Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen have intensified and this week took a heavy toll. Aid groups say 70 people being held in detention by Houthi rebels were killed in an attack.

Explosions in Abu Dhabi killed three people near fuel trucks. Houthi rebels claim they've struck the United Arab Emirates for its fight against them in Yemen and the UAE promises to respond.

The UAE is overhauling laws on an array of business, cultural and social norms. On paper, it makes the emirate one of the region's most progressive countries, but critics say the reality is complex.

The United Arab Emirates has been criticized for human rights violations but is now overhauling its laws to ease up on some social and economic restrictions.

For some women in Iraq, learning to ride bikes is a way of finding freedom from confining social restrictions.

After luring asylum-seekers to the EU as a political stunt, Belarus has now sent people back to the dangerous place they were escaping, rights groups and migrants tell NPR.

Libya's plans to hold national elections are in doubt as the country breaks down into regions controlled by local faction leaders — including the son of the former dictator.

After years of war, Ramadi has come back to be one of the safer parts of the country and a magnet for investment. Two new hospitals have been built and two new universities are being developed.

Drought and extreme heat that scientists link to climate change are altering the UNESCO-protected marshlands. Iraq's average annual temperatures are increasing at nearly double the rate of Earth's.

Drought in Iraq means the country is only able to grow less than half its usual produce and is forcing mass migration from rural communities.

Following last week's elections, an Iraqi reformer finds himself in the parliament now - and talks about his plans to fight corruption and brave the dangers that brings.

As the results of the Iraq election are compiled, its clear that turnout was much lower than expected, with many Iraqis disillusioned about the prospects for political reform.

Most Iraqis don't expect Sunday's parliamentary elections will bring much change to a leaderships blamed for corruption and mismanagement, but some voters still thought it was important to be counted.

Two activist friends talk about their efforts to protest for reform in Iraq — despite intimidation and attacks from powerful parties that will likely come out on top in Sunday's elections.

With the current parties in power expected to dominate results again, many Iraqis say they see no reason to vote.

The current parties in power — many backed by militias involved in deadly attacks on protesters — are poised to dominate parliamentary elections scheduled to take place Sunday. Here's what to know.

While some new voices have emerged in the campaigning, it looks like the usual parties will win. One underdog candidate got some voters on her side when she resolved a sewer problem in a Baghdad slum.

The election in Iraq that anti-government protestors gave their lives calling for is this weekend — but it might not lead to the changes people want.

The fall of a Syrian opposition town to the government this week after a siege and threats of air strikes serves as a reminder that the civil war continues.

With areas of Lebanon mired in power cuts and a historic economic crisis, some are getting into the mountains where hiking has started to gain popularity.