Feb. 28, 2014 / 4:21 PM

Iranian training exercise reportedly aimed at Jerusalem

An Israeli border police walks past anti-Arab, racist graffiti spraypainted on a wall during a "Price Tag" attack by Jewish extremists in the Sharafat neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel, February 19, 2014. The graffiti reads "No coexistence" and "Arabs = Thieves." More than 30 Arab vehicles had their tires slashed during the night during the "Price Tag" attacks which are considered a direct response by far right-wing Israelis to peace talks with the Palestinians. UPI/Debbie Hill

An Israeli border police walks past anti-Arab, racist graffiti spraypainted on a wall during a "Price Tag" attack by Jewish extremists in the Sharafat neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel, February 19, 2014. The graffiti reads "No coexistence" and "Arabs = Thieves." More than 30 Arab vehicles had their tires slashed during the night during the "Price Tag" attacks which are considered a direct response by far right-wing Israelis to peace talks with the Palestinians. UPI/Debbie Hill | License Photo

TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Iran's Basji militia is carrying out a training exercise aimed at preparing for a march on Jerusalem, the Israeli news organization Arutz Sheva reported Friday.

Arutz Sheva, which has ties to the settler movement in Israel, cites an official statement by the militia quoting its commander Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi.

Naqdi said Muslims need to prepare for a "liberation battle" for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is a holy city to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The city, divided for 20 years, was reunited after the 1967 war when Israel annexed the West Bank, and is now Israel's capital, although many countries do not recognize it as such.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last week called for the "liberation of the Holy Quds," using the Arabic name for Jerusalem, Arutz Sheva said, citing the semi-official Iranian Fars news agency.

Read More

Analysis: After meeting Trump, Syria's new leader must prove his willingness, capability

World News // 2 hours ago

Analysis: After meeting Trump, Syria's new leader must prove his willingness, capability

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 16 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's announcement of the cessation of U.S. sanctions, along with his meeting with Syrian interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, marked a turning point and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria.

Police investigating missing Slovenian statue of Melania Trump

World News // 3 hours ago

Police investigating missing Slovenian statue of Melania Trump

May 16 (UPI) -- A bronze statue of first lady Melania Trump was stolen in a city in her home country of Slovenia, five years after it replaced a wooden sculpture damaged by arson.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan takes leave until sexual misconduct probe is done

World News // 5 hours ago

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan takes leave until sexual misconduct probe is done

May 16 (UPI) -- International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan notified the court Friday he will take a leave from his duties until an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him concludes.

Novo Nordisk CEO will step down amid falling share price and 'recent market challenges'

World News // 6 hours ago

Novo Nordisk CEO will step down amid falling share price and 'recent market challenges'

May 16 (UPI) -- Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen is stepping down per mutual agreement with the company. The company said Friday he will continue as CEO for a while to smooth the leadership transition.

Palestinian death toll tops 53,000 after Israel airstrikes pummel Gaza overnight

World News // 7 hours ago

Palestinian death toll tops 53,000 after Israel airstrikes pummel Gaza overnight

May 16 (UPI) -- Dozens were killed in airstrikes after Israel stepped up its military offensive in northern Gaza, the Civil Defense Agency said, with the conflict marking another grim milepost as the death toll passed 53,000.

Polio detected in Papua New Guinea, medical response is underway

World News // 7 hours ago

Polio detected in Papua New Guinea, medical response is underway

May 16 (UPI) -- The Papua New Guinea National Department of Health announced Friday that a polio outbreak has struck there.

Microsoft proposes unbundling Teams to resolve European Commission investigation

World News // 8 hours ago

Microsoft proposes unbundling Teams to resolve European Commission investigation

May 16 (UPI) -- Microsoft said Friday it is proposing a resolution to European Commission concerns over how it bundles Teams with MS Office and Office 365.

Delayed Russia-Ukraine peace talks get underway in Turkey

World News // 10 hours ago

Delayed Russia-Ukraine peace talks get underway in Turkey

May 16 (UPI) -- Russia-Ukraine peace talks finally got underway a day late in Instanbul with little to no expectations after U.S. President Donald Trump said a face-to-face meeting with Putin was the only way forward.

U.S. extends travel ban to North Korea for another year

World News // 15 hours ago

U.S. extends travel ban to North Korea for another year

SEOUL, May 15 (UPI) -- The United States extended its ban on travel to North Korea for the ninth year in a row, a federal notice showed, citing "imminent danger" posed by any trips to the authoritarian state.

U.S. sanctions two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators for the group

World News // 1 day ago

U.S. sanctions two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators for the group

May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department Thursday sanctioned two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators for what it said were roles in coordinating financial transfers to the group.