Wednesday, October 19, 2016

10/19/16

IN PICTURES: Thousands flock to Western Wall for traditional priestly blessing The traditional priestly blessing is said annually in honor of Succot, Passover and Shavuot.

The big Mosul offensive is stuck, halted by ISIS Less than a day after its launch, the big Mosul offensive prepared for more than a year by the US, the Iraqi army, Kurdish forces and others, ground to a halt Tuesday Oct. 17, DEBKAfile's military sources report - although none of the parties admitted as much.

ISIS could use chemical weapons, warn American officials The United States expects ISIS to use crude chemical weapons against those trying to conquer the city of Mosul.

Mosul battle: Escaping civilians facing 'dire conditions' Iraqi civilians are said to be enduring dire conditions after fleeing the Mosul area as the army attempts to retake the city from so-called Islamic State (IS).

Analysis: Russia hits US at heart of democracy; US counterstrike not likely to deter Last week, US Vice President Joseph Biden hinted that the US will escalate to a new level of counter cyber strikes at some point of its choosing.

MPs from around the world visit Jewish sites in Hevron A delegation of pro-Israel MPs visited Hevron for the first time while in Israel to support Jewish rights to the land.

This Train is Bound for Glory! I was thinking about the Feast of Tabernacles when I booked my train ticket to London and was rather tickled by the Virgin Trains slogan 'Be bound for glory', obviously based on the traditional gospel hit This Train.

Thousands of Israelis make pilgrimage to President's sukkah President Rivlin opened his sukkah to the public today, this year highlighting products manufactured in Israel.

Palestinians: Fatah Prepares for War with Israel "We have pledged to prepare an army of fighters by devoting our full abilities and energies to consolidate the option of armed struggle as the only means to liberate Palestine." - The armed wing of Fatah, Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Martyr Nidal Al-Amoudi Division.

Putin meets EU leaders in Berlin to discuss Ukrainian war Germany's Angela Merkel, France's Francois Hollande, Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko, and Russia's Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in Berlin Wednesday to discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine.