06 Jan 09
Terror list complicates EU diplomacy in Middle East
As two European delegations arrive in the Middle East for talks aiming to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, EU negotiating is being hampered by its own list of proscribed organisations, which forbids the bloc's officials from having contact with groups on the register.-The political wing of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, has been on the EU's so-called terror list since 2003.-Once groups or individuals are on the list, the EU can have no official contact with them.
In Gaza, the real enemy is Iran
The images from the fighting in Gaza are harrowing but ultimately deceptive. They portray a mighty invading army, one equipped with F-16 jets that have bombed a civilian population defended by a few thousand fighters armed with primitive rockets. But widen the lens and the true nature of this conflict emerges. Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, is a proxy for the real enemy Israel is confronting: Iran. And Israel's current operation against Hamas represents a unique chance to deal a strategic blow to Iranian expansionism.
Public Prayer Assembly Slated for Tuesday in Jerusalem
An assembly has been called for 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City to pray for the success of Israel's soldiers in their fight against Palestinian Authority terrorists and for all Jews in distress. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the "Rishon LeTzion" and former Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel, has called for the public to take part.
Europe faces energy crisis as Vladimir Putin cuts Russian gas supply
Europe has been plunged into an energy crisis after Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's state-run gas company to cut supplies by 20 per cent.-As temperatures dropped below zero across much of Europe, the Russian prime minister instructed the head of Gazprom: "Cut it - starting today."
FBI will confront Pak with evidence on Mumbai attacks: US
The US ambassador to India, David C Mulford, on Monday said that the FBI will confront Islamabad with evidence gathered during the
investigations in the Mumbai terror attacks.-"The FBI will pursue the evidence and eventually take it to Pakistan. Under our law, if Americans are killed, then the US has a duty to investigate the killing. The US will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion," stated Mulford
Iran promises Iraq full help in gaining peace, stability
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday promised visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Iran's full help in enabling Iraq to gain peace and stability, ISNA news agency reported.-ISNA quoted al-Maliki as saying that 'Iraq was optimistic towards the future trend of relations with Iran' and hoping that bilateral cooperation would be to the interest of both states.
Also the Iranian president hoped that the two states would soon boost their bilateral trade volume.
Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel
More than 70,000 Iranian student volunteers have registered to carry out suicide bombings against Israel because of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip.
According to the official IRNA news agency, hardline student leader Esmaeil Ahmadi says the students want to fight Israel in support of Hamas - Gaza's Islamic militant rulers.
Israel shuns bid for Gaza ceasefire
Israel has ignored mounting international calls for a ceasefire and said it will not stop its crippling assault on Gaza until "peace and tranquility" are achieved in southern Israeli towns in the line of Palestinian rocket fire.-Israel has three main demands: an end to Palestinian attacks, international supervision of any truce, and a halt to Hamas rearming. Hamas demands an end to Israeli attacks and the opening of border crossings to vital cargo.
Louisiana forced to recognize same-sex adoption
Two California homosexuals have won a federal lawsuit, allowing both their names to be on their adopted son's Louisiana birth certificate.
05 Jan 09
Demonstrations Continue Worldwide over Gaza 'Violence'
A report from AFP of various nations' responses to the situation happening in Gaza. A global condemnation of Israel, and uprising.
Russia Sends Deputy Minister to Middle East
Russia has sent a senior official to the Middle East and will continue to press for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, President Dmitry Medvedev's special envoy for the Middle East, flew to the region on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.
Legal residents take a housing backseat to illegals
Untold thousands of illegal immigrants live in public housing at a time when hundreds of thousands of citizens and legal residents are stuck waiting years for a spot.
'Earthquake swarm' continues to rock Yellowstone
The swarm of more than 500 tremors is the largest series of back-to-back quakes to hit the area in years, according to scientists.
Police look to hack citizens' home PCs
Police and state intelligence agencies from several countries may soon be working together to secretly hack into private citizens' personal computers without their knowledge and without a warrant.
PRESIDENT ASSAD AND MUSLIM SCHOLARS VOW UNLIMITED BACK UP FOR GAZANS
THEY REVIEWED THE ONGOING ISRAELI OFFENSIVE ON GAZA AND AGREED ON INTENSIFYING ARAB AND ISLAMIC EFFORTS TO PROVIDE THE PALESTINIANS WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT AND HELP THEM RESIST THE BRUTAL ISRAELI AGGRESSIONS.
Earthquake rattles Afghanistan, Pakistan
A strong earthquake shook northeastern Afghanistan and Pakistan early Monday, sending people running from their homes, but there were no immediate reports of damage, witnesses and officials said.
New bird flu cases revive fears of human pandemic
Just when you thought you could scratch bird flu off your list of things to worry about in 2009, the deadly H5N1 virus has resurfaced in poultry in Hong Kong for the first time in six years, reinforcing warnings that the threat of a human pandemic isn't over.
Cut oil sales to Israel's backers-Iranian commander
An Iranian military commander called on Islamic countries to cut oil exports to Israel's supporters in response to the Jewish state's offensive in Gaza, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.
Obama is losing a battle he doesn't know he's in
Barack Obama's chances of making a fresh start in US relations with the Muslim world, and the Middle East in particular, appear to diminish with each new wave of Israeli attacks on Palestinian targets in Gaza. That seems hardly fair, given the president-elect does not take office until January 20. But foreign wars don't wait for Washington inaugurations.
Mumbai evidence given to Pakistan
India says it has handed to Islamabad evidence that links the deadly Mumbai attacks to "elements" in Pakistan.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee called on Pakistan to act on the evidence and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Baghdad bomb kills Shia pilgrims
A female suicide bomber has killed at least 35 Shia pilgrims including 16 Iranians near a shrine in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, police say.
As many as 72 people were injured in the blast, in the Kadhimiya area of the Iraqi capital, where pilgrims were gathering for a religious ceremony.
Envoys race to halt Gaza violence
Intense diplomatic efforts are under way to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza as the Israeli assault against Hamas militants enters its 10th day.
Separate missions to the Middle East are being led by the French president, and a high-level team from the EU.
Collapse fears amid Papua quakes
Thousands of people are refusing to return to their homes in the remote Indonesian region of West Papua following a series of earthquakes.
They fear more buildings could collapse as aftershocks shake the area.
EU ambassadors meet on Ukraine gas row
Deputy ambassadors from the 27 EU countries are to hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday (5 January) in Brussels, after gas disruptions were registered in several EU states amid the Russia-Ukraine gas row.
EU sends mixed message as Gaza death toll mounts
The Czech EU presidency this weekend retracted its support for Israel amid the ground attack on Gaza, while France switched its criticism from Israel to Hamas.
Thousands in Lebanon, Turkey Protest Gaza Attack
Thousands protesting Israel's ground offensive on Gaza converged Sunday in Beirut and Istanbul as the leaders of the only two Mideast Arab nations to sign peace treaties with Israel demanded an end to the attack.
Homicide Bomber Kills 7, Injures at Least 25 Others in Pakistan
A homicide bomber attacked police in northwest Pakistan as they rushed to treat civilians injured by an earlier explosion, killing seven people and wounding at least 25 others, said a police official.
'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement
Three years after being evacuated from settlements in the Gaza Strip, some of the evacuees are now returning - in uniform.
Aharon Cruz, a paratroops officer, lived in Netzarim for two years before the disengagement. On Sunday, he and his unit, to which he had been recalled a mere day after his wedding last Thursday, were back at the settlement's ruins in central Gaza.
UN chief to meet Arab ministers on Gaza
The U.N. chief urged the divided Security Council to try to bring a speedy end to the escalating crisis in Gaza and planned to meet Monday with Arab ministers flying to New York to press for a resolution demanding an immediate end to the violence.
New US embassy to open in Baghdad
The new US embassy in Baghdad is due to be officially opened, with a dedication service led by Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
Security will be tight at the ceremony in the Iraqi capital for one of the biggest and most expensive embassies the US has ever built.
