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
Trump says he's ready to meet Iran 'anytime' US President Donald Trump said Monday that he’d be willing to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani anytime Iran wants, without any preconditions. United States
Pence escalates Trump-Erdogan rift with tweeted threats The US-Turkey brawl over American pastor Andrew Brunson is as intense as ever, as the Turkish president and US leaders exchange public threats and messages of defiance. Turkey
Will Iran reinstate its abolished Senate? Nearly 40 years after the dissolution of the Senate, some Iranian politicians are increasingly speaking about the need to revive the country’s abolished political body. Iran
After 7 years, Iran's Green Movement leaders may be released While the news of the likely end of the house arrest for the Green Movement leaders was welcomed, many felt that it was happening too late. Iran
Syria's Idlib emerges as Achilles heel in Russia-Turkey partnership Although Turkey is desperately trying to postpone an imminent Idlib operation by Syrian forces, a compromise doesn’t look likely. Syria
Will Iraq's Sunni provinces join in on protest movement? While the southern part of Iraq is witnessing a major protest movement, people in Sunni areas in the west and north — despite expressing support for the demonstrations — have fears about going out into the streets. Iraq
Residents of Cairo's historic buildings make plea to prevent demolitions Cairo's governorate is destroying architectural heritage in Egypt as part of the Maspero Triangle investment plan. Egypt
Israel’s 'UNRWA dilemma' Israel is worried about UNRWA's announcement that due to cuts in US funding, it will not be able to open schools in the West Bank for the academic year scheduled to begin Sept. 1. Palestine
Abbas appears set to compromise for Fatah-Hamas reconciliation A Fatah delegation is in Cairo to discuss reconciliation with Hamas, carrying a broad mandate from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to compromise on control of security forces in Gaza. Palestine
Cave restaurant becomes latest attraction in Jordan’s mosaic city The Jordanian city of Madaba is internationally known for its Byzantine church mosaics, but its latest attraction takes visitors underground. Jordan
Gaza rolling in fake money Gaza police have seized their first major high-tech counterfeiting operation as more desperate Palestinians pass off fake money to unsuspecting businesses. Palestine
Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia Escalating threats by Yemen's Houthi rebels indicate the group is still not intimidated by the Saudi-led coalition, portending more suffering for Yemeni civilians. Saudi Arabia
