Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Iraq's ancient city of Ur: source of law, site of wonder Tourists are slowly beginning to return to the ancient Sumerian city of Ur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, raising hopes among some locals. Iraq
Egypt steps up efforts to combat foreign terrorists Egyptian authorities, concerned about the infiltration of foreign extremists, have issued orders broadening and enhancing security measures at ports of entry. Egypt
Hamas, Israel fight intelligence war In light of ongoing investigations with suspected collaborators with Israel, Hamas’ security forces have managed to seize tracking chips Israel allegedly tried to smuggle into the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Gaza hospitals on brink of collapse Hamas sent another incendiary balloon toward Israel this week, though the Gaza Strip could under no circumstances take another confrontation with the Israel Defense Forces. Palestine
How decision to cut Palestinian revenues could endanger Israel Israel may have the right to deduct payments made to Palestinian assailants from the tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Authority, but that does not make the decision a smart one. Palestine
Turkey succumbs to US court summons, readies defense over DC violence The Turkish government hires law firm and gets 55-day extension from a US district court in a case where Erdogan's bodyguards beat protesters two years ago in Washington. Turkey
Families fret as Turkey's Gulenist purge continues Plainclothes operatives captured two more alleged followers of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen in broad daylight in Ankara and they have not been heard from since. Turkey
Why did Turkey deport alleged Muslim Brotherhood member? Is the extradition of an alleged Muslim Brotherhood member to Egypt a simple bureaucratic glitch or a sign of Erdogan’s change of heart toward the Egyptian organization? Egypt
PMU whittles membership as Iraqi government absorbs militia Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are forcing factions out and closing their operations as part of the integration process into Iraq's official security forces. Iraq
Desperate Gaza parents abandon children at Israel border Palestinian youths are infiltrating Israel, hoping to get caught and sent to prison, while Palestinian parents facing economic crises are abandoning their sick infants at the Erez border crossing, while attempting to search work in Israel. Palestine
Zarif’s defense of Iran's missile program draws praise on social media Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made a splash on social media with his defense of his country’s missile program and other policies at the Munich Security Conference. Iran
