The US embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem before the end of 2019, Vice-President Mike Pence has said. The date is earlier than some had expected when President Donald Trump declared last month that Jerusalem was Israel’s capital and ordered the start of preparations for the embassy move. Pence made the announcement in a speech to the Israeli parliament.
Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Prime Minister announced he would be meeting with his Iraqi counterpart at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland today. During a press conference on Monday, Nechirvan Barzani said he had a “productive meeting” with Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad on Sunday and is scheduled to meet him again in Davos. There were no updates on the airport ban but talks are apparently underway.
Lastly, Singer Neil Diamond has announced he will retire from touring, after a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Diamond, who turns 77 on Wednesday, cancelled his March tour dates for Australia and New Zealand on medical advice. The Solitary Man singer was midway through his 50th anniversary tour.
