From Memorial Day to Veterans Day, Dog Bless You, a non-profit community created by explore.org founder Charlie Annenberg Weingarten, will celebrate dogs and soldiers in America through a new campaign called Dog Bless USA. Funds raised by a challenge grant on the Dog Bless You Facebook page will be used to give service dogs to war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). explore.org will donate one service dog to a veteran suffering from PTSD for every 5,000 "Likes" on the community page, up to 100 dogs or $500,000.

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects as many as 20 percent of military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This crippling anxiety disorder causes anger, depression, major stress, fear, agitation, and numbness. Hidden from sight, PTSD isn't as obvious as physical injuries but can be just as serious. And sometimes the best therapy is the companionship of a service dog.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and an assortment of dog and veteran related organizations have come together to raise awareness of PTSD and the healing role that dogs can play in people's lives. This unique campaign offers people a chance to participate in spreading the word and raising money simply by clicking "Like" on the Dog Bless You Facebook page. The community page is comprised of over 260,000 people already, and features photos, videos, and discussions aimed and educating and inspiring. Join today.

Syria: Eyewitnesses said government forces are indiscriminately firing at the outskirts of Maarat al-Numan with the intention of terrorizing residents. This has led more residents to flee the town. Fifteen kilometers east of Maarat al-Numan, residents of Mantas are also fleeing as armed convoys approach the village. The city of Hama witnessed anti-regime demonstrations yesterday to counter the pro-regime protests in Damascus. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged President Bashar al-Assad to carry out reforms before time runs out.

Libya: Revolutionaries say they have taken control of various areas in the Jabal al-Gharbi region after days of battles against Gaddafi's forces. Seesaw battles continue between the two sides in areas east of Tripoli, particularly between of Misurata and Zliten. While a number of countries assert that NATO's air strikes on Libya are impeding the efforts to reach a political resolution to the crisis, disputes between NATO members emerged as some refused to pledge to provide additional supplies for the military operations in Libya.

Iraq: On the first Friday since the end of Maliki’s 100-day deadline, protests in Tahrir Square were drastically different from prior weeks’ protests. As the weekly anti-regime protests began, they were soon met by opposing slogans swearing allegiance to the prime minister. The competing slogans did not last long and the protests soon turned violent.

Libya: Muammar Gaddafi met with South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday in Tripoli. After the meeting, Gaddafi called for ending NATO air strikes and agreed to to a ceasefire in addition to opening a dialogue with the Libyan opposition and to enact a ceasefire.  He refused to leave the country, however, and continued to call for NATO to end air strikes. The opposition rejected the African Union’s peace initiative because it does not include Gaddafi stepping down, and was bolstered by Italy's announcement that it will provide €100 million in aid to the Libyan opposition.

Yemen: After a brief ceasefire, new clashes erupted today between pro-government forces and gunmen loyal to the Hashid tribe leader Sadek al-Ahmar and pro-government forces. The death toll from the attack on protestors in Taiz rose to over 50.  Massive Yemeni civilians, fearful of civil war, took to the streets in Sana’a demonstrations took place in Sana’a to condemn the killing of protestors in Taiz and to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. 

Syria: Syrian state TV reported that President Bashar Bashar al-Assad willwould issue a decree granting general amnesty to members of all political movements for crimes committed before May 31. According to human rights activists, the Syrian army continues to besiege and shell a number of regions near Homs and Daraa to prevent residents from taking part in protests. Fourteen people have been killed in Homs in the past two days.  

Iraq: Protests erupted in the city of Nasiriya in Dhi Qar province against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government and the Dawa Party. Protestors have accused Maliki of been being unable to deliver on promises made to Iraqi citizens during either of his terms in office. Maliki gave his administration a 100-day deadline to achieve reform in Iraq. As that day deadline approaches and as Iraqis grow increasingly frustrated, many believe the date will mark the beginning of an Iraqi revolution. 

As the Syrian military finally retreats from Dara’a after a ten-day siege, Dubai TV reports that tanks and armored vehicles were seen entering a number of other towns in Homs province, including Rastan and Talbisa. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the military began withdrawing from Dara’a after capturing what it referred to as “terrorist elements.” However, activists on social networking sites said that Dara’a is still under a “suffocating siege,” with military forces in the street and snipers stationed on rooftops. 

Al-Jazeera features a report on media repression throughout the Middle East during the revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain. These countries’ regimes have carried out similar campaigns to suppress the media by confiscating permits, arresting journalists, and even killing journalists and photographers. Al-Jazeera’s office in Syria was shut down after several employees received threats. Only Syrian state-run media has been allowed to cover the protests in Dara’a since they erupted two months ago. Yet these extreme measures have not prevented the spread of revolutions across the Middle East. 

Amnesty International has called on Bahraini authorities to end the arrests of opposition members and to release detained protestors. Bahraini authorities continue their violent crackdown on protests despite international pleas. Religious scholars, soldiers, medical personnel, and journalists have been arrested throughout the country. Al-Alam reports that Bahraini authorities asked Human Rights Watch lawyer Joshua Colangelo to leave the country before he was able to investigate human rights abuses. 

Sixteen police officers were killed and 65 people injured in a terrorist attack in the Iraqi city of Hilla early this morning. Al-Iraqiya reports that a car filled with explosives targeted police headquarters in the city center. Residents of Hilla affirmed that the attack will not hinder the determination of the Iraqi people to “pave the way to a new Iraq.”

The BBC reports that protests calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime continued in cities throughout Yemeni, as living conditions deteriorate due to heightened food and gas prices. Some believe that the gas crisis is being staged by Saleh and as a punishment to the opposition.

Several days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas a choice between seeking reconciliation with Hamas and achieving peace with Israel. Today, Abbas said the Palestinian Authority will stand by Hamas. He made this statement at the signing ceremony for the national reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas in Cairo, Egypt. Palestinians expressed cautious optimism over the agreement, hoping it will open a new chapter for Palestinians.

Dubai TV reports that Syria protests have spread to the country’s second largest city, Aleppo. Students from the University of Aleppo took to the streets to demand that authorities lift the siege on Daraa. Nearly 3,000 protestors demonstrated in the coastal city of Baniyas with the same demand. Over 1,000 people have been arrested over the past three days, raising the total number of Syrian detainees to 2,800.

In Bahrain, 23 doctors and 24 nurses will be put on trial for their involvement in the uprising. The Bahraini military court is accusing them of providing medical care to protestors, being involved in the attempts to topple the ruling family, participating in illegal gatherings, and damaging public opinion by spreading false news. Al-Alam reports that this comes days after the military court issued death sentences to four young men accused of killing two police officers during protests.

In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi’s forces have shelled the Misurata port again, this time killing five people. Al-Jazeera reports that the forces are preparing to launch a new attack on the Wazen border crossing with Tunisia. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that over 80,000 Libyans have been displaced from the western Jabal al-Gharbi district in the past few days. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said that NATO forces might be used to capture Gaddafi.

France 24 reports tonight from Morocco, where demonstrators are gathering under the slogan “the people want to topple corruption and despotism.” The Morocco protests began on February 20, and have been growing in size everyday, despite King Mohammed VI’s promises to release of political prisoners and enact reforms.

Hundreds of Iraqis poured into Tahrir Square in central Baghdad last week to participate in the “Friday of Resistance.” Protestors are demanding the end of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government, the eradication of corruption, and the release of detainees. In Mosul, demonstrators rallied in Ahrar Square for the 20th consecutive day, despite the government’s attempts to scatter the crowd.

(Mosaic Video Alert: April 26, 2011) Two people were killed and over 20 others were injured in Iraq when security forces opened fire on protestors in Mosul's Ahrar Square. Protestors have rejected concessions made by the government, which include the nomination of a new police commander and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's invitation to meet with a delegation of Mosul residents.

Al-Jazeera reports that two people were killed and over 20 injured when security forces opened fire on protestors in Mosul’s Ahrar Square in Iraq. Protestors have rejected the concessions made by the government so far, including the nomination of a new police commander, and have also rejected Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's invitation to meet with a delegation of Mosul residents.

Al-Alam brings us the latest developments from Libya, where Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces have shelled Misurata's port, injuring several African refugees. The attack also forced a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Misurata to turn back. NATO attacks targeted Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziyah compound, but Gaddafi himself was not harmed. While some sources have indicated that Gaddafi forces have retreated from Misurata, residents say that the city is still under siege.  

The BBC reports that Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal are circulating a draft statement within the Security Council condemning the violent crackdown on Syrian protestors. The White House announced yesterday that it is considering imposing sanctions on the Syrian government in response to what it described as brutal violence against Syrian civilians.

The Yemeni opposition has fully approved the Gulf transition plan after receiving clarifications on several of the initiative’s clauses. Dubai TV reports that while the Yemeni president's position on the initiative remains vague, the ruling party has announced that Saleh will agree to step down from power in exchange for immunity. The revolution's youth groups have rejected the initiative and say they will continue to protest until their demands are met.

Cairo Criminal Court has delayed the trial of former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, six of his senior assistants, and Interior Ministry security leaders, until May 21st. The case relates to their involvement in the attacks and killings of protestors during the January 25 Revolution. Nile TV reports that Egypt's Attorney General Abdul Majid Mahmoud has decided to extend the detention of Alaa and Gamal Mubarak for another 15 days as a precaution while the allegations against them are investigated.

(Mosaic Video Alert: April 22, 2011) Iraqis demonstrated in Mosul City's Ahrar Square or Square of the Free for the ninth consecutive day to demand "the unconditional departure of occupation forces from Iraq" and the release of detainees. In Sulaymaniyah province's Hurriya or Freedom Square, protesters demanded that the government and parliament be dissolved and asked for political reform. Al Iraqiya reports:

Thousands of Yemenis have gathered in Sana'a and Taiz to mark a day of protest they have dubbed “Last Chance Friday," and to call for the immediate departure of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh’s supporters held a counter protest in the capital, called the “Friday of Reconciliation.” Following the Gulf Cooperation Council's initiatives in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, the GCC will meet in Sana’a in a new attempt to find a solution to the Yemeni crisis. Dubai TV reports that no details of the new initiative have been released yet. 

The BBC reports that anti-government protests continue in a number of Syrian cities, despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s announcement that the emergency law was lifted yesterday. Reports from Syria indicate that security forces opened fire on tens of thousands of people who were taking part in demonstrations. At least five people were killed in Dara'a after nearly 100,000 people took part in a massive demonstration.

Protests are being in held in several Bahraini cities today to condemn the burning of the Quran and destruction of mosques by Saudi and Bahraini troops. Al-Alam reports that images from Diraz show protestors praying on the ground where mosques have been destroyed. A similar protest was suppressed in the village of Karzakan by Saudi's and Bahraini's firing tear gas and live bullets at demonstrators.

The chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said that  coalition forces have destroyed 30 to 40 percent of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's ground troops, but that the situation in Libya seems to be moving closer to a stalemate. Al-Jazeera reports that US President Barack Obama has approved the use of Predator Drones for low-level attacks on Gadaffi’s troops, yet the US continues to oppose sending ground troops to Libya.  

Al-Iraqiya reports that Iraqis in Monsul are protesting for the ninth consecutive day, demanding the removal of US forces from Iraq. They are requesting the complete transfer of security duties from US troops to Iraq’s security institutions as well as the release of detainees who have not been charged.

Secretary-general of the al-Haq opposition party in Yemen, Hassan Zaid, said President Ali Abdullah Saleh was offered a proposition in which he would resign within one month in exchange for immunity. Saleh would hand over power to his vice president, who would serve as acting president for two months, after which a new president would be elected. Al-Alam reports that Saleh has rejected the proposition and says he will hold on to power until the end of his presidential term in 2013, despite ongoing popular protests throughout the country.

During a press conference in Washington D.C., U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton demanded the release of all American citizens detained in Libya, including two journalists. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against a Western ground operation in Libya, saying it would be an "extremely risky move with unpredictable consequences.” The BBC reports that the Libyan government has proposed a cease-fire, followed by a six month transitional period. A general election would then be held under the auspices of the U.N. The opposition rejected the offer, saying that they will “eventually have the upper hand in the battle for Libya.”

Massive demonstrations throughout Syria have been organized on social networking websites for what is being called “the Great Friday.” These calls come despite President Bashar al-Assad approval to lift the state of emergency and abolish the state security court. Protestors believe that these reforms have come too late and do not pave the way for a “transition to real democracy.”

Baghdad TV reports from Iraq, where people are taking to the streets in protest of rising unemployment, the decline of living conditions, and the widespread corruption in government. Iraqis say they are living with no electricity, no guaranteed source of food, and no steady income and affirm that they will keep protesting until their demands are met.

France 24 reports on a U.N. conference held in Vienna last month to discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons. The conference focused on the condition of the over 7,000 Palestinian prisoners as well as the legality of their detention. The outcome was a statement calling on Israel to guarantee that minors’ rights as well as prisoner visitation rights were respected. The council also urged Israel to take measures to expedite the peace process as well as recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967-borders.