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
Israeli intervention in Jerusalem provokes Coptic Christians A recent run-in shines a spotlight on age-old disputes between Christian denominations in the Middle East. Palestine
Why Hamas wants to distance itself from recent rocket launch Although no Gaza faction claimed responsibility for the rocket that recently hit southern Israel, some Palestinians believe it was launched by Hamas or Islamic Jihad to deliver a message to Israel without getting Gaza dragged into a major confrontation. Palestine
Istanbul police interrogate Saudi Consulate staff The Turkish president has fallen quiet since a conversation with the Saudi crown prince, though the team investigating the alleged murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was blocked from searching a well at the consul general's residence. Saudi Arabia
How Egypt tries putting off Gaza outburst Egypt presented to Israel its latest compromise proposal for limiting Hamas demonstrations on the Gaza-Israel border, in exchange for Israel opening the crossing points for fuel and raw materials. Palestine
Kidnapping of Iranians puts Iran-Pakistan ties to the test The Oct. 16 kidnapping of 14 Iranian security personnel by a Pakistan-based terrorist group is putting the spotlight on the viability of the nascent security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. Iran
MBS chats with Erdogan as Khashoggi leaks flow Turkey's president reportedly shared a phone call with the Saudi crown prince as information about the murder of a journalist in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul continues to trickle into the press. Saudi Arabia
Commentary: Have Palestinians given up on resistance? According to a recent poll, Palestinian support for peace negotiations has increased at the expense of the resistance, which raises questions on the reason behind this. Palestine
Netanyahu losing his diplomatic ‘magic touch’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, master of international diplomacy, seems to be losing his magic touch: Ties with Jordan and Russia are shaky, the alliance with Saudi Arabia draws criticism and the Trump team might present its peace plan at any moment. Palestine
Israeli right tries to bully Rabin family into silence The right is trying to distance the Rabin family from the commemoration of assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as it plays down the incitement to violence that lead to his death. Israel
Azaz gun control aims to keep civilians safe The local councils of Azaz and the surrounding villages decided to impose gun control measures to keep weapons out of the hands of civilians and Free Syrian Army factions. Syria
US warns Lebanon that Hezbollah Cabinet pick would cross ‘red line’ The Trump administration might take limited measures that are not likely to alter the fundamentals of US policy in Lebanon should Hezbollah get the Health Ministry in the new Cabinet formation. Lebanon
Hunt for Khashoggi's body continues in Istanbul As a search continued for a dissident Saudi journalist's body in Istanbul, Turkey's president said more will be revealed Tuesday; a Saudi official tells Reuters the body was rolled up in a carpet and given to a collaborator for disposal. Saudi Arabia
