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
Fire breaks out at Beirut's port after last month's deadly explosion The fire is in the same area as the Aug. 4 port explosion from which Lebanon is still recovering. Lebanon
Iran holds annual war games near Strait of Hormuz The three-day military drills come as the Donald Trump administration wants to restore international sanctions on Iran. Iran
Iran's Rouhani says schools to remain open despite criticism President Hassan Rouhani is facing criticism for reopening schools as the coronavirus continues to plague the country. Iran
US lawmakers grapple with Egypt policy as Sisi’s clampdown continues As President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratchets up the rights abuses, some in Congress say the Trump administration is giving the Egyptian strongman a pass. Egypt
More intact coffins among archaeological discoveries in Egypt Egypt announced the discovery of 13 completely sealed coffins dating back more than 2,500 years, as the country resumes excavation missions following months of hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Egypt acts to rescue its farmland from urban sprawl The government is confronting the loss of farmland by demolishing homes and buildings constructed without permits. Egypt
Looming despair among Lebanon’s refugees Large numbers of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon remain in very vulnerable condition. Lebanon
Coronavirus rages, but Netanyahu goes to Washington The coronavirus pandemic sets new records in Israel, yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans on going to Washington for a four-day trip. Israel
Israelis campaign against army building roads in nature reserves Israelis living in the north of Israel are currently campaigning against the Israel Defense Forces’ intention to pave roads near the border fence that will pass through nature reserves. Israel
Netanyahu apologizes three years after Shin Bet clears Arab-Israeli of terrorism Arab-Israelis say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology for calling Yakub Abu al-Kiyan a terrorist is clearly politically motivated. Israel
The Takeaway: Israel and Hamas turn to Qatar for truce Five takes on the Israel-Hamas deal and latest from Gaza; Arafat’s wife backs UAE-Israel peace deal; Curly hair makes a comeback in Egypt. Originals
Iraqi prime minister forbids state bodies from classifying Iraqis by sect Mustafa al-Kadhimi's decision was prompted by an outcry over the Iraqi Military College listing new students by sectarian classification. Iraq
