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
Iran says 'best response' for US forces to leave Iraq Officials in Tehran renewed calls for an end to the American military presence in neighboring Iraq as a response to the US killing of Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani. Iraq
Biden administration makes first call to Turkey National security adviser Jake Sullivan ran through a panoply of regional issues in a call with his Turkish counterpart. Turkey
Turkey, proxy fighters accused of 'illegally transferring' Syrians for prosecution Human Rights Watch documented the transfer of at least 63 Syrians to Turkey for prosecution on charges including membership in a terrorist group. Turkey
Pentagon sends aircraft carrier Nimitz home from Middle East The USS Nimitz spent more than 270 days at sea conducting exercises with the Indian navy and seeking to deter Iran from retaliating for last year's killing of Qasem Soleimani. Legacy: Gulf
Iran says crew of seized South Korean ship free to leave Tehran says it made a "humanitarian decision" to release the sailors aboard a Korean ship it seized in the Persian Gulf, though the Hankuk Chemi will remain in Iran as an investigation and talks over oil funds withheld by Seoul continue. Iran
Israel predicts 6-month nuclear breakout time for Iran Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said Iran is close to amassing the fissile material needed to build a nuclear weapon, but it would be a year or two before it could produce a nuclear weapon. Israel
Egypt considers purchase of Indian missile system India may supply Egypt with its BrahMos missile systems as part of New Delhi's efforts to emerge as a major arms exporter and Cairo's push to diversify its weaponry. Egypt
Hezbollah says it took out Israeli drone near border Hezbollah claims to have downed an Israeli drone, but the Israeli military claimed that it crashed. Israel
Misinformation, propaganda cloud Turkey's Africa policies Myths and falsehoods abound in Turkish and Arab press about Turkey’s regional ventures, nourishing overblown elations and fears. Turkey
Islamic State relies on money transfers from sympathizers in Turkey, Iraq: Report Almost two years since its territorial defeat, the terror group still has access to $100 million in cash reserves, according to the US government. Syria
Flooding renders thousands of displaced Syrians homeless in northwest Weeks of heavy rains have created immense hardship for Idlib residents, who are already contending with the war between rebel groups and the government. Syria
Explosion hits near Israeli Embassy in India Nobody was hurt in the blast, which took place in New Delhi on the 29th anniversary of Israel and India establishing relations. Israel
