Kentaro Kobayashi, who in a statement apologized for 'extremely inappropriate' 1998 skit, is latest in a line of scandals plaguing the Games, with Japan pushing for the event despite health warnings

MK Ram Ben-Barak, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair, says licenses granted to the Israeli company from Defense Ministry will be reconsidered following reports of its malware being abused in several countries

For the first time since 2002, Jerusalem regains observer status in the continental body; Foreign Minister Lapid lauds decision as 'day of celebration' for country's ties with member states

Head of high-profile Knesset committee tells Army Radio commisson was establsihed with a goal 'to review this whole matter of giving licences', while NSO chief says publication of alleged data hack was done 'to smear Israeli cyber industry'

With revelations about Israeli-made Pegasus being misused by governments, calls are growing for the spyware industry to face greater regulation, or even a moratorium on off-the-shelf surveillance technology altogether

Syrian military source says strike near Homs caused no casualties inflicting only material damage, with monitor saying missiles targeted Hezbollah positions and weapons depots in the area

French president is said to be 'following this subject closely and takes it very seriously' after phone numbers for Macron and 15 members of his government appeared on leaked lists of targets