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
How far can Egypt's prank TV shows go? Egyptian parliamentarian Galal Awara has called on the concerned bodies to stop TV prank shows, especially in the run-up to Ramadan. Egypt
Hamas’ new policy document brings the group closer to Egypt In the new policy document, the Hamas movement announced its dissociation from the Muslim Brotherhood, which may improve ties with the Egyptian state that have been rocky after the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. Palestine
What's keeping Syria’s Palestinian refugees from returning to camps? The Palestinian refugees in Syria are still waiting for the green light to go back to their camps following a wave of displacement that resulted from clashes between the Syrian regime and gunmen. Palestine
Turkish fest takes Roma culture upmarket, but Roma still down Roma music and dancing dominate the Hidirellez festivities that usher in spring in Turkey, but the country’s 4 million-strong Roma population finds little to celebrate in their daily living conditions. Turkey
Is Egypt's Gamaa Islamiya returning to political life? Gamaa Islamiya’s political wing publicly launched its elections last month with the consent of Egypt's security apparatus, which raises questions about the return of the Islamist group to the political scene. Egypt
Why UNESCO's 'Jerusalem resolution' is a win for Netanyahu The May 2 resolution by UNESCO’s executive committee criticizing archaeological digging in east Jerusalem plays into the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who portrays UNESCO and the international community as enemies of the Israelis. Palestine
Financial tech gaining steam in Iran In addition to trying to lure foreign investors, Iranian authorities hope to boost the country’s struggling finance sector by jumpstarting the country’s fledgling fintech industry. Iran
Libyan rivals descend on Washington The war-wracked country’s competing factions are fighting for Donald Trump’s ear. Libya
How some Egyptian youths are addressing food insecurity Egyptian students launch an initiative that allows poor citizens to buy sandwiches with the money left by paying customers. Egypt
Lebanon's budding hashish business brings high returns Cannabis production in Lebanon has soared by more than 30% since 2012, when spillover from the war in Syria led security forces to focus on deadlier threats like car bombs and Islamic militants. Lebanon
High-profile resignation rocks Turkey’s secular opposition CHP Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party is facing a shakeup as its popular deputy chair resigns over party’s inability to effectively respond to impending new political regime. Turkey
Can Syrian refugees become boon to Turkey's economy? The labor shortage in some of Turkey’s economic sectors — especially manufacturing, agriculture, and child and elder care — can offer employment opportunities for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who are unlikely to return home. Turkey
