The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy shows faint pulse at UN Signs of life at an extraordinary meeting of senior Middle East officials; also, updates from our correspondents on Israel, West Bank, UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq … and more … all in about 1,400 words! Iran
Israel praises protest in New York against Iranian president during UN General Assembly Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused Israel of being behind “the biggest state terrorism,” at the United Nations headquarters, and also took shots at the United States over Afghanistan and the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol. News Brief
After summer of severe floods and fires, Turkey to ratify Paris Agreement In his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the Paris Climate Agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s parliament for approval next month. Turkey
Egypt announces human rights strategy to mixed reviews While the Egyptian government says the historic initiative is a good faith effort to set a path forward, critics say the strategy is primarily designed to quiet international critics. Egypt
Israel reopens West Bank crossing after Palestinian manhunt ends The Jalama crossing had been closed since six Palestinian militants escaped from a nearby Israeli prison. Israel
Lebanon raises fuel prices again The Lebanese government previously subsidized fuel prices amid the country's worsening economic crisis. Lebanon
Iran’s president slams US in first UN speech Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi used the occasion of his first UN General Assembly speech to heavily criticize the United States. Iran
UAE relaxes mask rules as COVID-19 cases decline Masks are no longer required while exercising outdoors or at public beaches and swimming pools, Emirati health authorities announced Wednesday. United Arab Emirates
How an Islamic State suspect lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey The Turkish judiciary’s weakness in dealing with Islamic State suspects comes under the spotlight after a bombshell report on how a Syrian man suspected of ordering the burning to death of two Turkish soldiers in 2016 walked free from court and lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey. Turkey
Israel marks diplomatic victory as 33 countries boycott Durban IV conference According to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, 33 countries boycotted the Durban IV conference today in New York over concerns about anti-Semitism and because the platform would be exploited to attack Israel. Israel
Congo renews push to resolve Nile dam dispute While more than five months have passed since the last round of negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was held in Kinshasa, Congo seems to be preparing to host Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia for a new round of talks in the hope of resolving the decadelong crisis. Egypt
Hamas says recaptured jailbreakers must be part of swap deal Hamas' military wing has stated that the six prisoners recaptured after a prison break must be returned in any swap deal. Palestine
Qatari artist takes creative stand against plastic binge Pictures of an abaya covered with plastic wastes invite Qataris to reflect on their plastic consumption as pollution from disposable products surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gulf
Arab-Israeli town gets development plan at last Umm al-Fahm became the first Arab-Israeli locality to sign an agreement for 15,000 new housing units and large development projects. Israel
