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
Iran's dos and don'ts for talking about the nuclear deal Iran's Culture Ministry believes the nuclear negotiations are a national security issue and specific guidelines must be followed in their coverage to prevent divisions in society. Iran
Saving Middle East relics needs less talk, more action International action is required to stop the plundering of Middle Eastern treasures and the devastation of historic sites. Iraq
Is Turkey really committed to fighting IS? Turkey's striking harder at the PKK than at the Islamic State has raised concerns that it is pursuing the domestic political agenda of the Justice and Development Party to marginalize the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party and gain sole control in early elections. Turkey
Despite fame, Gazan painter struggles to make living Renowned Gaza artist Fathi Ghaben has suffered from poverty and feels cheated, but still believes he will be rewarded for his work someday. Palestine
Has Turkey found world's oldest temple? A 12,000-year-old Stone Age temple discovered in southern Turkey is challenging conventional views on the rise of civilization. Turkey
Dabke troupes dance on in Gaza Traditional dance groups are the pride of Palestinians, and unemployed young people in the Gaza Strip are joining these groups to make a living. Palestine
Egypt’s education woes drive families to home schooling The increasing frustration of students and parents with Egypt's public education system is leading some families to adopt home schooling as an alternative educational approach. Egypt
Foreign firms prepare to dive into Iran’s lucrative private equity market Foreign businesses are scouring Iran in search of investment opportunities when sanctions are finally lifted based on the deal reached on the country's nuclear program. Iran
Egyptian police launch campaign to improve image Egypt's police force and Interior Ministry are trying to build goodwill among the populace through charity, a move some critics say is politically motivated. Egypt
Israel's community gardens bloom In Tel Aviv and across Israel, residents join communities that cultivate community vegetable gardens, enjoying the once lost sense of sharing between neighbors while developing a more sustainable approach to life. Israel
Hamas visit to Riyadh strikes nerve in Iran A Hamas delegation recently visited Saudi Arabia to bolster relations between both parties, as Iran fumed. Saudi Arabia
No financial, judicial control over Israeli settlement enterprise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands a tighter inspection of Iranian nuclear plants, but rejects inspection of settlement financing and construction, which is criticized by Israel's High Court also for its lack of transparency. Palestine
