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
Iraq’s Shiite forces claim victory over IS Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi, the leader of Hezbollah al-Nujaba, a major Iraqi Shiite resistance movement fighting IS, tells Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview that his group will target US planes if they get near his forces. Iraq
West Bank refugee camp threatens Palestinian leadership Clashes between armed militants and Palestinian security forces in the West Bank's Balata camp could threaten the existence of the Palestinian government. Palestine
90% of Iran MPs: All sanctions must be removed 260 members of parliament signed on to a statement saying that, in case of a nuclear deal, all sanctions against Iran must be removed. Iran
Islamic State erases centuries of history According to a sociology professor, extremist groups such as the Islamic State seek to return society to the early Middle Ages, when little to no art, science and culture existed. Iraq
Pakistan warns Turkey: Don’t make our mistakes The chairman of the Pakistani Senate's Defense Committee has cautioned that Turkey is repeating in Syria Pakistan's missteps in Afghanistan. Turkey
Can Gaza's Islamic Jihad ease tensions with Egypt? Palestinian Islamic Jihad has been exerting efforts to open the Rafah crossing, angering Hamas, which believes the initiative will divide the Palestinian resistance. Palestine
Despite congressional threats, Iran negotiators resume talks US and Iranian negotiators are meeting in Lausanne to work toward a potential nuclear deal. Iran
Pakistan declines to join Saudi Arabia's anti-Iran alliance Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has rejected, at least for now, Saudi Arabia's entreaties for Pakistani troops to help guard the Saudi border with northern Yemen, controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi Shiite forces. Saudi Arabia
US 'working through' extent of support for Syrian rebels The resolution being considered by Congress does not address protection of vetted Syrian rebels against Syrian government forces; nuclear talks with Iran enter decisive phase amid challenges by Republicans in Congress; Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani determines fate of reconciliation in Iraq; Israeli election is verdict on Benjamin Netanyahu. Iraq
'Big Brother' to move into Erdogan’s palace President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is setting up a massive electronic surveillance center in his palace to monitor the entire county. Turkey
Mosul residents prepare for battle The Islamic State plans to use Mosul's 1.5 million residents as a human shield in its inevitable battle against the Iraqi army and international forces. Iraq
Turkey to support Mosul operation from sidelines Turkey will provide assistance to the forces organizing to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, but will not engage directly in military conflict. Iraq
