international news

Britain, France urge UN action on Middle East

Samantha Powers says critically important for leaders to "reengage in efforts to achieve peace."

Can't get gadgets delivered here? US startup promises solution

The US based start up will basically help customers buy from any US store as long as the item being purchased is not overly bulky.

NGO seeks to seize N. Korean ship to pay off $330 m. US judgment for killing of priest

Shurat Hadin wishes to seize ship which is impounded in Mexico in order to collect on judgment.

Armed guards shield Kenyan churches during Easter Sunday following Islamist attack

Churches hire armed police and private security guards for mass.

Argentinian judge denies request to reopen Nisman complaint against ex-president

Argentinian President to speak to Jewish leaders in Buenos Aires, discuss investigation into 1994 bombing of city's AMIA Jewish center.

Jewish journalist ‘wrongly imprisoned’ in Austria over restitution claim

According to prosecutors, journalist neglecting to list certain information in novel chronicling sites around the city of Vienna that had belonged to Jews.

Three killed, 9 injured in attack on Colorado abortion clinic

The nine surviving victims - five police officers and four civilians - were listed in good condition at area hospitals,

Ukrainian Jewish leader accuses Kiev of ‘flirting with radicals’

"Today it is obvious that the government has played with the radicals. Instead of putting them in their place a year ago," says Jewish oligarch Vadim Rabinovich.

Greek official slammed for saying ‘victims become bullies’ in Holocaust speech

Wiesenthal Center calls speech “inversion of the Holocaust."

Extremists threaten to burn Talmud, rip Israeli flag, at London march in Jewish neighborhood

Jewish community remains calm, unintimidated, in face of threats.

French lawmakers pass bill requiring ‘neutrality on religion’ at preschools

Chabad operated Jewish schools could be seen as violating new law.

Argentina to offer compensation to AMIA bombing victims

Relatives of victims to receive about $170,000, “extremely grievous” injured to receive 70% of that amount.

Reporter's Notebook: In Mariupol, a war only minutes away

Only around 40 percent of pre-war inhabitants remain in village, rockets fired from across river force rest out.

First Jew sworn in as US ambassador for religious freedom

Saperstein was ushered into the Obama administration at a small ceremony at the State Department.

Israel's Alexander Brewery to pour at Ottawa beer festival

National Capital Craft Beer Festival will feature dozens of beers including the micro-brew from the Hefer Valley.

Monopoly on fun

This week in Jerusalem 402362

Peggy Cidor’s round-up of city affairs.

Italy faces political gridlock as 5-Star surges in election

The full result is not due until much later on Monday.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe resigns, ending four decades of rule

The resignation letter written that was read out by the speaker of the country's parliament made no mention of who he was leaving in charge of the country.

Terror wave targeting Europe 'has not reached its peak,' security expert warns

Attack appears to be the work of a lone wolf or local cell, experts say; An EU-wide counter-terror organization is needed, though lone attackers are very difficult to stop.

Newly released CIA documents raise questions about torture’s effectiveness

The new 50 documents making up around 900 pages were released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Stop obsessing over international exam scores, urges study

Despite low results, Taub Center finds that Israel is still world leader in registered patents.

US officials: Russia didn't give downed jet's flight plan to US

The Pentagon did not immediately comment on Putin's remarks that "we informed our American partners" about when and where Russian aircraft would be operating.

In Bangkok, dazed and covered in soot and dust

The blast went off right at the spot where tourists, including Israelis at times, congregate daily and where female vendors sell flower garlands, joss sticks and votive offerings for the spirits.

Bangkok bombing: Who done it?

The particular method used – the laying of an improvised explosive device – could indicate which groups were more likely than others to carry out the attacks.

US State Department: Terror attacks, deaths, up sharply in 2014

Fatalities due to terrorism soars by 81% whilst ISIS surges ahead of al-Qaida as leading jihadist group.

Lebanese man to stand trial in Cyprus over alleged Hezbollah bomb plot

26-year-old Lebanese-Canadian accused of plotting to target Israelis or Jews abroad.

White suspect charged with murder in attack on black US church

21-year-old Dylann Roof charged nine counts of murder for attack.

Race for US presidency set to expand exponentially

​Baltimore's Martin O'Malley enters on Democratic side.

Poll: French public back military intervention in Syria

92% of French say they are personally worried by the situation in Syria.

Dutch government approves partial ban of burqa

Those who fail to abide with the ban will be fined up to 405 euros.

Boy found in suitcase in failed smuggle attempt to Spain through Morocco

8-year-old hidden for hours, discovered when suitcase put through scanner.

Lone wolf gunmen, not ISIS, responsible for terror in Texas

Officials say no hard evidence links shooters to Islamic State.

WATCH: Video catches moment of Nepal earthquake and avalanche at Mount Everest

Those in the video appeared to be alright, but at least 17 people were killed in the avalanche that followed the earthquake at the Everest Base Camp.

Devastating Nepal earthquake kills over 1,300

7.9 magnitude quake topples historic Kathmandu tower.

Analysis: Has China become a stabilizing force?

Israel and China have witnessed an age of improved relations and trade.

Germanwings pilot pleads: 'Open the damn door' in desperate attempt to re-enter cockpit

Released transcripts reveal Andreas Lubitz urging captain to go on bathroom break, hand over controls of cockpit.

Small island, big legacy

The success of Singapore’s founder, who died this week, challenges Western political axioms and carries implications for a turbulent Middle East.

Cockpit voice tape reviewed in Germanwings crash reveals pilot locked out

New York Times reports audio indicates one of the pilots leaving cockpit, failing to return.

British MPs reject calls to ban religious slaughter of animals

Ministers uphold government acceptance of religious slaughter despite call of 100,000 to ban practice.

France seizes passports of suspected jihadists headed for Syria

Anti-terrorism measure allows authorities to seize passports, keep French jihadis from joining IS.

Australian leader enrages Muslims after 'get with the program' comment

Prime Minister Tony Abbott gave an address to the nation about security during which he offered pointed criticism of Islamic leaders and their attitudes toward extremism.

Denmark on high alert with one killed at free speech venue, three wounded after synagogue shooting

Terror in Denmark: One dead, three policemen hurt in apparent assassination attempt on controversial Swedish artist who drew images of Mohammed.

Oklahoma to use gas chambers in meting out death penalty

The issue came to the fore in recent months after a botched execution of an inmate, Clayton Lockett.

WATCH: Dramatic video shows TransAsia jet slamming into Taiwan highway before crash

At least 11 people were killed and up to 19 were missing after a Taiwanese TransAsia Airways plane with 58 passengers and crew on board crashed into a river.

Pings detected in search for AirAsia jet's black box, investigator says

Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 vanished from radar screens on Dec. 28, less than half way into a two-hour flight from Indonesia's second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore.

WATCH: Indonesian rescue teams find body of AirAsia passenger in search for missing plane

Indonesia AirAsia's Flight QZ8501, an Airbus A320-200, lost contact with air traffic control early on Sunday during bad weather on a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

WATCH: The dramatic final moments of the Sydney hostage standoff

Heavy gunfire and loud bangs rang out shortly after 2 a.m. local time and moments earlier at least six people believed to have been held captive had managed to flee the scene.

Austria to close Saudi school with alleged anti-Semetic inclinations

Austrian government sets to toughen regulation on funding by Muslim organizations, hopes to keep schools free of jihadi influence and recruitment.

Top German politician: Ban the burka

Demand to outlaw covering gains traction nationwide.

Thailand's army declares martial law, says not a coup

Army chief said the military was taking charge of public security because of violent protests that had claimed lives and caused damage.

Ten countries scour sea for Malaysia jet lost in 'unprecedented mystery'

Dozens of ships and aircraft from 10 countries scoured the seas around Malaysia and south of Vietnam.

Netanyahu lands in Monrovia, reconciliation expected with Senegal

Netanyahu told reporters on his plane that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen Israel's rapidly growing ties with Africa.

Ukraine opens investigation of Shas MK following visit to Crimea

According to Ukrainian law, violation of entry procedures into Crimea is punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

Top diplomat: Israel has contacts with almost every Arab state

Dore Gold says those who claim Israel is isolated "don’t know what they are talking about."

Israel assures Belarus that closing of embassy does not reflect on importance of ties

Five Israeli representations worldwide are to be shuttered in cost-saving measures.

Fake bomb discovered outside of Israeli Embassy in Uruguay

This is the second bomb scare outside of the embassy this year.

Rock veterans Manfred Mann, Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward announce Israel shows

The pop group will be returning to Israel after an 11-year absence.

Supreme Court overturns Isawiya resident’s shooting conviction

Investigators failed to look for confirming evidence of statements, leaving the veracity of the convicted's confession open to doubt.

Israel-Kosovo relations marked by shared sympathies, hampered by identity politics

Despite Kosovo’s open admiration for Israel, Palestinian unilateralism and ties with Russia and Serbia make recognition of the Balkan state difficult for Jerusalem.

Cutting ISIS down to size

The West is waking up to the threat and the Islamic State’s advance is stalling

Spy story

In contrast to the past, during the past 30 years all Israeli governments have forbidden any espionage activity against the US.

FESTIVAL REVIEW

Molde Jazz Festival Norway, July 14-19.

Hot off the Arab press 484976

What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East.

Hot off the Arab press 484350

What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East.

Hot off the Arab press 441403

What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East

Books: Campaign culture

How advertising has reflected and responded to the changing values of Jews in the US over the past 100 years.

As seen through a camera lens

Rina Castelnuovo is the eye in Israel for ‘The New York Times’.

'Hundreds of migrants die as boat capsizes en route to Europe'

Unconfirmed media reports earlier on Monday spoke of up to 400 victims from boats which capsized as they attempted to sail to Europe.

French FM Fabius steps down, Mideast initiative still on table

Fabius, and the French initiative, were at the center of dueling tweets this week between France’s envoy to the US, Gerard Araud, and Israel’s ambassador, Ron Dermer.

Iran set to be hooked up to global banks in weeks

"My feeling is it is going to take a couple of weeks or so before we start to see proper re-engagement. It will be slowly, slowly," says chief executive of Tehran-based Middle East Bank.

Special to JPost: Refugees pray Hungary fence will remain open

Local Serbs didn’t seem overly bothered by the migrants, so long as they kept to the train tracks and off the main roads.

Gaddafi's home town falls to Islamic State in anarchic Libya

ISIS gains in Libya worry European governments and north African neighbors. Yet so far, Western countries bombing IS positions in Syria and Iraq, have steered clear of intervention in Libya.

Turkish Airlines CEO suggests pilots wed to avoid Germanwings-like crashes

Turkish CEO "absolutely encourages" marriage amongst pilots to prevent depression, impulsive acts mid-flight similar to the plane-crash suicide induced by a Germanwings' pilot last month.

Fourth New York City man charged in plot to aid Islamic State

Man charged for encouraging others to participate in violent jihad through electronic messages, facilitating the travel of foreign fighters to Syria.

Analysis: Sweden vs Saudi Arabia or the triumph of realpolitik

Sweden’s energetic minister for foreign affairs is learning the hard way a few basic facts about the Middle East.

Mausoleum of Saddam Hussein destroyed in fighting between ISIS and Iraqi forces

The battle in Tikrit between IS militants and Iraqi security forces reduces the once lavish shrine to rubble.

UN Security Council calls for beefed-up campaign against Islamic State

Statement by 15 members of council says jihadist group's violence, hatred must be stamped out.

Foreign Affairs: The war ahead of Europe

The social and political predicaments underpinning Europe’s Islamist challenge ominously resemble those that caused the decline of ancient Rome.

Cambodia’s infamous S-21 prison

Forty years after S-21, killing fields and death camps still exist

Why Nepal?

This commitment is not easy and it is not cheap.

The Travel Adviser: For El Al, mission accomplished

El Al has an open path to not just convince clients to fly them, but to retain them.

‘Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town’

Breeze through the Windy City, from scenic lake shores to towering skyscrapers.

Bill O'Reilly gets fired from Fox News, shakes hands with Pope

“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel,” the company said in a statement.

Bomb-sniffing elephants trained in South Africa

Could elephants be replacing dogs as go-to bomb-sniffer?

Watch: Saudi motorist stashes kids in trunk of car while driving

The YouTube video shows the car being driven with the legs of three youngsters dangling from the trunk.

Analysis: Can Trump construct a new world order?

For its part, Israel should be cognizant of the fact that a Trump administration will be capable of radical change in global affairs.

Analysis: New Hampshire - Revolution against status quo under way

Victories by Sanders, Trump show greater polarization of the US electorate.