Supervising News Editor Phil Gast -- 404-827-1401

UPCOMING

Gaza-Israel-Strike (will update)

Egypt's intelligence chief is spearheading talks with Hamas and Israel for a cease-fire, an urgent effort that would stop stop the three-days of rocket fire and warplane strikes in the region.

Iron Dome Israel Gaza Conflict

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system is figuring prominently in the unfolding aerial conflict with Hamas' military wing in Gaza. The Iron Dome system is being credited with protecting Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities by blocking some rockets fired from Gaza. But what exactly is Iron Dome, what are its origins, how important is it, and is the United States involved with Iron Dome (yes, with millions of dollars financing its development)?

POL-Obama-Asia-Trip (will update)

President Obama is on his way to making history this weekend with a trip to Asia that includes a stop in Myanmar -- a first for any American president.

Turkey-Kurdish-Uprising (will update)

Smoke billowed over the ancient stone walls of Diyarbakir, as residents of this predominantly Kurdish city staged a citywide strike. Police armored vehicles patrolled streets strewn with garbage and burning tires left by Kurdish children, who threatened to hurl rocks at passing cars.

INTERNATIONAL

POL-Obama-Asia-Trip

President Obama is on his way to making history this weekend with a trip to Asia that includes a stop in Myanmar -- a first for any American president.

Gaza-Israel-Strike

Israel hammered the headquarters of the Hamas-run government in Gaza and rockets soared from Gaza toward Israel, including one that was blocked by a missile defense system as it headed straight to Tel Aviv.

Hamas-explainer

Four years after the last major conflict in the region, Israel and Hamas are once again on the brink of war in Gaza. So what is the group, and what does it hope to achieve by its rocket attacks on Israeli targets?

Pakistan-Taliban-Release

Pakistan has released nine members of the Taliban from prison in hopes they will help negotiate peace in Afghanistan, a senior Afghan peace negotiator said.

Iraq-US-Militant-Charges

A Lebanese militant wanted by the United States in connection with the killing of five American soldiers in Iraq was released because of lack of evidence, Iraq's prime minister said Saturday.

Turkey-Kurdish-Uprising

Smoke billowed over the ancient stone walls of Diyarbakir, as residents of this predominantly Kurdish city staged a citywide strike. Police armored vehicles patrolled streets strewn with garbage and burning tires left by Kurdish children, who threatened to hurl rocks at passing cars.

Syria-Civil-War

A new coalition of Syrian dissidents opposed to President Bashar al-Assad will have an ambassador in France, the French president said Saturday.