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
After slaying, Arabs blame apathetic police in Israel Residents of an Arab town in Israel say they need better police protection after a local businessman was shot to death. Israel
New group forming to alleviate poverty in Palestinian territories As part of the Palestinian Authority's efforts to end poverty, the Islamic Development Bank has set up an investment fund allowing the new Palestinian People’s Economic Empowerment Institution to have its own budget. Palestine
How will Hamas react if Israel assassinates its leaders? Palestinian analysts believe that Hamas will retaliate with a full military escalation if Israel assassinates any of its leaders. Palestine
Israeli right exchanges barbs as contacts with Hamas progress The negotiations between Israel and Hamas are an important diplomatic step and sparking a fierce political debate among the Israeli right. Palestine
Egypt selectively legalizing land ownership in Sinai The Egyptian state is refusing to certify the legal ownership of some land in Sinai despite citizens meeting the necessary requirements. Egypt
Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt to employ women for first time As Egyptian women struggle to fight for their professional rights in the banking sector, the Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt announced for the first time in 38 years that it was willing to employ women. Egypt
Is Abbas planning a Cabinet overhaul? The timing of a small addition by President Mahmoud Abbas to the government of Rami al-Hamdallah is raising questions, particularly in terms of what this means for the ongoing negotiations for Palestinian reconciliation. Palestine
Egypt joins with EU to protect water security Egypt is tackling its water crisis in cooperation with the European Union, which has pledged to finance irrigation-development projects and improve the country's water management system. Egypt
Why Erdogan's so quiet about Turkish expansion in Africa It seems out of character for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be so tight-lipped about Turkey's growing investments and influence in Africa, but he's certain to have a reason. Turkey
Basra protests spark government scramble to create jobs The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a regulation requiring that 50% of foreign oil company employees working in the country be Iraqis. Iraq
Do ancient philosophers have answers to Egypt's current challenges? A group of philosophy professors from the American University in Cairo have been organizing lectures open to the public to make philosophical thought more accessible. Egypt
US decision to cut aid could be opening for flagging Saudi approach to Syria Syria stabilization will instead likely depend on Putin’s shuttle diplomacy with Ankara and Damascus. Saudi Arabia
