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Report: Russia backs out of S-300 missile sale to Syria

Sat, 25 May 2013 22:04:58 EDT

Russia has reportedly backed out of a deal to sell Syrian President Bashar Assad advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, The Sunday Times reported on Sunday.The paper quotes a senior Russian official as saying Moscow has been convinced by Israel that if the missiles fall into the wrong hands, they could be used to attack civilian aircraft at Ben Gurion airport.The official adds that, in return, Russia expects Israel to refrain from future air strikes on Syria.

Suspect in stabbing shot after threatening to slaughter cop

Sat, 25 May 2013 21:01:45 EDT

Police shot a man in his early 20s and seriously wounded him on Saturday night, after he threatened to slaughter a police officer, Army Radio reported.The man was suspected of stabbing another young man, and was being pursued by police as a consequence. During the chase, he turned around and told one of the police officers, "I will slaughter you," while holding a knife.The suspect was shot after ignoring police orders to stop.Magen David Adom paramedics evacuated the suspect in critical condition to the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva.

1 killed, 2 moderately injured in car crash on Highway 6

Sat, 25 May 2013 19:13:19 EDT

One person in his 40s was killed and two others also in their 40s were moderately and lightly injured on Saturday evening when a car rolled down into a ditch on Highway 6, Magen David Adom spokesman said.The injured were evacuated to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot.

Gas protesters move demonstration to TA auditorium

Sat, 25 May 2013 19:13:19 EDT

Protesters demonstrating over the government's intention to approve the export of natural gas from Israel moved their protest to the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv after police dispersed the crowds in front of Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom's residence, Army Radio reported.The protesters demanded the decision on whether or not to approve the export of natural gas from Israel should be moved to the Knesset and not be kept in the government's hands.

Kerry says aid to Egypt depends on economic reform

Sat, 25 May 2013 19:13:19 EDT

ADDIS ABABA - US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Egypt to act swiftly on economic reforms to secure a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan, saying the measures were needed to get further aid from the US Congress, an American official said.Kerry met Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi for about an hour on the sidelines of an African Union summit on Saturday, discussing Syria's civil war, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights in Egypt and the country's faltering economy, the official said.Egypt's Islamist-led government has been resistant to introducing the austerity measures needed to win the IMF funding, including raising taxes and cutting fuel subsidies, fearing such painful reforms could provoke social unrest.However, an IMF deal could help shore up investor and donor concerns after two years of political instability since the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak in early 2011. The instability has depressed tourism, a crucial industry for Egypt.The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Kerry had made the argument that the reforms were necessary to persuade American lawmakers to proceed with further economic support for the country, which borders US ally Israel.

60 day arrest for yeshiva student dodging service for 8 years

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:12:20 EDT

2 yeshiva students who illegally dodged army draft for 8 years sentenced to imprisonment. Meanwhile, despite political objections, haredi draft law expected to pass Peri Committee Sunday

IDF: New WB road to be built in attempt to reduce stone throwing

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:06:31 EDT

In attempt to fight grwing phenomenon of West Bank stone hurling, IDF commander says new road is planned to protect drivers; local police commander says 'if stones are thrown at you and no one is critically injured, just keep on driving'

Hundreds protest in front of Minister Shalom's home

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:32:07 EDT

Armed with signs reading 'we will cry', hundreds of people gather in front of Minister Silvan Shalom's Ramat Gan residence to protest against intentions to export natural gas

British police arrest three more over killing of soldier

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:19:36 EDT

LONDON - British counter-terrorism police arrested three men on Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder over the killing of a soldier near a barracks in London.Police arrested two men, aged 24 and 28, at a house in the south of the capital, the city's police force said. A third man, aged 21, was detained in southeast London.Two men are recovering in hospital after being shot and arrested by police on suspicion of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in London on Wednesday.

One dead, one injured in car accident on Highway 6

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:19:36 EDT

One man was killed and another was moderately injured Saturday night in a two vehicle accident on Highway 6 near Kiryat Gat. Magen David Adom EMS pronounced the man dead at the scene of the accident and treated the injured man. ...

At least five killed as Guinea protests escalate

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:19:36 EDT

CONAKRY - At least five people were killed on Saturday when security forces in Guinea opened fire on protesters in opposition strongholds in the capital, medical sources and witnesses said.The violence brings to 11 the number of people killed since Thursday in unrest that began over election preparations but has frequently degenerated into looting and clashes between ethnic groups.

Three more arrests related to London terrorist murder

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:17:37 EDT

London counter-terrorism police detained three more individuals Saturday night suspected of conspiracy to murder in relation to the terrorist slaying of a British soldier in Woolwich, southeast London, last Wednesday. No details were released. ...

U.K. Police Arrest 3 More Men in Soldier’s Slaying

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:38:17 EDT

(LONDON) — British police on Saturday arrested three more suspects in connection with the savage killing of an off-duty soldier that has raised fresh concerns about terrorism. Scotland Yard said counter-terrorism officers arrested two men, aged 24 and 28, at a residential address in southeast London. A third man, 21, was arrested separately on a London street at the same time. Police said they used a stun gun on two of the suspects. All three were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Officers have already detained several others in connection with the murder of 25-year-old soldier Lee Rigby, who was hit with a vehicle then repeatedly stabbed with knives while walking outside the Royal Artillery Barracks in the Woolwich, south London, on Wednesday afternoon. The horrific scenes were recorded on witnesses’ cellphones, and a video has emerged in which one of the two suspects made political statements and warned of further violence as the dead soldier lay on the ground behind him. The two main suspects, aged 22 and 28, were shot by police who arrived at the scene minutes later. They are under guard in two separate hospitals. Three other people were arrested Thursday in connection with the probe. Two women were released without charge, and a 29-year-old man has been bailed pending further questioning. Another man was arrested on suspicion of unspecified terrorism offenses late Friday immediately after he gave a BBC interview detailing the background of one of the main suspects. The man, identified by the BBC as Abu Nusaybah, was arrested on BBC premises and remains in custody.

Palestinian film 'Omar' takes prize at Cannes

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:06:23 EDT

A tragic love story between two Palestinians living under Israeli occupation received an award for Un Certain Regard 'Jury' prize at the Cannes film festival on Monday and broke new ground as the first film fully funded by the Palestinian cinema industry."Omar" by director Hany Abu-Assad, known for the 2005 award-winning film "Paradise Now", is a political thriller interwoven with a story of trust and betrayal as two lovers are torn apart by Israel's secret police and Palestinian freedom fighters.Omar, a baker, is in love with Nadia, the sister of his friend Tarek who is a Palestinian fighter on the West Bank.Reuters contributed to this report.

What Mideast Crisis? Israelis Have Moved On

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:06:21 EDT

Instead of focusing on what is said to be their central challenge — how to share this land with another nation — Israelis are largely ignoring it.

2 soldiers accidentally stay in shooting range fire line; saved at last moment

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:39:34 EDT

Two Paratroopers soldiers nearly shot by comrades after accidentally staying in firing range target line; soldier noticed friend, called everyone to hold fire; commander tried

Suspected Rebels Kill 16, Wound 25 in East India

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:24:18 EDT

(NEW DELHI) — Suspected Maoist rebels set off a land mine and opened fire Saturday on a convoy of cars carrying local leaders and supporters of India’s ruling Congress party in eastern India, killing at least 16 people and wounding 25 others, police said. Senior police officer M. Gupta said the attack occurred in the Sukma area, about 215 miles (345 kilometers) south of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state. Two state party leaders and five police officers were among those killed in the attack, said R. K. Vij, a top state police officer. Other victims were party supporters. “We are devastated,” said Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, who denounced what she called a “dastardly attack” on the country’s democratic values. (MORE: What Must India Do to Realize Its Economic Potential? Think Big. Act Bold) Police identified one of those killed as Mahendra Karma, a Congress leader in Chhattisgarh state who founded a local militia, the Salwa Judum, to combat the Maoist rebels. The anti-rebel militia had to be reined in after it was accused of atrocities against tribals — indigenous people at the bottom of India’s rigid social ladder. The wounded Congress party members, among them Vidya Charan Shukla, a former federal minister, were taken to a local hospital, police said. The suspected rebels also took away a local party leader, Nand Kumar Patel, and his son, Vij said. The attackers targeted a convoy of Congress members who were returning to the state capital after taking part in a party rally. The Press Trust of India news agency said the attackers blocked the road by felling trees. Vij said the suspected rebels triggered a land mine blast that blew up one of the cars in the convoy. The attackers then fired at the Congress party leaders and their supporters before fleeing. Police recovered 16 bodies from the scene, and 25 wounded people were hospitalized, Vij said. The Congress party is the main opposition party in the state. The rebels, known as Naxalites, have been fighting the central government for more

Police close road outside MK Shalom's house in Ramat Gan

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:11:21 EDT

Israel police on Saturday night closed Jabotinsky Street from East to West following demonstrations near the house of Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom.They advised commuters to take alternative routes.

Bomb in Yemeni military vehicle kills two, injures six

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:11:21 EDT

ADEN - A remotely-detonated bomb planted in a military vehicle killed a soldier and a civilian and injured six other soldiers in the Hadramaut region of eastern Yemen on Saturday evening, a local security official said.The explosion took place in the town of al-Shehr as the vehicle drove along a main road, the official said. He added Islamist militants were suspected of the bombing.Islamist militants seized control of swathes of south and east Yemen during the political chaos of the Arab Spring in 2011. They instituted Islamic law in captured towns and allied with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, seen in the West as the movement's most dangerous wing.Yemeni armed forces and pro-government tribal militias backed by the U.S. ousted Islamists from major towns last year, but fighting persists.Stability in lawless, impoverished Yemen is a priority for Washington, which wants to prevent al Qaeda using it as a base to plot international attacks.

'Between 180-200 French militants have fought in Syria'

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:11:21 EDT

PARIS - Between 180 and 200 French citizens have traveled to Syria in the past year to join a two-year-old rebellion against President Bashar Assad, Le Monde reported on Saturday, citing figures from France's internal DCRI and external DGSE security services.That number, which is higher than a previous estimate of about 50, includes fighters who took up arms with rebel groups like the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front. About two dozen have already returned to France, Le Monde said.The newspaper also quoted security sources as saying France was worried about the risk of attacks by those returning home from the conflict.

Informant’s text messages shed new light on NYPD spy program targeting Muslims

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:36:37 EDT

Text messages from a former police informant who targeted Muslims have opened a new window into the the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) surveillance program. The messages, sent by former informant Shamiur Rahman, suggest that the police may not have told a federal judge the full story about the police’s expansive spy program targeting Muslims in the Northeast. In one message, Rahman wrote: "Hey bro. I think im going to bring up jihad with these guys tonight."

New fighting in central Sudanese state

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:13:23 EDT

KHARTOUM - New fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and rebels in a central state where insurgents launched a major attack last month, both sides said on Saturday.The government is grappling with an umbrella of rebel groups trying to move its fight to topple President Omar Hassan al-Bashir from remote regions in Darfur in the west and the eastern Blue Nile state bordering Ethiopia closer to Khartoum.United Nations' aid chief Valerie Amos said earlier this week that about 300,000 people have fled their homes due to a surge in fighting in the Darfur region this year and are now living in terrible conditions and short of food.

Police: French soldier stabbed in neck in Paris

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:13:23 EDT

PARIS - A French soldier patrolling a business area of western Paris was stabbed in the neck on Saturday by a man who quickly fled the scene and was still being sought, a police source said.The soldier, patrolling as part of France's Vigipirate anti-terrorist surveillance plan, was injured in the stabbing around 1800 p.m. but would survive, the source said.French daily Le Parisien cited police sources as saying the suspected attacker was a bearded man of North African origin about 30 years old, and was wearing an Arab-style garment under his jacket.

French soldier stabbed in the neck by man of North African origin

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:10:49 EDT

The soldier was injured but will survive. He was patrolling the business area of western Paris Saturday when a bearded man, about 30, wearing an Arab-style garment under his jacket stabbed him in the neck. The assailant fled the scene and is being sought by the police. The soldier was on duty as part of France’s Vigipirate anti-terrorist surveillance plan. The Paris attack occurred four days after two Islamist terrorists hacked a British soldier to death on a London street. ...

French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Outside Paris

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:08:51 EDT

(PARIS) — France’s military spokesman says a soldier has been stabbed in the throat in the French commercial district of La Defense outside Paris. The stabbing comes just days after a British soldier was hacked to death on a London street in broad daylight in a suspected terrorist attack that has raised fears of potential copycat strikes. However, there was no immediate confirmation of any link to the France attack on Saturday. The France military spokesman, Col. Thierry Burkhard, said the French soldier was wounded but that his life was not in danger. He had no immediate further details on the stabbing.

Hezbollah promises Syria 'victory'

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:38:25 EDT

The leader of the Lebanese Shia militant Hezbollah movement promises his supporters victory in Syria, saying Sunni rebels pose a threat to Lebanon.

Measles outbreak in Orthodox community in New York

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:14:18 EDT

Public health officials discovered a case of measles at a kosher grocery store in the Orthodox community of Spring Valley, New York.The Rockland County Health Department advised anybody who was at the store, Hatzlacha Grocery Store located at 80 West Spring St., between 1:30 and 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday to contact their doctor.High-risk groups for measles include pregnant women, infants less than 6 months old, immunocompromised individuals or anyone who has not been vaccinated against the disease.Spring Valley is one of several densely populated Orthodox towns in the county, which is located approximately 45 minutes north of Manhattan.

Erdan: 52% of TA residents have no missile shelters

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:14:18 EDT

"Fifty-two percent of Tel Aviv residents have no missile shelter," Home Front Security and Communications Minister Gilad Erdan told Channel 2 news on Saturday.Referring to the Syrian crisis, Erdan warned that Tel Aviv was unprepared for a chemical attack, but reassured that there was a probability of Syria's chemical weapons being used against Israel.

Nasrallah: We will bring victory to Assad

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:07:22 EDT

Hezbollah leader says Shiite group will not stand idly by while Syria is under attack; insists Hezbollah will 'continue to hold responsibility of resistance to Israel'

Why did ‘NYT’ serve as platform for ‘military propaganda’?

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:59:02 EDT

In the last part of Isabel Kershner's piece on the al-Dura report by Israel, I learned that the investigative body had never contacted the father of the killed boy. At that moment, I understood that the report is military propaganda. -- Harold Hjalmarson

Reluctantly taking down monstrous orientalist video, college union in Israel protests that it got ’1000s of positive reactions’

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:47:52 EDT

Ugly vicious, sickening, sadistic -- Larry Derfner's take on racist video from Israeli college students portraying Arabs as backward monsters

Hizballah Chief Says Group is Fighting in Syria

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:34:25 EDT

(BEIRUT) — The leader of Lebanon’s Hizballah says his Shiite militant group will not stand idly by while its chief ally Syria is under attack. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah says Hizballah members are fighting in Syria against Islamic extremists who pose a danger to Lebanon. Nasrallah’s comments Saturday marked the first time he has publically confirmed his men were fighting in Syria. They are also his first since Hizballah fighters have become deeply involved in the battle for of the central Syrian town of Qusair. He said tens of thousands of Islamic extremists from all over the world have been sent to Syria to fight the regime, but Hizballah sends “a few” fighters and it is accused of intervening in the conflict. MORE: The Belgian Teen Now Fighting in Syria

Egypt court rejects election law, poll delays expected

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:23:38 EDT

CAIRO - Egypt's highest court ruled on Saturday that parts of a revised election law setting out terms for a parliamentary election were unconstitutional, casting fresh doubt over a poll that has already been delayed.The Islamist-dominated upper house of parliament had approved the law last month and sent it to the Supreme Constitutional Court to check the legality of the voting procedures for a new lower house.Opposition politicians had denounced the text of the revised election law approved by parliament and repeated threats to boycott the vote.

Firefighting teams attempt to quell Galilee forest fire

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:23:38 EDT

Six firefighting crews and four planes are attempting to gain control of a fire that erupted on late Saturday afternoon in the western Galilee, Army Radio reported.According to the report, the fire is spreading quickly due to high winds.

Lapid reassures Yesh Atid voters progress underway

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:23:38 EDT

With the heavy lifting for the state budget done, Finance Minister Yair Lapid reassured his voters that he was making promise on the major issues of his campaign: equality of service, lowering the cost of living, bringing down housing cosrs, improving education, and reducing the number of ministers in the government."We ran in the elections under the banner 'We came to make changes.' Now we are making changes," he wrote to Yesh Atid supporters in a Friday night e-mail. "It's not bad for two months, but is it enough? Certainly not. Many of these changes are just the beginning."First and foremost, Lapid touted the progress of the Peri Committee for draftng haredim into the army."The decisions of the equality of the burden commitee, upon which the the vote will take place on Sunday, is a huge political victory for Yesh Atid, but much more so for for the state of Israel," he wrote.Within three years, 70% of haredim will be conscripted, 28,000 more haredim will enter the labor market, and they will only be allowed to delay their service until 21, and even then only with the IDF's consent, Lapid said.Lapid called the haredi draft a "bleeding wound in Israeli society. "Instead of succumbing to various sectors, the state is returning to act like a sovereign standing his ground."

George Orwell would hate Israel

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:16:55 EDT

Consider all the cases of writers denied entry into Palestine by Israel. Then consider George Orwell's rage at England for denying Henry Miller entry in 1934. "[T]he mixture of spite, cunning and stupidity with which they handled him made one wonder what is the use of all this talk about democracy, freedom of the press, and what not." And just imagine what Orwell would say about Israel

Major military exercises with 18 countries expected soon in Jordan

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:00:51 EDT

Jordan armed forces host troops from 18 'friendly countries', for military exercises, held following Amman calls on international community for more support in dealing with influx from Syrian war

89-year-old stabs wife

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:20:38 EDT

Daughter calls police fearing for her mother's life. Police shoot man through window after he stabs wife, refuses to put knife down; both man, woman sustain injuries

Hezbollah: We have the power to deal with 'Zionist folly'

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:13:35 EDT

“We help anyone willing to provide resistance against Israel, and we have the power to deal with any folly by the Zionist regime,” Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general said on Saturday, according to semi-official Iranian news site Mehr..In an interview with Al-Mayadeen, Sheikh Naim Qassim, said: “Our position on Syria is based on righteous demand, and anyone who is with resistance movement we'll be supporter of him as well.”According to Mehr, Qassim commented on recent efforts of European countries to include Hezbollah on the list of terrorist groups, saying that "the defeated and frustrated [West] has described Hezbollah as the ‘Party of Satan’.”...

Welfare Minister: Dismantle isolated settlements now

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:13:35 EDT

Welfare Minister Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) said on Saturday that Israel should dismantle isolated settlements immediately without waiting for negotiations, Israel Radio reported. "These settlements cost us alot of money and we must do the utmost so we do not appear to be a state that does everything to scuttle negotiations," Cohen said in a cultural event at Holon Theater. Cohen added that Israel had lost control of the settlers in some instances and in particular it had lost control of the "hill-top youth." "We must deal with this youth and bring them back to normal behavior," Cohen said. ...

First photographs of ‘Arabs with Altitude’ and Palestinian flag atop Everest

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:05:04 EDT

The first Palestinian and first Arab woman to make it to climb Everest was the Yaffa-born Suzanne al Houby, in 2011. Now Raed Zidan has joined her, the first Palestinian man

Exile and the Prophetic: Freeing the president

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:52:32 EDT

Obama seems to have a dual role – he’s also fronting for the Jewish establishment. Right now, I can’t imagine one establishment without the other. To change one you have to change both. --Marc Ellis

Police shoot, wound man found attacking wife in Bat Yam

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:14:39 EDT

A woman from Bat Yam complained to the police that her father was trying to hurt her mother on Saturday. The police followed up on the complaint to find the suspect attacking his wife with a knife, police said.The police shot the father, lightly wounded him. The woman was lightly wounded from the attack.

Death toll in Lebanon's Tripoli reaches 25 after clashes

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:14:39 EDT

TRIPOLI, Lebanon - The death toll in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli reached 25 on Saturday in the seventh straight day of clashes between factions supporting opposing sides in Syria's two-year civil war, security sources said.Residents heard sounds of rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire throughout the night and into Saturday morning in one of the most violent bouts of fighting so far in the city.Two people were killed on Saturday, according to medical sources. Security sources said 25 had died in the clashes in the past week.

King Abdullah of Jordan heralds pride in Arab Spring

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:14:39 EDT

Jordanian King Abdullah II on Saturday named the Arab Spring as the "voice of our century," heralding it as a reason to stand proud, but not to stand still in its efforts for reform, democracy and peace, Al-Arabiya reported.Formally opening the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa at the King Hussein Convention Center in Jordan, which coincides with Jordan Independence Day, he said that in spite of events of the Arab Spring, reform was ongoing process across the region as a whole.“The Arab Spring and its call for human dignity has become the voice of our century,” he said. “This is a reason to stand proud, but we cannot stand still. Reform, democracy and peace are always work in progress,” Al-Arabiya quoted him as saying.Commenting on the crisis in Syria, the king said that he expects the number of Syrian refugees entering Jordan to double by the end of the year."Our Jordanian population is now hosting 10 percent of its size in Syrian refugees," he stated.“In Syria, a political solution is urgently needed to stop that country's dangerous fragmentation, and to resolve the dire refugee crisis,” he added.“Increased humanitarian assistance from the global community is vital. But what's ultimately needed is an immediate end to the violence, so all the Syrian people can rebuild their country.”

Report: At least 22 dead in Qusair fighting, dozens wounded

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:13:21 EDT

Syrian army, Hezbollah shell strategic western town to oust Syrian rebels from area. 'It's like they're trying to destroy city house by house,' rebels say

‘Friend’ of Suspect in U.K. Slaying Arrested

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:57:00 EDT

(LONDON) — Counterterrorism police on Saturday were questioning a friend of Michael Adebolajo, one of two suspects in the savage killing of a British soldier. The friend, Abu Nusaybah, was arrested immediately after he gave a television interview telling his story about how Adebolajo came to be radicalized. In his interview, Nusaybah said Adebolajo became withdrawn after returning from a visit to study in Kenya, where he claimed he had been physically and sexually abused in detention. Nusaybah also alleged that the U.K.’s security services tried to recruit Adebolajo after he returned to Britain. Adebolajo and another man are suspected of killing 25-year-old soldier Lee Rigby, hacking at his body with knives and a meat cleaver, on a London street in front of dozens of passersby on Wednesday afternoon. Both suspects were shot by police at the scene and are hospitalized under guard in stable condition. (MORE: London Terror Attack: Names, Family Tragedy and Deepening Mystery) The BBC said Nusaybah was arrested by police outside its studios Friday night immediately after recording the interview. “This interviewee had important background information that sheds light on this horrific event,” the broadcaster said in a statement. “And when we asked him to appear and interviewed him, we were not aware he was wanted for questioning by the police.” Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 31-year-old man was arrested Friday night in London on suspicion of “the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.” He is in custody at a London police station, police said, adding that the arrest was not directly related to the killing of Rigby. Nusaybah told the BBC that he believed Adebolajo changed after he was allegedly detained and abused by security forces in a Kenyan prison cell last year. After that, Adebolajo became “less talkative … he wasn’t his bubbly self,” Nusaybah said. He also said that Adebolajo told him that Britain’s security service, the MI5, followed him upon his return to the U.K. to find out if he knew certain individuals and then to ask if he would work

Why Palestine is different

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:42:58 EDT

Secretary of State John Kerry is making an all-out effort to restart peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Many well-intentioned people with hands-on experience in resolving other longstanding, global issues, like those of Ireland, South Africa, and U.S. civil rights have engaged in the Palestinian-Israeli issue. While there is always a great deal to learn from other global experiences, the case of Palestine is different and unless Secretary Kerry recognizes this all efforts will be in vain. Three issues related to this conflict that are crucial to understand are: historic guilt, colonial responsibility, and the U.S. “special relationship” with Israel.

Dozens March in Ukraine’s First-Ever Gay Rally

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:36:18 EDT

(KIEV, Ukraine) — At least 50 gay rights activists have marched peacefully in the country’s first gay rally despite a court ban and attempts to disrupt the event. Participants of the Saturday’s rally in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, held banners against discrimination and derogatory stereotypes of gays. Riot police guarded the rally and prevented attempts by a dozen men to attack the activists. While the recognition of gay rights advances in much of the West, antipathy toward homosexuals remains strong in Ukraine and other parts of the former Soviet Union. Homosexuality was a criminal offense in the Soviet Union and societal resistance to it remains strong more than two decades later. The highly influential Orthodox Church vehemently opposes gay rights. MORE: Boy Scouts Vote to Allow Gay Youth

'Syrian hackers attempted to attack Haifa's water supply'

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:20:03 EDT

Expert: Activists loyal to Assad launched cyber-attack on Israel.