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
Intel: Armenia's foreign minister in Egypt says Turkey undermines 'peace and stability in the region' A meeting of Egypt and Armenia's top diplomats tout deeply rooted relations dating back over 100 years. Egypt
Egyptian schools to add Chinese language China is growing its ties to Egypt with a deal with the government for Egyptian schools to offer the Chinese language. Egypt
Iranian activists condemn execution of wrestler Many activists have spoken out against the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari. Iran
Libya’s eastern-based government resigns amid Benghazi protests Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani submitted the government's resignation on Sunday, a spokesperson for the eastern-based parliament said. Libya
Emirates resumes flights to Casablanca, Moscow The Dubai-based airline received $2 billion from the government in August to help it stay afloat amid the global travel crisis. Originals
Outrage, scramble as Israel faces three-week lockdown With new infections skyrocketing, Israel’s cabinet has declared a nationwide lockdown as of Friday to last throughout the holiday season. Israel
Israeli wig industry hit on the head by coronavirus With the coronavirus-induced economic crisis, and with restrictions on mass gatherings, Israeli ultra-Orthodox women have stopped buying new wigs. Israel
Qatar introduces new labor reforms Responding to international pressure, Qatar has introduced new labor reforms to align with human rights and better living standards for migrant workers. Originals
Netanyahu excludes Gantz from triumphant trip to Washington Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's crowded Washington entourage included everyone but Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkanzi. United Arab Emirates
PKK under pressure in Iraq's Kurdistan Region Turkey is continuing its attacks on the Kurdistan Workers Party as a senior Iraqi Kurdish military official hints the group may be wearing out its welcome. Iraq
Sistani backs Iraqi government crackdown on outlawed militias Top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani backs early elections and calls on the Iraqi government to take action against the outlawed militias and mafia active in the country. Iraq
How the Islamic State found a haven in Syrian desert The Syrian regime and Russian forces are facing a growing threat of the Islamic State, which continues to hold pockets across the desert in central Syria. Syria
