08:15: Two mortar shells fired into southern Israel landed in an open area. There are no reports of injuries or damage.

** Bus fares increase today by 3%. A bus fare in a local city bus is not 6.60 NIS.

** The Islamic Brotherhood in Egypt says it will never recognize Israel’s right to exist.

** Jordan has agreed to accept family members of Hamas officials who decided to leave Syria due to the escalating violence in that country. According to the report, family members have pledged not to engage in Hamas-related activities while in the Hashemite Kingdom.

** Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh is leaving Gaza to hold meetings in Turkey and Iran.

** 385 people lost their lives on the nation’s roadways in 2011. Police report the licenses of 193 motorists were suspended on the goyish New Year weekend for DWI.

** Gasoline prices will increase tonight at midnight by 12 agorot a liter. A liter of 95 octane fuel at a self-service pump will sell for 7.23 NIS, the equivalent of $7.57 for a US gallon.

** The elimination of customs tariff on 100s of items takes effect today. That means these items may be imported and one only needs to pay value added tax of 16%.

** Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and son of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, has launched a new mehadrin chicken shechitah called “Orot Eliyahu”.

** A number of female Jerusalem Councilwomen have turned to the High Court of Justice to compel Egged to display ads with women in chareidi neighborhoods too, claiming the current policy of the bus company discriminates against women in ads in chareidi areas.

** Quartet officials in the next 48 hours plan to meet with Israeli and PA negotiators Yitzchak Molcho and Dr. Saeb Erekat. Jordan has also signaled a willingness to become involved towards bringing Israel and the PA back to the negotiating table.

** “Death to Chareidim” was painted on a bus stop wall in the Yavne area on Sunday morning.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)