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Protestors swarm streets over deportations
TEL AVIV, Israel - Israelis took to the streets both to support and oppose the deportation of Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers who illegally entered Israel.
Protests against the deportations by social-justice organizations recorded approximately 15,000 attendees Feb. 24-25. A counterprotest in favor of deportations organized by the right-wing non-governmental organization Im Tirtzu also recorded thousands of attendees.
The infiltration of migrants has become a recent flashpoint in Israel. Israel has reportedly entered into agreements with Rwanda and Uganda to accept migrants once they are deported from Israel. Those migrants who choose to be relocated will receive cash payments of $3,500. Migrants who do not agree to deportation face incarceration in Israeli prisons.
While anti-deportation protests have received increased media attention, polls indicate that most Israelis support deporting illegal infiltrators.
Terrorists find Bitcoin advantage in anonymity
DAMASCUS, Syria - Terrorist groups are beginning to take advantage of the anonymity of crypto-currency to raise funds to carry out attacks, a report in The Wall Street Journal uncovered.
According to the report, terror organizations such as the north Syrian al-Sadaqah military group used Twitter to encourage supporters to "donate anonymously with crypto-currency," followed by a Bitcoin address.
The group allegedly received $1,000 in the campaign, which included a video showing a dirt floor covered in blankets, pita bread and hand grenades.
Crypto-currencies use a digital ledger called a block-chain to trade without relying on banks and exchanges, and therefore are not subject to legislation applied to those institutions.
In January, U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced a bill to establish a financial-technology task force to stop terrorists from using crypto-currency, which can circumvent anti-terror regulations instituted by banks because the transfers are not traceable.
Moreover, terror groups online can hide behind fake profiles and use available technology to conceal themselves from authorities.
Gaza may dump sewage into Mediterranean Sea
GAZA STRIP, Gaza - Officials in the Gaza Strip announced on Feb. 21 that if Hamas doesn't loosen its grip on fuel provisions to the towns, they will be forced to begin dumping sewage directly into the Mediterranean Sea.
Last week, Gaza's only power plant stopped producing electricity due to a lack of fuel and was forced to import it.
Pollution from Gaza...