Having trouble viewing this email Click here

Weekend Reads Looking for some weekend reads? Check out these five great stories that you might have missed this week. Military coups are one tried-and-true way to get rid of Iraqi leaders, but mere rumors will do in a pinch — especially if you don't want to leave any fingerprints. After social media lit up on Sept. 28 with "news" of an imminent attack on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's leadership, suspicions are mounting that the rumors were orchestrated by his rival and predecessor, Nouri al-Maliki. Israelis have a lot riding on better ties with Turkey — Middle East peace, anti-terrorism cooperation, energy development — not to mention being able to go back to their favorite beaches. Five years since tourism collapsed after the Gaza blockade incident, Israelis appear ready to forgive President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's angry rhetoric so the two countries can cooperate to address Syria and battle the Islamic State. Iran's $40 million "Messenger of God" movie is the country's most expensive ever — and it's a bust with critics and movie-goers. Because who knew that the first 13 years of Muhammad's life, long before he became a prophet and marched on Mecca, would fall flat with a generation raised on the latest action movies? Turkish scientists are up in arms after a conference on religious healing was hosted by a university for the first time. On the plus side, attendees got to witness a well-respected religious scholar expound on “Islam’s approach to sexual life" and its assertion that "masturbation is imperative and necessary." Gaza's student drivers are being taken for a ride by corrupt driving schools affiliated with the transportation ministry. The lack of proper training has been blamed for a rash of accidents and sparked calls for reforms. VIEW SLIDESHOW> Egypt Gulf Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon Palestine Syria T