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
Gaza's balloon bombs spark new cycle of violence After a period of calm on the Gaza Strip borders with Israel, incendiary and explosive balloons spark another violent exchange. Palestine
Egyptian families worry for fishermen detained in Libya As tensions escalate between Egypt and Libya, the fate of 35 Egyptian fishermen detained in Misrata remains unknown. Egypt
Iraq tells Turkey defense minister to stay away after its officers killed in drone strike Iraq cancelled a planned Baghdad visit by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and summoned the Turkish ambassador after a a Turkish drone attack killed two senior Iraqi officials. Iraq
Zarif says UN will vote down US proposal on Iran arms embargo Iran's top diplomat expressed doubt that the United States' last-minute efforts at the UN Security Council will succeed in extending an arms embargo against Iran. United States
Hamas test-fires rockets escalating tensions with Israel Hamas test-fired missiles toward the sea in the Gaza Strip in a warning to Israel that the calm along the border might not last. Palestine
Can Malta’s diplomacy tip balance in Libya toward Turkey? The diplomatic track ongoing between Turkey, Malta and Libya’s Tripoli government has sparked questions whether Valletta’s diplomatic support can serve as a much needed jumping point for Ankara to break the Libya stalemate, but the European country’s only focus in the talks seem to be limited with prevention of illegal immigration. Turkey
Turkish drone strike kills two senior Iraqi officers, army says Officials say the Tuesday strike targeted a meeting between Iraqi border officials and Kurdish militants. Iraq
Netanyahu leverages international support against Hezbollah after Beirut blast Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called French President Emmanuel Macron to praise him for his leadership after the Beirut blast and to campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel
Iran arrests alleged spies for UK, Germany, Israel Iran executed men it said spied for the United States and Israel last month. Iran
Israeli tanks deploy to Lebanese border Conflicting reports have emerged on whether Israeli tanks entered Lebanese territory amid high tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel
Egypt-Gaza border crossing opens for first time in months The Rafah border crossing has been mostly shut to travelers since March. Palestine
Egypt reaches out to Maghreb countries to resolve Libyan crisis Egypt is working to coordinate with the Maghreb countries in hopes of reaching a consensus on Libya. Egypt
