* US calls new construction in J'lem 'counterproductive' The United States said on Tuesday that Israel's decision to approve construction of 1,100 homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo - located past the Green Line - was "counterproductive".
* Erdogan: UN should impose sanctions on Israel like Iran Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the UN Security Council should have followed through with resolutions on Israel.
* Fearing Change, Many Christians in Syria Back Assad Abu Elias sat beneath the towering stairs leading from the Convent of Our Lady of Saydnaya.
* Syrian uprising showing signs of armed rebellion Once-peaceful Syrian protesters are increasingly taking up arms to fight a six-month military crackdown.
* Libya adrift Nothing is settled yet in Libya, and it is unclear what will happen in the coming weeks and months.
* Christians Fleeing Egypt, NGO Reports The number of Christians to have fled Egypt since March is approaching 100,000.
* 'Budapest – Europe's Capital of Anti-Semitism' The rise of right-wing and anti-Semitic parties heralds a new wave of anti-Semitism that is headquartered in Budapest.
* Egyptian FM backs treaty with Israel Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr said Monday his country will always respect its landmark peace treaty with Israel.
* Iran says could deploy navy near U.S. coast Iran raised the prospect on Tuesday of sending military ships close to the United States' Atlantic coast.
* Hamas Calls for Strategic Dialogue With Fatah Ismail Haniyeh, who serves as the 'prime minister' in Hamas-run Gaza, called on Monday for an 'inter-Palestinian' strategic dialogue to decide on a joint strategy for establishing an independent state.