Ceasefires start in Syrian towns
Craig TaylorTwo-day ceasefires between Syrian rebel and pro-government forces reportedly begin in three towns, as dozens are killed around Damascus. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
PKK leader says Turkey protecting IS
Cemil Bayik, the man currently leading the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, tells the BBC he believes Turkey is trying to protect the Islamic State group. BBC News – Middle East
Iraqi PM moves to tackle corruption
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi unveils sweeping reforms aimed at cutting government costs and fighting corruption after protests. BBC News – Middle East
West Bank arson attack father dies
A Palestinian man whose 18-month-old child was killed in an arson attack blamed on Jewish settlers has died of his injuries. BBC News – Middle East
Egypt opens Suez Canal expansion
Egypt has opened a major expansion of the Suez Canal, which deepens the main waterway and provides ships with a 35km (22 mile) channel parallel to it. BBC News – Middle East
Ancient find baffles archaeologists
Israeli archaeologists say they are trying to decode ancient inscriptions written in Hebrew discovered at a dig in Jerusalem. BBC News – Middle East