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
US not planning to send new weapons to Turkey for Syria campaign The State Department clarifies its special envoy's remarks that the United States would be supplying ammunition to Turkey — which has been engaged in battle in Idlib, Syria — saying only that the United States is considering Turkish requests for assistance. Syria
UN nuclear watchdog: Iran dragging feet on access to nuclear sites International Atomic Energy Agency, in two separate reports, says Iran is not granting the IAEA access to sites suspected of past involvement in Iran's nuclear program and says Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium at the Fordow facility. Iran
Breakthrough on Syria refugee crisis unlikely as EU sends emissary to Ankara European-Turkish contacts are intensifying in an effort to stave off a disastrous refugee crisis on Turkey's border with Greece that could have repercussions across Europe. Syria
Russia as mediator could change Israel, Hamas game rules Hamas does not want to distance Egypt as the chief mediator between the group and Israel, but it would like to add Russia to the equation. Palestine
Israeli threats escalate against Hamas Israeli officials have recently increased their threat of a wide-scale military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting the movement to take precautionary measures. Palestine
Syrians in northern Aleppo terrified as regime advances Displaced Syrians and Aleppo natives alike are living in fear that the Syrian regime and its allies will invade their last refuge and set off a humanitarian catastrophe. Syria
Pentagon says US will not retaliate for Turkey in Syria The United States will not take direct action in Syria despite a dramatic uptick in violence and calls for an immediate no-fly zone over Idlib, which would require the Pentagon to take out aircraft and airfields. Syria
Thousands stranded at Greek border as Ankara pressures EU over Idlib escalation Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said border security would continue to stand down Monday as thousands of refugees and migrants attempt to enter Greece by land and sea. Syria
Tehran cracks down on hoarding as coronavirus panics Iranians As Iran continues to fight the coronavirus outbreak, officials vow strong action against the hoarding of medical supplies. Iran
Egypt believes Ethiopia is dodging dam agreement Ethiopian representatives did not attend the recent round of US-mediated talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam -- talks that were supposed to wrap up with a signed final agreement among Cairo, Addis Ababa and Khartoum. Egypt
Egypt boosts local weapons production Egypt has announced a plan to boost local manufacturing of weapons to boost the capacities of its army and with the ultimate aim to export them to Africa. Egypt
Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces Turkey has downed two Syrian jets in launching Operation Spring Shield while also sending refugees to the Greek border. Syria
