Palestinian Authority mulls establishing own Jerusalem municipal council
The Palestinian Authority is considering a proposal to create a municipal council in east Jerusalem.
PLO
Obama to send more U.S. troops to Syria
President Obama is expected to announce Monday that he is sending another 250 military personnel to Syria to assist local forces combat the Islamic State, according to multiple reports.
U.S. creates 151,000 jobs in January; unemployment 4.9%
The U.S. created 151,000 new jobs in January, a sharp slowdown after a torrid pace of hiring in the waning months of 2015. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected an increase of 180,000 nonfarm jobs. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, dipped below 5% for the first time in eight years, falling to 4.9%.
European capitals on heightened alert for terror attacks ahead of New Year
Vienna police said on Saturday a ‘friendly’ intelligence service had warned European capitals of the possibility of a shooting or bomb attack before New Year, prompting police across the continent to increase security measures.
Turkey to Israel: No renewal of ties without unlimited access to Gaza
Turkey is demanding that Israel permit unfettered access to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as one of the conditions before it renews diplomatic ties with Israel, according to a report in Saturday editions of the Hurriyet Daily News.
IDF instructs residents in North to stay away from border areas
The IDF on Wednesday instructed residents and farmers in northern Israel to refrain from approaching the border areas.
Israel holds ‘substantive’ talks with Quartet delegation that included EU reps
Israeli officials met with a high-level Quartet delegation this week, despite the fact that it includes an EU representative with whom Israel has said it will not meet on a bilateral basis to discuss the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
EU says continues Mideast peace role despite Israel move
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and the European Union said it would continue its role in Middle East peace diplomacy despite Israel saying it was suspending contact.
Declaring ‘new beginning,’ EU and Turkey seal migrant deal
Turkey promised to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed talks on joining the EU in a deal struck on Sunday that the Turkish prime minister called a “new beginning” for the uneasy neighbors.
TSA Investigation Finds 73 Workers on U.S.’s Terrorist Watchlist
A recent U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) report found that 73 aviation workers, employed by airlines and vendors, had alleged links to terrorism.
Devil is in the detail before new round of Syria peace talks
Two weeks after they jointly called for a political solution to Syria’s civil war, foreign ministers and senior officials from Russia, the United States, Europe and the Middle East struggled on Friday to turn that idea into a more concrete plan.
Al-Qaida leader praises stabbing attacks in Israel, offers plan to ‘Liberate Palestine’
Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri released a new audio message yesterday titled “To Unite for the Liberation of Jerusalem,” criticizing Israel’s “attacks against the al-Aksa Mosque” and calling for more attacks against Israel and the West.
Israel Air Force strikes Gaza targets following rocket attack on South
The Israel Air Force struck two Hamas targets in southern Gaza a few hours after a rocket hit southern Israel. The IDF Spokesman said the air strikes were a response to the missile attack, and that it views Hamas as being responsible for all terrorist activities in the Gaza Strip.
Nuclear smugglers sought Middle East terrorists
In the backwaters of Eastern Europe, authorities working with the FBI have interrupted four attempts in the past five years by gangs with suspected Russian connections that sought to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern terrorists, The Associated Press has learned.
Russia May Use Navy to Blockade Syrian Coast
Russia may use its Black Sea Fleet to blockade the Syrian coast according to the force’s former commander and current Duma defense committee head.
Washington prepares for pivotal September vote in Congress on Iran nuclear deal
Advocates and skeptics of the Iran nuclear deal are plotting their final moves for support as Congress prepares to return from August recess next week to a consequential vote on the accord.
Palestinian Authority seeks to strengthen ties with Iran
The Palestinian Authority is looking forward to developing its relations and strengthening mutual trade with Iran, a senior PLO official, Ahmed Majdalani, said Sunday after meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif in Tehran.
Mexican Volcano Spews Ash Two Kilometres into the Sky
Amazing footage has emerged of dozens of ash exhalations from Mexico’s most active volcano, Popocatepetl – reaching up to two kilometers into the sky. Just one of over 25 active volcanoes erupting at the moment.
U.S. Intel Community Warns of Last Resort Chemical Attack by Syria’s Assad
The intelligence community in the United States is concerned that the Syrian government led by President Bashar Assad may deploy a large-scale chemical weapons attack as a last resort effort to protect regime strongholds from rebels in the embattled country.
Eritrean Christians Caught Between Persecutors
Eritrean Christians are being forced to choose between living under a dictatorship that imprisons believers for their faith, or risking their lives by escaping Eritrea by way of Sudan.