PM reportedly favors extending lockdown by 10-14 days; official overseeing outbreak in Haredi community says it accounts for 30% of all cases ... ( read original story ...)
Israel approves new East Jerusalem settlement homes just days before Biden sworn in
One human rights group says the Netanyahu government's approval of East Jerusalem construction puts it on a "collision course" with the Biden White House. ( read original story ...)
As Israel inoculates even those 45+, WHO chief blasts global vaccine inequality
UN agency warns of 'catastrophic moral failure' of wealthy countries moving ahead with vaccinations while poorer areas are left behind ... ( read original story ...)
Israel to rein in rights groups over use of ‘apartheid state’
The move comes days after rights group B’Tselem slammed Israeli rule in occupied Palestinian territories as ‘apartheid’. ( read original story ...)
Israel bans groups that call it an “apartheid state” from lecturing in schools
A leading Israeli human rights groups, which calls the state's control of Palestinian territories an "apartheid" system, will no longer be allowed to lecture in schools. ( read original story ...)
Azerbaijan kicks off COVID-19 vaccination
Health minister receives first dose of China's CoronaVac vaccine, launching first stage vaccination campaign in country - Anadolu Agency ... ( read original story ...)
Iranian forces in east Syria redeploy after airstrikes
ALEPPO, Syria — Iranian forces and affiliated militias in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria carried out new redeployment and repositioning operations after their military sites and barracks were ... ( read original story ...)
Activist Defending Ethnic Kazakhs In China Explains Why He Had To Flee Kazakhstan
Serikzhan Bilash is an ethnic Kazakh from China who moved to Kazakhstan some 20 years ago and for many years has worked to expose Chinese abuses against ethnic Kazakhs and others Muslim minorities. ( read original story ...)
Sri Lanka v England: Michael Vaughan says hosts exposed tourists’ weaknesses
England's mistakes on day three of the first Test in Sri Lanka showed "the old England way", says former captain Michael Vaughan. ( read original story ...)
North Korea’s Kim could be planning fireworks to welcome Biden administration
Satellite evidence suggests North Korea could be preparing for a significant missile launch as it gradually dials up pressure on the United States. ( read original story ...)