Palestinian leaders underwhelmed by Israeli port plan Israel is floating a plan to set up a seaport in Cyprus to ease Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip, but neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has any praise for the proposal. Palestine
Egyptians debate efforts to bring back Mubarak's billions Egyptians are divided over whether former officials should be offered the chance to pay back looted funds in exchange for dropped charges as authorities work to bring back the estimated billions of dollars smuggled abroad during the reign of former President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt
Fires and armed conflict take toll on Kurdish flora, fauna The mountains of Iraq's Kurdistan region are threatened by man-made and natural wildfires that are difficult to control because of a lack of firefighting resources and manpower. Iraq
Cairo creates Sahel-Saharan anti-terror center Egypt is ready to open its new anti-terrorism center in Cairo for a network of African states (CEN-SAD) to support and coordinate counterterrorism efforts and bolster security, economic and political ties among member states. Egypt
Jerusalem tram seeks to fast track Arabic learning for Israeli Jews For Arabic Language Week, Jerusalem Light Rail is distributing Arabic phrase books, conducting Arabic classes and displaying posters to introduce Hebrew speakers to the language with the goal of helping the city's residents communicate better. Israel
Architects from Middle East, beyond tear down barriers in Venice Turkey’s national pavilion and other entries from the region are among the highlights at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, whose theme "Freespace" has prompted curators to investigate national boundaries, the human toll of migration and the concept of freedom. Saudi Arabia
'Hipstanbulites' struggle to preserve their city's heritage Istanbul, a magnificent city, has become a victim of its own beauty by overpopulation. Now, college students, young professionals, artists and others find ways to preserve breathable spaces in Istanbul. Turkey
Islamic State awakens sleeper cells in Iraq's Kirkuk The Islamic State is gradually rekindling its terrorist activities in Iraq through sleeper cells in Kirkuk province, where security is already stretched thin by political unrest. Iraq
Assad critic seizes chairmanship of key Iran parliament commission Far from a game of musical chairs, the shift in the leadership of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission is set to alter the stances of the body. Syria
Development of public beaches sparks outrage in Lebanon The opening of the Lancaster Eden Bay Hotel on the Beirut coast was inaugurated despite allegations that it did not have an occupancy permit from the municipality. Lebanon
Palestinian villagers wage legal battle during demolition freeze Palestinians from the Area C village of Bani Naim are fighting Israeli settlement expansion plans that include confiscating their land through protests and legal appeals. Palestine
Young Turks with enough cash seek to skip military service Thanks to a massive grassroots lobbying effort, the Turkish parliament will consider allowing prospective conscripts to pay their way out of military service. Turkey
How Israel's left could challenge Netanyahu If they're going to beat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next elections, the three Zionist leftist parties must unite. Israel
Trial of Turkish hospital staff begins as sex abuse crisis deepens Two health workers are on trial for failing to notify police about 115 pregnant teenagers, many of them underage, in what feels to many Turks like a child abuse epidemic. Turkey
Tehran in fresh diplomatic push to salvage nuclear deal Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has embarked on a European tour for talks expected to revolve around the nuclear deal. Oman
Iran’s economic crisis gives Rouhani chance to hit 'corrupt networks' Rouhani should make use of the mandate that Iran’s supreme leader has given for further transparency, which will weaken corrupt networks that are harming the country more than any external enemy. Iran
