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
Emirates resumes more international flights as restrictions ease The addition of flights to Los Angeles, Dar es Salaam and other destinations follows the resumption of tourism to Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Israeli army hit hard by coronavirus The second wave of the novel coronavirus is affecting the IDF, which has ordered 10,000 soldiers into quarantine. Israel
Israel’s middle class sags as aid package delayed Young Israelis and the country's middle class are facing the biggest economic crisis Israel has ever experienced as the pandemic's second wave crashes. Israel
UAE residents opt for staycations amid COVID-19 crisis Hotels in the United Arab Emirates are one by one reopening across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, with numerous money-saving staycation options. United Arab Emirates
Egyptian women call out accused rapist, demand change The arrest of an accused serial rapist and sexual harasser in Egypt has rekindled public discussion about sexual harassment and abuse after many women shared their stories of the man over social media. Egypt
Israel, UAE test potential for cooperation on COVID-19 The agreement signed between the United Arab Emirates' Group 42 and Israel’s IAI and Rafael companies offers a glimpse of the potential for cooperation -- if not deterred by annexation. United Arab Emirates
The Takeaway: US envoy: Iran ‘missing good opportunities’ to talk with Washington Highlights: Hook says there is no national security argument for letting UN arms embargo on Iran expire; Bibi goes for broke on Iran; Iraqi PM vows to bring Hashemi’s killers to justice; Baalbeck Festival offers inspiration to Lebanon. Originals
Emirates temporarily halts bookings to New Zealand The Dubai-based carrier's decision follows a stoppage it placed on flights from Pakistan as countries struggle to resume flights during the pandemic. United Arab Emirates
UN report blames civilian deaths in northwest Syria on government and rebel groups The report by the United Nations' Syria commission details numerous possible war crimes in recent months by both pro-government forces and the rebel group HTS. Syria
R&D potential could be key to spark Saudi economy The impact of COVID-19 and low oil prices has led to even further expected declines in Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product, but research and development could hold the key to an economic reset. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian workers stay in Israel for three weeks in a row Some 46,000 Palestinians are now lodged on construction sites in Israel; they must stay where they work for three weeks before going back home. Palestine
Britain extends lifeline to Turkish tourism by lifting quarantine rule Turkey hopes visitors from the United Kingdom will help offset the deep losses its coronavirus-hit tourism industry is expected to suffer this summer season and is pushing the European Union to reconsider its "safe list" that excluded the Mediterranean destination. Turkey
