Erdogan disrespects Turkey’s top court Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a decision of Turkey’s Constitutional Court, which could be responsible for dealing with corruption allegations against his administration, has “denigrated national values” by overturning his ban on Twitter. Turkey
Hakim launches 'Citizen Coalition' in Iraqi elections In the lead-up to the April 30 Iraqi elections, Ammar al-Hakim’s Citizen Coalition has sought to ensure comprehensive reform and released a serious and thorough electoral program. Iraq
Marginalized Saudi youth launch virtual protests Some Saudi youth have taken to social media to express their grievances with Saudi government policies. Saudi Arabia
Will ElBaradei run for president of Egypt? Supporters of former interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei have begun a campaign to gather enough signatures to authorize him to run for president, but some consider his chances to be very low. Egypt
'Halal beer' flops in Turkey Turkish consumers reject even nonalcoholic beer for various cultural reasons. Turkey
Gulf states should form regional bloc with Iran Arab Gulf states can no longer ignore Iran’s vital role in bringing stability to the Gulf region, and should work on establishing a security and economic arrangement with Tehran. Legacy: Gulf
Iran businessman’s $2 billion never blocked, say investigators Despite his claims, an Iranian investigative team has revealed that Babak Zanjani's money was never blocked in foreign banks. Iran
Rescuing Lebanon's big cats A lion and two tigers living in a private zoo in Lebanon are on their way to an animal sanctuary in France. Lebanon
Slain Dutch priest refused to leave besieged Syrian city Dutch Jesuit priest Frans van der Lugt, killed by an unidentified gunman last week in Homs, had committed his life to building bridges between the Muslim and Christian communities in Syria. Syria
Negotiators at halfway point, move to drafting phase of Iran deal talks Iran and the P5+1 plan to begin drafting a comprehensive deal on Iran's nuclear program during the next meeting in May, although significant gaps remain. Originals
Islamic Jihad gains support in Gaza as Hamas declines Recent polls reveal that many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip see Islamic Jihad as more consistent in its positions and more ready to retaliate against Israeli attacks. Palestine
Israeli institute prepares priests for Jerusalem's third temple The movement to rebuild the third temple expands, with a first ever course to prepare the priests for the offering rituals, and with prefabricated models for the third temple's modernized artifacts. Israel
Veteran settler Katzover: Livni encourages boycott wave In an interview with Al-Monitor, veteran settler Benny Katzover says there's a link between the settlers' youth violence against IDF soldiers and the forced evacuation of illegal outposts, and Katzover does not worry about the boycott of products. Palestine
Peace talks' failure may boost Palestinian nonviolent resistance Both Fatah and Hamas have nominally supported nonviolent resistance, but that might change should the current peace talks fail. Palestine
European jihadists form ISIS brigades in Syria Enough European jihadists are fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) that the radical group has created French- and German-speaking brigades. Syria
Kerry to Senate panel: 'I may fail. I don't care' Senate Foreign Relations Committee members pressed US Secretary of State John Kerry on US policy in the Middle East. Palestine
