Two bipartisan political action committees will be launched: A federal PAC and a Super PAC.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: AIPAC launches two PACs, moves to actively support candidate campaigns
Will Israel ban US travel over Omicron fears?
The Health Ministry has set new criteria for determining if a country is red.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Will Israel ban US travel over Omicron fears?
Like Khamenei, Rouhani – Iran's Raisi blinks under threat – analysis
Since his election in June, some have mythologized President Ebrahim Raisi as an immovable object. But then he moved.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Like Khamenei, Rouhani – Iran's Raisi blinks under threat - analysis
Son’s obituary for ‘plus-sized Jewish lady redneck’ mother goes viral
'Hers was an itinerant, much-lived life, a Yankee Florida liberal Jewish Tough Gal who bowled ’em in Japan, rolled ’em in North Carolina and was a singularly unique parent.'
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Son’s obituary for ‘plus-sized Jewish lady redneck’ mother goes viral
UK reveals it shot down drone over Syria’s Al-Tanf housing US troops
The drone shot down over a military base housing US troops in Syria this week was destroyed by British troops, the UK revealed Thursday.On Monday, it was reported that two drones had targeted the Al-Tanf base. But reports suggested that one drone had turned away after Coalition forces destroyed the first.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US troops are housed at the base, which has been targeted on multiple occasions before by ISIS militants and Iran-backed militias.The UK’s Defense Ministry said drone activity was detected above the Al-Tanf base, and as the drone continued on its track, “it became clear it posed a threat to Coalition forces.”“This unprecedented event was the first operational air-to-air engagement conducted by an RAF Typhoon, and also the first RAF air-to-air missile firing during Operation SHADER – the UK’s contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh,” a statement from the ministry read.For his part, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the strike was an “impressive demonstration” of the Royal Air Force’s ability to take out hostile targets that pose a threat.“We continue to do everything we can alongside our Coalition partners to stamp out the terrorist threat and protect our personnel and our partners,” Wallace said.Thursday’s statement noted that the downed drone came several weeks after the RAF “successfully eliminated a known terrorist threat in Syria using a remotely piloted Reaper armed with Hellfire missiles.”“Daesh is still a threat,” the British Defense Ministry said. “The UK remains firmly committed to working with our Coalition partners and the Iraqi Security Forces on further degrading the terrorist group.”Read more: US troops staying put in Iraq and Syria: Officials
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UK reveals it shot down drone over Syria’s Al-Tanf housing US troops
US lauds Saudi Arabia as strong, ‘very capable’ partner in fight against terror
A top State Department official said Thursday that Saudi Arabia was a strong and “very capable” partner in the fight against terrorism.Speaking after the release of the 2020 Country Report on Terrorism, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism John Godfrey praised Riyadh for its work.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Saudi Arabia remains a strong and active and very capable counterterrorism partner of the United States,” Godfrey said in response to a question from a reporter during a phone briefing.He said the US would continue to partner with Saudi Arabia against terrorism in the region as well as in the context of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. “Saudi Arabia is an active member of both of those.”Godfrey told reporters that ISIS and Al-Qaeda continued to pose a threat to the region and the world.“As an example of that, ISIS branches and networks outside Iraq and Syria caused more fatalities during 2020 than in any previous year. Deaths due to ISIS-affiliated attacks in West Africa alone almost doubled from around 2,700 in 2017 to nearly 5,000 in 2020,” he said. Godfrey also voiced concern over the continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the threat within the country from Al-Qaeda and ISIS-aligned terrorists. “They’ve been quite capable in beating back those threats as well,” he said of the latter.Turning to Iraq, Godfrey commended the positive role played by Saudi Arabia, “including with respect to some of the efforts to promote economic and other stabilization efforts.”He added: “And obviously, I think that there’s been quite a lot of cooperation throughout the region, including with Saudi Arabia, on trying to get a new government formed in Iraq that reflects the will of the Iraqi people.”Singling out Iran, Godfrey said it was continuing to support acts of terrorism around the world with its backing of groups in Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, including Hizballah and Hamas. “And senior al-Qaida leaders continued to reside in Iran,” he said.Read more: Iran is leading state sponsor of terrorism, ISIS remains a threat to US: Official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US lauds Saudi Arabia as strong, ‘very capable’ partner in fight against terror
Fallen Afghan government’s UN envoy leaves post
The Afghan ambassador appointed by the country’s overthrown government has left his post at the United Nations, the UN said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Ghulam Isaczai “relinquished his position as of December 15,” according to a letter received Thursday, assistant UN spokesman Farhan Haq told AFP.With Afghanistan in economic crisis following the Taliban takeover in August, the country’s mission to the UN has struggled to keep operating, diplomats said.The Afghan mission to the UN could not be reached for comment on Thursday night.On September 14, Isaczai formally asked the UN to state that he remained the Afghan ambassador.Later that month the Taliban asked the UN to accredit Suhail Shaheen, a former spokesman for the movement, as the new ambassador replacing Isaczai.Isaczai took part in a UN Security Council meeting in late November, at which he openly criticized his country’s new hardline rulers.But early this month, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in which it indefinitely delayed a decision over the rival claims to the representative seat for Afghanistan.The Taliban have criticized the UN’s failure to decide on this issue, saying it ignores the rights of the Afghan people.When they previously ruled Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban had no ambassador at the UN.Read more: Four women found dead in northern Afghanistan, Taliban confirmRussia urges West to engage with TalibanTaliban tell hundreds of women in Afghanistan to stay home, not report to work
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Fallen Afghan government’s UN envoy leaves post
Science suggests omicron has displaced delta COVID-19 variant: South African expert
There are indications that the omicron COVID-19 variant has rapidly displaced the delta variant, according to South African disease expert Michelle Groome.South Africa is seeing a slight increase in COVID-19 deaths in an ongoing fourth infection wave but off a low base, a Groome also said on Friday.“Also starting to see a slight increase in deaths nationally, but once again this level is very much lower even than the baseline period we were seeing between the second and third waves,” Groome told a news conference.Developing
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Science suggests omicron has displaced delta COVID-19 variant: South African expert
Iran top negotiator says nuclear talks to pause for a few days
Talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal will be held in Vienna on Friday before breaking for a “few days”, Iran’s chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The indirect US-Iran talks on bringing both sides back into full compliance with the deal are in their seventh round.Bagheri Kani said on Twitter that he met EU political director Enrique Mora and other delegates on Thursday “to take stock of the situation and discuss the way forward”.“We have made good progress this week. We will convene a Joint Commission today and will continue talks after a break of a few days,” he said.He did not give a date.Three diplomats said on Thursday the remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal planned to meet on Friday at 1300 GMT to adjourn talks on salvaging the deal. One of them said the talks would resume on Dec. 27, while another said they would resume between Christmas and the New Year.Under the agreement, Iran had limited its nuclear programme in return for relief from US, European Union and UN sanctions.Then-President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed US sanctions, prompting Iran to begin violating its nuclear restrictions in 2019.Read more: Saudi Arabia seeks serious approach to Iran’s nuclear, missile programs: Crown PrinceIran accuses Western parties to 2015 nuclear deal of ‘blame game’Return to 2015 Iran deal should only be first step to longer, stronger deal: Saudi FM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran top negotiator says nuclear talks to pause for a few days
Can getting angry cause a stroke? Doctors explain
One in 11 strokes occurs about one hour after an emotional upheaval or intense physical exercise.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Can getting angry cause a stroke? Doctors explain