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
Turkish cop photographed killing Kurdish student walks free Young Kurd Kemal Kurkut was shot dead in 2017 in Diyarbakir and while his police officer killer will go unpunished, the photographer who documented the incident faces serious charges. Turkey
Biden will face matrix of conflicting influence campaigns in Africa, Mideast Egypt seeks to check Turkish influence in North Africa and the Horn, while its priority remains Nile Dam talks with Ethiopia. North Africa
Jordan plans consulate in Western Sahara amid flareup The Jordanian consulate will reportedly be located in Laayoune, the largest city in the disputed region. Morocco
West Bank, Gaza record highest ever daily virus toll The UN recently warned that parts of the Palestinian territories are not prepared to cope with a major outbreak of COVID-19. Palestine
Egypt, Sudan conduct joint military drills Egypt and Sudan carry out joint military training, further deepening their military ties, amid the faltering negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Egypt accuses Qatar of undermining peace talks via support for Libyan government Qatar has signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based Libyan government to build and train military forces in what some see as an attempt to undermine the current progress toward a political solution in Libya. Qatar
In last days of Trump administration, Pompeo showers gifts on Israel Visiting Israel before the end of the administration he serves, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's grandiose gestures and warm reception were clearly the last hurrah of a relationship with a time limit. Israel
WHO says lack of masks, distancing contributing to virus spread in Middle East The WHO's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean also said the number of infections in the area could be higher than reported. Regional
Intel: Senators move to block US F-35, drone sale to UAE A bipartisan group of US senators say they received no reply from the Pentagon or State Department after inquiring last month about implications of the sale of advanced weaponry to the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Turkish government voices support for Afghan peace process The head of Afghanistan's peace negotiations with the Taliban visited Ankara on Thursday as talks continue in Doha. Qatar
Western Sahara conflict tests Turkey-Algeria ties Turkey’s continued cold war with the Saudi bloc is adding fuel to the brewing conflict in Western Sahara between Algeria and Morocco. Turkey
Pompeo first US Secretary of State to visit West Bank settlement Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not only visited a settlement winery, but also announced that West Bank settlement products exported to the United States may be labeled as made in Israel. Israel
