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
Saudis jump on Trump bandwagon After a deep disillusionment with the United States during Obama’s terms in office, the Saudis are now looking toward a better relationship with the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's drive to attract Iranian tourists hits political snags Scrambling to compensate for lost markets, Turkey’s tourism sector aims to attract 2 million tourists from Iran this year, but Ankara’s erratic foreign policy could throw this target into jeopardy. Turkey
Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem opens after monthslong renovation The restoration works of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre were completed earlier this week, thanks to an agreement between the three main churches in Jerusalem. Palestine
Iraqi federal police forces take on key role in west Mosul Federal police forces are playing a crucial role in the liberation of Mosul, which will give them an opportunity to maintain security in the city after completing the liberation. Iraq
Lebanese slopes offer more than just snow Ski resorts in Lebanon are gearing up for non-snow activities as ski season comes to a close after attracting larger-than-usual numbers of visitors. Lebanon
Do oil shipments to Egypt mark new chapter for Egypt, Saudi relations? Egypt has announced the resumption of Saudi oil shipments in what appears to be a move toward reducing the tension between both countries that has escalated over the past years, mainly over the Syrian crisis. Saudi Arabia
Why another Khomeini may soon shape Iranian politics Of the many Iranian figures touted as potential successors to the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hassan Khomeini stands out as the one person capable of assuming leadership of the moderate camp. Iran
How Israel’s center-left bloc missed another opportunity Israel's public broadcasting crisis within the government coalition presented the opposition with a golden opportunity to attack the government — an opportunity that the fragmented center-left bloc did not seize. Israel
Muslim family holds the key to Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Al-Ghodayya family in Jerusalem has been entrusted with the key to the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and they consider it an honor to protect Christians’ holiest monument. Palestine
Imminent anti-monopoly move angers some Gaza traders Gaza's Ministry of National Economy will abolish exclusive commercial import licenses effective April 1. Palestine
The mystery of Trump envoy's missing yarmulke Israeli ultra-Orthodox became preoccupied with the faith of US envoy Jason Greenblatt after he made public appearances without a yarmulke. Israel
Congress takes aim at Iran's ballistic missiles The House and Senate have wrapped up sanctions legislation just in time for AIPAC confab. Congress
