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
King’s call to revisit political reforms triggers cautious optimism in Jordan In an interview, King Abdullah focused on the need to launch political and administrative reforms that include reviewing laws that govern elections and political parties, in a move that coincides with the start of the Biden administration. Jordan
Despite coronavirus, Suez Canal records high revenues Despite the negative repercussions of the outbreak of the coronavirus on global trade, the Suez Canal took in $5.61 billion in 2020, its third-highest total ever. Egypt
Egyptian-Turkish trade agreement comes under fire A member of the Egyptian parliament called for the need to reconsider the free trade agreement between Egypt and Turkey signed 15 years ago, claiming that it harms Egyptian interests and favors Turkish exporters. Egypt
Egypt concerned UAE-Israeli pipeline project will affect Suez Canal Egyptian officials have been expressing concern over the anticipated competition from the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline project that would transport Emirati oil to Ashkelon in Israel and from there to European markets. United Arab Emirates
Syrian government, SDF trade accusations of violations of Russian-mediated cease-fire No sooner had an agreement been reached between the Syrian regime and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to lift the mutual sieges imposed in northeast Syria that accusations were traded about violations of the Russian-sponsored deal. Syria
Netanyahu accuses ICC of anti-Semitism Israel's prime minister lashed out at the International Criminal Court after it ruled that its jurisdiction includes the West Bank and Gaza Strip, pointing out that the court was created in part to protect the Jewish people. Palestine
Netanyahu recycles promises to combat soaring crime in Arab towns Ahead of the March elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is repeating promises he made nine years ago to control crime rates in Arab towns and villages. Israel
Nigeria deepens security ties with Egypt to battle Boko Haram Some observers allege Turkey may be supporting extremist groups in Nigeria. Egypt
Alarming low vaccination rates among Israeli ultra-Orthodox, Bedouins Washed with fake news and conspiracy theories, anti-corona vaccination rates among the Bedouins and ultra-Orthodox are much lower than in the Jewish sector. Israel
Syrian Kurds hoping for lifeline from Biden administration Damascus, Ankara and Moscow turn up the heat on US-backed group; UN Syria envoy says, "We can’t continue like this." Syria
UN: 800 people returned to Libya while crossing Mediterranean 2020 was a deadly year for people fleeing Libya for Europe, according to data from the UN's International Organization for Migration. Libya
Libyan delegates choose interim government in UN-led process Abdulhamid Dbeibeh will serve as prime minister and Mohammed al-Menfi as the head of the presidential council. Libya
