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
Does Egypt need museum to save film set props? After a fire destroyed many of the iconic props of Egyptian cinema, prop master Abbas Saber appeals to Cairo to help put what remains in a museum. Egypt
Israeli women can now command IAF squadrons, but are they equal? It was only in 2001 that a woman reached the pilot’s seat itself in the Israel air force, meaning it took less than two decades to leapfrog from that achievement to the position of squadron commander. Israel
Chances fade for Israel-Hamas agreement An anticipated deal between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel appears to be headed south, with Hamas leaders still waiting for a guarantee of economic assistance to Gaza. Palestine
Museum to showcase bewildering history of Palestinian money A new money museum in Ramallah will display all the 28 different currencies Palestine has used over the ages. Palestine
Attack on Rouhani exposes deep crack among Iranian conservatives Triggered by increasingly harsh attacks on President Hassan Rouhani, new divisions are emerging within the opposition conservative establishment. Iran
Qatar crisis looms over Trump meeting with Kuwait emir In a quiet visit overshadowed by domestic US political turmoil, Kuwait’s emir visited the White House on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
Israeli Arabs campaign in Europe against Nationality Law Israeli Arabs explain that since the Nationality Law endangers values of democracy and equality, they are turning to the European Union for help in their battle. Palestine
Female Reformist MP raises eyebrows with fiery speech in Iranian parliament An Iranian Reformist lawmaker has proposed that referendums be held on disputed matters to save the country from the major crises it is facing. Iran
Erdogan's popularity plunges with lira Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approval rating has reportedly tanked in line with the country's economy. Turkey
Surging inflation tightens circle around Turkish economy Having hit 18% in August, Turkey’s inflation is expected to continue rising in the coming months, coupled with the prospect of stagnation. Turkey
Anbar governor wants police boosted and military back on bases Local authorities in Iraq's western province of Anbar have demanded that international forces step in to guard the province's border with Syria, given the various competing forces on both sides. Iraq
Young cleric names and shames Iran's luxury-loving elite With 233,000 followers, a young cleric from Qom has become the voice of Iranians who resent the ruling class' lavish lifestyles while the rest of the country is in dire need. Iran
