'  The United States believes Islamic State militants likely used mustard agent in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq earlier this week. 

Intelligence sources assess: Mashaal asks Erdogan to let key terrorist operate from Turkey  Western intelligence sources asses to a very high degree of likelihood that Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has officially requested from Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to allow top Hamas operative Salah Aruri to return to Turkey. 

How China has cyber-stumped the US and why Israel could be next  This week a US intelligence official leaked to NBC News that China has been successfully hacking top US government officials' email accounts since 2010 in a cyber campaign known as "Dancing Panda."

Al Qaida pledges support for new Taliban leader in Afghanistan  Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, in an online audio message, pledged allegiance to the new head of the Afghan Taliban in a move that could bolster his accession after the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar. 

Iranian Kurdish Party says killed 12 Revolutionary Guards in attack  Kurdish fighters affiliated with the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJA K), an Iranian offshoot of the PKK in western Iran, announced on Thursday that it killed 12 Iranian Revolutionary Guards. 

Western Wall homecoming  One of the iconic photographs of the Six Day War depicts IDF chief rabbi Brig.-Gen. Shlomo Goren holding a Torah scroll at the Western Wall for the first Jewish prayer there in 19 years, while a paratrooper blows a shofar in thanksgiving. 

Libya chaos: Islamic State battles militias in Sirte  At least 25 people have been killed in clashes between Islamic State (IS) and a rival Islamist group backed by armed civilians in the Libyan city of Sirte. 

IDF chief details army's national security strategy  In an unprecedented move, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot released a document to the public on Thursday defining and detailing the army's national security strategy. 

White House concerned Iran deal could boost terror - top official  The Obama administration is concerned that Iran will increase backing for terrorism and other disruptive activities in the wake of the nuclear deal, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said in an address to American Jews.