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
Are Turkish troops guardians or accidental hostages at Syrian tomb? Delayed rotation of Turkish troops guarding the Tomb of Suleiman Shah in Syria is causing frustration. Syria
Hamas declares opening of Gaza seaport Hamas is working to open and operate its Gaza seaport, especially since countries such as Turkey, Cyprus and Greece apparently have agreed to send and receive ships from Gaza. Palestine
Rouhani: We don’t need a nuclear bomb In a speech in Esfahan, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran does not need a nuclear bomb to secure its safety. Iran
Conspiracies, victimhood cloud Turks' views of Hebdo killings A survey reveals that conspiratorial theories prevent Turks from seeing the "real victims" in the Charlie Hebdo killings, but also that the majority of Turks oppose such violence in the name of Islam. Turkey
Jordan's king tells Congress 'gloves are off' in fight against IS Key lawmakers endorse $1 billion aid package after airman slain. Jordan
Wilayat Sinai targets Egyptian army stronghold According to sources, Wilayat Sinai carried out an organized attack against the largest headquarters of the Egyptian army in the peninsula. Egypt
Iranian nuclear negotiators face further criticism Iran's nuclear negotiators are coming under more criticism and some believe that the supreme leader will soon take a hard line on the talks. Iran
Iran denies US claim that nuclear talks include missiles Iran's deputy foreign minister has denied claims by the US State Department that Iran’s missile program is under discussion during the nuclear talks. Iran
Kurdish rivalry delays victory in Sinjar Kurdish forces celebrated a joint victory at Kobani, but they have become rivals in the fight against the Islamic State in the Mount Sinjar area. Iraq
Fate of Gazans is in Hamas' hands The Hamas movement is at a decisive crossroads: either it relinquishes its military control and concentrates on rehabilitating the Gaza Strip or it risks destroying all of Gaza's residents. Palestine
Israel reluctantly accepts Hamas rule Israel has quietly changed its stance toward Gaza with a loosening of the blockade to improve the transfer of goods and movement of people in the hope of averting another explosion in the enclave. Palestine
What was behind Qasem Soleimani’s visit to Lebanon? Lebanese media reported that the commander of the Iranian Quds forces, Qasem Soleimani, met with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, perhaps prompting the latter's changing the unwritten, retaliatory "rules of engagement" with Israel. Lebanon
