Main headlines

May 8, 2013

Jerusalem Mufti Mohamed Hussein (r) at the al-Aqsa mosque
14:37 GMT

Israeli police say they released Mohamed Hussein, the top Muslim cleric in the Holy Land, on Tuesday

Israeli border guards stand guard outside the al-Aqsa mosque on Tuesday. (Photo: AFP / AHMAD GHARABLI)
12:56 GMT

Jordan’s Parliament votes to expel Israel’s ambassador from the Kingdom in retaliation for Israeli measures against Al-Aqsa mosque.

Palestinian Muslim woman argues with an Israeli policeman as security forces stand guard outside the al-Aqsa mosque (Ahmad Gharbali/AFP)
11:01 GMT

Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein was taken from his home in the city for questioning in relation to the disturbances

Hosni Mubarak waves from his hospital bed in court (AFP)
10:48 GMT

Hosni Mubarak's going nowhere fast as Egypt's Illicit Gains Authority extend his detention for another two weeks

Syrian rebel fighter (AFP PHOTO/ MIGUEL MEDINA)
09:58 GMT

Reports on Tuesday said that rebel pressure in both areas have pushed government forces into negotiations

Reports of internet blackout in Syria began on Tuesday
09:23 GMT

Syria has "largely disappeared" from the internet according to reports on Wednesday

The town is strategic in that it is likely to allow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces to regain control of the transit route.
08:09 GMT

A strategic southern town in Syria has been captured by regime forces from rebel fighters.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and the US Secretary of State John Kerry take their seats prior their talks in Kremlin in Moscow. (AFP PHOTO/POOL/MLADEN ANTONOV)
06:19 GMT

Russia and the US say they have agreed to work towards holding an international conference to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

May 7, 2013

Syrian rebels in Aleppo (AFP image used for illustrative purposes)
17:26 GMT

The Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade said it was holding the peacekeepers for their own safety

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a freeze on publishing tenders for new West Bank settler homes to avoid hampering US efforts to renew peace talks.
15:09 GMT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a freeze on publishing tenders for new West Bank settler homes to avoid hampering US efforts to renew peace talks.

President Mohamed Morsi hails from the Brotherhood, which the opposition accuses of seeking to tighten its hold on power.
11:28 GMT

Nine ministers have been replaced in the Egyptian government headed by Prime Minister Hesham Qandil.

Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is unable to stand in the upcoming election (Kenzo Tribouillard /AFP
10:31 GMT

Candidates have until Saturday to register for the elections that will be held next month

Israeli infantry soldiers of the Golani brigade take part in exercises during their deployment in the Israeli annexed Golan Heights. (Photo: AFP / Menahem Kahana)
09:38 GMT

A mortar shell fired from Syria explodes in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, hitting an open field without causing any casualties or damage.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in Syria. (Photo: AFP)
08:26 GMT

US Secretary of State John Kerry is holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the crisis in Syria.

US President Barack Obama recently met with the Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu (AFP)
07:55 GMT

Deal was reached after meeting between officials in Jerusalem, with a final announcement expected soon