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
Culture minister steals show by blasting Israeli Oscars When Arab-Israeli actors read a poem and held hands in a show of unity at Israel’s Academy Awards, a protesting Culture Minister Miri Regev walked out and returned to criticize the film industry’s “elitism” and threaten to cut funding. Palestine
Why is Iraq not profiting from religious tourism? While the number of Shiite pilgrims to Iraqi holy sites has been increasing significantly since 2003, Iraq has failed to benefit economically. Iraq
How secondhand donations are funding development in Ramallah A Ramallah shop is trying to do its part to help lessen Palestinians' reliance on foreign assistance for development. Palestine
Can Israel's culture minister provoke her way to the top? Culture Minister Miri Regev has perfected a strategy of deliberately outraging Israeli audiences to boost her standing within her party. Israel
Trade union head says labor laws don’t protect Gaza's workers In an interview with Al-Monitor, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions head Sami al-Amasi discusses working conditions in the Gaza Strip, in light of growing poverty and increasing unemployment levels. Palestine
Are Egypt's lackluster efforts leaving it isolated? Egypt seems to be ignoring chances to upgrade its social standing in the world. Egypt
Iran capitalizes on collapse of US-Russia cease-fire deal The Kerry-Lavrov cessation of hostilities for Syria unravels. Syria
How Sinai women are fueling Egypt's economy with homemade goods Bedouin women in the Sinai Peninsula defy tribal tradition and help their families by selling handmade crafts. Egypt
Iraq’s technocrat ministers under threat Recently elected Iraqi independent, technocrat ministers face threats from militants without having adequate support from the political parties. Iraq
Egypt’s foreign minister affirms ‘solid and stable’ relationship with Israel In an interview with Al-Monitor, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaks about US-Egyptian ties, recent tensions with Turkey and Russia, and progress being made on the Renaissance Dam dispute with Ethiopia. Egypt
Trump, Clinton up partisan politics in debate lead-up With less than seven weeks to go in the campaign, Clinton and Trump look for partisan advantage. United States
US elections 2016: Debating the value of presidential debates Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Sept. 19. United States
