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
Poll: Most Israeli Jews support annexing parts of West Bank The poll for April from the Israel Democracy Institute found differing opinions between the left and right and Jewish and Arab Israelis. Palestine
Netanyahu needs Trump on Syria, Iran, but he needs Putin, too On the anniversary of the end of World War 2 and less than a week before the visit in Israel of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Israel
Five priorities for the US-Iraq strategic dialogue include recognizing regional role for Iraq US diplomacy during Iraqi transition sets tone for relationship. Iraq
Pentagon waiting out coronavirus to invite allies back to Iraq The US commander of Operation Inherent Resolve hopes allied forces will return to Iraq once the COVID-19 crisis subsides. Iraq
Report: Child soldiers deployed to Libya by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army An exclusive report, citing sources on the ground in Syria and Libya, says Syrian teenagers are being sent to Libya to take part in the civil war there. Syria
Turkey charges 7 over ex-Nissan boss’s escape to Lebanon Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been living in Lebanon since escaping house arrest in Japan in late December. Lebanon
Kuwait announces full curfew as other countries ease restrictions Kuwait announced a "total curfew" will start Sunday to fight the coronavirus, but did not yet specify details. Kuwait
Intel: Trump administration singles out Russia’s role in Libya war The Donald Trump administration stepped up its criticism of Russia’s role in Libya’s civil war on Thursday. Syria
Israel concerned over US intention to withdraw troops from Sinai Israel would rather have the United States keeping its 400 soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula, especially on the backdrop of growing tensions there and increased jihadist activity. Egypt
Shells strike near Turkish, Italian embassies in central Tripoli, Libya Turkey supports the embattled Tripoli government against rebel forces from the east led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter. Turkey
Civilian killings in Syria are a ‘ticking time bomb,’ UN commissioner says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned of a "ticking time bomb" in Syria amid an uptick of civilian attacks and human rights violations. Syria
Intel: US approves $2.3 billion upgrade for 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters The US State Department approved a sale of $2.3 billion worth of equipment to refurbish 43 of Egypt’s Apache helicopters. Egypt
