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
UN calls for Yemen aid, warns Houthis’ Marib offensive ‘must stop’ With millions of Yemenis "just one step away from famine," the UN called on countries to pledge generously at next month's donor conference. Yemen
Rouhani calls on US to compensate for Trump's 'economic war' President Hassan Rouhani called on the current US administration to undo the harm caused by the previous one, which he said was run by a "crazy person." United States
US, EU diplomats meet to salvage Iranian nuclear pact Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually with his European counterparts as the United States seeks to revive diplomacy with Iran. United States
Islamic State continues to terrorize Raqqa Despite losing its last stronghold in eastern Syria in 2019 and the presence of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, the Islamic State continues to threaten the lives of citizens in Raqqa. Syria
Turkey could leverage hostage tragedy to reach Sinjar After the deaths of 13 Turkish captives in Iraqi Kurdistan during a raid against Kurdish militants, Turkey might be weighing an offensive against Sinjar, but vocal objections by pro-Iranian groups heavily deployed in the area are bound to complicate such a mission. Turkey
Iran's supreme leader demands US action, not talk on nuclear deal As the new administration tries to revive diplomacy with Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that "words and promises are no good." United States
Israel in quiet talks with Syria on prisoner swap Israel is reportedly negotiating with Syria on the release of a woman who mistakenly crossed the border in exchange for the release of two Golan residents imprisoned in Israel. Israel
New Zealand slams Australia for revoking citizenship of IS associate Turkish authorities detained a woman with dual Australia-New Zealand citizenship allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State. Syria
Egypt arrests relatives of American activist Mohamed Soltan The latest arrests come three months after Egypt released Soltan's cousins from arbitrary detention. Egypt
Turkish opposition blames Erdogan for Turks killed in Iraq Turkey's biggest opposition party has blamed the president for the deaths of 13 Turkish hostages in Iraqi Kurdistan over the weekend. Turkey
Iran denies involvement in Erbil rocket strike The Iranian Foreign Ministry said attempts to blame Tehran for the attack are "suspicious." Iraq
How Turkey became unsafe haven for dissidents While Ankara requests the most renditions of any country, its own borders remain extremely porous, its security personnel vulnerable to corruption and its territory a playground for foreign intelligence services. Turkey
