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
Intel: Missile launched on Turkey's Black Sea coast after notice of S-400 test Turkey's Defense Ministry has not publicly confirmed if the missile was part of planned tests of the Russian-built air defense system. Turkey
Are Egypt-Russia naval drills in Black Sea message to Ankara? For the first time, the Egyptian navy holds joint exercises in the Black Sea with Russia, at a time of escalating tensions with Turkey. Egypt
Saudi FM wants focus on Israeli-Palestinian talks over 'eventual normalization' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the focus of Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts should be on bringing the two sides back to the negotiating table. Saudi Arabia
Intel: US Air Force trains with Israel’s newest F-35 squadron Exercise Lightning III focused on offensive air operations involving simulated enemy aircraft and ground targets. Israel
Libya detains alleged human trafficker sanctioned by UN The United Nations imposed sanctions on Abd al-Rahman al-Milad, a former Libyan coast guard commander, in 2018. Libya
Yemen’s rival sides begin largest-yet prisoner swap The Houthi rebels and the Aden-based government agreed last month to exchange 1,081 prisoners. Yemen
Rights group says Putin may bear 'command responsibility' for war crimes in Syria Human Rights Watch has named 10 senior Syrian and Russian officials who knew or should have known about the "unlawful attacks" taking place in Idlib. Syria
Yemen's Houthi rebels release two US citizens in prisoner swap Officials from Saudi Arabia and Oman helped negotiate the release Saudi Arabia
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Pompeo calls on Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also raised human rights concerns during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani celebrates end of Iran arms embargo In an open message of defiance against US pressure, Iran said it could resume arms purchases as early as Oct. 18 when a decadelong UN embargo effectively expires. Iran
Lebanon receives FBI's report on Beirut port explosion The US agency conducted an investigation into what led to the devastating August blast. Lebanon
