EVENTS IN TIME (BIBLE PROPHECY LITERALLY FULFILLED)(BY GOD)

I WRITE NEWS ABOUT AND PUT NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM PERTAINING TO BIBLE PROPHESY HAPPENINGS.JOEL 3:20 But Judah (ISRAEL) shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.(THATS ISRAEL-JERUSALEM WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED AGAIN)-WE CHRISTIANS ARE ALL WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE TO OCCUR.SO WE CAN GO TO JESUS AND GET OUR NEVER DYING BODIES.SO WE CAN RULE OVER CITIES OURSELVES.WHILE JESUS RULES FROM DAVIDS THRONE FOREVER IN JERUSALEM.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

END OF THE WORLD CULTIST BELIEF FAMILY KILLS THEMSELVES

CANADIAN MUSLIM GROUP FUNNELS MONEY TO HAMAS THE ISRAEL HATERS

ACKNOWLEDGING THE CORE DOCTRINE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE-IRANS NUCLEAR PROGRAM

JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER. 1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)

JOEL 2:3,30
3 A fire devoureth (ATOMIC BOMB) before them;(RUSSIAN-ARAB-MUSLIM ARMIES AGAINST ISRAEL) and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.(ATOMIC BOMB AFFECT)

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their eyes shall consume away in their holes,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB)(BECAUSE NUKES HAVE BEEN USED ON ISRAELS ENEMIES)(GOD PROTECTS ISRAEL AND ALWAYS WILL)
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN WW3)(THIS IS AN ATOMIC BOMB EFFECT)

EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

CANADA STANDS STRONG AND FREE-LOOKOUT ISLAM-STEPHEN HARPER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4GAfS41FQc&list=PL3DmZ_MO1MKSBP296bPDd2LvutJof1FDZ

Op-Ed: Acknowledging the Core Importance of Doctrine-The especially urgent problems now associated with a steadily nuclearizing Iran should not have to be addressed by Israel on a case-by-case or ad hoc basis.Published: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 10:48 PM Prof. Louis René Beres

Special to Israel National News

Oddly, perhaps, especially at a time of expanding existential peril, Israel has yet to make any substantive policy disclosures about its nuclear deterrent. To be sure, two former prime ministers, during their respective governing tenures, exhibited substantial “slips of the tongue" on this sensitive issue. Nonetheless, no purposefully explicit or meaningfully nuanced strategic details were ever disclosed by Premiers Shimon Peres or Ehud Olmert. Always, the bomb remained deliberately vague and obscure, still carefully well-hidden in the country's metaphoric "basement."Even today, with an apt regard for specific Israeli policies, key components, and operational details, everything nuclear is shrouded in “deliberate ambiguity.” For Jerusalem, everything nuclear continues to be "opaque." This is policy.

But is this policy smart?

On its face, the continuing Israeli commitment to a nuclear status quo does seem to make sense. After all, at least at the most obvious security levels, Israel's usual state adversaries remain reluctant to launch any new major wars. Strategic planners, therefore, are entitled to ask: "Why rock the boat"Whatever Jerusalem chooses to say or not say, every conceivable adversary is already convinced that Israel has nuclear weapons. Indeed, to believe otherwise, at this point, would be preposterous. Also, U.S. President Barack Obama, plainly less than a fan of Israel's key decision-makers, would likely object to any tangible disclosures of Israel's nuclear posture. Such disclosures, it seems clear, could prove problematic for Washington.There is more. The United States, either wittingly, or in conspicuous reaction to certain foreign government expectations, might react to any incremental Israeli nuclear disclosures by pressuring Jerusalem to join the 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). In this continuing matter, it is worth recalling, President Barack Obama has never pulled back discernibly from his oft-stated preference for “a world free of nuclear weapons.”For Israel, this is a potentially injurious preference. Instead, for the Jewish State, the authentically durable mantra ought to be: Si vis pacem, para bellum atomicum. "If you want peace, prepare for nuclear war." Plainly, Mr. Obama has yet to think through the bewilderingly complex dialectics of uncertainty in a denuclearizing world. For its part, and simply to "stay alive," Israel must plan reluctantly but also recognizably for nuclear war.In the end, Israel could not long endure without nuclear weapons. Assuredly, these weapons are not needed primarily for the purpose of any actual war fighting, but rather for protracted strategic deterrence. Or, in the considered words of the Project Daniel final report, Israel's Strategic Future (2004): "The primary point of Israel's nuclear forces must always be deterrence ex ante, not revenge ex post."Soon, there may arise a distinctly overriding reason for taking the bomb out of the "basement." This reason would be the inevitably complex requirements of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrence posture. To present such an essential posture, Israel’s nuclear weapons, inter alia, will always need to appear sufficiently invulnerable to preemptive destruction by all would-be adversaries.These nuclear weapons will also need to be seen as “penetration capable” (recognizably able to hit their intended targets) and “usable” (able to be taken seriously, that is, as a plausible retaliation for certain enemy aggressions). If any of these particular enemy perceptions were absent, Israel’s nuclear weapons might not be taken with sufficient seriousness to serve as a sustainably credible deterrent. This could be the case, moreover, even though their physical existence and destructiveness would appear altogether obvious.For Israel’s nuclear weapons to protect against massive enemy attacks, some of which could sometime be genuinely existential in magnitude, Israel now needs to refine, operationalize, and possibly declare certain precise elements of its strategic doctrine and associated ordnance. Such action would be needed, among other things, to enhance deterrence credibility along the entire spectrum of major security threats, and also to provide Israel with broad conceptual frameworks from which particular decisions and tactics could be suitably extrapolated.

In principle, the especially urgent problems now associated with a steadily nuclearizing Iran should not have to be addressed by Israel on a case-by-case or ad hoc basis. Rather, Israel should stay prepared to fashion its best available response to the unprecedented Iranian nuclear threat within the broader and more coherent context of an antecedent strategic theory. In all fields, including strategic studies, theory is a “net.” Only those who cast, will catch.From Plato's time onward, dialectical thinking has required the disciplined asking and answering of certain questions. It follows that to shape its necessary strategic doctrine, Israel should promptly address the following absolutely core questions:Shall Israel begin to openly identify certain general elements of its nuclear arsenal and nuclear plans? If so, how? Would it be in Israel's best security interest to make certain others aware, at least in general terms, of its nuclear targeting doctrine; its retaliatory and counter-retaliatory capacities; its willingness under particular conditions to preempt; its willingness under particular conditions to undertake nuclear reprisals; and its corollary capacities for ballistic missile defense? If so, to what extent? A simple Arab/Islamic awareness of the Israeli bomb can never automatically imply that Israel maintains a truly credible nuclear deterrent. If, for example, Israel's nuclear arsenal were seen as vulnerable to enemy first-strikes, it still might not persuade certain enemy states to resist attacking the Jewish State. Similarly, if Israel's political leadership were seen as unwilling to resort to nuclear weapons in reprisal for anything but unconventional and fully exterminatory strikes, these enemy states might also not be deterred.If Israel's nuclear weapons were seen as uniformly too large, too destructive, and too indiscriminate for any rational use, deterrence could fail. And if Israel's targeting doctrine were seen as too predominantly “counterforce,” that is, targeted exclusively or even primarily, on enemy state weapons with supporting military infrastructures, would-be attackers might then not anticipate sufficiently high expected costs. They might, in consequence, not be deterred.As was acknowledged in the 2004 Project Daniel final report, Israel's Strategic Future, a presumptive counter-force targeting doctrine could also be damaging to Israel, here, because it could enlarge the probabilities of nuclear war fighting. Always, we must recall, Israel’s nuclear weapons should be oriented toward deterrence, and never to actual conflict. With this in mind, Israeli planners and leaders (in stark contrast to the recent nuclear military planning operationalized in Pakistan) have likely opted not to build or deploy tactical/theatre nuclear forces.If Israel's targeting doctrine were judged to be too predominantly "counterforce,” enemy states could so fear an Israeli first-strike that they would then consider more seriously striking first themselves. This more-or-less reasonable scenario would represent, in effect, a preemption of the preemption, an ironic situation, a danse macabre wherein the intended object of anticipatory self-defense (the proper legal term for any permissible preemption) would itself strike “defensively.”The dialectical dynamics of any such strategic calculations are hideously complex. In this connection, aware of the counter-city/counterforce options and implications, Israel's leaders should quickly determine the most favorable means and levels of any prospective nuclear disclosure. How shall enemy states best be apprised of Israel's targeting doctrine, so that these particular adversaries could be deterred from all forms of both first-strike and retaliatory strike action? Here is the strategic bottom line: To ensure long-term survival of Israel, it can never be sufficient that Israel's enemies merely know that the Jewish State has nuclear weapons. They must also be convinced, always, that these atomic arms are sufficiently secure and usable, and that Israel's designated leadership is determinedly willing to launch them in response to certain first-strike and/or retaliatory aggressions.No enemy state should ever be allowed to assume that Israel could be massively attacked with impunity.Always, Israel's strategic doctrine must aim at strengthening nuclear deterrence. Jerusalem can meet this utterly core objective only by convincing enemy states that a first-strike upon Israel will always be irrational. More precisely, this means successfully communicating to enemy states that the costs of any such strike will always exceed the benefits.

Iran could effectively emerge as a suicide-bomber in macrocosm.
Without exception, Israel's strategic doctrine must convince prospective attackers that their intended victim has both the willingness and the capacity to retaliate with nuclear weapons. Where an enemy state considering an attack upon Israel were somehow unconvinced about either or both of these fundamental components of nuclear deterrence, it could still choose rationally to strike first. Of course, this would depend, at least in part, upon the particular value it had originally placed upon the expected consequences of any such attack.Regarding willingness, even if Israel were fully prepared to respond to certain Arab/Islamic attacks with nuclear reprisals, any residual enemy failure to actually recognize such preparedness could provoke an attack upon Israel. Misperception and/or errors in information could quickly immobilize Israeli nuclear deterrence. It is also conceivable that Israel would, in fact, simply lack the willingness to retaliate, and that this damaging lack of willingness were perceived correctly by enemy state decision-makers. In this very worrisome case, Israeli nuclear deterrence would be immobilized, not because of any confused signals, but because of signals that had not been suitably distorted.Regarding capacity, even if Israel were to maintain a substantial arsenal of nuclear weapons, it is essential that enemy states will always believe these weapons to be distinctly usable. This means that if a first-strike attack were ever believed capable of sufficiently destroying Israel's atomic arsenal and associated infrastructures, that country's nuclear deterrent could conceivably be immobilized. To best guard against any such perilous eventuality, Jerusalem would be well-advised to continue working closely at improving all viable and affordable submarine nuclear basing options.[1]-Even if Israel's nuclear weapons were configured such that they could not be destroyed by an enemy first-strike, enemy misperceptions or misjudgments about Israeli vulnerability could still bring about the catastrophic failure of Israeli nuclear deterrence. A further complication here concerns enemy state deployment of anti-tactical ballistic missiles, deployments which could contribute to an affirmative attack decision against Israel, by lowering the attacker's own expected costs.The importance of usable nuclear weapons must also be examined from the standpoint of probable harms. Should Israel's nuclear weapons be perceived by a would-be attacker as uniformly too high-yield, or "city-busting" weapons, they might also fail to deter. In certain circumstances, successful nuclear deterrence could even vary inversely with perceived destructiveness, at least to a point. This does not mean that Israel should ever incline toward a nuclear war-fighting doctrine (it assuredly should not), but only that it must always be aware of possibly subtle or eccentric decisional correlations between successful nuclear deterrence, and enemy perceptions of nuclear destructiveness.This brings us back to the over-all core importance of Israeli strategic doctrine. To the extent that this doctrine were to identify certain nuanced and graduated forms of reprisal - forms calibrating Israeli retaliations somewhat to particular levels of provocation – any disclosure of such doctrine could enhance Israeli nuclear deterrence. Without such disclosure, Israel's enemies would be kept guessing about the Jewish State's probable responses, a condition of persistent uncertainty that could possibly serve Israel's security for a while longer, but, at one time or another, could also fail altogether.It is time for one final observation, one already familiar to Israeli strategic planners. All nuclear deterrence is contingent upon an assumption of enemy rationality. This means that in calculating deterrence, an enemy must always be assumed to value its continued physical survival more highly than any other preference, or combination of preferences. Where this assumption might be unwarranted, all deterrence “bets” could be off, and the would-be deterrer’s own survival would likely depend upon certain apt forms of preemption, and/or ballistic missile defense - that is, BMD displaying a near-perfect “reliability of intercept.”In the relentlessly urgent matter of nuclear Iran, a peril that intersects synergistically with a broad variety of corollary terror threats in the region, Israel will soon have to decide whether that country could sometime be animated more by Jihadist visions of a Shiite apocalypse, than by the usual strategic considerations of national survival. This portentous prospect, one wherein Iran could effectively emerge as a suicide-bomber in macrocosm, is highly improbable, but it is not inconceivable.Credo quia absurdum. "I believe because it is absurd." Israel should never construct its overall strategic doctrine upon such an eccentric mantra, but it also ought not ignore this potentially insightful paradox. In the end, this means a core responsibility to plan carefully for long-term nuclear deterrence of a rational nuclear Iran, but also to simultaneously make preparations for dealing with an already nuclear Iran that might sometime value certain religious preferences even more highly than collective physical survival. By definition, any such residual preparations would have to include viable plans for threatening to obstruct those particular Islamic religious values that Tehran might determinably value more highly than any other national preference, or combination of such preferences.In terms of nuclear deterrence, irrationality is not the same as madness. If properly understood, even an irrational national adversary can be deterred. For Israel, going forward, this means a more precise and obligatory understanding of Iran's expected ordering of religious (Shiite Islamic) preferences.As for any eleventh-hour Israeli resort to preemption or "anticipatory self- defense," it would, of course, need to be undertaken before Iran became operationally nuclear. For the moment, this starkly alternative option to long-term nuclear deterrence remains logically possible, but also manifestly unlikely. In essence, at this late stage, the expected costs to Israel of any defensive first-strike would plausibly exceed the expected gains.Si vis pacem, para bellum atomicum ."If you want peace, prepare for nuclear war."

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LOUIS RENÉ BERES was born in Zürich, Switzerland (August 31, 1945), and educated at Princeton (Ph.D., 1971). He is the author of many major books and articles dealing with nuclear strategy and nuclear war, and a frequent contributor to Israel National News. Professor Beres' tenth book, Israel's Nuclear Strategy: Surviving Amid Chaos, will be published later this year. The Chair of Project Daniel (Israel, 2003, PM Sharon), his work is well-known in both Israeli and American senior military/intelligence communities. See, for example, Louis René Beres and (Major General) Isaac Ben-Israel (IDF/res.), "Deterring an Iranian Nuclear Attack," The Washington Times, January 27, 2009; Louis René Beres and (General) John T. Chain (USAF/ret.), "Could Israel Safely Deter a Nuclear Iran,"? The Atlantic, August 2012; Louis René Beres and (General) John T. Chain (USAF/ret.), "Living With Iran: Israel's Strategic Imperative," Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (Israel), BESA Perspective Paper # 249, May 28, 2014. Professor Beres' most recent scholarly articles were published in the Harvard National Security Journal (Harvard Law School), the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, and the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence.[1] See, on these options: Louis René Beres and Admiral (USN/ret.) Leon "Bud" Edney, "Israel's Nuclear Strategy: A Larger Role for Submarine Basing," The Jerusalem Post, August 17, 2014; and Professor Beres and Admiral Edney, "A Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent for Israel," Washington Times, September 5, 2014.

EZEKIEL 38:1-7
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech (MOSCOW) and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog,(LEADER OF RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:TOBOLSK)
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE RUSSIA-MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY) of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.(AFRICAN MUSLIMS,SUDAN,TUNESIA ETC)
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

JEREMEIAH 49:35-37 (IN IRAN AT THE BUSHEHR OR ARAK NUKE SITE SOME BELIEVE)
35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam,(IRAN/BUSHEHR NUCLEAR SITE) the chief of their might.(MOST DANGEROUS NUKE SITE IN IRAN)
36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven,(IRANIANS SCATTERED OR MASS IMIGARATION) and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.(WORLD IMMIGRATION)
37 For I will cause Elam (IRAN-BUSHEHR NUKE SITE) to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger,(ISRAELS NUKES POSSIBLY) saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:(IRAN AND ITS NUKE SITES DESTROYED)

ISAIAH 17:1,11-14
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations,(USELESS U.N) that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
14 And behold at evening tide trouble; and before the morning he is not.(ASSAD KILLED IN OVERNIGHT RAID) This is the portion of them that spoil us,(ISRAEL) and the lot of them that rob us.

AMOS 1:5
5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden:(IRAQ) and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir,(JORDAN) saith the LORD.(I belive ISIS-DAMASCUS GET NUKED BY ISRAEL)

JEREMEIAH 49:23-27
23 Concerning Damascus.(SYRIA) Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea;(WAR SHIPS WITH NUKES COMING ON SYRIA) it cannot be quiet.
24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
27 And I will kindle a fire (NUKES OR BOMBS) in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.(ASSADS PALACES POSSIBLY IN DAMASCUS)

PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they (MUSLIMS) have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,(JORDAN) and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, PALESTINIANS,JORDAN) and the Hagarenes;(EGYPT)
7 Gebal,(HEZZBALLOH,LEBANON) and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA,ARABS,SINAI) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)

PM Vows: Hezbollah, Iran Will 'Pay a Price' for Soldiers' Deaths-Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that those responsible for the deaths of two IDF soldiers would “pay the price for their actions."By Yaakov Levi-First Publish: 1/28/2015, 8:59 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the parties responsible for the attack on Har Dov earlier in the day that claimed the lives of two IDF soldiers would “pay the full price for their actions.” Netanyahu made the comments Wednesday evening before a meeting of top army and government officials discussing the attack by Hezbollah terrorists earlier Wednesday.Two IDF soldiers were killed earlier Wednesday when Lebanese terror group fired antitank missiles at two IDF vehicles in the Har Dov area (Shebaa Farms) in a Hezbollah ambush.Six casualties in light to moderate condition were taken to Ziv Hospital in Tzfat. Additional casualties were evacuated to Rambam Hospital.The IDF vigorously denied Hezbollah claims that an IDF soldier had been kidnapped, and a Lebanese report later confirmed that Hezbollah had failed to capture an Israeli soldier.The two soldiers killed were identified as Major Yochai Kalangel and Sgt. Dor Nini, the IDF Spokesperson's Office announced. Netanyahu sent condolences to the families of the two victims, and wished the six soldiers injured in the attack a speedy recovery.“Those who committed these acts will pay the full price for their actions,” Netanyahu said. “For a long time Iran has been using Hezbollah to establish a terror front against us on the Golan. We are aggressively acting to prevent this. The government of Lebanon and the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria are responsible for attacks on Israel that emerge from their territory.“Our single goal is to defend Israel and Israelis,” Netanyahu added. “We have acted this way in the past, and will continue to do so.”

UN Security Council Calls Emergency Meeting Over Lebanon-UNIFIL to hold hearing on antitank missile attack on Israeli soil amid fears of an impending war.By Arutz Sheva Staff-First Publish: 1/28/2015, 10:10 PM / Last Update: 1/28/2015, 10:14 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS

The UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting from 2100 GMT on Wednesday to discuss the flare-up of violence on the Israeli-Lebanon border, diplomats told AFP.France requested the urgent talks in the 15-member council after two Israeli soldiers and a Spanish UN peacekeeper died in the exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah terrorists.The violence raised fears of another all-out conflict between the two countries, who fought a month-long war in 2006, in a region already wracked by fighting with Islamists in Syria and Iraq.Tension in the area has been building, especially after an Israeli air strike on the Syrian sector of the Golan Heights killed six Hezbollah terrorists and an Iranian general on January 18.Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council in a letter that Israel will take all necessary measures to defend itself in response to the Hezbollah attack."Israel will not stand by as Hezbollah targets Israelis," wrote Ron Prosor in the letter also sent to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.The Israeli envoy demanded that the council condemn Hezbollah and take steps to press Lebanon to disarm the Islamist militants as outlined in UN resolutions.The clashes began when Hezbollah fired an estimated 5-6 anti-tank missiles at a military convoy in Israel, prompting Israel to respond with air and ground strikes.The 10,000-strong UNIFIL mission said it had observed six rockets fired towards Israel from southern Lebanon and that Israeli forces "returned artillery fire in the same general area".The council will be meeting behind closed doors and hear a report from a senior peacekeeping official overseeing UNIFIL operations.

Is Hezbollah Digging Tunnels to Israel? IDF Intends to Find Out-For many, the prospect that Hezbollah is preparing an underground assault is far more worrisome than a mortar attack.By Moshe Cohen-First Publish: 1/28/2015, 5:22 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS

On Wednesday, Hezbollah terrorist fired mortar shells at IDF vehicles in the area of Har Dov in the northern Golan – a serious enough incident, but an open one that the IDF can fight. It's the kind of attack that takes place once in awhile, but residents of northern Israel have learned to take them in stride.Far more worrying to them, however, is the prospect that Hezbollah is preparing another kind of attack – an underground one, via Hamas-style tunnels that many believe are being dug even as Hezbollah attacks IDF jeeps in the Golan.Many residents of the north have complained of hearing underground noises – some of which were very loud, and sounded very much like the sound of heavy drilling. The IDF, said Shimon Gueta, head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, is taking these reports seriously and is actively examining these complaints. Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Gueta said that he could not explain the phenomenon, but that he had spoken to many IDF officials, and all of them have said that so far, nothing has been found. “Because there have been so many complaints recently, they are intensifying the investigations,” he added.Meanwhile, Gueta said, residents of the north were persevering with the increased security situation that transpired Wednesday, and that most of the area was now “back to normal.” While many tourists who had been set to visit the region this weekend canceled their reservations, Gueta said he was optimistic that visitors would return – if, of course, the situation calms down.Earlier Wednesday, the Lebanese terror group fired antitank missiles at two IDF vehicles in the Har Dov area (Shebaa Farms) in a Hezbollah ambush Wednesday morning. Seven people were wounded and two soldiers were killed. The IDF vigorously denied Hezbollah claims that an IDF soldier had been kidnapped, and a Lebanese report later confirmed that Hezbollah had failed to capture an Israeli soldier.

AIRASIA FLIGHT QZ 8501 MISSING ON WAY TO SINGAPORE AIRBUS A320-200-DAY 33

MISSING FLIGHT QZ 8501 AIR BUS A320-200-pic-Indianexpress.com

UPDATES-THU JAN 29,15-09:00PM
channelnewsasia updates in small type-The remains are on its way to Makassar and will be flown to Surabaya for identification purposes.The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) today announced that one passenger was identified as: Jimmy Sentosa Winata Oei (male).(57) DVI POLRI also received two additional remains which were recovered yesterday (28/01) in Mamuju, West Sulawesi at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya. To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 73 remains of which 57 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 15 remains are still being identified and 1 remains have yet to arrive at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.

AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501-AS PER 29 JANUARY 2015 17:30 HRS LT (GMT+7)

SURABAYA, 29TH JANUARY 2015 – The main search and rescue (SAR) operations led by the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Republic of Indonesia has yet to resume but a smaller SAR operation was carried out today by Makassar’s SAR team in the vicinity of Majene, West Sulawesi.Today's SAR operation was supported by 1 SAR vessel from Makassar, 1 CASA C-212 owned by the National Air Force based in Makassar. Local fishermen were also deployed to the sea in order to locate more passengers around the area.Earlier today, a local fisherman located remains in the sea near Majene, West Sulawesi that are suspected to be that of a QZ 8501 passenger. The remains are on its way to Makassar and will be flown to Surabaya for identification purposes.The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) today announced that one passenger was identified as: Jimmy Sentosa Winata Oei (male). DVI POLRI also received two additional remains which were recovered yesterday (28/01) in Mamuju, West Sulawesi at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 73 remains of which 57 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 15 remains are still being identified and 1 remains have yet to arrive at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya. AirAsia Indonesia would like to take this opportunity to urge the public seeking progress on the search and evacuation and identification process of QZ 8501 passengers to refer solely to official information from BASARNAS and DVI POLRI.You may also obtain substantiated information only from authorised AirAsia social media accounts: Facebook (www.facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter -www.twitter. com/AirAsia)-Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of our passengers and colleagues on board QZ 8501.

Air Asia QZ8501: Co-pilot at controls when plane crashed says investigator-AFP | Updated: January 29, 2015-astro awani

Jakarta: The co-pilot of an AirAsia flight that crashed into the Java Sea last month was at the controls when it went down, killing all 162 people on board, investigators said Thursday.The announcement came as fishermen found two more bodies from the crash in waters off Sulawesi island in central Indonesia, around 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from where the plane crashed, a search and rescue official said.AirAsia Flight QZ8501 went down in stormy weather on December 28 during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore. Only 72 bodies have so far been recovered.Indonesian investigators have been analysing data from the plane's black boxes -- the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder -- and this week submitted a preliminary report to the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization.On Thursday, the country's National Transportation Safety Committee revealed that the French co-pilot, Remi Plesel, was flying the plane when the aircraft went down, rather than Captain Iriyanto, an experienced former fighter pilot."The second-in-command was the pilot flying," chief investigator Mardjono Siswosuwarno told reporters in Jakarta, adding that the captain was monitoring the flight.Another investigator, Ertata Lananggalih, said that the plane climbed sharply before crashing, echoing comments previously made by Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan.In 30 seconds, it rose from 32,000 feet to 37,400 feet, then dipped to 32,000 feet, before descending for around three minutes when the black boxes stopped, he said.Investigators also said there were towering cumulonimbus clouds in the area reaching heights of up to 44,000 feet at the time of the crash, although they declined to say whether the plane had flown into them.Cumulonimbus clouds can cause severe turbulence for aircraft.Siswosuwarno said that the plane was in good condition.The preliminary report was not released but investigators said they hope to complete a final report in seven to eight months, which will be made public.The military, which has provided most personnel and equipment for the hunt, withdrew from the search this week, saying that it could find no more bodies in the jet's main section. The navy had also repeatedly failed to lift the badly damaged fuselage.Indonesia's civilian search and rescue agency is continuing the search for victims, but on a smaller scale.

AirAsia X shares to be suspended Friday-Bernama | Updated: January 29, 2015-astro awani

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X Bhd announced that the company's shares will be suspended tomorrow.
In filing to Bursa Malaysia today, the long-haul budget carrier said the suspension was pending the release of a material announcement.It was reported that AirAsia X was set to announce a rights issue as early as Friday to try and close a growing cash-flow gap.AirAsia X shares closed at 65.5 sen, down 1.5 sen.

Malaysia officially declares MAS flight MH370 an accident, says DCA-Media Statement | Updated: January 29, 2015-astro awani

PUTRAJAYA: This is the announcement on MH370 by director-general general department of civil aviation Malaysia (DCA):Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, members of the media,

1. My name is Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia and I am here today in my capacity as the Chairman of the MH370 High Level Technical Task Force (HLTTF).

2. As you are aware, the HLTTF was formed to coordinate technical matters relating to MH370.

BACKGROUND

3. On 8 March 2014 at 0122 Malaysia Local Time (1722 UTC 7 March 2014), a Malaysian Airlines aircraft, a Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration 9M-MRO and call-sign MH370, lost contact with Air Traffic Control after waypoint IGARI during a transition of airspace between Malaysia and Vietnam whilst en-route to Beijing.

4. There were 227 passengers, 2 flight crew and 10 cabin crew on board.

SEARCH EFFORTS

5. The Search and Rescue mission involved 160 assets inclusive of 65 aircraft and 95 vessels as well as experts from 25 countries. This unprecedented exercise involved aircraft and vessels from the following
countries:

- Australia (4 Aircraft, 2 vessels)
- Cambodia (4 Aircraft)
- China (13 Aircraft, 19 vessels)
- India (4 vessels)
- Indonesia (11 vessels)
- Japan (4 Aircraft)
- New Zealand (1 Aircraft)
- Singapore (3 Aircraft, 2 vessels)
- South Korea (2 Aircraft)
- Thailand (1 Aircraft, 1 vessels)
- United Arab Emirates (2 Aircraft)
- United States of America (5 Aircraft, 4 vessels)
- Vietnam (2 Aircraft, 2 vessels)

6. Other countries unable to send physical assets also provided invaluable support in other ways. Many individuals also stepped up to provide assistance in whatever way they could.

7. Malaysia is greatly indebted to all the countries and individuals for all the assistance and support received. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of response in a dark hour in the history of the aviation industry.

8. The search and rescue phase was carried out from 8 March 2014 to 28 April 2014 where the search area covered the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca, the Andaman Sea and the southern Indian Ocean.

9. Following the announcement by the Australian Government on 28 April 2014, the search and rescue phase transitioned to a search and recovery phase.

10. On 28 April 2014, the search coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) moved to an underwater phase led by the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Malaysia and China sent their respective experts and assets to assist JACC and ATSB in this phase.

11. This phase of the search included the use of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and bathymetry survey capabilities. The Bathymetry Survey has completed covering an area of around 208,000 square kilometres.

12. The bathymetric survey provided us with critical information on the topography of the sea floor. This information is now assisting in the current ongoing phase which is the underwater search.

13. The underwater search is still ongoing at this time and the exercise is currently being performed by 4 vessels, namely the Go Phoenix, Fugro Discovery, Fugro Equator and Fugro Supporter. To date, the search has covered over 18,600 square kilometres (as of 28 Jan15).

THE DECLARATION

14. The Governments of Malaysia, China and Australia have spared no expense and resources in the search for MH370. This has been done with the paramount aim to find the aircraft and to seek answers. It has been done in hope of bringing some solace to the families of the passengers and crew on board MH370, which we respectfully refer to as the “next-of-kin”. We have endeavoured and pursued every credible lead and reviewed all available data.

Despite all these efforts over the last 327 days (as of 28 Jan 15), the search unfortunately has yet to yield the location of the missing aircraft.

15. Chapter 1 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (commonly referred to as the “Chicago Convention”) and entitled “Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation” states that the definition of the term “accident” includes “the aircraft is missing”. It also states that “an aircraft is considered to be missing when the official search has been terminated and the wreckage has not been located”.

16. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Annex 12 (para 5.5.1) states that search and rescue operations shall continue, when practicable, until all survivors are delivered to a place of safety or until all reasonable hope of rescuing survivors has passed. Further, a note supporting para 5.5.2 states that “Contracting States may require input from other appropriate State authorities in the decision-making process leading to
termination of SAR (search and rescue) operations”.

17. It was in compliance with these ICAO Standards in Annexes 12 and 13 that on 28 April 2014, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) advised that the search was transitioning from a search and rescue operation
to a search and recovery phase.

18. Available data suggests that after the transponder ceased transmitting, there was no normal radio or aircraft system (ACARS) communications transmitted or received from the aircraft. Hence, we relied on the only available data, which was the Satellite Communication (SATCOM)/Inmarsat data as well as Aircraft Performance Data.

19. An analysis of the radar data and subsequent satellite communication (SATCOM) system signaling messages placed the aircraft in the Australian search and rescue zone on an arc in the southern Indian Ocean. This arc was considered to be the location close to where the aircraft’s fuel would have been exhausted.

20. Based on the analysis of all available evidence and the supporting factual information that I have mentioned, this data supports the conclusion that MH370 ended its flight in the southern Indian Ocean.

21. Based on the same data, we have concluded that the aircraft exhausted its fuel over a defined area of the southern Indian Ocean, and that the aircraft is located on the sea floor close to that defined area. This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. It is also an area with adverse sea conditions with known depths of more than 6,000-metres.

22. After 327 days (as of 28 Jan15) and based on all available data as well as circumstances mentioned earlier, survivability in the defined area is highly unlikely.

23. It is therefore with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, we officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident in accordance with the Standards of Annexes 12 and 13 to the Chicago Convention and that all 239 of the passengers and crew onboard MH370 are presumed to have lost their lives.

NEXT-OF-KIN

24. The Government of Malaysia acknowledges that this declaration of the MH370 accident will be very difficult for the families and loved ones of the 227 passengers and 12 crew on board to consider, much less accept.

Thirteen nations have also lost sons and daughters to this tragedy. It is nonetheless important that families try to resume normal lives, or as normal a life as may be possible after this sudden loss. Without in any way intending to diminish the feelings of the families, it is hoped that this declaration will enable the families to obtain the assistance they need, in particular through the compensation process.

25. The Government of Malaysia also assures the families of the passengers and crew that the search for MH370 remains a priority. The Government of Malaysia, is committed to continue all reasonable efforts to bring closure to this unfortunate tragedy, with the continuing cooperation and assistance of the Governments of China and Australia.

26. The Government of Malaysia assures that Malaysia Airlines will undertake their responsibilities in relation to the legitimate rights and interests of the next-of-kin as provided under the relevant international instruments and relevant domestic laws, with due consideration to international practice.

This includes the fulfilment of the compensation process, whether it is pursued through consultation or through litigation. We further understand that Malaysia Airlines is ready to proceed immediately with the compensation process, with due regard for the readiness of the next-of-kin to take this step.

27. In keeping with our commitments to keep the next-of-kin apprised of the latest developments and pertinent verified information, a special section has been established on the MH370 official website, http://www.mh370.gov.my, solely for the next-of-kin. It includes information on the search and investigation efforts, the compensation process, responses to NOK’s inquiries as well as other forms of assistance that are available to the next-of-kin. It is hoped that this dedicated portal will provide a continuing support system for the next-of-kin.

INVESTIGATION

28.The “Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370”, comprising accredited representatives from seven countries is currently conducting its safety investigation. Similarly, the criminal investigation led by the Royal Malaysia Police is also ongoing.

29.Both investigations are limited by the lack of physical evidence at this time, particularly the flight recorders. Therefore at this juncture there is no evidence to substantiate any speculations as to the cause of the accident. An interim statement detailing the progress of the safety investigation is expected to be released on or around the one year anniversary of the accident.

CLOSING

30. We once again express our deepest sympathy to all those who have been affected by this terrible accident. It has been a frustrating time for all who have tried their best in the search for MH370. We have never wavered in our commitment to continue our efforts to find MH370 and bring closure for everyone, most of all for the families of the passengers and crew of MH370.

31.This declaration is by no means the end. We will forge ahead with the cooperation and assistance of the Governments of China and Australia. MH370, its passengers and its crew will always be remembered and honoured.Dato’ Azharuddin Abdul Rahman is the Director General Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia.

MH370: Family members will not accept announcement without evidence-Media Statement | Updated: January 29, 2015-astro awani
KUALA LUMPUR: Families of MAS370 Passengers will not accept any announcement or declaration of plane lost without any hard evidence.MAS flight MH370 went missing on 8th March 2014, and the one year mark is just round the corner.Families and friends with loved ones onboard have been living through an agonizing and tortured life. We believe those who are not personally involved cannot even begin to imagine the pain and suffering we are faced with on a daily basis.We however acknowledge the many sympathiers who have stood with us.To an outside world, looking at it from an impersonal aspect, it may be time to forget the episode and move on. However, to us families it’s not so easy, especially to many among us who believe in God.Over the last few days, news has been circulating that the Malaysian authorities are going to make a major announcement with regards to the fate of MH370 on 29th January 2015. Since this news surfaced, well over 5000 text messages have been exchanged through social media chat groups between family members and friends, expressing bewilderment, fear, sorrow and a host of other emotions and uncertainties. Voice370 is our family support organization. Neither the Malaysian Authorities nor Malaysia Airlines have acknowledged our existence. However, we are very appreciative of the fact the Australian Authorities have accepted us as representatives of the Next of Kin of MH370 victims.In a prompt response to a query sent yesterday (27/01/15), JACC has reassured us that the current search in the Southern Indian Ocean is progressing as planned and almost a third of the area has been searched.They have assured us that there will be no let up until the 60,000 square kilometers targeted under phase 1 are searched. In a further proactive measure, they are taking steps to prepare for recovery in the event that the search finds evidence of the plane, to ensure little time is lost.Therefore, we the Next of Kin of MH370 victims are perplexed as to why the Malaysian authorities are jumping the gun in wanting to make any announcements, while the search is a long way from completion.At the very least, we expect them to have the patience to wait for the first phase of search to be completed before making any announcements.Considering the fact that the majority of victims are Chinese, their uncaring attitude is also very apparent from the timing of such a major announcement as it has been planned so close to Chinese New Year/Spring Festival.We have stated it before and reiterate it again, that we are prepared for any eventuality, including the fact that our loved ones may never come back. However, almost all families are unanimous in our stand that we do not want to declare our loved ones dead, without a shred of evidence!! We acknowledge that we are powerless against the authorities. We can only appeal for their compassion and understanding. We pray the rest of the world, especially those who have undergone similar difficult times will stand with us.What we appeal for is assurance from the Chinese, Malaysian and Australian authorities that the search will not be abandoned anytime soon.
We also seek the support of ICAO, industry organizations like IATA, friends and well-wishers to support us in our humble request to convince the powers that be to continue the search until the plane and our loved ones are found.We take this opportunity to thank the media and the countless people who have supported us in our time of need.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

ISIS THREATENS TO KILL THE 7TH AND 8TH HOSTAGES.THE 2ND JAPANESE JOURNALIST HOSTAGE AS WELL AS A JORDANIAN PILOT HOSTAGE.

A video posted on jihadist web sites shows a picture of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a photograph of the Jordanian pilot captured, first deputy Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh-pic-cbc.ca

UPDATE-WED JAN 28,2015-07:00AM
REPORTS SAY JORDAN-JAPAN AND ISIS HAVE COME TO A DEAL THAT SETS FREE THE WOMAN MURDERER TERRORIST.FOR THE JAPANESE HOSTAGE.AND JORDAN ALSO WANTS THEIR PILOT SET FREE IN THE DEAL ALSO.IT APPEARS THAT JORDAN AND JAPAN ARE SUCKING UP TO GIVING INTO THE TERRORIST RELEASE DEAL. THERES ONLY ABOUT 3 HOURS TILL THE DEADLINE ENDS FOR THE KILLINGS.

Mother of Japanese captive begs PM to save son held by Islamic State-Reuters-By Elaine Lies and Takashi Umekawa-JAN 28,15-YAHOONEWS

TOKYO (Reuters) - The mother of Islamic State captive Kenji Goto appealed for his life on Wednesday after a new video appeared to show the Japanese journalist saying he had 24 hours to live unless Jordan released a would-be suicide bomber.The voice on the video added that another hostage, Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh, had a shorter time to live. Japan confirmed the existence of the video at 11 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Tuesday.The voice said Goto would be killed unless Jordan freed death row inmate Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman held by Jordan for her role in a 2005 suicide bombing that killed 60 people in Amman."Please save Kenji's life. I call on you to work with all your strength in negotiations with the Jordanian government," Goto's mother, Junko Ishido, said in a letter to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that she read out at a news conference."His remaining time is very short ... I beg you to do everything in your power," Ishido said, reiterating that her son was not an enemy of Islam.Abe said the latest video was "despicable". He called on Jordan to cooperate in working for Goto's quick release, but vowed Tokyo would not give in to terrorism.Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video, but Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said it appeared to show Goto. The voice on the video resembled that of Goto in an earlier video over the weekend which the Japanese and U.S. governments believed was authentic.If verified, the video would be the third involving 47-year-old Goto, a veteran war reporter.The hostage issue is the deepest diplomatic crisis Abe - who must tread a fine line between appearing firm but not callous - has faced in just over two years in office."While making every effort to contribute proactively to world peace and stability without giving in to terrorism, we will exert all means to prevent terrorism in our country," Abe told parliament's upper house.

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON JORDAN GOVT

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida earlier told reporters that Tokyo was making every effort in close coordination with Jordan to secure the captives' release, but he declined comment on the content of those discussions.Bassam Al-Manaseer, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Jordan’s lower house of parliament, said in an interview with Bloomberg news agency in Amman that Jordan was in indirect talks with Islamic State to secure the release of Goto and Kasaesbeh.He said the talks were taking place through religious and tribal leaders in Iraq."We hope to hear good news soon," Manaseer was quoted as saying.Amid a flurry of unconfirmed reports in Japanese media that a swap deal might be in the works, Japanese deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters in Amman, where he is anchoring Japan's on-the-ground response, that he had nothing new to say about Goto's status."We pray for him and we will never give up," Nakayama said.Several hundred people, including relatives of the Jordanian pilot, gathered in front of the office of Jordan's prime minister late on Tuesday, urging the authorities to meet the demands of Islamic State and release al–Rishawi to save the young pilot's life.Kasaesbeh was captured after his jet crashed in northeastern Syria in December during a bombing mission against the militants.Goto went to Syria in late October in order, according to friends and business associates, to seek the release of Haruna Yukawa, his friend and fellow Japanese citizen who was captured in August.In the first video released last week, a black-clad masked figure with a knife said Goto and Yukawa would be killed within 72 hours if Japan did not pay Islamic State $200 million.The captor resembled a figure from previous Islamic State videos whose threats have preceded beheadings.A video on Saturday appeared to show Goto with a picture of a beheaded Yukawa, saying his captors' demands had switched to the release of al-Rishawi."Time is now running very short," the latest video said, with an audio track over a still picture that appeared to show Goto holding a picture of the pilot.Officials involved in the crisis say Tokyo knew for months that Islamic State militants were holding two Japanese men captive, but appeared ill-prepared when the group set a ransom deadline and purportedly killed one of them.Opposition parties have largely refrained from criticising the government, but its response to the crisis is bound to figure in a coming debate over military policy that could in future allow Japan to offer logistical support for campaigns like the U.S.-led bombings in Syria.(Additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki, Nobuhiro Kubo and Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo, Oliver Holmes in Beirut, Ali Abdelatty and Mostafa Hashem in Cairo, Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman; Writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Jeremy Laurence and Mike Collett-White)

IS Threatens to kill Japan hostage, Jordan pilot within 24 hours-UPDATED: 28 Jan 2015 00:56-cna

BEIRUT: The Islamic State militant group threatened on Tuesday (Jan 27) to kill a Japanese journalist and a Jordanian pilot within 24 hours unless Amman frees a jailed female militant.A video released on militant websites shows a picture of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto holding a photograph of Jordanian pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh.A voiceover, purportedly by Goto, warns that Jordan is blocking the Japanese journalist's release by failing to free Sajida al-Rishawi, a would-be suicide bomber on death row since 2006.It follows a video released last week in which the group claimed to have beheaded another Japanese hostage, Haruna Yukawa, and said Goto would be killed next if Rishawi was not freed.Japan said following the new threat that it was seeking help from Jordan. "The government in this extremely difficult situation has been asking for assistance from the Jordanian government towards securing Goto's early release," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.Moments after the new video appeared, Goto's mother Junko Ishido said: "I think the government should do whatever it can do". "Kenji does not hold any animosity toward the Islamic State. He went to the Islamic State out of his extreme concern for Mr Yukawa," she told Japanese media.Earlier, Tokyo said it was working with Jordan to free both Goto and Kassasbeh. "Both countries are closely cooperating towards the return of each of them to their countries," deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters in Amman.Jordan's King Abdullah pledged full cooperation with Japan during a meeting with Nakayama to ensure Goto's release, Tokyo said. The new video says Goto and Kassasbeh will be killed within 24 hours if Rishawi is not freed, and urges the Japanese government to put pressure on Jordan.There was no immediate comment from Jordan, a moderate Muslim nation that is one of Japan's closest diplomatic allies in the Middle East. Kassasbeh was captured by IS on Dec 24 after his F-16 jet crashed while on a mission against the jihadists over northern Syria.

DEADLY HOTEL BOMBINGS

Rishawi was sentenced to death by a Jordanian court in September 2006 in connection with triple hotel bomb attacks in Amman the previous year that killed 60 people. The 44-year-old was arrested four days after the attacks in which her husband Ali Hussein al-Shammari and two other Iraqis blew themselves up.The heaviest casualties came when Shammari detonated his explosives belt at the Radisson SAS hotel as a wedding was in full swing. Two other hotels were hit in the coordinated attacks and most of the dead were Jordanians.IS apparently beheaded Yukawa, a Japanese contractor, last week after a 72-hour deadline for a US$200 million ransom passed without payment. The ransom demand came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged, during a trip to the Middle East, a US$200 million aid package to countries affected by the militant group's bloody expansion in Iraq and Syria. In response, Abe vowed to never "give in to terrorism".In a video released on Saturday, IS said its demand had now changed and it wanted Rishawi released from death row in Jordan in exchange for the life of Goto.Tokyo is likely to face resistance from Washington over any kind of swap. Asked about recent developments, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said a prisoner exchange was "in the same category" as paying a ransom.IS has seized swathes of Syria and Iraq where it has declared a "caliphate". It has committed atrocities including the beheadings of two US reporters, an American aid worker and two British aid workers.- AFP/de

Obama in Saudi Arabia for talks with new king-POSTED: 28 Jan 2015 01:42-cna

RIYADH: US President Barack Obama flew in to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (Jan 27), leading a heavyweight delegation to meet new King Salman and shore up ties that have suffered in recent years.The allies have longstanding ties and remain bound by shared interests in regional stability and oil. But analysts say Riyadh has grown dissatisfied with what it sees as a lack of US engagement with regional crises as Washington looks to Asia.Members of the US delegation, which crossed party lines and included former Bush-era officials, said they wanted to show support for the US-Saudi relationship."I believe it is important that we demonstrate to the Saudis the importance that they represent to us," said James Baker, secretary of state during the first Gulf War against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein."This is an extraordinarily critical and sensitive time in the Middle East when everything seems to be falling apart. And the kingdom in some way is becoming an island of stability," said Baker.Obama and his 29-member delegation arrived for a four-hour stop from India where he cut short a state visit after the death of Salman's predecessor, King Abdullah, on Friday.Saudi television showed Salman, 79, welcoming Obama and his wife Michelle at the bottom of a red-carpeted ramp before a military band played the US and Saudi national anthems.In contrast to Saudi women, required to dress head-to-toe in black, Michelle Obama wore dark slacks and a blue top with her hair uncovered.Salman's heir Crown Prince Moqren and Mohammed bin Nayef, the powerful interior minister who is second in line to the throne, were among those who greeted the Americans.The US president then boarded a black limousine taking him for talks and dinner with Salman at central Riyadh's Erga Palace, the king's private residence where the smell of incense hung heavy in the air. Authorities deployed armoured vehicles, police cars and radar along streets in the city to secure Obama's visit, an AFP reporter observed. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the trip was an "opportunity to both pay respects to the legacy of King Abdullah, who was a close partner with the United States and also to touch base on some of the issues where we're working together with the Saudis," which include the Islamic State group extremists, Yemen, and the Iranian nuclear negotiations.Obama last visited Saudi Arabia in March, when he held talks with Abdullah.

A 'MAJOR BULWARK'

Former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft and Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state under George W. Bush, were among the US contingent which included current Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan and General Lloyd Austin, head of US Central Command.They had all been with Obama in India but Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator John McCain joined the president especially for his Saudi trip. McCain, a Republican, chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, and had been in Saudi Arabia as part of a Middle East tour several days ago.During that trip he called for "additional US boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria" to defeat the Islamic State group which has seized territory there and been accused of widespread atrocities. Saudi Arabia is part of a US-led coalition conducting air strikes against the militants. The SITE Intelligence Group monitoring service said on Tuesday that IS released a video celebrating the death of the "tyrant Abdullah" and said that "Allah permitting" they will invade the Arabian Peninsula soon.McCain said the kingdom was emerging "as the major bulwark" against efforts by Iran to expand its influence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain. Shiite-dominated Iran is the regional rival of Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia."There is no doubt that the Iranians are on the move," McCain said, adding it was appropriate to be part of this visit "given relations over here and the importance of Saudi Arabia."The royal court said Salman would hold talks with Obama on "regional and international issues of common interest, in addition to means of enhancing bilateral relations."Obama is the latest leader to visit Riyadh since Friday. His welcome was the most elaborate but sheikhs, presidents and prime ministers from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, all came to pay their respects.It is a recognition of the kingdom's power as the world's leading oil exporter, a political heavyweight in a region threatened by extremist violence, and as home to Islam's holiest sites. Australia's Governor General Peter Cosgrove also arrived on Tuesday.- AFP/de