News Headlines (106) 26 December 2012

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Israel and Iran: A love story? Published on Dec 21, 2012 by TEDtalksDirector :: When war between Israel and Iran seemed imminent, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry shared a poster on Facebook of himself and his daughter with a bold message: "Iranians ... we [heart] you." Other Israelis quickly created their own posters with the same message -- and Iranians responded in kind. The simple act of communication inspired surprising Facebook communities like "Israel loves Iran," "Iran loves Israel" and even "Palestine loves Israel."



► Ron Paul Slams NRA Plan Recommending Armed Officers In Schools - Posted: 12/25/2012




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Raw: Bo Surprises Michelle Obama. Published on Dec 25, 2012 :: First Dog Bo stole the spotlight from First Lady Michelle Obama as she sat down to begin reading to children at Children's National Medical Center in a video released by the White House Christmas Eve. (Dec. 25)



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Raw: Icy Christmas Day Swim.  Published on Dec 25, 2012 ::  Some forty hardy Germans - who are known as the Berlin Seals - dipped their toes in the water of the city's Oranke lake on Christmas Day, a tradition which goes back to 1984. (Dec. 25)

► Pope's Christmas message focuses on Mideast, China - By FRANCES D'EMILIO 

► Timeline of Top Political Stories of 2012 - American Politics Took Center Stage in 2012 By William Browning | Yahoo! Contributor Network

► Astronauts Celebrate Christmas on Space Station - By Miriam Kramer | SPACE.com 

► Obama's Christmas vacation in Hawaii: Day 4 - Associated Press 

► Obama to fly to home early as 'fiscal cliff' looms - By MATTHEW DALY | Associated Press 

► DC hotels less busy for Obama's 2nd inauguration - By JESSICA GRESKO | Associated Press 

► Morales mum on Cuba trip after Chavez surgery - By PETER ORSI and ALEXANDRA OLSON | Associated Press – Mon, Dec 24, 2012

► 12 unconventional Christmas movies - By Scott Meslow | The Week

► The year's 9 most hilarious New York Times corrections - By Chris Gayomali | The Week

► Winter storms, tornado threats for Christmas in US - By JANET McCONNAUGHEY | Associated Press

► Are poinsettias as dangerous as everyone says? By Matt Soniak | The Week – Mon, Dec 24, 2012


► Japan's Cabinet resigns ahead of vote to install Shinzo Abe as new prime minister - By Eric Talmadge, The Associated Press

► Syrian Rebels Say Assad's Troops Just Attacked Them with Poisonous Gas - By Adam Clark Estes | The Atlantic Wire – Mon, Dec 24, 2012 

► 10 famous people born on December 25 - By Lauren Hansen | The Week

My fiance name is not listed here, but he's the most famous man in my life now, after my late father who was also born on December 25th. He said I did not need to give him a birthday present this year, because our baby born last month - according to him - is the most expensive gifts possessed throughout his life. Yep. And I hope he does not ask some of the most expensive gifts, more, in the years following. (Dahling, undergo a pregnancy is a very tough period for me.)

► Can you spot the fake objects among the real ones? Can you spot the fake objects among the real ones? -  By Yahoo! Games  (My older post: 29 November 2012 / Related video :: my post on 9 SEPTEMBER 2012)

► Most Extreme Space Discoveries of 2012 - By Elizabeth Howell | SPACE.com – Mon, Dec 24, 2012 

► Step aboard the country's largest floating holiday light display (VIDEO)

► Morsi backers urge Egypt unity

Supporters of President Mohammed Morsi urge all Egyptians to work together after the adoption of a controversial new constitution.
* Egypt polarised over constitution
* Mixed opinion in Morsi's home town 
* Who holds power in Egypt?

► Japan's Shinzo Abe voted in as PM

Conservative former PM Shinzo Abe is voted in as prime minister by Japan's MPs, following his party's landslide poll victory earlier this month.
* Shinzo Abe's economic challenge
* Profile: Shinzo Abe
* Asia papers split over Abe
* Japanese shares rise on Abe win

► China opens longest high-speed rail route

China officially opens the world's longest high-speed rail route, linking the capital Beijing with the southern commercial hub of Guangzhou.
* On board bullet train - VIDEO
* Railway line 'collapses' in China

► Pope Benedict's Christmas plea for peace. 25 December 2012 - Pope Benedict XVI has delivered his Christmas blessing and message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, calling for an end to the bloodshed in Syria. The annual message was watched by thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City, with millions more watching on television and listening on radio worldwide.David Willey reports from Rome. (VIDEO)  || NEWS

► 'Lost tribe' Bnei Menashe members arrive in Tel Aviv. 25 December 2012 - Fifty members of a community in India said to be descended from one of the biblical lost tribes of Israel have flown to Tel Aviv to settle there. The Bnei Menashe were recognised in 2005 as one of the 10 lost tribes which fled Israel in the eighth century. Some critics have questioned the authenticity of the tribe's claims. Jason Kaye reports. (VIDEO) || NEWS - Israel takes in more Bnei Menashe 'lost tribe' members 

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ICEJ Report: The Lost Tribe of Menashe. Published on Aug 28, 2012 by ICEJVideos ::  The Bnei Menashe of northeast India have traced their Jewish roots back to 700 B.C. when they were taken captive by the Assyrians. Today, that heritage has been recognised in Israel and they are finally starting to make their way home, just as Isaiah prophesied.



by SolomonsPorchTV

► Quest for the Lost Tribes of Israel Part 1 of 2: Bnei Menashe on the India/Burma Border. Uploaded on Apr 20, 2009 || ► Quest for the Lost Tribes of Israel Part 2 of 2: Bnei Menashe on the India/Burma Border. Uploaded on Apr 30, 2009



► 26 December 2012 - Rhinos and elephants: the secret lives of Africa's giants | By Matt Walker Editor, BBC Nature 

► 25 December 2012 -  Oddballs: The strange worlds beyond our Solar System

► 22 December 2012 -  RSPCA centres close for Christmas ||  DAILYMAIL - The RSPCA and a cruel abuse of your generosity - By Quentin Letts PUBLISHED:19 December 2012 

► Ron Paul on NRA safety plan: Government security just another kind of violence 

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RT Recalls 2012: Austerity & Anger in EU. Published on Dec 25, 2012 :: As 2012 comes to an end, RT takes a look at the events that have been dominating the headlines for the past 12 months. Today we bring you the story of the massive protests that have been shaking Europe all year, from the point of view of our news team.



► RT recalls 2012: Europe cracks amid austerity rage

► Over 63% of Egyptians approve new constitution - Election Committee 

► Syrian refugees in Lebanon: 'Syria was paradise, now battleground' 

► AK-47 inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov in intensive care ||  Mikhail Kalashnikov

► Israeli settlement offensive: Unprecedented since 1967 War

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Ballot Botch: 'Israeli elections messed up,' voters vexed. Published on Dec 22, 2012 :: Israelis are expected to trudge back to the polling stations again next month, in a parliamentary election that's happening earlier than planned. No government has survived a full term in office for decades and, as Paula Slier reports, voting fatigue is rife.



► Bacteria from Siberia capable of living on Mars – study

► Russia to produce “Oppah, Gangnam Style” vodka if Psy agrees 

► CIA hated Zero Dark Thirty

► Zero Dark Thirty - Official Trailer #2 (HD). Published on Oct 11, 2012 by joblomovienetwork :: For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar(R) winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow |  Cast: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Mark Strong, Jennifer Ehle, Kyle Chandler, Edgar Ramirez | Writers: Mark Boal |  In theaters: December 19th, 2012 |  Copyright © 2012 Sony Pictures

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A multi-cultural London Christmas. Published on Dec 25, 2012 :: In London, the increasingly multi-cultural population is marking Christmas in a number of ways. Some remember the birth of Christ, others treat it only as a holiday and time for giving presents. Many even treat it just like any other day. Al Jazeera's Peter Sharp reports from London.



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Syrian refugees celebrate christmas in Lebanon. Published on Dec 25, 2012 :: Around 30-thousand Christian Syrian have crossed into neighbouring Lebanon since the start of the fighting nearly two years ago. Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall reports from the city of Zahle, where hundreds are taking refuge. 



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Bethlehem celebrates Christmas. Published on Dec 24, 2012 :: Thousands of people have gathered to celebrate Christmas in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, the site where Christians believe Jesus was born. The special celebration is a boon for Palestinian craftsmen whose businesses rely on the annual pilgrimage. Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson reports.



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Israel's Netanyahu launches election campaign. Published on Dec 25, 2012 :: Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has officially launched his campaign for next month's general election. It is a joint election campaign alongside former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Netanyahu told supporters that radical Islam poses huge challenges to Israel. He also, once again, criticised Iran and its nuclear programme. Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports.

Latest Headlines

■ Obama to Fly to Home Early as 'Fiscal Cliff' Looms
■ 8 Dead in Christmas Day Fires, Riot in Philippines
■ Afghan Bomber Attacks Near Major U.S. Base 
■ Christmas Storms All Over U.S. Blamed for 3 Deaths
■ Russian Parliament Considers Anti-U.S. Adoption Bill
■ Pope's Christmas Message Focuses on Mideast, China
■ VP Says Chavez Up, Walking; Doubts Persist
■ Ben Affleck Won't Run for U.S. Senate in Mass
■ Kazakhstan Military Plane Crashes, Killing 27
■ Israel to Build 942 More Homes in East Jerusalem
■ Attack on Sunni Cleric in South Pakistan Kills 4
■ Afghanistan: Woman Who Killed American Is Iranian
■ Plane Crash-Lands on Burma Road, 3 Killed 
■ CNN: Jessica Simpson Pregnant  || PHOTOS  || Jessica Simpson Confirms She’s Pregnant With A Second Baby || Jessica Simpson Confirms Second Pregnancy To Friends — Report
■ CNNMoney: Milk Prices May Double 

► Photos: In India, a Rape Sparks Violent Protests and Demands for Justice 
By TIME Staff

* Brutal Delhi Gangrape Outrages Indians, Spurs Calls for Action 
* New Delhi's Women Problem: What Does It Take to Make a Society Safe?
* Indian Women Are the Most Stressed on Earth

► Interview: Inside Syria's Islamist Resistance 

* Syrian Rebels Make More Gains in North

► Shinzo Abe Returns as Japan's Prime Minister
► Egypt Constitution Passes, Economic Crunch Looms
► Christmas in Newtown: A Struggle to Push Forward
► Firemen's Killer Mapped Out Plan for Slayings
► Appreciation: Odd Couple's Klugman, an Actor Who Could Crack Wise, with Heart
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