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Spain’s Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez presented a new policy for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Saturday, declaring Israel as the homeland of the Jews for the first time and saying that the issue of Palestinian refugees should be solved in such a way that it does not compromise Israel’s current demographic makeup of a Jewish majority. Jimenez’s speech before the United Nations General Assembly is particularly dramatic in light of the fact that Spain is considered the leading EU country to support Palestinian rights. Adopting such a pro-Israel stance may lead to other countries to follow suit.

The regime of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad has recognized the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign state, Reuters reports. The statement added that Syria now regards the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Damascus as the official embassy of the 'Palestinian state.' Assad's recognition comes at a time when mass protests calling for his ouster are being staged and the world questions his legitimacy to rule. Meanwhile, Qatar has suspended diplomatic relations with Syria due to an attack on its own embassy by Assad supporters. The announcement follows the Arab League draft statement last week saying it will submit a motion...

Recognition by U.S. and other Western nations could unlock billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds Rebel leaders won recognition as the legitimate government of Libya from the United States and other world powers on Friday in a major boost to the rebels' faltering campaign to oust Muammer Gadhafi. Western nations said they also planned to increase the military pressure on Gadhafi's forces to press him to give up power after 41 years at the head of the North African state. Recognition of the rebels, announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a meeting in Turkey of the international...

CAIRO – A moderate Islamic party outlawed for 15 years was granted official recognition Saturday by an Egyptian court in a sign of increasing political openness after the fall of autocratic President Hosni Mubarak. Al-Wasat Al-Jadid, or the New Center, was founded in 1996 by activists who split off from the conservative Muslim Brotherhood and sought to create a political movement promoting a tolerant version of Islam with liberal tendencies. Its attempts to register as an official party were rejected four times since then, most recently in 2009.

Grover, the charismatically blue character from the classic televised children's show Sesame Street, seems to be playing both sides of the Israeli-Arab conflict of late. The furry 'muppet' is hosting a new version of Jewish-themed Shalom Sesame to be aired on Hanukkah – but has also been heard declaring “We're off to Palestine!” in an introduction to a Sesame Street video. The video segment named “A Gift from Grandma,” features a Palestinian Authority girl named Salwa who says that she lives in "Palestine" before she helps her grandmother embroider a dress for her. Some viewers were incensed at the use...

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2008 – Veterans can once again enjoy an afternoon cruising Lake Michigan, sharing tributes and building relationships thanks to one Illinois group. Kup’s Purple Heart Cruises began in 1945 when Irv Kupcinet also known as “Kup,” a Chicago Sun Times columnist, wanted to do something for servicemembers coming back from World War II. The 50-year tradition ended with its last cruise in 1995. Twelve years later, David Kupcinet decided to re-launch his grandfather’s renowned Kup’s Purple Heart Cruises. After fours year of planning the successfully re-launched cruise took place July 31, 2007. Kupcinet said the cruise...

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2007 – Americans who offer extraordinary support to the nation’s servicemembers got the red-carpet treatment yesterday during a luncheon held in their honor at the famous Rainbow Room restaurant here. Cast members from the FX show "Rescue Me" congratulate Army Maj. Todd Schmidt during the Microsoft Above and Beyond Awards ceremony in New York City, Nov. 12, 2007. Schmidt, a member of the headquarters Army staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., received the award for providing school supplies for children in Afghanistan. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump, USAF  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

RENO, Nev., Aug. 31, 2007 – Enlisted representatives from the five armed services were honored this week by the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ organization. The American Legion presented the Spirit of Service award to Army Sgt. Korey W. Chandler, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Gaurav R. Patel, Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew W. Stone, Air Force Airman 1st Class Robb K. Hulet, and Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David B. Edelson on Aug. 28 during the organization’s 89th National Convention here. The award was presented for each of the recipient’s volunteer service in their local communities, American Legion officials said....

FORT MYER, Va. (Army Public Affairs, Nov. 7, 2006) – With Veterans Day approaching, citizens have begun looking at the sacrifices servicemembers have endured to protect the freedoms of America. Last Friday, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) recognized individuals who made huge sacrifices in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom by hosting patients from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to an all-day event. Cpt. Eric Stainbrook, Staff Sergeants Mia Sidlasky and Eric Sundell, Sgt. Ryan Hackett and Marine Lance Cpl. Brian Ahern laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery...

6/8/2006 - MILFORD, Mass. (AFPN) -- When servicemembers deploy, they aren't the only ones who serve. Their families serve also, and usually the separation is hardest on the children. Homecomings are joyous moments for military families, but until recently, the service and sacrifice made by the children of deployed troops went largely unrecognized. That has all changed here, thanks to the Massachusetts State Family Program Office and their new Youth Service Medal. “At each reunion briefing, we are all amazed at how strong these children are and the degree of resiliency they demonstrate” said Jennifer Cesaitis, youth program coordinator for...

NEW DELHI , June 5, 2006 – Talks at a weekend security summit in Singapore moved beyond questioning if terrorism is a threat to discussing how to counter it - a sign that nations are ready to work together, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Marine Gen. Peter Pace said at a news conference that he was struck by how nations have progressed in coming to terms with the terrorism issue. Gone appear to be the days when people debated whether terrorism is a threat, Pace told reporters during his visit here to discuss U.S.-Indo...

CHICAGO, May 28, 2006 – The top U.S. military officer served as grand marshal of the country's biggest Memorial Day parade here yesterday, reminding some 125,000 spectators of the true cost of freedom. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. Peter Pace acts as grand marshal for the Chicago Memorial Day parade May 27. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked families of fallen troops who he said "continue to sacrifice for our country every day." Pace...

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Mothers aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) received a warm embrace from Sailors from the Supply Department as a special luncheon celebration was prepared for them on the aft mess decks May 10. The ceremony was designed to celebrate Mother’s Day for the hundreds of mothers assigned to Ronald Reagan, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, who will be away from their children on the special day. Culinary Specialists, food service attendants and members of the ship's 3 & 2 Association provided the...

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2006 – The Armed Services YMCA honored individuals and organizations for their support of military families in 2005 at its 19th Annual Recognition Luncheon here today. Bryce Moorehouse, 11, shows Navy Force Master Chief Dave Pennington his art contest entry that earned first place during the Armed Services YMCA 19th Annual Recognition Luncheon in Washington. Bryce's mother, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Andrea Palermo, is stationed at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The ASYMCA provides social and support services for military families, organization officials said. Last...

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from Coronado were thanked for their service by their civilian neighbors with a night of dinner and dancing March 18. Coronado’s 21st Annual Salute to the Military Ball, held at the historic Hotel Del Coronado and organized by the city's chamber of commerce, was Coronado's way of showing its appreciation to their military community. “This is the most patriotic thing any city can do for its country and its military,” said Mike Urquhart, Coronado’s Salute to the Military Ball co-chairman and a retired Navy commander. The Harry T. Jenkins Memorial Award was presented...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2006 – Underneath a portrait of Czar Peter the Great, the Russian Ambassador to the United States presented two U.S. officers with the Order of Friendship for their parts in rescuing submariners trapped underwater off the Kamchatka peninsula in August. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace and Russian Ambassador Yuri Ushakov meet after the ceremony that presented the highest honor awarded to non-Russian citizens, the Friendship Medal, to two American officers at the Russian Embassy in Washington Feb. 28. U.S. Air Force Maj. Patrick Poon and U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Steven Smith...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2005 – To military families who've endured a double whammy - Hurricane Katrina's devastation and their loved ones' deployments - first lady Laura Bush's Dec. 12 visit to Gulfport, Miss., represented a welcomed burst of encouragement. Bush visited about 50 children of Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 133 and 74 at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport. NMCB 133 had been slated to leave on a deployment in October, but remained a month longer in Gulfport to provide hurricane relief as part of a "super-Seabee battalion," explained Lt. Cmdr. Kyra Hawn, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment public affairs...

The U.S. Army initiated the Freedom Team Salute program six months ago to recognize and honor year-round the Army’s more than 11 million veterans, and those who support Soldiers today. This Veterans Day, Freedom Team Salute is expanding so that U.S. Army veterans may be nominated by anyone wishing to recognize their service, and more individuals are made aware of the program through a new nationwide FTS Ambassador Program. “Army veterans have served this Nation with honor and dignity,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “Freedom Team Salute is a way to recognize our veterans and show...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 4, 2005) -- A retired captain in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps now shares something in common with Georgia Power Company president and CEO Michael D. Garrett. Both have been recently recognized with a Freedom Team Salute Commendation, thanking them for their service to the U.S. Army and the critical role they play as members of the Army family. “In these demanding times, we are all Soldiers for freedom,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “Army veterans have served this nation with honor and dignity, and Freedom Team Salute is a way...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2005) -- Marines don’t leave other Marines behind. Marines don’t leave civilians behind either, as proven by a pair of two-time Operation Iraqi freedom veterans. The city of Oceanside recognized the heroic efforts of two Marine corporals Sept. 21, who rescued an elderly woman from her burning vehicle three months ago just outside Camp Pendleton’s gate. “We are very proud to have these two individuals so close to our city and thank them for all they have done,” said Oceanside mayor James F. Wood, as he presented a certificate of appreciation to...