Yesterday’s ruling in an Egyptian court, sentencing 529 opponents of the country’s military rulers to death is covered by the online editions of the Guardian and Financial Times. The vast majority of those convicted are supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, but also include a handful of secular activists. All were found guilty of the murder of a single policeman during a wave of unrest last summer following the military seizure of power. Although the sentences could well be overturned, both reports cover claims that defence lawyers were not allowed to make a proper case. Egypt’s military rulers regard the Muslim Brotherhood as a terror organisation complicit with Hamas in stirring disorder in the Sinai region. A Guardian editorial says that in the light of yesterday’s sentencing, the United States should think carefully about restoring full Egyptian military aid.

The Times says that in Syria, President Assad’s forces have captured the iconic 900-year-old Crusader fortress of Kreek des Chevaliers, a strategic point which has been in opposition hands since 2012. However, the World Heritage Site has suffered damage in the fighting. The Financial Times says around the same number of foreign Shi’ites are fighting alongside Assad as foreign Sunnis are fighting against. Moreover, the training which Shi’ite fighters are receiving in Iran before deployment in Syria has given Assad’s forces a crucial qualitative combat edge. Meanwhile, the Independent online reports that an initial first group of Syrian refugees, 10 to 20 in total, will arrive in the UK today as part of a government scheme to provide refuge to a limited number of those suffering.

The Financial Times includes a feature on a Palestinian start-up, Yamsafer, which is hoping to become Ramallah’s first major high-tech success story. The online travel company allows users to book online without a credit card, which many people in the region do not use.

In the Israeli media, the lead item is the announcement yesterday that Israel’s Police and Attorney General are investigating a claim of sexual harassment against Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom, who has served in numerous senior ministerial positions during the past 15 years. The allegation, made by a former employee is centred on an incident 15 years ago, which Shalom denies. The accusation against Shalom comes as he was expected to soon announce his candidacy to succeed Shimon Peres as Israel’s next president. Shalom’s supporters are said to believe that the case is part of a smear campaign designed to hamper his presidential bid. The story is covered prominently in Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz, while the front page headline in Israel Hayom says “Foiled on the way to the President’s residence.”

Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot says Israel is “inclined to accept” US Secretary of State John Kerry’s proposed framework plan for final status talks, but there is still little indication over whether the Palestinian Authority (PA) will follow suit. Also in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman suggests that a compromise is in the works regarding the scheduled release of a fourth and final batch of Palestinian prisoners later this week. He indicates that although Arab citizens of Israel will not be released, Palestinian prisoners convicted after the signing of the Oslo Accords could be freed instead.

Israel Radio news reports on the visit of British Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts, who is in Israel to promote scientific links between the two countries. Willetts also emphasised that there is no boycott of Israeli academia in the UK and stressed his opposition to such moves.