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
Former Shin Bet chief calls for regional conference In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Shin Bet head and current Science Minister Yaakov Peri calls to seize this moment after the Gaza war for a regional diplomatic move involving the Palestinians, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Palestine
Money, power draw young Iraqis to IS Many young people from Jurf al-Sakhar in Iraq are volunteering to join the Islamic State (IS) to secure a monthly income. Iraq
Israel accused of using illegal weapons in Gaza war Doctors in the Gaza Strip say they have evidence that shows the Israeli military used internationally prohibited Dense Inert Metal Explosives against civilians during Operation Protective Edge. Palestine
An inside look at IDF's 'faith-driven' warriors The IDF and Israeli society as a whole must cope with religious-Zionist commanders, who perceive fighting terrorism in Gaza as a divine decree, thus reshaping the military ethos. Israel
Livni and Lapid should back Palestinian unity government Against the backdrop of the Gaza war, Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni must propose that Cabinet accept the Palestinian unity government and grant it responsibility for Gaza crossing points. Palestine
Challenges face Gazans seeking treatment in West Bank Some of Gaza’s injured are receiving medical attention in the West Bank, but Israeli restrictions are making it difficult to get more of the wounded across. Palestine
Hamas warns Gazans have 'nothing to lose' The deadlock remains in Cairo, as Israel refuses to budge on Hamas’ demand to lift the siege and the Palestinian group, warning it will return to the battlefield if no progress is made. Palestine
Meet the female peshmerga forces fighting IS Kurdish female peshmerga fighters are joining the battle against the Islamic State to thwart any possible attack against Kurdish areas. Iraq
Aleppo's forgotten Christians The ethnic cleansing of Christians in Mosul has alarmed Aleppo's large Christian community, which criticizes the West for failing to protect the Middle East's Christians. Syria
Gaza war bill estimated at $5 billion The Gaza Strip will have to undergo a third reconstruction in fewer than seven years, which will test the ability of the Palestinian factions to cooperate and respond effectively. Palestine
Arsal: The battle that begins a long war The Arsal agreement reached between the Lebanese military and government parties and the militants indicates that the two parties are betting on different factors. Lebanon
Turkey’s exports decrease amid regional tension Turkey has suffered unexpected declines in its exports to Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Ukraine and Russia, though Turkish exports to Russia may have more potential following its recent foodstuff import boycott of the United States and European Union. Egypt
