Obama administration highlights one of the damaging effects of the fiscal standoff to try to pressure Republicans to give ground.

Israel has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a body that brings together legislators from 47 countries across the European continent, to rescind ‘’immediately’’ a resolution it passed this week which calls male ritual circumcision a “violation of the physical integrity of children”.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Israel in early 2014, according to a report Friday in the daily Maariv.

Syrian president accuses Turkey of harboring ''terrorists'' along its border; Assad to Turkey's Halk TV: Turkish PM Erdogan ''bigoted''; says Turkish-backed Syrian rebels will soon turn on host.

Mark Rutte says the Netherlands will continue labeling products ''Made in Israel,'' adds that unlike in Germany, the policy of demarcating Israeli products from disputed territories has not been considered in his country.

UN diplomats say securing seat will not be easy.

''Israeli'' describes citizenship, not nationality in an ethnic sense, court rules

Egyptian Army is specifically targeting the extremist groups in Gaza who are regarded as hostile.

Jewish groups harshly criticize European council resolution calling circumcision a “violation of the physical integrity of children.”

Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos was ordered to be held in prison by a judge in Athens until his trial.