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
From Germany to IS front: a former PKK fighter's return to battle Some of those fighting the Islamic State in Iraqi Kurdistan are volunteers. One of them is Sait Curukkaya. Iraq
Do you really need to know the new Turkish PM? The appointment of Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim as prime minister implies that the office is about to be mothballed. Turkey
Will Iran stop executions for drug offenses? Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council, has been joined by other officials in his repeated calls to cut down on executions for drug offenses. Iran
Rouhani’s greatest win on the verge of becoming liability Both ends of the bargain of the nuclear deal must be delivered to ensure the agreement will be a lasting legacy. Iran
Libyans lose possessions post-Gadhafi Following the revolution in Libya and death of former President Moammar Gadhafi, rebels spread chaos in the country, confiscating the properties of those considered supporters of the former regime. Libya
Last year's disaster offers Saudis excuse to clamp down on hajj The Saudi Interior Ministry is doing everything it can to keep this year's hajj season tragedy-free — including, conveniently, shutting out Iranian pilgrims over visa problems. Saudi Arabia
Muslim conservatives unveil anger at Turkey's Modest Fashion Week Modest Fashion Week was greeted with a strong backlash from the religious conservative camp in Turkey. Turkey
Why camels mean more than just money to Gaza's Bedouin Bedouin families in the Gaza Strip continue to breed camels, which are considered a significant part of Bedouin tradition and an important source of income. Palestine
Will new agreement lead to increase in Palestinian exports? A new Palestinian-Jordanian agreement will allow the export of goods in small containers to Jordan for the first time ever, which Palestinians hope will increase their global exports. Palestine
Israeli legal plan for settlements raises red flag in West Bank Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's intention to apply Israeli laws to Jews living West Bank settlements raised the ire of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Israeli officials, diplomats free to speak Netanyahu's mind When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli military officers can express themselves ''in the relevant forums,'' it seems he was really saying that senior officials should not express any opinion that contradicts his own. Israel
Cairo fires fan the flames of public anger A recent series of fires in downtown Cairo has ignited public anger, with some accusing the state of seeking to clear the region of informal vendors. Egypt
