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
Lone-wolf attacks on Israeli settlers increase Individual, unorganized Palestinian attacks against Israeli settlers are difficult to prevent and reflect a frustrated Palestinian street. Palestine
Planned construction encroaches on Temple Mount, Western Wall Palestinians have not reacted to the wave of plans approved lately by Jerusalem's planning committee to build rabbinical colleges and a Jewish visitor center at the heart of East Jerusalem. Palestine
Terrorism expands from Sinai to Cairo Armed extremist groups in Egypt have spread their operations from the remote areas of the Sinai Peninsula to the densely populated metropolises of Cairo and the Delta. Egypt
Hamas in overdrive to restore regional ties Hamas is pursuing a policy of neutrality while it reaches out to regional capitals to end its crippling isolation. Palestine
Egyptians divided over police presence on university campuses Several Egyptian universities approved the entry and stationing of police forces on their campuses, in a bid to disperse student protests. Egypt
West Aleppo faces unending assault West Aleppo is suffering intense, continuous bombardment as Islamist rebels sustain their largest offensive yet on regime-held areas. Syria
Turkey, Russia tread cautious line over Ukraine As the conflict between Russia and the West heats up, Ankara and Moscow are finding their neighborly relationship ever more challenging to maintain. Turkey
Sistani calls on Iraqi voters to 'choose wisely' Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on the Iraqi people to "choose wisely" in the coming elections, holding Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responsible for problems in Iraq and opposing a third term for him. Iraq
After Maaloula, Syrian army heads to Zabadani The Syrian army has taken control of Maaloula, and seems to be on the verge of recovering most of the region linking Damascus to Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria's graffiti revolution Syrian graffiti artists seek to reclaim the spirit of the revolution by taking on both the Assad government and radical Islamists. Syria
Maliki's use of SWAT forces questioned In mid-March, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki criticized police manning checkpoints for delaying traffic, leading to the arrest of some officers by members of the SWAT forces. Iraq
Iraqi government submits controversial emergency powers bill The bill would give near-absolute powers to Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and is filled with loopholes and vague language. Iraq
