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
IDF: Bar Refaeli May Be a Model, But She's No Model Citizen It is no mere chance that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is happy to use the services of the Israeli top model Bar Refaeli, while the military establishment calls for boycotting her due to her evasion of military service, writes Michal Aharoni. Israel
Syrian Crisis Plays Major Role In Israeli Apology Israel apologized to Turkey for the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident to keep Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the side of United States and Israel — and in line. Syria
Mixed Reactions in Bethlehem To President Obama's Visit Daoud Kuttab reports on US President Barack Obama’s visit to Bethlehem, and the people's mixed reaction. Palestine
Lebanon: Syria War Spreads to Arsal The Lebanese government is concerned over the northern Lebanese town of Arsal’s becoming a futher target of Syrian government attacks, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Turkey Faces New Challenges Over Cyprus Negotiations between Nicosia and Moscow over gas reserves off the southern Cyprus coast are being watched with concern by Ankara, which does not accept Nicosia’s claim to full sovereignty over these reserves, writes Semih Idiz. Turkey
Palestinians Erect Tent Village During Obama Visit As the US president backtracks on earlier statements on settlements, Palestinians resort to nonviolent resistance to reclaim land and draw attention to their plight, writes Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
Palestinians Hope Obama’s Words Mean Action Daoud Kuttab writes that, for Palestinians, what matters is not just what was said, but more importantly what happens next. Palestine
Dahlan Case Shows Split In Palestinian Fatah Movement The dispute over the immunity of Fatah-affiliated MP Mohamed Dahlan has revealed rifts between members of the Fatah Movement, writes Naela Khalil. Palestine
Turkey’s Kurds Rally for Peace, But Mistrust Lingers A crowd of 600,000 turned out to celebrate Newroz and hear a message from Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), in support of Turkish-Kurdish peace talks, Sibel Utku Bila reports from Diyarbakir. Turkey
Lawless Sinai Becomes Flashpoint For Egypt With Israel, Hamas The growing presence of armed groups in the Sinai threatens to destabilize the area, potentially drawing Israel, Egypt and Hamas into confrontation, Noura Khouri writes. Egypt
UN to Probe Syria's Claim Of Rebel Chemical Attack A chlorine factory is at the core of the Syrian government's call for an investigation into chemical-weapons use near Aleppo, reports Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Palestinian Women Face Violence, Discrimination Lana Shehadeh writes from Ramallah on the discrimination and violence women face in Palestinian society. Palestine
