Farming families in West Bank retreat to caves as settlers encircle land In the southern West Bank near the separation wall lies the village of Khirbet al-Radhim, where seven Palestinian families live without roads, electricity or water and report constant harassent by the Israeli authorities and settlers. Palestine
Egyptian parliament approves tougher penalties for female genital mutilation Egypt's parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill stipulating tougher penalties for female genital mutilation, which remains widespread despite an official ban on the practice. The move coincided with the death of feminist author Nawal El Saadawi, who fought long and hard for an end to the procedure from which she herself suffered as a child. Egypt
Why Turkey is wooing Egypt How will improved relations between Cairo and Ankara boost bilateral trade and joint investment? A number of Egyptian businesspeople are keeping fingers crossed that easing tensions between the two Mediterranean countries will open up new opportunities. Egypt
Calls to get rid of Ottoman legacy emerge in Egypt In conjunction with the anniversary of the Egyptian resistance’s defeat by the Ottoman invasion, many intellectuals called for the amendment of the names of some titles and streets that are inspired by or dating back to the Ottoman era. Egypt
Russia, Iran propose alternative maritime routes amid Suez Canal blockage Russia and Iran have called for the need to find alternative maritime shipping routes after a giant vessel was stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal, blocking maritime traffic for days before it was freed. Egypt
Drawing on past lessons, Hamas submits inclusive electoral list Just hours ahead of the deadline to register electoral lists for the Palestinian legislative elections set for May 22, Hamas presented a list of 132 candidates representing the Gaza Strip, West Bank and Jerusalem. Palestine
Netanyahu’s fans hail historic speech by Israeli Arab legislator Likud’s enthusiasm over the speech of Arab legislator Mansour Abbas might be opportunist and not candid, but it is changing Israeli politics and society irreversibly. Israel
Is Turkey going to crack down Muslim Brotherhood aligned TV in gesture to Egypt? The Turkish government has advised Brotherhood aligned stations against insulting Egyptian officials. Egypt
36 electoral lists will compete in upcoming Palestinian vote The Palestinian Central Elections Commission has announced 36 new lists have been submitted — what happens now? Palestine
Jailed Palestinian leader's alliance could deal Fatah blow at ballot boxes Marwan Barghouti and Nasser al-Qudwa's popularity present a serious challenge to President Mahmoud Abbas' ruling Fatah party, and could have implications that go beyond the legislative elections. Palestine
Palestinians in this village suffer daily settler raids of Muslim shrines While the Israeli settlers stepped up their storming of Muslim shrines in Kifl Haris village in Salfit governorate, Palestinians perceive that such raids pave the way for the seizure of additional lands in the town. Palestine
Sudan takes center stage in US regional strategy Khartoum gets a boost this week from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as US Sudan envoy tours the region; the latest Nile dam talks kick off in Kinshasa, Congo, on Saturday. Sudan
Yemen's Houthis behind deadly attack on Aden airport, UN report says The Houthis previously denied responsibility for the attack, which came as Yemeni government officials disembarked from Riyadh. Yemen
US views EU-led Iran nuclear talks as a 'positive step' Representatives from China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain will meet virtually with Iran on Friday to discuss the possible return of the United States to the nuclear accord. Iran
State Department says Israel 'occupied' West Bank and Gaza A State Department spokesman said it is a "historical fact" that Israel occupied the Palestinian Territories in 1967 following a report from the department that retained some Trump administration language on the issue that is closer to Israel's position. United States
Top Turkish court rejects bid to close pro-Kurdish party Citing technical flaws in a case seeking the closure of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, the Turkish Constitutional Court rejected an indictment by a top prosecutor, setting the stage for possible rifts among political alliances in Ankara. Turkey
