Iron Dome intercepts rocket fired at Ashkelon from Gaza
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired a single rocket into Israel early Monday, which was intercepted by the Iron Dome system, the army said. There were no reports of injuries.
PLO
North Korea leader visits China after warning of alternate path to U.S. talks
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, only days after warning he may take an alternative path if the United States does not ease sanctions and pressure on his isolated country.
Iran deploying warships to western Atlantic amid rising tensions with US
Iran is set to deploy a fleet of warships to the western Atlantic Ocean in the coming months, a naval commander said Friday, in an apparent bid to counter the presence of a US aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.
Russia to Deploy Precision Strike Missiles in Western Atlantic
Russia is deploying long-range, precision cruise missiles to the western Atlantic that American defense officials say will allow Moscow to target Washington and other East Coast cities with conventional or nuclear attacks.
2018 Ends With Record Employment; Participation Rate Hits Trump-Era High
The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday the economy added an impressivve 312,000 jobs in December, which was a month of strong retail sales; and the nation’s unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a point to 3.9 percent, which is still an 18-year low.
Pompeo accepted almost all Netanyahu’s requests, senior Israeli official says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had almost all of his requests accepted during his meeting in Brazil with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a senior Israeli diplomatic official said Wednesday.
Kim Jong Un says he’s willing to meet Trump at any time, in New Year’s message
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday that he is prepared to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time, but warned that he would pursue an alternative course if Washington kept up sanctions on Pyongyang.
German army ‘could recruit EU citizens’
Seven years after Germany scrapped conscription, its defense chief has said employing EU citizens is ‘an option’ to fill expert posts.
Bomb at Greek church injures 2 after no warning given
A crudely-made bomb exploded outside one of Athens‘ most important churches early Thursday, injuring its caretaker and a police officer – troubling authorities as the attack took place without warning in one of the capital’s busiest areas.
Putin to deploy new hypersonic missile system as arms race escalates
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday his army would deploy a new hypersonic nuclear-capable missile system next year, upping the ante in a high-tech arms race with the U.S.
Russia: Syrian government must take over eastern Syria
Russia’s Foreign Ministry says Moscow expects the Syrian government to take over the areas where the U.S. troops are currently deployed following their withdrawal.
Israel fires at Syrian missile after bombing of arms depots near Damascus
Israel’s air defense system – likely the Arrow – was activated late Tuesday night against a Syrian anti-aircraft missile, following an alleged Israeli air strike over the capital of Damascus. Media reports claimed that Israel struck weapon warehouses near the Syrian capital.
Tight security at Pakistan’s churches this Christmas as Asia Bibi remains in hiding
Security has been ramped up at churches across Pakistan where tensions are still simmering over the recent acquittal of Christian woman Asia Bibi.
Snap elections may put Trump’s peace plan on back-burner until summer
Israel’s early election will significantly delay the publication of the US administration’s much-awaited proposal for Israeli-Palestinian peace, experts said Monday, as the White House keeps the plan on the back-burner for fear of influencing the vote.
Turkey vows no slowdown in fight against IS after U.S. pullout from Syria
Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.
Turkey deploys troops near Kurdish stronghold in Syria
Turkey deployed hundreds of troops near a Kurdish stronghold in Syria Sunday, in the wake of the United States announcing plans to withdraw from the country.
France says Islamic State not defeated, troops to remain in Syria
France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, contrary to the U.S. view, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said.
Federal Reserve raises rates, over Trump protests, but signals it will slow rate hikes in 2019
Federal Reserve officials voted Wednesday to raise the central bank’s interest rate target, the fourth such rate increase of the year, but also signaled that they will slow the pace of rate hikes in 2019.
‘Thousands’ of EU diplomatic cables hacked, says report
Hackers allegedly linked to China were able to access thousands of sensitive EU diplomatic cables for more than three years, according to a New York Times report.
Iran, Turkey, Russia seek deal on Syria constitutional body
Russia, Iran and Turkey are close to agreement on composition of a Syrian constitutional committee that could pave the way for drafting a new charter followed by elections, diplomats said on Monday.