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
Mosul liberation will not be end of IS History has proven that militarily defeating extremist groups such as al-Qaeda does not mean the end of their ideology, and it seems the Islamic State will not stop at the Mosul liberation. Iraq
Tillerson: US could boost cooperation with Russia on Syria The potential for deeper US-Russian cooperation in Syria will be a key topic of discussion when US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. Syria
IRGC makes changes in Tehran after Islamic State attacks The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made two important changes within its units in Tehran. Iran
Hamas-Israel prisoner swap could be close at hand Negotiations between Hamas and Israel on a new prisoner exchange deal supposedly are progressing, which raises questions about what concessions each party is willing to offer for such a deal to materialize. Palestine
Hamas turns to Iran Instead of trying to appease tensions with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, head of Hamas' political bureau Ismail Haniyeh makes provocative statements about rapprochement with Iran. Palestine
Mob justice reveals anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey Two violent incidents on the same day have ignited a storm of anti-Syrian rhetoric over Turkish social media, exposing the fear and suspicion still prevalent in the world's largest host of Syrian refugees. Syria
The Kremlin’s contradictory behavior in Syria Russia and Turkey consider establishing a military base in Idlib, Syria, as Moscow encourages the Collective Security Treaty Organization to deploy peacekeepers. Syria
Iraq hopes to bring FIFA soccer back to its stadiums Iraq is hosting showcase soccer games during a three-month "probation" period as it works to convince FIFA that the country has overcome security and organizational problems and is ready to get back in the game. Iraq
Israel anticipates Raqqa’s fall For Israel, the regional power balance after the end of the Islamic State could actually mean a Hezbollah reinforced by the Lebanese army, with Iran present on the Golan Heights front. Israel
In Aden, Yemeni activists still live in fear Two years after Houthi rebels were expelled from Aden, Yemenis are fleeing the port city as militias and extremists are increasingly targeting activists, intellectuals and anyone opposing their views. Yemen
Cybercrime law draws mixed reactions among Palestinians Victims hope a new cybercrime law will help them gain rights, get fair compensation and receive legal protection, but some Palestinians fear the law will constitute a tool of repression. Palestine
US escalation in Syria strengthens Iran-Russia partnership The race to recapture eastern Syria may soon lead to direct confrontation between the US-led coalition and Syria’s Russian and Iranian allies. Syria
