Mosaic: World News From The Middle East

As the elections approach, Israel's right-wing government concentrates on its accomplishments regarding security issues, and ignores the peace process with the Palestinians. Left and center parties are criticizing Netanyahu's domestic economic and social policies. Aljazeera reports.

Rallies in Karachi and Quetta denounce the bombings that took place yesterday, demanding more security from government forces, and blaming the US for supporting terrorism in Pakistan.

The Saudi King has issued a royal decree allotting 20 percent of the seats in the Shura Council to women. Although they will enjoy full membership privileges, their movement within the council will be strictly segregated from men. BBC Arabic reports on the decree and the serious barriers still facing Saudi Women.

Iraqi President Nouri Al-Maliki has accused protesters of receiving financial enticement from abroad to demonstrate. He added that he believes the protesters don't reflect the true voice of the Iraqi people. Sunni-dominated protests and sit-ins have broken out across Iraq in response to the December arrest of bodyguards for the Sunni finance minister. Al Jazeera reports on Al-Maliki's statements and the reaction of protesters.

As a result of Palestineís new non-member state observer status at the UN, the Palestinian Ministry of Information has asked media outlets to begin using the title The State of Palestine instead of Palestinian Authority. President Mahmoud Abbas has also authorized the creation of new passports bearing the new title. Al Jazeera reports on the presidential decrees as well as how the new passports could create complications for Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints.

Heavy rains across Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Israel caused severe flooding, leading to the destruction of facilities, and damaging homes across the region. BBC Arabic reports on the ongoing weather front.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil met with an IMF delegation to discuss renewing an aid plan totaling $4.8 billion. A previous IMF loan offer to Egypt was suspended in December due to political unrest. BBC Arabic reports on the meeting as well as political and economic implications of an IMF loan.

Intense winter storms have wreaked havoc in a large swath of the Middle East including Lebanon, The West Bank, Jordan and Egypt. The storm has caused downed trees, blocked roads and electricity outages. BBC Arabic reports on the severe weather conditions and how people in the affected areas are coping.

The Palestinian Economic Minister has met with American diplomats to urge the United States to pressure Israel to release tax dues meant for the Palestinian National Authority. Israel has frozen the transfer of taxes after Palestine gained non-member observer state status at the UN. BBC Arabic reports on the current standstill as well as how the Palestinian authority is coping with the missing tax revenues.

Bahrain's top court rejects the appeals of 13 opposition activists who were sentenced to between five years and life in prison, sparking protests in Bahrain. Leading opposition activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, Hussain Mushaima, and Abdul Jalil al-Sangaece all received life sentences.

As US troops arrive in Turkey as part of the NATO mission to operate missile batteries, Press TV correspondent Chris Bandery discusses the regional ramifications of this latest military escalation.

With Egypt facing an economic crisis driven by record lows on currency exchange markets and accelerating inflation, the country's prime minister Hesham Kandil says the ratification of a new constitution and upcoming parliamentary elections mark the end of a "transitional period," and that Egypt is set to improve economically and politically. But, for the 40 percent of Egyptians already living below the poverty line, recovery cannot come soon enough. BBC Arabic reports.

Several Iraqi cities with a Sunni majority are protesting against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's policies and are accusing him of marginalizing them. The Iraqi leader is warning of an imminent civil war, while the country witnesses a deep political crisis.

The number of internally displaced people has reached nearly five million in Syria. Whether fleeing violence in the towns and cities, or forced out of homes that have been destroyed by war, millions of Syrians are searching for homes. Al Jazeera reports on the conditions of the homeless in Syria and how the displaced are finding solutions to their lack of shelter.

The night of Yalda in Iran ís a traditional celebration of the winter solstice dating back centuries. Press TV reports on the significance of the holiday in Iranian culture and how citizens are using the occasion to keep ancient traditions alive.