Israeli minister plans to name Western Wall train station after Trump

Yisrael Katz wants to name stop on new rail line after US president for his ‘brave decision to recognise city as Israel’s capital’

Israel’s transport minister is pushing ahead with a controversial plan to extend Jerusalem’s soon-to-open high-speed rail line to the Western Wall, where he wants to name a station after the US president, Donald Trump.

Yisrael Katz’s proposal for the “Donald John Trump” station, which is in the initial planning stage, involves constructing two underground stations and excavating more than two miles (3km) of tunnel 50 metres beneath central Jerusalem and under the politically and historically sensitive Old City. 

The Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews can pray, and the new station would be located near the Jewish Quarter’s “Cardo”, an ancient thoroughfare a few dozen metres from the wall. 

The Cardo – meaning “heart” – was Jerusalem’s main street 1,500 years ago, paved in the 2nd century by Hadrian and later extended south to the area of today’s Jewish Quarter in the 6th century by Justinian.

Read more - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/27/israeli-minister-plans-name-western-wall-train-station-donald-trump

Pope prays for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Pope Francis used his annual Christmas Day message to pray for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking just days after members of the United Nations condemned US President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Pope prayed for the "peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders."

"We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians," Francis said in his "Urbi et Orbi" message Monday. "Urbi et Orbi" is Latin for "to the city (Rome) and to the world."

"On this festive day, let us ask the Lord for peace for Jerusalem and for all the Holy Land. Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached.

"May the Lord also sustain the efforts of all those in the international community inspired by good will to help that afflicted land to find, despite grave obstacles, the harmony, justice and security that it has long awaited."

The Pope also urged followers to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq while highlighting the struggles of the children of Yemen, an ongoing conflict "that has largely been forgotten," he said.

Read more CNN - http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/25/europe/pope-christmas-eve-immigrants-intl/index.html

Pope prays for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Pope Francis used his annual Christmas Day message to pray for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking just days after members of the United Nations condemned US President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Pope prayed for the "peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders."

"We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians," Francis said in his "Urbi et Orbi" message Monday. "Urbi et Orbi" is Latin for "to the city (Rome) and to the world."

"On this festive day, let us ask the Lord for peace for Jerusalem and for all the Holy Land. Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached.

"May the Lord also sustain the efforts of all those in the international community inspired by good will to help that afflicted land to find, despite grave obstacles, the harmony, justice and security that it has long awaited."

The Pope also urged followers to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq while highlighting the struggles of the children of Yemen, an ongoing conflict "that has largely been forgotten," he said.

Read more CNN - http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/25/europe/pope-christmas-eve-immigrants-intl/index.html

Storm Dylan to hit UK with 80mph winds early on NEW YEAR

The Met Office has issued a forecast saying that Storm Dylan is going to hit the UK on New Year’s Eve. It will strike parts of Ireland on Saturday evening before heading to the UK on Sunday Morning.

There will be gusts of 70 to 80mph across Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, making for a blustery end to the year. It is the fourth named storm of the year after Aileen in September, Brian in October and Caroline in December. The Met Office said: ‘Some very strong winds are possible across Northern Ireland and then southern Scotland on New Years Eve.

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/29/storm-dylan-hit-uk-80mph-winds-early-sunday-morning-7190478/?ito=cbshare

Storm Dylan to hit UK with 80mph winds early on NEW YEAR

The Met Office has issued a forecast saying that Storm Dylan is going to hit the UK on New Year’s Eve. It will strike parts of Ireland on Saturday evening before heading to the UK on Sunday Morning.

There will be gusts of 70 to 80mph across Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, making for a blustery end to the year. It is the fourth named storm of the year after Aileen in September, Brian in October and Caroline in December. The Met Office said: ‘Some very strong winds are possible across Northern Ireland and then southern Scotland on New Years Eve.

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/29/storm-dylan-hit-uk-80mph-winds-early-sunday-morning-7190478/?ito=cbshare

SpaceX Iridium 4 Launch from Alhambra, CA

SpaceX Iridium 4 Launch from Alhambra, CA