Category Archives: Top 10 News Stories

05/23/12

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* Egyptians vote in landmark presidential election Fifty million people are eligible to vote, and large queues have formed at some polling stations.

* Iran nuclear talks open in Baghdad Six world powers have begun a fresh round of talks with Iran about its controversial nuclear program.

* Russia tests ‘fifth generation’ missile that can penetrate Nato defence system The highly-symbolic launch came just days after alliance formally activated the first stage of a missile defence shield.

* Somali, AU troops close in on Islamist stronghold African Union and Somali government troops have made “strong progress” in a push towards an Islamist Shebab stronghold.

* Shin Bet uncovers Palestinian cells in Hebron The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has uncovered a number of Palestinian terror cells operating in the Hebron area and planning a series of attacks.

* Archaeologists find first proof of ancient Bethlehem Archaeologists recently discovered the first artifact constituting tangible evidence of the existence of the ancient city of Bethlehem, which is mentioned in the Torah.

* Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over ship raid A Turkish prosecutor has prepared an indictment seeking life sentences for four former Israeli military commanders.

* France to challenge EU’s austerity agenda in Brussels Francois Hollande said before the talks he wanted everything on the table, including sharing debt via eurobonds.

* Israel steps up campaign to honor Munich victims Israel on Wednesday stepped up its campaign to hold a minute of silence for victims of the 1972 Munich massacre at the upcoming Olympic Games in London.

* Syria violence shakes Lebanon’s fragile stability Gunmen clash in deadly street battles, protesters block roads with burning tires and opposition politicians demand the prime minister’s downfall, denouncing the army as an agent of a foreign power.

05/22/12

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* IDF to Use ‘Tens of Thousands of Munitions’ in Next War Hizbullah has ten times as many rockets as it did when the Second Lebanon War broke out, and Syria possesses hundreds of accurate missiles.

* Civilians set to control Egypt for first time in six decades This week’s landmark presidential election should end six decades of effective military rule in Egypt.

* UN’s Ban warns Syria at ‘pivotal moment’ UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned that the search for peace in Syria was at a “pivotal moment” and expressed strong concerns of an all-out civil war.

* Iraq seeks drones to protect oil facilities Iraq is seeking to acquire surveillance drones to help protect its oil pipelines and platforms, which are key to the country’s economy.

* Netanyahu Takes Tough Line Ahead of Iran Talks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hardened his rhetoric towards Iran saying “Iran threatens Israel and world peace.”

* Visiting Temple Mount? Don’t Move Police have reportedly issued new draconian instructions for non-Muslims who ascend to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, which has been under Muslim occupation for centuries.

* Egypt Confirms Christians’ Fears, Sentences 12 to Life in Jail Egypt has confirmed Christians’ fear of Islamic rule and has sentenced 12 to life in jail for their part in warding off Muslim mobs last year.

* EU commission to outline plans for political union The European Commission has said it will soon bring forward plans for an economic and political union.

* Euro Crisis: Why a Greek Exit Could Be Much Worse than Expected At the Camp David G8 meeting last weekend, lip service was paid to keeping Greece in the euro zone.

* Nasa chief hails new era in space The Falcon rocket, topped by an unmanned Dragon freight capsule, lifted clear of its Florida pad at 03:44 EDT.

05/21/12

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* Hamas, Fatah agree on timetable for Palestinian reconciliation If agreement signed in Cairo Sunday holds it may lead to Palestinian elections in six months time

* Netanyahu: Ceding Temple Mount will Lead to War “Israel without Jerusalem is like a body with a weak heart. Ceding religious sites will lead to religious war.”

* Al-Qaeda attack on Yemen army parade causes carnage More than 90 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a military parade rehearsal in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, defence ministry officials say.

* Air Force chief: Discussion on Iran strike is damaging Outgoing Israel Air Force chief Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan calls discourse uninformed, unproductive; UN nuclear chief meets with senior Iranian officials in Tehran to discuss inspections.

* Ayalon to IOC: Refusal to Hold Minute of Silence ‘Unacceptable’ International Olympic Committee rejects plea to hold minute of silence in honor of the Israeli Olympic team murdered at 1972 Munich Games.

* PM: Our capital will never be divided Netanyahu speaks at Jerusalem Day ceremony, says “Israel without Jerusalem is like a body without a heart.”

* IDF has a Problem: Too Many Hareidi Reservists Haredi reservists say IDF promised them that they would not serve outside haredi units, but it is not keeping its word.

* Putin to dominate new Russian government Russian President Vladimir Putin will unveil a government dominated by loyalists on Monday, leaving Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev limited scope to pursue his reform agenda and entrenching the Kremlin’s grip over the economy’s commanding heights.

* Secular or Islamist? Egypt chooses a president Wednesday’s elections and expected runoff are Arab Spring’s moment of truth, new chapter likely to be just as tumultuous

* Syrian Fires Make Beirut Boil Syria’s ongoing unrest has ignited the worst violence in Beirut since the 2008 clashes that almost plunged Lebanon into civil war

05/19/12

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* ‘Jews plan to storm Temple Mount on J’lem Day’ A leading Palestinian Muslim cleric has called on Palestinians to “be alert for possible infiltration of fanatic Jews” onto Jeruslaem’s Temple Mount.

* Obama: G-8 leaders unified on Iran US President Barack Obama said Saturday that the leaders of the G8 are committed to continuing placing sanctions on Iran.

* Netanyahu skeptical Iran would end nuclear program Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is skeptical that Iran will agree to halt its nuclear program.

* ‘Who may go up to the Mountain of God?’ As points of religious contention go, the current status of the Temple Mount is one of the most potentially explosive issues for competing faiths anywhere in the world.

* Opposition to Iran going nuclear widespread throughout world Opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons is widespread around the world.

* ‘Haniyeh: No future for Israel in Palestine’ Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told an international pro-Palestinian delegation on Friday that there is no future for Israel “on the land of Palestine.”

* Pentagon Study Says China Military Getting Stronger China is pressing a long-range modernization of its military.

* Spain hit by downgrades amid Greek contagion fears Spain’s economic woes deepened on Thursday (17 May) as 16 of its banks and four regions were downgraded.

* European Commission should be EU government, says Germany The European Union needs to become more integrated with a common finance policy and a central government.

05/18/12

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* ‘Who may go up to the Mountain of God?’ As points of religious contention go, the current status of the Temple Mount is one of the most potentially explosive issues for competing faiths anywhere in the world.

* PM: No evidence Iran will end nuke program Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday dismissed a new surge of optimism in the international community that Iran might be prepared to halt its nuclear program.

* Facebook shares trading debut The Nasdaq stock exchange has said it is “experiencing delays” in the start of trading in Facebook shares, according to Bloomberg News.

* UN observers say they cannot help Syria without talks The head of a U.N. observer team in Syria cautioned Friday that the mission cannot achieve a permanent end to the violence without genuine talks.

* Plans to strike Iran ready, U.S. envoy to Israel says U.S. plans for a possible military strike on Iran are ready and the option is “fully available”, the U.S. ambassador to Israel said.

* With Sarkozy Gone And Merkel Weakened, Turks Resume EU Entry Bid The elections in France ousted from power one of the leading opponents of Turkish accession to the European Union- Nicolas Sarkozy.

* Bible translated into Inuit language after 34-year Canadian project For the first time, the Bible and New Testament have been translated to an Inuit language.

* From blank slate to theme park, Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter still seeks an identity Most Israeli Jews would probably agree that the heart of Israel is Jerusalem, the heart of Jerusalem is the Old City, and the heart of the Old City is the Jewish Quarter.

* European Commission should be EU government, says Germany The European Union needs to become more integrated with a common finance policy and a central government.

* US to announce food security plan for Africa US President Barack Obama is set to announce a $3bn (£1.9bn) plan to boost food security and farm productivity in Africa.

05/17/12

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* Iran attack decision nears, Israeli elite locks down A private door opens from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in central Jerusalem directly into a long, modestly furnished, half-paneled room.

* Iran to Hezbollah: Hands off Israel An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander reportedly ordered Hezbollah not to attack Israel.

* TIME crowns Netanyahu as the ‘king of Israel’ TIME magazine has crowned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the ‘king of Israel’ in its cover story.

* Iranian Calls for ‘Islamic Awakening’ to Destroy Israel An Iranian official called this week for an ‘Islamic Awakening’ movement to help Palestinian Authority Arabs “demolish the Zionist regime”.

* US Leads Major War Drill in Jordan – Israel Not Invited The United States is leading what it described as the “largest military exercises in the Middle East in 10 years” in Jordan on Tuesday.

* Israel ranked third behind Iran and Pakistan for ‘negative influence’ in BBC survey Israel, along with North Korea, ranks third behind only Iran and Pakistan in the latest annual Country Ratings Poll of the BBC World Service.

* Israel pushes for silent moment for Munich victims Israel on Thursday slammed the Olympic Committee for rejecting its proposal to hold a minute of silence in memory of the Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

* Wanted Arafat advisor: PA funded Arab Israeli parties Mohammed Rashid, wanted by the Palestinian Authority for embezzling millions, says PA funded Arab parties in Israel during general elections.

* Spain into recession amid fears of eurozone bank run Spain tumbled into recession and European stock markets and the euro fell Thursday as Greece installed a crisis government to tackle its crippling debt.

* Israel becomes a target in Egypt’s presidential vote Israel has become a punchbag for politicians vying for votes in Egypt’s presidential race.

05/16/12

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* Iran installs more centrifuges pre-Baghdad talks Iran is installing more centrifuges in an underground plant but does not yet appear to be using them to expand higher-grade uranium enrichment.

* Muslim Brotherhood’s Dream: Egypt to Elect Islamic Caliphate Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is hoping that when the polls open in nine days, voters will bring in the era of the Islamic Caliphate.

* Egypt’s military chief hopes ‘great leader’ will emerge from presidential vote Egypt’s military ruler said Wednesday he hopes that a “great leader” will emerge from the country’s upcoming presidential election.

* Iran flouts UN sanctions, sends arms to Syria Syria remains the top destination for Iranian arms shipments in violation of a UN Security Council ban on weapons exports by the Islamic Republic.

* Greece on brink of collapse Europe’s financial crisis lurched into a perilous new phase as dire predictions emerged of a collapse in Greece’s economy.

* Greek Syriza leader Tsipras attacks EU and Merkel Mr Tsipras’ Syriza bloc is predicted to come first in new elections called for 17 June.

* Israel Stages Mock Raids after Hizbullah Threat, says Lebanon Israeli war planes staged mocked raids over Lebanon following concerns Hizbullah might attack Israel if asked by Iran.

* MK equates ‘Nakba’ with Destruction of Temple Thousands of Arab-Israelis took part in an event marking “the catastrophe of the State of Israel’s establishment” on Tuesday as part of “Nakba Day” events.

* The US military option for Iran is ‘ready,’ American ambassador to Israel says The United States has completed its planning for a military strike on Iran, the US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro said.

* MK Eldad: PM Should Have Said ‘Jordan is Palestine’ MK Aryeh Eldad on Wednesday criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s letter to Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the Knesset plenum.

05/15/12

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* Palestinians mark ‘Nakba Day’ Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as pro-Palestinian supporters in other Arab nations, will mark “Nakba Day” Tuesday, marking the “catastrophe” of the inception of the State of Israel.

* King David’s 3,025th Birthday Celebrated at New Museum A new museum in Tel Aviv – the Beit David Museum, dedicated to the House of David – offers two fun-filled free days honoring the holiday of Shavuot.

* Francois Hollande becomes France’s new president He said he was aware of the challenges ahead, including the debt crisis, and vowed to “open a new path in Europe”.

* Right-wing march to pass through East Jerusalem, despite past spats An upcoming Jerusalem Day flag procession organized by religious Zionist groups will march through the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.

* Turkey suspects bird of being Israeli spy Turkish authorities believe that they have found a bird used for espionage purposes by Israel.

* Islam Is a Problem, but Ignore It Americans believe Islam is in global conflict with the West, a Rasmussen poll reveals, but most think the US should ignore the Islamic world.

* Terrorists Begin Nakba Day with Kassam Rocket, Firebombs Arab terrorists attacked southern Israel with a Kassam rocket early Tuesday and attacked Jews in the Hevron area with two firebombs.

* Copts to shun Islamists in Egypt presidential vote Egypt’s Coptic Christians complained of discrimination under former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak but fear it may get worse if an Islamist takes his place in next week’s presidential election.

* Israel Watches Syrian Factions Battle in Lebanon Israeli defense personnel are watching closely as Syrian gunmen begin to carry their battle into Lebanese territory.

* EU castigates Israel over settlements, Palestinians EU foreign ministers on Monday issued a harsh critique of Israel, saying the gathering pace of settlement-building, settler extremism and ill-treatment of Palestinians threatens a two-state solution.

05/14/12

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* Leading Egypt candidate calls ‘racist’ Israel a threat A leading Islamist candidate in Egypt’s presidential election has branded Israel a “racist state” and said a shared 1979 peace treaty was “a national security threat” that should be revised.

* EU: Israel’s policies in the West Bank endanger two-state solution Foreign Ministers list settler violence, settlement expansion and house demolitions as detrimental to peace process; Israel says report is biased and one-sided.

* Israel fears nuclear deal between Iran, world powers as Baghdad talks draw near Israel fears ‘intermediate agreement’ between Islamic Republic and world powers on May 23 could cancel option of military strike.

* ‘First Gay President’: Newsweek marks Obama’s landmark announcement with controversial cover Magazine attempts to trump rival Time in battle for eye-catching image

* New IAF chief warns enemies not to test Israel Major-General Amir Eshel assumes command of the Israel Air Force, says military is ready for any possible scenario.

* Egypt brokers Palestinian hunger strike deal Palestinian source says Egypt concluded deal to resolve prisoner crisis, including Israeli acceptance of prisoners’ demands.

* Light-powered bionic eye invented to help restore sight A retinal implant – or bionic eye – which is powered by light has been invented by scientists at Stanford University in California.

* Shares fall amid Greek political uncertainty Shares are down on both sides of the Atlantic as Greece’s continuing political uncertainty undermines confidence.

* African-American Church Leaders Condemn Obama For Gay Marriage Support Just days after President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, pastors and priests around Maryland took to their own pulpits with their reaction – and in some cases – condemnation of the president.

* Family Battle Offers Look Inside Lavish TV Ministry For 39 years, the Trinity Broadcasting Network has urged viewers to give generously and reap the Lord’s bounty in return.

05/12/12

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* MEK: Tehran accelerating its nuclear program ‘Jerusalem Post’ obtains Iran opposition report, outlining various offices, companies, individuals working on Iran’s nuke program.

* 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Israel 5.3 earthquake felt in areas from northern Israel to central Israel. No injuries. Epicenter believed to be in Cyprus.

* Obama Adds Definition Of Marriage To Presidential Debate After hesitating, Barack Obama gave his blessing to gay marriage. The polarized electorate just got more so.

* Egypt’s Candidates Say They’ll Review Peace Treaty with Israel Egypt’s top presidential contenders promise to review the peace treaty Egypt signed with Israel in 1979 if elected.

* Talks ongoing to end Palestinian hunger strike, officials say Palestinian officials says Egypt is trying to mediate between hunger strikers and Israel; some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners are currently refusing to eat.

* EU central bankers ponder Greece euro exit Europe central bankers have been openly expressing views on the possibility of Greece leaving the eurozone as its leaders struggles to form a government.

* China denies preparing war over South China Sea shoal China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid tensions over a disputed territory in the South China Sea.

* Nasrallah: Hezbollah able to strike anywhere in Israel Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah chief claims Lebanese militant group is capable of striking any target in Israel, including Tel Aviv.

* Syria violence kills eight even as UN mission grows Violence in Syria cost at least eight lives on Saturday even as a UN force to oversee a truce neared half its planned strength, monitors said, while an Islamist group claimed deadly blasts in Damascus.

* Iraq’s Kurds deny hosting Mossad The government of Iraq’s Kurdish region fired back on Saturday over allegations by Iranian diplomats and officials that Kurdistan was playing host to Israeli intelligence.