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
Jordan pivots to Saudi Arabia After years of a cool relationship between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the two Arab kingdoms seem to be united to fight Iran’s regional interference. Saudi Arabia
Were Bibi's Golan comments a 'death blow' to peace? The declaration by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will hold on to the Golan Heights forever threatens any possibility of an agreement with the Palestinians and Arab states. Saudi Arabia
For some fleeing conflict, even Yemen is a haven Thousands of Africans fleeing the misery in their countries continue to seek refuge in Yemen, which itself is suffering the ravages of civil war. Saudi Arabia
Khamenei warns of 'soft war' between Iran, US After the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Hezbollah and Iran, Iran's supreme leader has indirectly criticized Saudi Arabia and called the condemnation meaningless. Saudi Arabia
How Turkish intelligence scored much-needed success Turkey's National Intelligence Organization says it recently made an arrest in a counterespionage case, saving the design secrets of government-owned Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corp.’s first nationally produced rifle. Turkey
Gaza still clearing rubble from 2014 war Some 97% of the rubble from homes destroyed during the 2014 Israeli war has been removed. Palestine
Is Jerusalem bus blast just a sign of things to come? As the Passover holiday approaches, many Israelis fear the current violence may evolve into larger scale attacks like the bus bombing that shook Jerusalem Monday night. Palestine
How the IDF created a media frenzy The IDF's rush to condemn the soldier who shot a Palestinian assailant on the ground before his indictment only contributed to the public dispute in the Israeli media over the issue. Israel
Congress unblocks $108 million in Palestinian aid The release follows months of pressure from the State Department. Palestine
Red Sea bridge project resurfaces Backers hope to calm old concerns with new plans for a bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani says reversing ruin from sanctions will take time During a speech in the city of Semnan, President Hassan Rouhani said that the nuclear deal has already brought some benefits to Iran, advising caution that the effects of sanctions could linger a little longer. Iran
Amid fragile truce with Damascus, Syria opposition battles IS Islamist factions and opposition forces are taking advantage of "downtime" during the regime/opposition cease-fire to take on other enemies in Syria, but all the fighting could undermine the fragile truce. Syria
