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
Germany appeals for calm as Turkish, Greek navies run drills in EastMed The Turkish and Greek navies conducted drills in the eastern Mediterranean this week as German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass seeks to bring both nations back to the negotiation table. Turkey
Israel retaliates after Hezbollah shoots at IDF from Lebanon Israel is worried that a security incident late Aug. 25 on the border fence with Lebanon means that Hezbollah intends to escalate tensions. Israel
Libyan cease-fire casts cloud over Erdogan’s ambitions Having failed to advance its military intervention in Libya, Ankara has grudgingly endorsed a cease-fire in the conflict, but its ambitions appear intact for the process down the road. Turkey
Islamic State operative planning 'sensational' attack nabbed in Istanbul Ankara has arrested a man suspected of planning “a sensational attack” in Istanbul and six others in raids that point to a festering Islamic State problem in Turkey. Turkey
Clashes between US, regime forces present new challenges for Russia in Syria Northeastern Syria's volatile mix of players is proving to be a tough test for Russia. Syria
Gaza locks down as virus infects four The four new cases of the virus confirmed on Monday were the first detected outside Gaza's quarantine centers. Palestine
Battle for Idlib draws near as sides take position Russia is conducting air raids on several areas in Idlib while the Syrian government shells de-escalation zones. Syria
Syria constitutional talks 'on hold' after three test positive for coronavirus Three of the 45 delegates participating in the so-called Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva tested positive for the virus. Syria
Turkey starves Syria’s northeast of water as virus death toll mounts Turkey has once again cut water supplies to the Hasakeh region of northeast Syria, and the autonomous administration says Ankara is risking hundreds of thousands of lives in the midst of the pandemic and soaring temperatures to placate Syrians living under Turkish occupation. Syria
Netanyahu, Pompeo celebrate UAE agreement, push for more new ties US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials have kicked off an Israeli diplomatic blitz over the country's normalization deal with the United Arab Emirates. Israel
What messages did Egypt’s top military official carry to Libya’s Hifter? The head of Egypt’s military intelligence agency visited military strongman Khalifa Hifter in Libya, coinciding with visits by Turkish and Qatari officials to the rival Tripoli-based government. Egypt
Intel: Murder of another Iraqi activist sparks new wave of demonstrations The death of a woman activist follows a string of recent assassinations and kidnappings and has reignited mass protests in Iraq demanding an end to violence and corruption. Iraq
