The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
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
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Economic gloom fuels flight from Turkish lira The Turkish government slammed Moody’s for downgrading Turkey’s credit rating, but its own citizens are increasingly fleeing the Turkish lira for the safety of hard currencies. Turkey
Hebrew prophet's tomb in Iraq saved from collapse The synagogue housing the tomb of the prophet Nahum — the only surviving prophet’s tomb from Mesopotamia — has been saved from collapse through the efforts of local Christians and with the help of a US-based organization. Iraq
Why Israel is in no rush to destroy Hamas tunnels The IDF hopes that by destroying Hamas tunnels gradually and not all at once it can avoid a full-out confrontation. Palestine
Israel prepares for 'May Madness' Israeli sources believe President Donald Trump will abandon the Iranian nuclear deal in May and are analyzing the possible outcomes of a number of other events anticipated that month. Palestine
Jordanian coach instills confidence in youths with disabilities In a makeshift center in Jordan's Husn Palestinian refugee camp, a retired military coach not only teaches martial arts to youths with disabilities but also gives them confidence. Jordan
If Trump will meet with Kim, why not Rouhani? The White House could signal to Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman that the time has come to give diplomacy a chance to end the wars in Yemen and Syria. Saudi Arabia
Single Egyptian mothers face stigma head-on More of Egypt's single mothers are braving scorn and pity to raise their voices and demand their rights. Egypt
Pompeo pick pleases Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates officials see a shift at the US State Department in their favor, but are unlikely to see all their hopes realized under Mike Pompeo. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's break with dollar easier said than done The Iranian authorities’ move to ban import orders registered in US dollars presents yet another challenge for the private sector. Iran
Turkish firms welcome return of air access to Iraqi Kurdistan Now that Baghdad has lifted the ban on international travel to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, experts say the Turkish government needs to resume mutual flights as soon as possible. Iraq
Explosive art in Beirut explores power of cultural identity In an exhibition at the Saleh Barakat Gallery in Beirut, Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi celebrates cultural diversity while highlighting the way that fear of difference drives a never-ending cycle of conflict. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia looks to expand its footprint in Iraq Following decades of setbacks and years of a rift, Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iraq and its support for stability there is accelerating, in what is deemed to be a fundamental change in the relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
