1/30/16

* Palestinian media spurring wave of terror  Since the beginning of the current terror wave, Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV and other Palestinian networks have been devoting nearly all their programming to lauding attacks and 'martyrs'. 

* Europe's 'Non-Violent' Campaign Against Israel  The European Union's relentless pressure on Israel to comply with conditions it believes would bring peace amounts to a "non-violent" campaign against the Jewish state. 

* Former Libyan official: ISIS got Qaddafi's chemical weapons  Libyan former intelligence official claims terrorist groups got hold of Qaddafi's chemical weapons arsenal and then smuggled it to Syria. 

* Special ISIS cells preparing terror attacks in Europe and Russia - Russian anti-terrorism body  Islamic State cells led by Chechen recruiter Akhmed Chetayev are planning terrorist attacks in Russia and Europe, Moscow's National Anti-Terrorist Committee reported. 

* Pope meets Rouhani, asks Iran to help stop Mideast terrorism  A Vatican statement issued after the meeting spoke of the "relevant role Iran is called on to play" to find political solutions to the problems afflicting the Middle East. 

* Khamenei airs Holocaust denial video on international Remembrance Day  Iran's supreme leader says Europeans are silenced when they try to question historically accepted account of genocide against Jews. 

* IDF officers: Islamic State will turn its attention to Israel  In briefing, Hezbollah deemed a key threat though it is unlikely to get much funding from Iran, Hamas said preparing next war, more terror at settlements feared. 

* Report of record oil output from Iraq throws global markets in turmoil  An announcement from Iraq that it is pumping oil at record levels has helped send oil prices and stock markets tumbling around the world. 

* Turkey says Russia violated its airspace near Syrian border  Turkey says a Russian jet has violated its airspace and it has summoned the Russian ambassador to Ankara. 

* Abbas welcomes French statehood plan: 'We will no longer accept occupation'  Hamas rejects call for fresh talks, says international community trying to impose solutions that failed in the past.

1/29/16

* Gaza prepares for war  As it rebuilds its attack tunnels, Hamas vows it will operate 'inside the territory of 1948' in the next round of fighting with Israel. 

* ISIS wants own sea power to carry out attacks in Mediterranean - NATO naval chief  Islamic State militants want to build their own maritime force to carry out terror attacks on cruise or commercial ships in the Mediterranean Sea using sophisticated sea-based weapons, NATO's naval commander warns. 

* Special ISIS cells preparing terror attacks in Europe and Russia - Russian anti-terrorism body  Islamic State cells led by Chechen recruiter Akhmed Chetayev are planning terrorist attacks in Russia and Europe, Moscow's National Anti-Terrorist Committee reported. 

* Syria conflict: Key opposition group to join Geneva talks  The key Syrian opposition group has said it will join peace talks that have opened in Geneva. 

* France to recognize Palestine if deadlock with Israel not broken  Mohammad Abd al-Latif praised terrorists responsible for 2014 Har Nof massacre. 

* Report: Iranian drone spied on US naval warship  The report said that the incident occurred on the third day of naval excises being conducted off the Persian Gulf, but did not specify the date of the event nor the name of the US carrier. 

* France threatens to recognize 'Palestine' if peace efforts fail  French Foreign Minister says his country would recognize a Palestinian state if efforts to resume peace talks fail. 

* Songs in praise of stabbing are huge hits on Palestinian street, and may be motivators too  'Lovers of Stabbing,' most popular of stream of gruesome anthems, has over 5 million views on YouTube; manager of band asserts it directly inspired recent attack. 

* Obama Administration Orders Labeling of Israeli Goods  A memo issued earlier this month by the Obama administration directs the U.S. 'trade community' and government partner agencies to explicitly label Israeli-made goods that have been produced in the West Bank. 

* Kremlin slams 'outrageous' White House claim of Putin corruption  Lavrov calls Kerry over 'contrived and unforgivable allegations,' after US administration backs comment by Treasury official.

1/28/16

* More Trouble at Sea: Iran Expels U.S. Ship, Jet Out of Strait of Hormuz  Iran warned a U.S. warship and jet to leave the area near the Strait of Hormuz where the Iranian navy took part in military exercises. 

* Rouhani hails 'new chapter' in Iranian-French ties  Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hailed "a new chapter" in French-Iranian relations during his visit to Paris to discuss trade ties. 

* Former Libyan official: ISIS got Qaddafi's chemical weapons  Libyan former intelligence official claims terrorist groups got hold of Qaddafi's chemical weapons arsenal and then smuggled it to Syria. 

* Report: Iran deploys Hezbollah to get its old ally Hamas back  New mediation comes after Iran failed in its previous attempts to convince Hamas to announce its support for Iran in the Islamic Republic's battle with Saudi Arabia for regional supremacy. 

* Khamenei airs Holocaust denial video on international Remembrance Day  Iran‚Äôs supreme leader says Europeans are silenced when they try to question historically accepted account of genocide against Jews. 

* Settlers tell Netanyahu: Block Palestinian media broadcasts  The head of the main settlement council in the West Bank wrote to the prime minister calling on him to block official Palestinian media broadcasts, following the testimony of a terrorist who admitted he had been incited after watching Palestinian television. 

* Watch: Israel's newest 'Tiger' APC in action  The IDF has begun field tests for the new 'Tiger Class' armored personnel carrier, boasting advanced 'windjacket' defensive system. 

* Washington urges Syrian opposition to take part in talks  United States says Syria's reluctant rebel and opposition groups should attend UN-mediated peace talks without preconditions. 

* UN chief redoubles criticism of Israel's 'stifling occupation  'You can count on me' to speak up, achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace Ban Ki-moon says, but Palestinians ‚'losing hope. 

* Turkey's All-Out War on Kurds and Media  Since August, Turkey has been bombing and destroying its Kurdistan region in the same pattern: The Turkish government first declares curfews on Kurdish districts; then Turkish armed forces, with heavy weaponry, attack Kurdish neighborhoods and everyone living there. 

1/27/16

* International Holocaust Remembrance Day spans across religions and borders  Last week, the Vatican issued a statement saying the memorial day 'calls for a universal and ever deeper respect for the dignity of every person,' Radio Vatican reported. 

* Holocaust - 'atheists at the heart of the problem'  As UK Christians remember the Holocaust, marked on January 27 as the day in 1945 when Auschwitz was liberated, they have been reminded that it was spawned by godlessness and the rejection of faith. 

* Iran stages large naval drill near Strait of Hormuz  First exercise since capture of US sailors to include submarines, destroyers, missile launchers, according to navy chief; Tehran orders foreign forces to leave strategic sea lane. 

* IDF officers: Islamic State will turn its attention to Israel  The Islamic State terrorist organization has made it clear that Israel is its next target, high-ranking army officers told reporters in a briefing Tuesday. 

* 'Israel to invest to track potential terrorists on social media'  Adam Milstein: BDS is "war against Israel by non-military means." 

* Israel's 2015 report on anti-Semitism paints dismal picture  A surge in Islamic extremism, blurring borders between anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism, and the European far-right cited as main causes for rise in Jew-hatred. 

* Edelstein shames world leaders for Rouhani visit  Knesset Speaker: 'Leaders should be ashamed for having Holocaust denying Iranian President visit on Holocaust Memorial Day.' 

* Report of record oil output from Iraq throws global markets in turmoil  An announcement from Iraq that it is pumping oil at record levels has helped send oil prices and stock markets tumbling around the world. 

* Report: Iran Is World's Leading Executioner of Children  The Islamic Republic of Iran leads the way in invoking capital punishment upon minors, forgoing a past pledge to do away with the death penalty for citizens under eighteen, Amnesty International said in a report released Monday. 

* Abbas: Israeli policies will lead ISIS into the heart of Israel  Abbas also called on the UN Security Council to draw up a resolution condemning the settlement enterprise; says Palestinians ready to resume peace process.

1/26/16

* Furious Netanyahu slams Ban Ki-moon for 'stoking' Palestinian terrorism  UN chief: It's 'human nature to react to occupation'; PM: There's no justification for terror, the Palestinians want to destroy Israel. 

* 'Israel's electrical grid attacked in massive cyber attack'  Steinitz says attack was dealt with. 

* Ya'alon: Turkey funds ISIS militants by buying oil from them  Despite efforts to normalize ties between Jerusalem and Ankara, the defense minister leveled scathing criticism at Turkey. 

* Israel believes Russia's intervention decreases chance of Israel-Hezbollah conflict  IDF assessments continue to warn that small incidents could escalate quickly on borders. 

* Pope meets Rouhani, asks Iran to help stop Mideast terrorism  A Vatican statement issued after the meeting spoke of the "relevant role Iran is called on to play" to find political solutions to the problems afflicting the Middle East. 

* 'Doomsday Clock' to stand still amid nuclear tensions  The so-called Doomsday Clock will remain set at three-minutes-to-midnight amid global perils such as climate change and nuclear proliferation. 

* NO HOLDS BARRED: What's Richard Branson's problem with Israel?  Clearly such views are not just a moral abomination but represent a deplorable and permanent stain on the reputation of a man who won the Nobel Peace Prize. 

* EU Commission President: Without Jews, there is no Europe  Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, President Jean-Claude Juncker vows to fight rising European anti-Semitism. 

* Europe's 'Non-Violent' Campaign Against Israel  The European Union's relentless pressure on Israel to comply with conditions it believes would bring peace amounts to a "non-violent" campaign against the Jewish state. 

* Russia BBC Panorama: Kremlin demands 'Putin corruption' proof  The Kremlin has called on the US Treasury to come up with proof after it told a BBC investigation it considered President Vladimir Putin to be corrupt.

1/25/16

* Israel ranked as world's 8th most powerful country  US News & World Report places Israel in the world's top ten power-wise, mostly because of its military. 

* Egypt intensifies crackdown ahead of Arab Spring anniversary  Security forces search 5,000 Cairo homes, round up pro-democracy activists and track social media. 

* Iran president starts first EU tour since sanctions lifted  Rouhani kicks off trip in Italy, due in France later this week; aims to boost business ties with Europe. 

* WATCH: ISIS includes threat to Israel in video featuring Paris attackers  ISIS fighter speaking in the video warns Western governments that ISIS will send the West "hunters thirsty for apostates' blood" and declares that these hunters "will liberate Palestine." 

* ISIS calls on Muslim Brothers in Egypt to 'take up arms' against Sisi  In a video released on Saturday, an ISIS fighter urges the Muslim Brothers in Egypt to "use the experience they gained from ousting the previous regime of Hosni Mubarak to topple al-Sisi's regime." 

* Netanyahu to EU states: Pressure Brussels to change its attitude toward Israel  According to a statement issued by the PMO, Netanyahu protested the EU's formal positions on Israel, and accused Brussels of employing a 'double standard' toward Israel. 

* NPR NPR illustrative photo wipes Israel off the map photo wipes Israel off the map  Yet again, Israel seems to have disappeared from a map of the Mideast in an online publication's illustration. 

* Islamic State planning 'Mumbai-style' mass terror attacks in Europe  Jihadi group to focus on 'soft' targets in Europe, especially France, warns EU police agency chief. 

* Khamenei: God delivered US sailors into our hands  Iranian leader visits naval unit that took Americans captive earlier this month, hails his forces' 'courage'. 

* Palestinian media spurring wave of terror  Since the beginning of the current terror wave, Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV and other Palestinian networks have been devoting nearly all their programming to lauding attacks and 'martyrs'.

1/23/16

* Iraq conflict: Civilians suffering 'staggering' violence - UN  The UN says violence suffered by civilians in Iraq "remains staggering", with at least 18,800 killed between 1 January 2014 and 31 October 2015. 

* Turkish border on brink of becoming a Russian warfront? Russian troops deploy to Syrian border town, with Turkey 'closely watching' and reinforcing amid fears of all out war. 

* Fatah official praises Hitler as 'daring' for annihilating Jews  Fatah leader Tawfiq Tirawi asserts infamous Nazi leader was not 'morally corrupt' but in fact 'daring.' 

* Chinese president in Tehran for first visit in 14 years  Xi Jinping is the first leader from six world powers to visit Islamic Republic since nuclear deal was finalized. 

* Kerry: Hezbollah has 80,000 rockets, gets most of its arms from Iran  Speaking in Riyadh, secretary of state says US still concerned about some Iranian activities in other countries. 

* Russia denies it asked Assad to step down  Spokesman for the Kremlin denies reports that Putin sent a senior intelligence official to Damascus to ask Assad to step down. 

* Merkel: Anti-Semitism more widespread than we imagined  German leader says 'intensive action' needed to combat phenomenon, particularly in cultures in which hatred of Jews is rampant. 

* Stratcom: China Moving Rapidly to Deploy New Hypersonic Glider  China conducted six successful tests of a new high-speed hypersonic glide vehicle, the most recent in November, and also recently tested an anti-satellite missile, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command said Friday. 

* Hawking: Humans at risk of lethal 'own goal'  Humanity is at risk from a series of dangers of our own making, according to Prof Stephen Hawking. 

* Saudis not ruling out nuclear bomb in response to Iran  Saudi Foreign Minister says his country will do whatever it needs to protect its people if Iran develops a nuclear bomb.

1/22/16

* Kerry: Iran and the world were on a collision course to war  Secretary of state defends July 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, which he says 'makes the world safer'. 

* IDF official: Hamas ready for fresh hostilities with Israel  Army source says Islamist terror group has revived its cross-border tunnels, rocket firing systems and intelligence gathering efforts. 

* Libya's Chaos: Threat to the West  In 2011 when Libya's former ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, was murdered by the mob of militiamen, many people believed it was the beginning of a new, free, democratic country. 

* Chinese President calls for creation of Palestinian state  China's President says his country supports the creation of a Palestinian state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. 

* Turkish border on brink of becoming a Russian warfront?  Russian troops deploy to Syrian border town, with Turkey 'closely watching' and reinforcing amid fears of all out war. 

* Did the US pay Iran $1.7 billion in ransom?  Republicans demand an inquiry as Iran reveals US taxpayer fund transfer was 'in return' for prisoner release, and came on the same day. 

* Germany admits it lost track of over 1 million 'refugees'  Interior Ministry admits 600,000 migrants have gone missing in or outside Germany, as police investigate mass New Year sex assault campaign. 

* How Third World Countries Are Utilizing Israeli Ingenuity To Produce Water From Thin Air  A lack of water on the battlefield is not something that soldiers can afford to worry about in the heat of combat. 

* Russia shows off submarine destroyer near Syrian coast (VIDEO)  The Russian Navy gave journalists an onboard tour of the Udaloy-class anti-submarine destroyer that has been deployed to the Syrian port of Latakia to assist other Russian warships in their Mediterranean mission. 

* Anti-Semitic Incidents on U.S. College Campuses Spike  Anti-Semitism on U.S. college campuses spiked in 2015, with 302 incidents against Jewish students recorded at 109 schools in 28 states, according to a new report warning that the rise of anti-Israel organizations is fueling hatred and making many campuses unsafe for Jews.

1/21/16

* Pentagon to increase number of US troops in Iraq; Carter discusses 'accelerating' ISIS campaign  The US plans to increase the number of troops in Iraq as it seeks to 'accelerate' its campaign to 'crush' Islamic State in the region, the Pentagon chief said. 

* West ignoring grave threat from IS in Libya, Israeli terror experts warn  Libya is the only place outside Iraq and Syria where the jihadi group controls territory, but US and Europe have no strategy there, researchers say. 

* Analysis: Speculation over Israel's diplomatic liaisons with Gulf States  Significance of Israeli minister's visit to UAE debated. 

* Residents concerned as IDF deploys artillery batteries near Gaza  IDF spokesperson says that deployment is part of scheduled repositioning, does not allude to intensification of conflict. 

* The 'Obama is a Muslim' conspiracy theory is still reverberating in the Middle East  When Barack Obama stepped onto the national political stage almost a decade ago, rumors swirled that he was secretly a Muslim. 

* Case made for 'ninth planet'  American astronomers say they have strong evidence that there is a ninth planet in our Solar System orbiting far beyond even the dwarf world Pluto. 

* Lawmaker: Obama Admin Fueling Campaign to Destroy Israel Ambassador's comments spark new fight with Israel. 

* Islamic State Imposes Radical Jihadist Curriculum on All School Children  Leaders of the Islamic State are attempting to ensure the intergenerational continuity of their ideological hatred of 'infidels' by indoctrinating all children within the areas of their control according to a new curriculum of radical jihad, which has replaced the traditional program used in schools. 

* WATCH: ISIS sets sights on overthrowing governments of Morocco and Tunisia  Amid civil unrest in Tunisia and Morocco, ISIS calls on Muslims to attack both states and oust their 'apostate' democratic governments. 

* Watch: Kerry admits Iran sanctions windfall will go to terror  After Tehran gets $150 billion, Kerry acknowledges it will go to entities 'labeled terrorists,' says it 'can't be prevented.'

1/20/16

* New Iranian-Backed Terror Group Makes Inroads in West Bank, Gaza  A new Iranian-backed terror group is making inroads in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, where it operates underground with the potential capacity to deliver devastating attacks to Israel, according to regional experts who have been investigating the organization's rise. 

* Ya'alon: If I had a choice - I'd choose ISIS over Iran  Defense Minister says Iran remains Israel's main enemy, notes that the Islamic State doesn't have the same capabilities Iran does. 

* Balance of Asia-Pacific Military Power Shifting Against U.S.  The balance of military power in the Asia-Pacific is shifting against the United States, as China and North Korea challenge the credibility of U.S. security commitments and the Pentagon faces spending limits, according to a study released on Tuesday. 

* Saudis not ruling out nuclear bomb in response to Iran  Saudi Foreign Minister says his country will do whatever it needs to protect its people if Iran develops a nuclear bomb. 

* VIDEO: Israel Highlights Ongoing Palestinian Incitement  At Sunday's cabinet meeting, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan presented ministers with an index of Palestinian Authority-sanctioned incitement against Israel over the past year. 

* Fatah official praises Hitler as 'daring' for annihilating Jews  Fatah leader Tawfiq Tirawi asserts infamous Nazi leader was not 'morally corrupt' but in fact 'daring.' 

* Global stock markets fall amid oil rout  Stock markets worldwide have tumbled with investors unsettled by the continued slide in oil prices and fears about the impact on global growth. 

* Putin offers European Jews refuge in Russia  Europe's beleaguered Jews 'should come to us,' Russian leader tells European Jewish Congress in the Kremlin. 

* Watch: US backs EU's resolution dividing Israel  State Dept. slams 'illegitimate settlement activity' in backing anti-Israel move, reiterates support of EU labeling Jewish products. 

* Head of EU Parliament Opposes Labeling Israeli Products  The European Union's publishing of official guidelines on the labeling of Israeli 'settler' products was met with praise and approval by the Palestinian Authority, America and most European governments.

1/19/16

* Iraq conflict: Civilians suffering 'staggering' violence - UN  The UN says violence suffered by civilians in Iraq "remains staggering", with at least 18,800 killed between 1 January 2014 and 31 October 2015. 

* Details of Moscow's Deal With Syria Reveal Extent of Russian Dominance  Analysis: New documents suggest Russia is in the Middle East to stay. 

* Migration of ISIL jihadists: Out of Syria . . . and into Libya  January 2016 saw an acceleration of the movement of Daesh (asad-Dawlah al-Islamiyah fi al-Iraq wash-Sham) - so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) - fighters out of Syria and into Libya. 

* End Times Weather Alert: Major Volcanic Eruptions in Russia And The Philippines  Two of the world's most deadly volcano's erupted within minutes of each other today, Mount Egon in Kupang, Eastern Indonesia, and Zhupanovsky on Russia's eastern coast. 

* Hawking: Humans at risk of lethal 'own goal'  Humanity is at risk from a series of dangers of our own making, according to Prof Stephen Hawking. 

* Palestinian workers banned from West Bank settlements  The Israeli military is temporarily banning Palestinian workers from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, following two stabbings in two days. 

* Rouhani schedules European victory lap  Iranian president will visit Europe next week, for first time since EU lifted sanctions against his country. 

* Israel eyes world coalition to force social media platforms to block incitement  Gilad Erdan to develop legislation that would force Facebook, YouTube, Twitter et al. to take responsibility for content; says Europe 'very interested in idea'. 

* Russia Unveils Plan to Protect Earth With Nukes  Russian scientists have unveiled a strategy to defeat potentially earth threatening asteroids, by launching nuclear missiles. 

* US, Israeli experts disagree whether all options 'available' if Iran cheats  Former Israeli National Security head Ya'akov Amidror disputes whether US is serious on its commitment to confront Iran if necessary.

1/18/16

* Netanyahu, US envoy trade jabs over 'two-standards' of law in West Bank  Dan Shapiro says DC is 'concerned and perplexed' by settlement policy. 

* Iran condemns new US sanctions over missile test  Iran has denounced new sanctions imposed by the US over its ballistic missile programme. 

* Historic Global Economic Depression Underway: French Bank Analyst Albert Edwards  Albert Edwards, an analyst from french bank Societe Generale, predicts global deflation is going to wipe out 75 percent of the value from the S&P 500. 

* Islamic State kidnaps 400 civilians in Deir al-Zor  Syria's state news agency reports massacre by ISIS during terror organization's attacks on the city, at least 300 people killed, including women and children. 

* IDF chief of staff: Sanctions relief means more Iranian cash for Hezbollah  Hamas Hezbollah now receiving billion dollars a year from Tehran; sanctions relief will see increase; warns: No intelligence alerts us to knife terrorism. 

* 'Heroic' Palestinians Stab Israeli Mother, Pregnant Woman  Palestinian Arab terrorists, so often described as 'heroic' by Palestinian leaders and media, demonstrated their tremendous bravery this week by stabbing a petite, defenseless Israeli mother and a pregnant Jewish woman. 

* Oil price steadies after falling below $28 a barrel  The oil price has recovered slightly after earlier falling below $28 a barrel, as Opec predicts crude will mount a recovery this year. 

* The next step in the EU boycott of Judea and Samaria  The EU is set to limit all agreements with Israel, and to apply them to outside of Judea and Samaria only. 

* 'Practically impossible' to integrate Muslim refugees  Czech President says Muslim refugees do not share a common culture. 'Let them have their culture and not bring it to Europe'. 

* Iran's Commitment to Shia in the Region  The West does not seem to appreciate the intensity of Iran's commitment to its Shi'ite cousins in Syria. 

1/16/16

* In Battle for Mideast Dominance, Iran-Saudi Row Could Negatively Impact World Economy  Mounting tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia could have an impact on the world economy, experts suggest. 

* Iran nuclear deal: Minister says sanctions 'to be lifted'  International sanctions against Iran are to be lifted today, the country's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said. 

* A trip to the 'Islamic State'  Writer and journalist Tzur Shezaf traveled through no man's land, where Syria and Iraq melded into one in the wake of the ruthless campaign of the Islamic State; he met with ISIS captives who told him that as a Jew he must be beheaded, and spoke with their Yazidi victims and the Kurdish men and women who bravely fight against them. 

* 'Ticking bomb' in Jewish section of Hevron  Stranglehold going up around Tomb of Patriarchs - Arab buildings illegally built with European money. 

* In 15th year, Wikipedia is a battleground for observers of Israeli-Arab conflict  For observers of the Middle East, Wikipedia is apparently a go-to site for anyone trying to keep up with current events. 

* Officials: China will join the war against ISIS  Defense officials reveal China likely to join Russia fighting ISIS, out of fears of growing ISIS support among local Uyghur Muslims. 

* Israeli influences going global (whether you like it or not)  When BDS advocate for Israel boycotts using Israel tech, and can't even get Israeli vegetables banned, you know it's hopeless. 

* Iran general scoffs: US sailors cried when we captured them  Revolutionary Guards officer says servicemen briefly held this week were only released after 'Americans humbly admitted our might and power'. 

* Top Turkish official: Ties with Israel to be normalized soon  Hurriyet reports that bilateral agreement is mostly ready, ambassadors to be exchanged as soon as deal is signed. 

* N. Korea to US: Stop drills, sign peace treaty if you want end to nuclear tests  North Korea has set out a series of demands to end nuclear testing. 

1/15/16

* Claims of Russian arms transfers to Hezbollah worry Israel  Hezbollah feared to now pose a greater threat to Israel since Russia entered the Syrian fray; analysts say, however, that Hezbollah is bogged down in Syria and it's unlikely that Russia would directly transfer weapons to the terrorist organization. 

* ISIS using Android app to send encrypted messages, plan attacks  Islamic State has built its own secure Android messaging app, according to a counter-terrorism network affiliated with the hacktivist group Anonymous. 

* Rough Relations Between Russia, Turkey Complicate ISIS Fight  Turkish police detained three Russian citizens with suspected connections to ISIS this week as part of a nationwide security sweep following a suicide bombing on Tuesday. 

* Jihadists Massacre 60 in Car Bomb Attack, Take Over Somali Military Base  In an early morning ambush, Islamic terrorists of the radical al-Shabaab group attacked an African Union military base in southern Somalia Friday, breaching the walls by exploding a car bomb and overrunning the base. 

* Palestinian Children Wear Mock Suicide Belts in Bethlehem Parade  In what can only be described as a celebration of violence and death, young Palestinian children participated in a Bethlehem parade last week by dressing up as armed terrorists, complete with mock suicide belts. 

* Survey: Russia bypasses Israel as biggest threat to Turkey  According to a public perception survey, Russia has ended Israel's four year reign as the biggest threat to Turkey. 

* Christian Persecution Reaches Global Historic High, Thanks to Rise of Radical Islam  Christian persecution is at an historic high thanks to global rise of religious fundamentalism, most notably by radical Islam, Christian charity Open Doors has found. 

* Navy: Hezbollah may strike Israeli ships from Syria with Russian made missiles  The naval commander listed a number of maritime threats with which Israel must contend, ranging from Hezbollah and Syria in the north to ISIS and Hamas in the south. 

* PA TV children's show: 'The Jews murdered Arafat'  Abbas's PA continues spreading its incitement young, with host of children's show supporting girl's blood libel of arch-terrorist. 

* Are Arab media correct? Is Obama really campaigning for top 'messianic' UN job?  President Barak Obama repeatedly refers to the end of his time in office and claims he is no longer campaigning.

1/13/16

* Survey: Russia bypasses Israel as biggest threat to Turkey  According to a public perception survey, Russia has ended Israel's four year reign as the biggest threat to Turkey.

* Pro-Palestinian group hacks Director of US National Intelligence  Group succeeds at obtaining personal emails as well as redirecting home phone to pro-Palestinian group. 

* Christian Persecution Reaches Global Historic High, Thanks to Rise of Radical Islam  Christian persecution is at an historic high thanks to global rise of religious fundamentalism, most notably by radical Islam, Christian charity Open Doors has found. 

* Analysis: Why would Pyongyang fake it, and what are the implications for Iran?  This attention will probably be temporary and it will likely not stop or slow down the Iran deal. 

* Ambassador Danon on Iranian Holocaust cartoons: 'pure evil'  Winner of the competition for cartoons that ridicule and deny the Holocaust will receive a prize of $50,000. 

* 'If UN positions on Syria border fall to radicals, Israel will have to respond'  In INSS research paper, former senior officer from IDF's Planning Directorate warns of challenges to UNDOF in North. 

* Leftists deny it, but Arabs who sell land to Jews are murdered  Following revelation that radical activists hand over would-be land sellers to PA, leftists claimed they are not killed. They are lying. 

* Shadow of anti-Semitism is stalking Europe again  A growing fear of anti-Semitism is leading Europe's Jews to think twice about wearing yarmulkes in public. 

* More Muslims than Jews in the US by 2040, study says  Currently around 3.3 million Muslims live in the US, making up one percent of the total population, and their population is growing faster than the Jewish one. 

* ISIS Suffers Financial Blow as US Airstrikes Destroy Cash Warehouse  In its ongoing effort to rid the world of the threat that is the Islamic State (ISIS), the United States dropped two 2,000 pound bombs on a cash storage facility in the city of Mosul, Iraq on Monday.

1/12/16

* China overhauls top military command amid sweeping reforms - China has replaced four departments of the Central Military Commission (CMC) with 15 new agencies, in a move intended to make the top command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) more flexible and efficient.

* Russia supports both Assad troops and rebels in battle against ISIS - Russia supports Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces and will back anti-Assad rebels as long as they are fighting Islamic State, Putin said.

* ISIS Followers Plan to Take over Gaza Strip - A new group calling itself the Palestinian Islamic Army (PIA) has popped up in the Gaza Strip, signaling incontrovertibly the growing influence of the Islamic State (ISIS) among Palestinians.

* Turkey: "ISIS suicide bomber" kills 10 in Istanbul Sultanahmet district - A suspected member of the Islamic State (IS) group has killed 10 people, at least eight of them German tourists, in a suicide bomb attack in the Turkish city of Istanbul, officials say.

* Senior defense adviser: Israel worried for Jordan's stability as ISIS encroaches - "There is no doubt that ISIS is trying to penetrate (Jordan)," says Amos Gilad.

* Report: ISIS obsessed with launching 9/11-style attack using weaponized drones - A British thinktank warns commercially-available drones can easily be weaponized and used by terror groups.

* 600 Jews encircle the Temple Mount in prayer - Revived 1,000-year-old tradition gets a boost with hundreds of French seminary girls, holding Jewish new month prayers at each gate.

* Merkel: euro and open borders "directly linked" - Open borders and the eurozone are “directly linked”, German chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday in response to the largest refugee crisis Europe has faced since World War II.

* ISIS Shifts to Libya After Strikes in Syria - Jihadists travel to Libya more easily than Syria, Iraq.

* Iran: U.S. to Lift Sanctions in a "Few Days" - Republicans pushing last-minute effort to block release of billions.

1/11/16

* Jordan to form judicial committee to 'inspect Israel's violations' at Temple Mount  Jordanian daily 'Al-Rai' reports that committee will seek to start criminal procedures against Israel in the International Criminal Court at The Hague. 

* Al-Qaeda threatens Saudi over jihadists' executions  Regional branch of Islamist group vows to 'avenge the pure blood of their brothers' in response to Riyadh anti-terror measure. 

* Islamic State manual tells jihadis to pretend to be Christians  Governing authorities and the media are sure to fall for this. 

* Hezbollah said to get arms direct from Russia, can use against Israel  Daily Beast quotes terror group's commanders in Syria bragging that 'we are Moscow's strategic allies'. 

* Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb threatens to attack Rome, Naples and Madrid  The organization continues escalating its rhetoric against France, threatening to commit more terror attacks in Western capitals to force Paris to stop its military intervention in Mali. 

* Migrant Invasion Will Reach OVER 10 MILLION Warns German Minister  Europe has barely even seen the start of the migrant influx, Germany's Development Minister has warned. 

* Nasa recognises threat of LIFE THREATENING asteroids by creating detection task-force  NASA has recognised the threat that asteroids pose to humanity by opening a near-earth object detection office. 

* End of the world: God NOT climate change will cause apocalypse, says Express.co.uk poll  NEARLY a third of people believe God - not natural disasters, nuclear war or climate change - will cause the end of the world, according to the results of an Express.co.uk poll. 

* First Jordanian census in 11 years hides Palestinian majority  Authorities claim only 6% of population is Palestinian Arab, despite studies showing figure at 60%-80%, amid fears of 'Palestine' in Jordan. 

* Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi over Iran  Nuclear state Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia, saying any threat to Riyadh will be met with a response from Islamabad.

1/9/16

* As 'cold war' with Saudis sharpens, Iran's Revolutionary Guards deliver warning  "Iran has created a Frankenstein," says a Western diplomat in Beirut. 

* Iran to Receive Major Economic Windfall as Nuclear Deal Begins  Expert: 'Kerry might as well have wired the money directly into the Revolutionary Guards‚' bank accounts'. 

* 'Refugees' in US found to be Palestinian jihadists  'Syrian refugee' in California fought for Al Qaeda affiliate, 'Iraqi refugee' in Texas trained ISIS, as Obama presses for more. 

* Haniyeh: We won't back down from 'Palestine'  Senior Hamas terrorist encourages continuation of terrorist attacks in Israel, praises Tel Aviv terrorist as a hero. 

* Islam Set To Become The Second-Largest Religion In America By 2040  The American Muslim population stands a strong chance of doubling in size by 2050 and becoming the second largest religion by 2040, based on new estimates from the Pew Research Center. 

* Hitler's Manifesto Making a Comeback  Mein Kampf, perhaps the most controversial book ever printed, is available for sale in Germany for the first time since World War Two (WWII). 

* Pope Francis Makes Proclamation For a One World Religion  Pope Francis just released his first video message Tuesday, calling for all faiths to come together. 

* North Korea nuclear H-bomb claims met by scepticism  International scepticism and condemnation have greeted North Korea's claim to have successfully carried out an underground hydrogen bomb test. 

* U.S. General: We Have 'Hugged' the Russian Bear for Too Long  U.S. commander in Europe calls for more forces and equipment to deter 'a revanchist Russia'. 

* US sees Assad staying in Syria at least until March 2017  Washington's best-case scenario for political transition does not foresee embattled president immediately stepping down.

1/8/16

* Iran to Receive Major Economic Windfall as Nuclear Deal Begins  Expert: 'Kerry might as well have wired the money directly into the Revolutionary Guards' bank accounts'. 

* Analysis: Fatah, Hamas pledge more violence against Israel in 2016  Hamas, which has been in power in Gaza for almost 10 years, is reported to be preparing for a new wave of suicide bombings against Israelis. 

* Saudi will collapse if keeps its 'sectarian' policies: Iran Guards  The deputy head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) told Saudi Arabia on Thursday it would 'collapse' in coming years if it kept pursuing what he called its sectarian policies in the region. 

* Russian Orthodox cleric justifies Syria campaign for Christmas  As Orthodox Church marks Christmas, Russian Patriarch Kirill says Moscow's strikes in Syria are protecting Russia from 'terrorism.' 

* Islamic State militant 'executes own mother' in Raqqa  An Islamic State militant carried out a public "execution" of his mother because she asked him to leave the group, activists say. 

* Report: Netanyahu to lead effort in thwarting Obama bid for UN chief  According to the Kuwaiti newspaper 'Al-Jarida,' Israeli leader will rally moderate Arabs to sabotage Obama plan to succeed Ban Ki-moon. 

* Jerusalem Arabs planned to assassinate Netanyahu  Two terrorists from wide Hamas terror cell indicted for building bomb lab, planning to set a bomb under stage as PM gave a speech. 

* Kurds to vote on independence from Iraq  KRG president calls for a referendum this year to let the 'people of Kurdistan determine their future,' in a call to secede from Baghdad. 

* Jewish shoppers in London attacked: 'Hitler is on the way'  Neo-Nazis throw gas canisters, shout anti-Semitic slogans at Jewish shoppers in London. 

* New 'Mein Kampf' publication 'a slap in the face to Holocaust survivors'  As scholars mark first German edition since 1944, Jewish community leaders unconvinced by idea of teaching Hitler's manifesto 'as a vaccine against extremism'.

1-7-16

* Yellowstone about to blow? 1 in 10 chance super-volcano will "kill millions" - Scientists have warned the world is in "volcano season" and there is up to a 10% chance of an eruption soon killing millions of people and devastating the planet.

* Libya truck bomb targets police recruits in Zliten - At least 47 people have been killed by a truck bomb targeting a police training centre in the western Libyan city of Zliten, reports say.

* Expert: Israeli Arabs tend to be less radical than Palestinians - BESA director Efraim Inbar: The best situation is to be the majority group in a country, and have the guns.

* Iran accuses Saudis of hitting Yemen embassy - Iran has accused Saudi-led coalition warplanes of damaging its embassy and injuring staff in an air strike on Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

* Saudi Arabia vs Iran: The view from Turkey, stuck in the middle - Observers suggest Turkey should not rush to support either side in this Middle East showdown.

* Israel issues travel warnings over Islamist terror threats in African states - PMO's Counter-Terrorism Bureau says that after security assessment, new warnings were placed against travel to Niger, northern Cameroon, and Chad.

* China market turmoil hits global shares - Global shares have fallen sharply after trading was suspended on Chinese markets for the second time this week.

* Accidentally on purpose misreading Christian documents - A basic principle of good Jewish-Christian relations needs to be respectful acceptance of the others’ tradition and self-understanding.

* Egypt urges Israel not to normalize with Turkey - Sources reveal Cairo has been worriedly asking for clarification over reports that Israel will lift Gaza blockade, let Turkey into Gaza.

* U.S. General: We Have "Hugged" the Russian Bear for Too Long - U.S. commander in Europe calls for more forces and equipment to deter 'a revanchist Russia'.

1/6/16

* New Mossad head: Iran remains Israel's most significant challenge  "Israel is located at the center of the earthquake that has hit the Middle East in recent years," says Yossi Cohen at ceremony marking first day in post. 

* 'US, Israel should ensure Iran not involved in N. Korean nuclear program'  North Korea does not only threaten Far East, Steinitz says. 

* As 'cold war' with Saudis sharpens, Iran's Revolutionary Guards deliver warning  "Iran has created a Frankenstein," says a Western diplomat in Beirut. 

* North Korea nuclear H-bomb claims met by scepticism  International scepticism and condemnation have greeted North Korea's claim to have successfully carried out an underground hydrogen bomb test. 

* WATCH - PA Documentary: Europe Created Israel to 'Get Rid of Corrupt, Scheming Jews'  Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement continues to celebrate its 51st anniversary, this time broadcasting a documentary that claims Europe created Israel to "get rid of the corrupt, scheming Jews" who were "bringing tragedy" to the continent, Palestinian Media Watch reported. 

* Will Iran win the technology war?  Israel urgently needs a strategic plan to maintain the technological advantage over nations dedicated to wiping out the Jewish state. 

* Lessons We Palestinians Can Learn  This past week, the Israelis arrested 25 Hamas terrorists in the West Bank, most of them students from Al-Quds University in Abu Dis. 

* Vatican Furious Over Charlie Hebdo's 'Blasphemous' Cover  The Vatican newspaper has lashed out against a portrayal of a blood-stained terrorist God on the cover of Charlie Hebdo's special issue commemorating one year since the terror attack on its Paris office in which 11 people were killed. 

* US sees Assad staying in Syria at least until March 2017  Washington's best-case scenario for political transition does not foresee embattled president immediately stepping down. 

* Oil price falls below $35 a barrel to fresh 11-year low  Oil has continued its rollercoaster ride into the new year, with Brent crude falling below $35 a barrel for the first time in 11 years.

1/5/16

* Iran flaunts second underground missile facility - Photos of base for long-range projectiles come days after general says Iran has so many missiles, it doesn’t have room to store them.

* Abbas' Fatah celebrates 51 years of murder and vows to continue -   Fatah celebrates: "Half a century of sowing terror in the eyes of the sons of Zion". Fatah: "With blood we will redeem the homeland and saturate its ground."

* Sagebrush rebellion: What’s at stake in the Oregon standoff - As the federal authorities gear up to confront the armed militia occupying an Oregon nature preserve, RT examines the simmering conflict between the ranchers and the federal government over public land use, which lies beneath the current crisis.

* Saudi Arabia recruits Sunni allies in row with Iran - Riyadh halts flights and commercial relations with Tehran, while Bahrain and Sudan cut ties and the UAE downgrade relations with the Islamic Republic.

* "Hamas turned Sinai into a jihadist hotbed" - Middle East expert Dr. Kedar reveals ISIS's influence on the world stage, and why Israel should take Hezbollah's threat seriously.

* Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Israeli angle - Former head of Military Intelligence says the reverberations from the diplomatic crisis will be felt around the region.

* Russia asks Hezbollah, calm tensions with Israel - Following yesterday's bombing attempt against IDF soldiers near Har Dov, Russia asks Hezbollah to calm tensions.

* Israel girding for possible Palestinian Authority collapse- Report - Netanyahu, defense establishment said to tell top ministers to take proactive approach to bolster Ramallah and prevent dissolution of governing body

* Libya Issues "Cry for Help" as Islamic State Attacks Oil Tanks - Militants attack oil tanks in Es Sider, Ras Lanuf terminals.  National Oil says it's `helpless' in defending facilities.

* Just What the Middle East Needs: Turkey’s Getting an Aircraft Carrier - Ankara is about to greatly expand its military reach—and up the ante in the region’s dangerous arms race.

1/4/16

* In the Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict, a clash of civilizations  The cold war between the two regional powers is likely to heat up, reviving an age-old sectarian war between Sunni and Shiite Islam in which every country and group in the Middle East will have to choose a side. 

* Palestinian Leaders Promise a New Year of Violence and Death  After failing to offer their people any hope for the future, Fatah and Hamas are now telling Palestinians that they should expect more violence and bloodshed during in 2016. 

* 'US Intelligence treats Netanyahu like an enemy'  In a recent reveal a top U.S. intelligence officer told Israeli reporters how much the White House is spying on Israel and Netanyahu. 

* Historic Vatican accord with 'Palestine' takes effect  Agreement in which Holy See recognizes Palestinian state begins, almost three years after Vatican symbolically recognized 'Palestine.' 

* Saudi Arabia's allies Bahrain, Sudan and UAE act against Iran  A number of Saudi Arabia's allies have joined diplomatic action against Iran after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked amid a row over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric. 

* Oregon: Armed protest at US government building  Armed protesters have occupied a US government building in Oregon to support father and son ranchers who have been ordered to return to jail. 

* Global stock markets dive on China worries  Wall Street has continued the rout on global share markets, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes all opening more than 2% down. 

* Islamic State 'will invade Britain soon,' new video warns  UK security officials probing identity of clip's masked man with a British accent. 

* Michigan Arab activist: Stabbing Jews is OK, they're animals  Michigan-based pro-Palestinian activist attacks Muslims who criticize Palestinian stabbing attacks, says Jews are like animals. 

* Jew-Hating Turkish President 'Mas-Kom-Ya' Erdogan Extols Hitler's Presidency  Upon returning from a visit to Saudi Arabia late on Thursday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited a striking example to illustrate his quest for consolidation of executive powers.

1/2/16

* Iran: "We'll make missiles for as long as US supports Israel"  Revolutionary Guards head hits back at US threat of sanctions over weapons tests, says regime has so many missiles it doesn't know where to put them. 

* The West Should Stop Apologizing for the Middle East  Review: Efraim Karsh, 'The Tail Wags the Dog: International Politics and the Middle East'. 

* As 2016 Dawns, Europe Braces For More Waves Of Migrants  Bitter cold, biting winds and rough winter seas have done little to stem the seemingly endless flow of desperate people fleeing war or poverty for what they hope will be a brighter, safer future in Europe. 

* China restructures military as Xi eyes 'strong army'  China has unveiled changes to the structure of its military, adding three new units, described by President Xi Jinping as "a major policy decision to realise the Chinese dream of a strong army", state media reported. 

* Putin names United States among threats in new Russian security strategy  A new appraisal names the United States as one of the threats to Russia's national security for the first time, a sign of how relations with the west have deteriorated in recent years. 

* Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric  Saudi Arabia has executed the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, the interior ministry said. 

* Al-Shabab militant group uses Donald Trump in propaganda film  The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has released a propaganda video featuring footage of the US presidential hopeful, Donald Trump. 

* The Israelis have spoken - Putin is their person of the year for 2015  The poll of 527 respondents representing a statistical sample of the Jewish adult population, was taken Tuesday and has an error margin of ±4.3 percent. 

* Russian Imperialism Meets Illusions of Ottoman Grandeur  In a 2012 speech, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, then foreign minister, predicted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's days in power were numbered and that he would depart "within months or weeks." 

* Is the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Shifting from a Political to a Religious War?  Near-daily Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers have been ongoing since October. 

1/1/16

* Welcoming in the new year amid terror fears  In Paris, Moscow, Jakarta, Madrid, New York, Sydney and elsewhere, events were canceled or reduced, terror suspects arrested as a jittery world inaugurated 2016. 

* Israel welcomes 2016 with 8,462,000 citizens  176,000 babies were born in Israel in 2015, while 28,000 people made aliyah, mostly from France, Ukraine and Russia. 

* 2015: The Year of Anti-Christian Jihad, "Christians Are Allah's Enemies!"  The year 2015 will go down in memory as a period of unprecedented Christian persecution throughout the world, resulting in thousands of deaths along with continuous targeted acts of violence and terror. 

* Gazans outraged over New Year's Eve ban  Gaza residents and politicians take to social media to blast Hamas's hypocrisy in banning New Year's Eve parties. 

* Erdogan cites Hitler's Germany as example of effective presidential system  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his desire to ensure Turkey adopts a presidential system of government and has even cited Adolf Hitler's Germany as an example of how this can be achieved. 

* The Israelis have spoken - Putin is their person of the year for 2015  The poll of 527 respondents representing a statistical sample of the Jewish adult population, was taken Tuesday and has an error margin of ±4.3 percent. 

* Dubai seeks cause of massive hotel fire at New Year  The authorities in Dubai are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city centre on New Year's Eve. 

* Mein Kampf back in publication, but not in Israel  Israeli publishers say even with copyright expiration, Hitler's anti-Semitic screed will not be published in the Jewish state. 

* 2015 sees 3% drop in tourist arrivals in Israel  Some 3.1 million tourists visited the Holy Land in the past year, 20% of them from America and 14% from Russia; one-day visits increased by 32%, mainly due to business people's fear of staying in Israel for longer period of time. 

* Inside the Ring: China Preps for Space Warfare  Following recent tests of anti-satellite missiles and near-space hypersonic vehicles, China's military will soon create a new Space Force within the People's Liberation Army, a sign Beijing is preparing for future space warfare.