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
Iranian MP threatens to impeach intelligence minister An Iranian parliamentarian has threatened to begin impeachment procedures against the intelligence minister if he is not forthcoming about recent arrests of activists using Telegram. Iran
Will Egypt put term limits on Al-Azhar grand imam? Proposals to amend Al-Azhar University's internal regulations are angering senior scholars who might be replaced if the plans are approved. Egypt
Meet the men behind Gaza’s first female sports club Two men from the Gaza Strip are getting ready to open the first women’s sports academy in Gaza, which would allow women of all ages to practice and play many different sports. Palestine
Cairo's rich asked to sort waste at home The Egyptian state is trying out a new initiative in Cairo’s well-off neighborhood of Heliopolis, whereby kiosks would buy presorted trash from citizens and then sell it to recycling factories. Egypt
How Hamas plans to rebrand internationally It is thought that a policy document being finalized by Hamas will reflect a new flexibility in the movement's policies and perspectives. Palestine
Congress wants answers from Turkey on shutdown of US aid pipeline to Syria Senate Democrats are warning Ankara not to take out its anger over US aid to Kurds on Mercy Corps. Syria
Why dust storms still suffocate Iran’s Khuzestan province The administration of President Hassan Rouhani has declared that it has made great strides in combating dust storms and pollution in Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan, but the region appears to still be in the grip of recurring environmental crises. Iraq
The real reason Ahmadinejad still covets media attention Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s attempts to attract attention ahead of the May 19 elections spark outrage among moderates and Reformists. Iran
Turkey deports Dutch cows While 40 Dutch cows have been expelled by Turkey and are on their way to the Netherlands, Turkish hackers attacked the Twitter accounts of international organizations and celebrities. Turkey
What next for Sinai's displaced Copts? Hundreds of Copts have fled Islamic State threats and killings in el-Arish while awaiting the return of stability to their city. Culture & Society
Wrath of Euphrates spokeswoman: Raqqa is now isolated Islamic State militants in Raqqa are now surrounded as Syrian Democratic Forces cut off the last land route to and from the city, foretelling an imminent battle to liberate IS' capital. Syria
Why former defense minister is leaving Israel's ruling party Senior Likud figures who quit the party are flourishing and occupy important positions in the government, while senior Likud members are afraid to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
