* WATCH: Thousands attend priestly blessing ceremony at Western Wall The custom sees hundreds of Cohens (priests), descended from the biblical figure of Aaron and the Israelite tribe of Levi, raise their hands within their prayer shawls and bless the masses.
* Leading Israeli Rabbis: Time for Messiah to Come Just a day before the start of Passover last week, two of Israel's most prominent rabbis got together to discuss the delayed coming of the Messiah.
* U.S. sends F-22 fighters to reassure NATO allies facing Russia Two highly advanced U.S. fighters flew to the Black Sea on Monday for the first time since Washington beefed up military support for NATO's eastern European allies who say they face aggression from Russia.
* Kurdish PKK warns Turkey of long fight for freedom The Kurdish rebel PKK movement has told the BBC that it is ready to intensify its fight against Turkey because Ankara is trying to make it surrender.
* Jordan: Stop Jews from visiting Temple Mount or face consequences Two Jewish visitors removed from holy site on Monday morning; Temple Mount complex saw approximately 1,050 visitors on Sunday, including 885 tourists and over 100 Israelis.
* Saudi Arabia agrees plans to move away from oil profits The Saudi cabinet has approved sweeping economic reforms aimed at moving the country away from its dependence on oil profits.
* Syria conflict: Obama to deploy 250 more special forces troops President Barack Obama says he is to send up to 250 more special forces troops to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS).
* Obama calls for greater European unity US President Barack Obama has called for greater European unity, describing it as a "necessity" for the world.
* Israel responds to Jordan's Temple Mount threats Israeli officials reject claims Jewish visits to Temple Mount constitute attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
* White House poised to release secret pages from 9/11 inquiry 28-page chapter containing information on hijackers may shed light on possible Saudi connections.