US attacks East Jerusalem plans
The US vice-president condemns Israel's approval of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem, as he prepares to visit the West Bank.
Activist case to open in Israel
A court case brought by the family of Rachel Corrie, a US protester killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003, is to open.
US apology for Gaddafi comments
The US State Department apologises for comments by a spokesman on a call by Libya for holy war against Switzerland.
Israel and Syria in nuclear bids
Israel and Syria both tell a conference in Paris they want to use nuclear power to generate electricity.
Iraq election voter turnout '62%'
The voter turnout in Iraq's parliamentary election was 62%, officials say, despite attacks that killed 38 people.
Israeli 'spymaster' dies aged 82
A former Israeli spy who played a key role in Africa, the Middle East and the 1980s Iran-Contra scandal has died.
Fourth Australian named by Dubai
A fourth Australian passport-holder has been named in connection with the murder of a Hamas commander in Dubai.
Iranian poet handed 'travel ban'
Iran's most celebrated female poet is banned from travelling out of the country by the government.
US eases sanctions for freer web
The US eases sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of internet services and support opposition groups.
Israeli military 'unfriends' soldier after Facebook leak
The Israeli military cancels a raid on a Palestinian village after one of its soldiers posted details of the operation on Facebook.
Separation fear
Families fight 'racist' Israeli marriage and citizenship law
Standing firm
Iraqi democracy stays strong amid bomb attacks
Audio slideshow
How Palestinians came to love the bagpipes
Bitter Baathists
Spirit of Saddam lives on among Iraqi exiles in Syria
Baghdad diary
Three generations reflect on life in the unpredictable city
Lost tribe?
The Zimbabweans who trace their roots back to Israel
Israel 'to build nuclear plant'
Israel is to unveil this week plans to build a nuclear power plant, reports say.
Surgery on Mubarak 'successful'
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak undergoes successful surgery at a German clinic for an inflamed gall bladder, state media say.
PM's Iraq evidence 'disingenuous'
Former defence chiefs challenge Gordon Brown's claim at the Iraq inquiry that no military request for equipment was turned down.
Deadly Iraq car bomb hits Najaf
A car bomb in Iraq's holy city of Najaf kills at least three people on the eve of tense parliamentary elections, officials say.
New trial in Egypt murder case
Egypt's highest court orders the retrial of a tycoon and ex-policeman sentenced to death for killing a Lebanese pop singer.
Iraq president 'to retain post'
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani tells the BBC he expects to retain his position in Sunday's general election.
UK to stop 'political' warrants
The UK is planning to stop attempts to secure "politically-motivated" arrest warrants for visiting foreign officials, the prime minister has said.
Male hairdressers banned in Gaza
Hamas tightens religious restrictions banning men from styling women's hair in the Gaza Strip.
Sudanese executed in S Arabia
A Sudanese driver is executed in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of killing his employer.
Expatriates vote in Iraq election
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi expats begin voting in the general election, ahead of the main polling day on Sunday.
Iraq war was 'right', says Brown
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will give evidence at the Iraq war inquiry later about his role in the events that led to invasion.
EU: Settlement goods not Israeli
The European Court of Justice rules that Israeli goods made in Jewish settlements cannot be considered Israeli.
Iraq given its largest IMF loan
The IMF is to lend Iraq $3.6bn to rebuild its infrastructure as low oil prices slash its revenue.
ME anger at Israeli 'escalations'
Clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protestors over the issue of holy sites have provoked a wave of condemnation in the Arab press for Israel's behaviour.
Rebel arrest delights Iran's press
Iran's press has expressed satisfaction at the capture of Sunni rebel leader Abdolmalek Rigi
Photos across Israeli Gaza divide
Yemenis discuss security struggle
Yemenis in Sanaa tell the BBC what they think of the international focus on their country as a hotbed of terrorism, and what they think are the biggest challenges facing Yemen.
Iran Ashura clashes: Your videos
A selection of video footage from Tehran as anti-government protesters clashed with security forces on the Shia day of mourning, Ashura.
Disturbing Fallujah birth defects
John Simpson on birth defects in Iraqi city
A first 'Palestinian settlement'?
'Settlement' for Palestinians to go up in West Bank
Iraq cracks down on camouflage
Iraq tries to restrict the market in military uniforms
Dubai killing highlights Mossad
Dubai murder wins Mossad the wrong kind of press
Years of protest at W Bank wall
West Bank village marks years of barrier protests
New leader, new line at IAEA
Tougher IAEA line on Iran reflects leadership change
Is Beirut still a byword for chaos?
Why is Lebanon's capital still a byword for chaos?
Life as a female Israeli soldier
Why I wanted a combat role in the Israeli army