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
Hope for Yemen? Plus, three quick takes on the IMF’s outlook for Iran, Lebanon and Egypt The UN-Saudi peace initiative may be the best hope in an otherwise gloomy regional forecast during "The Great Lockdown." Saudi Arabia
Turkey plays extra time in Idlib game with new ‘army’ plan Turkey is reportedly planning to forge a unified militia army in Idlib, but discord among armed groups and the clout of jihadi factions stand out as major stumbling blocks in the way of the new game plan. Syria
Deadly floods join war, disease to ravage Yemen Recent floods have left at least five dead and injured nearly 100 others as Yemen struggles with war and a growing coronavirus crisis. Yemen
Iraq summons Turkish ambassador over deadly PKK airstrikes The Turkish military launched two airstrikes on Iraqi territory, prompting a rebuke from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Iraq
IDF, Arab Israelis join forces against COVID-19 ahead of Ramadan The Israeli central government and mayors of Arab Israeli municipalities are working together on plans to contain the novel coronavirus ahead of the Ramadan festivities. Israel
Trump administration doubles down on Iran nuclear treaty allegations The Donald Trump administration is using a new arms control report to build upon its case that Iran could potentially be in violation of a key nuclear nonproliferation treaty. United States
‘Nobody cares about us’: Syrians stuck at Rukban camp decry lack of testing Syrians in the Rukban camp near the Jordanian border hope the coronavirus does not reach their isolated area as they have no coronavirus test kits; they also cannot cross the border into Jordan for any other type of medical care unless they have taken such a test and have proven negative. Jordan
Iraq condemns Turkish strikes against PKK in Kurdistan region Ankara claims it killed four PKK members in a Qandil mountains airstrike in Iraq northeast of Erbil, but Kurds report only physical damage there; Baghdad says Turkey did kill three civilians in Makhmour, to the southwest of Erbil. Iraq
Intel: US holds virtual anti-IS meeting amid COVID-19 pandemic The US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State convened a virtual meeting today to discuss the fight against the remnants of the terrorist group. Iraq
Extremist settlers exploit pandemic to step up violence While the Israel Defense Forces and the political leadership are busy fighting the novel coronavirus, Israel's notorious hilltop youth are rioting and attacking Palestinians with impunity. Palestine
Intel: 11 Iranian ships harass US vessels in Persian Gulf The US 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf said today that 11 Iranian vessels “repeatedly conducted dangerous and harassing approaches against multiple US naval ships operating in international waters.” United States
Egypt foils possible terrorist plot against Coptic Christians Egyptian security forces kill seven suspected militants in a shootout in eastern Cairo in which a policeman died. Egypt
