US: Pat Robertson prophesies ‘mass killing’ In what has become an annual tradition of prognostications, religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said Tuesday God has told him that a terrorist attack on the United States would result in “mass killing” late in 2007.

Iraq’s PM longs to leave office Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has made clear he dislikes being the country’s leader and would prefer to leave the job before his term ends.

EU-US trade ties high on German presidency agenda German chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed to push for closer economic co-operation between the EU and the US.

Kenyans close border with Somalia Kenya has shut its border with Somalia and will not allow more refugees into the country, says its foreign minister.

Fatah official: Hamas training in Iran, Lebanon Hamas members have been flying to Iran and Lebanon for advanced military training with Iranian Revolutionary guard units and Hizbullah militants.

Fatah man killed in shootout with Hamas A 25-year-old Palestinian was shot and killed in the northern Gaza Strip Wednesday afternoon.

Official Held in Saddam Hanging Video The person believed to have recorded Saddam Hussein’s raucous execution on a cell phone camera was arrested Wednesday, an adviser to Iraq’s prime minister said.

Sudan: Secretary-General Pledges to Give Resolution of Darfur Crisis His ‘Highest Attention’ Describing the Darfur crisis as one of his top priorities in office, the new Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced plans today to enter immediately into diplomatic efforts to end the bloodshed in the Sudanese region.

Poll: Most Israelis unsatisfied with Olmert’s performance Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reason to worry. According to a poll taken by the Dahaf Institute for the Knesset Channel, 77 percent of Israel is dissatisfied with Olmert’s performance as prime minister.

Three new languages added to the official EU list Having just rung in the new year, the European Union has not only become bigger but it has also become three languages richer.

Survey: Lebanon war damaged Israel’s deterring image The Middle East Strategic Balance 2005-2006 survey said, “The Lebanon war actualized Israel’s strategic problems and instability”.

‘Israel-Palestinian conflict is key’ Ban Ki-Moon, the new secretary-general of the United Nations, said on Monday that the Israeli-Palestinian issue was at the core of solving all the problems in the Middle East.

Iraq investigates Saddam footage The Iraqi government has launched an inquiry into unofficial mobile phone footage showing the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Legendary mayor of Jerusalem Kollek dies at 95 Legendary mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek passed away at the age of 95.

Ethiopians to stay on in Somalia Ethiopian forces are to remain in Somalia to ensure stability after the defeat of Islamist militias.

In the sky! A bird? A plane? A … UFO? It sounds like a tired joke–but a group of airline employees insist they are in earnest, and they are upset that neither their bosses nor the government will take them seriously.

Nazareth Muslims: Islam will dominate world Islamic groups held a large militant march down the main streets of Nazareth this weekend.

Saddam’s supporters vow revenge Hundreds of supporters of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have been protesting in the cities of Baghdad, Tikrit and Samarra against his hanging.

Haniyeh goes on pilgrimage to Mecca Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas departed a few days ago from the Gaza Strip, in order to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha.

Ahmadinejad to West: ‘You are nobody’ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad scorned the UN Security Council’s imposing sanctions on Iran.

Report: Saddam to be executed Saturday One of Saddam Hussein’s lawyers estimated on Friday afternoon that he would be executed on Saturday.

Hajj pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have prayed on the desert mountain where the Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon.

Iran seeks to use the haj for political gain As the eyes of Muslims worldwide are directed toward Mecca – where ceremonies of the haj are held prior to Id al-Adha – Saudi authorities are busy working to maintain the safety of the worshipers.

Anti-Ethiopian protest in Mogadishu Mogadishu on Friday witnessed a noisy demonstration against Ethiopian troops who have helped Somalia’s weak government.

‘Israel is open to any murmur of peace’ In a gesture to Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday said that he was open to “any murmur of peace” from Israel’s enemies.

Arab Editor: Arming Abbas and Hamas is a Step Toward Civil War Muslim and Western efforts to equip Fatah and Hamas militias “will be used to kill and slaughter Palestinians by Palestinians,” a Bethlehem-based journalist wrote.

Israel’s population grew 1.8 percent in 2006, to 7.1 million As the clock chimes out 2006, Israel’s population stands at 7.1 million, of which 76 percent is Jewish and 20 percent Arab.

In Face of Kassams, Battered Town Councils Prepare to Evacuate Following the recent escalation of Kassam rockets in western Negev communities including Sderot, residents and their regional councils are now making plans to evacuate if the situation gets worse.

German EU presidency lumbered with massive to-do list When large countries take over the six-month presidency of the European Union they generate a huge level of expectation.

Russian Lawmakers Warn Against Saddam Hussein`s Execution Russian senior lawmakers condemned the death sentence passed on Saddam Hussein warning that the execution may cause civil war in Iraq.

Israel lets Egypt ship arms to Fatah In response to continued violence between the Hamas and Fatah factions in the Palestinian Authority, Israel approved on Wednesday night the transfer of 2,000 automatic rifles

Somali troops ‘enter Mogadishu’ Government troops in Somalia have entered areas of Mogadishu, hours after Islamist forces abandoned the capital city.

Vatican slams Saddam’s death penalty A top Vatican official condemned the death sentence against Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Internet access recovers in Asia after earthquakes Asia’s Internet and telecommunication infrastructure showed signs of recovery today, following service disruptions.

Hajj begins amid growing Muslim sectarian tension Nearly 3 million Muslims from around the world, chanting “I am here, Lord” and raising their hands to heaven, marched through a desert valley outside Mecca on Thursday.

Saddam’s execution poses dilemma An appeals court’s final confirmation of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s death sentence is fueling debate in Iraq on how the former dictator’s last days will unfold.

China’s Hu calls for powerful navy Chinese president and commander-in-chief Hu Jintao urged the building of a powerful navy that is prepared “at any time” for military struggle.

Euro notes cash in to overtake dollar The US dollar bill’s standing as the world’s favorite form of cash is being usurped by the five-year-old euro.

Sudan Raises Doubts on U.N. Peace Effort Sudan raised new questions Wednesday about its commitment to a U.N. peace effort in the violence-wracked Darfur region.

Russia and Cyprus overshadow Finnish EU presidency The Finnish EU presidency is winding down to an unspectacular end this weekend.

Alan Dershowitz – The Jerusalem Post

Have former US president Jimmy Carter’s recent statements crossed the line from legitimate criticism of Israel to illegitimate anti-Semitism? In his book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, Carter unfairly, one-sidedly, a historically – even indecently – condemns Israeli policies, but in my view he does not cross the line into overt anti-Semitism. His book is riddled with factual errors, virtually of them unfavorable to Israel. His history is all wrong.

He claims that Israel launched a preemptive attack against Jordan. Historians all agree that Jordan attacked Israel first.”

Read more…

Michael Freund – The Jerusalem Post

They number in the millions and wield increasing power and influence across the United States. From year to year their voice grows stronger and more resolute, as their role in shaping policy, and the future of American society continues to expand.

Guided by faith, they love Israel passionately and pray for her well-being, rejoicing in her successes and grieving over her setbacks. They are America’s Bible-believing Christians, and it is time for Israel to reach out to them in a far more sophisticated and comprehensive manner.

A great deal has already been written about the close ties that have developed between the two, as Israeli officials have at last begun to appreciate the depth and feeling of American evangelical support for the Jewish state. Indeed, what was once unthinkable has now become routine, as leading Christian pastors and Israeli government representatives regularly confer with one another, exchanging ideas and views on the principal issues of the day.

IDF receives order to attack rocket launchers New instructions in accordance with PM’s decision permit army forces to strike Qassam cells within certain limitations pertaining to intelligence information, cells’ proximity to Palestinian population centers

Despite war, 2006 aliyah on the rise A plane carrying 220 olim from North America and UK will arrive Wednesday bringing the total amount of Jews who made aliyah in 2006 to 21,000, the Jewish Agency said Wednesday.

Saddam to hang within 30 days Saddam Hussein is to be executed within the next 30 days after his appeal against a death sentence for crimes against humanity was rejected yesterday by the highest appeals court in Iraq.

Taiwan Quake Disrupts Asia Telecommunications Much of Asia faces days of slow Internet connections and cut phone lines Chunghwa Telecom said an undersea cable damaged, interrupting communications with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Abbas proposes ‘backdoor’ peace talks with Israel Plan includes participation of Quartet members in final status negotiations; claims PM promised to consider plan at last weekend’s meeting.

Iran to reconsider ties with IAEA Iran’s parliament has voted to urge the government to “revise” ties with the UN nuclear agency in a move designed to reduce the country’s co-operation with the international atomic authority.

West Bank housing OKd Israel approves new homes for settlers, drawing protests. Near Gaza, two teens are hurt in a rocket strike.

Arab states urge foreign forces to leave Somalia Arab League members called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in member state Somalia and the withdrawal of all foreign forces.

Joshua’s Altar Leads to Deepening National Consciousness A reminder of the historic significance of the Jewish People’s first day in the Holy Land was provided by a trip for Russian-speaking Israelis to Joshua’s Altar on Mt. Ebal outside Shechem.

‘Hamas must play role in peace process’ Peres tells gathering in Spain that group is an important force in process.

King Abdullah: Israel not as strong as we thought Jordan’s King Abdullah said during an interview with Tokyo-based newspaper The Daily Yomiuri that “The (Lebanon) war last summer showed that Israel is not as strong as we had previously thought”.

Islamic Courts abandon strongholds Council of Islamic Courts fighters have retreated from the main frontline after a week of artillery and mortar duels and attacks by Somalian transitional government and Ethiopian soldiers, witnesses say.

‘Palestinians’ call on Israelis to evacuate Negev Residents of Kiryat Gat and Ashdod recently received leaflets distributed by right-wing activists asking them “to evacuate to the settlement of Eilat.”

Iran may declare major enrichment feat Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reportedly told members of the Iranian parliament on Tuesday that Iran would soon announce that it had managed to enrich uranium using 3,000 centrifuges.

Iran: Christian states ruined Christmas The UN Security Council decision to place sanctions on Iran has “ruined Christmas,” according to Iranian state media.

Exclusive: Bethlehem fears terror Reports that Israel is considering allowing a group of gunmen who were deported in 2002 after hiding inside the Church of the Nativity to return home have left some Christian residents here seriously concerned for their safety.

Haniyeh, Abbas to meet in Jordan Jordan will host talks between Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah after a surge in factional violence.

Death sentence for Saddam upheld An Iraqi appeals court has upheld the death sentence against ousted President Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s national security adviser has said.

Foreign Ministry: Syria is serious about renewing peace talks A senior Foreign Ministry official on Tuesday backed the view of Military Intelligence that Syria is serious about renewing peace negotiations with Israel.

1.5 mn arrive in Saudi for the Hajj More than 1.5 million Muslims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which begins Thursday, Saudi authorities said.

Syria building ‘death trap’ villages A high-ranking officer in Northern Command has told The Jerusalem Post that villages recently built by Syria along the border are planned to be used as “death traps” for IDF troops.

Gaza’s residents rally for peace Hundreds of Palestinians have rallied outside parliament in Gaza City, urging rival factions to stop violence and restart unity government talks.

‘Only military action can stop Iran’ In a dramatic conclusion concerning the future of the state of Israel, the latest edition of the Middle East Strategic Balance, calls for military action to stop Iran’s nuclear program.

Europe’s ‘biggest dinosaur’ found Fossils found in Spain belong to what was probably Europe’s biggest ever dinosaur, according to scientists.

Jordanian king: Progress on peace critical in 2007 King Abdallah II of Jordan said Friday during a three day visit to Japan that 2007 would be a “very crucial” year for the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.

Flu ‘could wipe out 62 million’ A global flu pandemic could kill 62 million people, experts have warned.

Hamas and Fatah clash in Gaza Clashes in Gaza City between Hamas men and unknown fighters have cast doubt on a recent truce between rival Palestinian groups.

Russia’s Putin arrives in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin is making his first trip to Ukraine since the appointment of the pro-Russian Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych.

Thousands flee as war escalates in Somalia Ethiopian attack helicopters and tanks headed for battle Friday.

Chinese Christians in riot trial Eight Chinese Christians are going on trial in the eastern city of Hangzhou charged with instigating violence and interfering with the law.

Somalis ‘at war’ with Ethiopia The leader of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which controls much of southern Somalia, says they are in a state of war with Ethiopia.

IDF: Hizbullah almost at full strength Predicting that it is “just a matter of time” before Hizbullah attacks Israel, a high-ranking officer from the Northern Command revealed to The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that the Lebanese guerrilla group had nearly returned to full strength.

Shiites Seek Cease-Fire From Cleric Delegates representing Shiite groups forming the largest bloc in Iraq’s parliament gathered Thursday.

Syria may close Lebanese border If the international community establishes an international court to try suspects for political assassinations in Lebanon, then Syria may close its border with Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad suffers election blow Final results announced by the interior ministry on Thursday show that the Iranian president’s opponents have won last Friday’s elections for local councils.

Turkmenistan’s ‘iron ruler’ dies Turkmenistan’s authoritarian president Saparmurat Niyazov, who ruled the Central Asian country for 21 years, has died aged 66, state TV has reported.

Report: Olmert, Siniora met in secret The Palestinian “Maan” news agency is citing a source who claims the Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.

Abbas hopes to meet PM by year’s end Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday said he hopes to hold a long-awaited summit with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Ministers to Olmert: End restraint policy Is ceasefire about to be officially over? More and more ministers have called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to consider ending the restraint policy.

Russia Successfully Tests SS-18 Satan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Russia successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday.