Israeli mayor finds thorns in 'village of roses' The head of a Jewish local council of Kfar Vradim in the Galilee halted the marketing of housing lots after half the bid winners were Arabs. Palestine
How Trump is prompting Iran to improve ties with its neighbors Iran’s long-touted motto of prioritizing good ties with immediate neighbors is finally taking shape in apparent response to US-led pressure. Iran
Iran’s supreme leader: I'm not in favor of polygamy Iran’s supreme leader is reported to not be in favor of polygamy, denying a fatwa attributed to him about the matter. Iran
Latest Turkey-EU talks end with no progress The latest high-level attempt to normalize Turkish-EU ties has again failed to produce any results as both sides are steadfast in their demands. Turkey
Israeli cartoonists draw on 70 years of history Israel makes a rich canvas for cartoonists, whose works are displayed at the Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the country's independence this spring. Israel
Abbas' parting shots Despite Mahmoud Abbas' peaceful overtures, rhetoric and actions, the second Palestinian president is about to leave the political stage without peace in his lifetime. Palestine
Israeli leftist leader digs herself a hole Instead of offering the dwindling Meretz a new beginning, the leftist party's newly elected chair, Tamar Zandberg, lied to her supporters. Israel
Saudi Arabia looks to sports investments to score influence in Egypt Saudi Arabia has expanded its investment in the sports sector in Egypt by pumping millions into financing clubs and youth sports activities, a move that has triggered public resentment among some who see it as a means of gaining influence. Saudi Arabia
Istanbul exhibition recalls beer's popularity in Ottoman times Turkey's beer drinkers complain of high prices and legal limitations today, yet more than a century ago beer gardens were seen as ultimate modernity. Turkey
Erdogan keeps finger on trigger as PKK exits Sinjar It's unclear whether reports of Kurdish militants' withdrawal from Sinjar in Iraq have convinced Turkey not to launch a military offensive. Iraq
Turkish government readies to squeeze internet service providers Ankara is tightening its grip even further over the media in Turkey with a new law increasing its censorship powers over online content, threatening both independent news outlets and domestic access to international reporting. Turkey
Will Hamas' Gaza chief resign? Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar estimates that without reconciliation with Fatah, Hamas is doomed to lose its grip on the coastal enclave. Palestine
Saudi crown prince comes under fire as he visits US As Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the United States, President Trump's pick of John Bolton as national security adviser gets the thumbs-up from the oil-rich desert kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Are Iranians ready to 'Buy Iranian'? As Iran rings in the new year, the government has launched a campaign to encourage the public to buy locally made goods, but whether the public has as much enthusiasm for local products is another question. Iran
Iranian official declares Bolton appointment a 'shame' Iranian officials expect a more hostile US foreign policy with John Bolton's selection as the new national security adviser. United States
Yazidis in Iraq's Sinjar brace for possible Turkish attack The Yazidi community, which only recently faced Islamic State attacks, is now getting ready for a Turkish military operation in Sinjar announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Iraq
