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
Both Egypt, US reviewing their relations, Egypt's envoy says Egypt’s US Ambassador Mohamed Tawfik told Al-Monitor that the review of relations is not a downgrade, but aims to ensure ties are strengthened 'on sounder and stronger foundations'. Egypt
Breaking: Iran nuclear deal reached Iran and the six world powers have reached an interim nuclear agreement, under which Iran will have certain restrictions on its nuclear program verified by intrusive inspections in exchange for limited sanctions relief. Iran
Gaps narrowing as Iran nuclear talks continue At the end of the second day of P5+1 talks with Iran, diplomats are reporting significant progress with gaps narrowing and only a handful of issues remaining. Iran
Kerry, foreign ministers to join talks to close Iran nuclear deal With the six world powers and Iran close to a nuclear deal, Kerry and other P5+1 foreign ministers will join the talks in a push for the deal. Iran
Text: 'Joint Plan of Action' signed by Iran, P5+1 in Geneva The US National Security Council has released the text of the November 24 'Joint Plan of Action' (interim nuclear deal) with Iran. Iran
Exclusive: Burns led secret US back channel to Iran US officials have confirmed that US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns led an intensive back channel effort to Iran beginning before the election of President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
A guide to Iranian online dating Young Iranians are turning to chat rooms — many deemed illegal by the Iranian government — to find dates or even potential spouses. Iran
New moves by Saudi Arabia, Qatar signal drive for cease-fire Regional capitals are seeing intense diplomatic activity, while regional powers and Washington agree on the need to end the war in Gaza as soon as possible. Qatar
Hamas, the first Palestinian army Israel did not rightly assess Hamas’ military abilities and must henceforth stop considering it as terror cells, like the other Gaza Strip groups, but as an army that it should aspire to bring down. Palestine
Gazans crowd schools in search of shelter Gaza's civilians have nowhere to hide from Israeli strikes, causing over 100,000 residents to flee to UNRWA centers. Palestine
Aleppo's streets empty as residents brace for siege Rebel fighters and civilians in rebel-held east Aleppo have launched a collective initiative to combat an expected siege by government forces. Syria
Migrant workers forced to remain in Israeli fields as rockets fall Thai field workers in the south of Israel are left in the open as farmers fail to provide portable shelters. Israel
