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
What is Turkey’s role in Tripoli political tremor? The power struggle inside the Tripoli government is drawing Turkey into a political brouhaha with unpredictable consequences. Turkey
Niger's envoy reaffirms rejection of Iran snapback sanctions as UN Security Council president The African state's UN ambassador, who is chairing the Security Council for September, said the United States cannot trigger the return of UN sanctions on Iran. United States
After understandings with Hamas, Israel pushes for comprehensive cease-fire Israel warns Hamas that in order for the temporary cease-fire to be implemented, balloon terror from the Gaza Strip must stop. Palestine
Senior Islamic State figure in custody after Turkish raid Turkish police detained a top Islamic State figure during a raid in the nation’s southern province of Adana as counterterrorism operations continue against the organization’s networks. Turkey
Austria says Turkish spy caught amid probe into Turkish-Kurdish clashes Austria will prosecute an individual who reportedly confessed to spying on behalf of Turkey. Turkey
Can an American activist sue Egypt’s ex-PM? Torture suit a test of diplomatic immunity Mohamed Soltan’s lawsuit against the former interim prime minister of Egypt has thrust the longstanding practice of diplomatic immunity into the spotlight. Egypt
Private gun ownership soars in West Bank Crime rates are rising in the West Bank, where illegal weapons are turning family feuds deadly. Palestine
Three killed in UAE in restaurant gas blasts The two separate explosions in the Emirati cities were blamed on malfunctioning gas connections. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Libya’s Sarraj suspends interior minister, fracturing Tripoli government Fathi Bashagha has requested an investigation into his alleged conduct be televised. Libya
Is Syria’s eastern front about to boil over? Another tough week for US-Turkey relations as Erdogan accuses US of "sick mentality." Syria
Turkey’s militarized Africa opening fuels influence wars The rivalry between Turkey and its regional adversaries has spilled over to the Horn of Africa and other regions in the continent beyond Libya, stoked by Ankara’s militarization of its outreach policy. Turkey
As Iraqi PM balances ties with US, Iran and Arab states, Tehran weighs next move Although Iran supports Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, there are signs it has concerns about his rapprochement with the United States and the Arab world. Iraq
