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
Watching Kobani The writer gives a personal account of his trip on Nov. 15-16 to Suruc, across from Kobani on the Turkish side of the border, and relates how locals believe that the Kobani battle may bring an end to the Islamic State in military terms. Syria
Jerusalem terror attack shatters brief remission This morning's terror attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem indicates that the latest measures of lifting age restrictions for Muslim prayers at the Temple Mount failed at preventing further escalation. Palestine
Iraq's Arbaeen pilgrims walk new, safer path A new road is being built to make it easier for Shiite pilgrims to walk to Iraq's holy city of Karbala, where they commemorate the death of Imam Hussein Bin Ali. Iraq
How a German doctor became a PKK hero "Dr. Medya," a physician from Hamburg, talks about her more than 20 years in the Kurdistan Workers Party in a rare interview. Iraq
Daraa province slowly falls into Syrian rebel hands A string of victories by Syrian rebels in the country’s south has taken the Syrian army by surprise, with the Daraa governorate almost completely in the hands of rebel groups. Syria
Kerry finds a way to Temple Mount compromise In Amman, US Secretary of State John Kerry achieved a compromise on Muslim Temple Mount prayers, showing that a firm US stance must be taken to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict Palestine
Hamas instigates further West Bank unrest Hamas is seeking to take advantage of the latest acts of violence against Israelis in the occupied territories, but is hindered by tight security measures by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Druze, Muslims clash over ties with Israel In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abu Snan Local Council head Nuhad Mishlav refers to the clashes last week between Druze and Muslim youth, saying, "The entire Arab leadership in Israel is mobilized to resolve the crisis and return to coexistence." Israel
Khamenei says world relies on Iran’s armed forces Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has encouraged young officers to "elevate Iran’s military organization" by taking advantage of the country’s scientific abilities, as "the world counts on" Iran's military. Iran
Iran nuclear deal could be key to resolving region’s conflicts Iran has signaled a willingness to engage in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
Iran official: US proposals in Oman 'back to zero' The head of Iran's parliamentary nuclear committee said that an eight-page proposal by the United States takes the nuclear talks "back to zero." Iran
Can Islamic State keep control of Mosul? The wide Sunni sympathy for the Islamic State in Mosul cracked less than two months into its occupation, and residents are increasingly horrified by rampant arrests and executions. Iraq
