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
Iranian fintech firms carve their place in fast-changing landscape Fintech firms in Iran have overcome significant hurdles during the past year to participate in devising regulations and setting the stage to change the country’s financial landscape. Iran
Egypt’s internal debt rises on wider budget deficit Egypt announced a plan for the issuance of treasury bills and bonds worth 181.5 billion Egyptian pounds, but experts say the government should slash outlays and increase public revenues through a raft of measures to ease the country's budgetary woes. Egypt
Syria’s Kurds seek outside help to negotiate with regime Though the Syrian military recently came to the aid of Kurds in the face of a Turkish attack, the Kurds still have differences to settle with the regime and are hoping for external mediation. Syria
Palestine on right track to protect children The Palestinian Prosecution launched a new service to protect children from abuse, which is likely to reduce violations against the rights of children. Palestine
Sisi attempts to breathe new life into Egyptian security services Increasing operations by militants in Egypt's Western Desert have led to personnel changes in the military and security forces. Egypt
Can Israel's Arab parties survive Joint List split? The decision by Knesset member Ahmad Tibi to leave the Joint List has shaken up an alliance already ruptured by ideology and personal interests. Israel
Pro-settler rabbis ignore Jewish values, democracy A group of rabbis supports settler youths suspected in causing the death of a Palestinian woman, instead of condemning their act and defending human rights and democracy. Palestine
New Congress targets Turkey US lawmakers are still eyeing Turkey warily, even after it released US pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
Turkish opposition media ridicule pre-election 'bribe' With an eye on the March elections, the Turkish government, under the lead of the Justice and Development Party, is providing citizens with relief from credit card debt — a move the opposition deems bribery. Turkey
Video: Egypt's 'widows' village' Al-Monitor travelled to southern Egypt to visit Samaha, a village is billed as a place where divorced and widowed women can begin a new life — with some help from the government. Egypt
Cairo food carts get street of their own Street carts selling food, books and handmade products come together on Cairo's Street 306, a new, hip space that could become the Arab world's largest food venue. Egypt
Congress plans new challenge to president’s war powers amid Syria pullout Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., is looking for allies on her latest push to end the 2001 war authorization that the Donald Trump administration uses to fight terrorism in the Middle East. Syria
