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
Talk of deploying international troops divides Palestinians Recent talk of a suggestion to deploy international troops in the Palestinian territories has sparked angry reactions from many in the Gaza Strip, although some in the Palestinian Authority support the idea. Palestine
Hiking tours could help boost domestic tourism in West Bank Climbing and hiking tours in the West Bank not only have the potential to increase tourism, but also give Palestinian youth the chance to visit areas they have never seen before, thus strengthening their sense of belonging to the homeland. Palestine
How culture could help end Palestinian divisions In light of the current economic situation in the Palestinian territories, culture and art have become luxuries. Palestine
Congress looks to ground Emirates air route Lawmakers want US President Donald Trump to cancel planned Europe-US route. Legacy: Gulf
Why Iran’s auto ambitions will benefit economy, not consumers Iran appears focused on transforming itself into a regional car manufacturing hub in the coming years — but at what price? Iran
Ahmadinejad blamed as US rulings freeze more Iranian assets A new freeze of Iranian assets as a result of US court rulings over terrorist attacks sparks ire in Iran. United States
Animal rights activists in Tunisia decry crocodile stoning Tunisia's Belvedere Zoo is unsafe for the animals it is supposed to protect. Tunisia
Turkey shuts down Mercy Corps' Syria aid program International aid delivery to Syria experienced a setback March 7, when the Turkish government ordered the Syria program run by Mercy Corps from inside Turkey to close down, leaving thousands without assistance. Syria
How Erdogan is dragging Merkel down with him German Chancellor Angela Merkel has given in to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even after his harsh remarks equating German authorities' practices with those of the Nazis. Turkey
Will stronger Egyptian pound really lead to drop in prices? Citizens are waiting to see if the Egyptian pound can sustain its comeback against the dollar. Egypt
How a small-town street sign became center of latest Israeli-Palestinian dispute The name of a tiny street in a small Palestinian village in Israel is causing a major firestorm as the issue has made it all the way to the desk of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
In Israel’s Labor Party, everybody fights everybody Leadership battles time and time again within Israel’s Labor Party are tearing it apart. Israel
