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
Turkey's university faculties unite against being divided Turkish academia is in upheaval following the government’s decision to split up 13 major universities to form new ones, while university departments say that the proposal is fueled by ulterior motives and that resources are already spread too thin. Turkey
Iran, Russia, Turkey close ranks on Syria coordination amid US pressure Moscow and its partners in Tehran and Ankara move to strengthen coordination on Syria as the Trump administration signals an intention to up the stakes. Syria
Supreme leader serves notice to Iran's enemies: Era of ‘hit and run’ is over Iranian sources deny that any of its fighters were killed in a missile strike against Syrian bases, while the supreme leader took the opportunity to strike out at the US presence in the region. United States
Palestinian news group growing internationally The Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation has big plans to expand in the Middle East and around the world to spread news about the Palestinian cause. Near East
Trump, Netanyahu stand firm against Europe on Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encouraged by more and more hints that President Donald Trump will nix the Iranian nuclear agreement. Israel
Billboards bashing social justice NGO dot Tel Aviv The far-right Im Tirzu group is behind a hate campaign targeting the US-based New Israel Fund. Israel
Why Jerusalem momentum could generate early elections in Israel With the start of the Knesset’s summer session and the ongoing investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the early election pendulum is gathering momentum. Israel
Will Russia provide the 'new Kissinger' for Iran-Israel diplomacy? Moscow works back channels between Tehran and Jerusalem; hard-line Saudi stance toward Iran adheres to Wahhabi line favored by conservative clerics. Saudi Arabia
Iraq’s 'Tree of Knowledge' draws visitors across faiths Visitors flock to visit Adam's Tree, which they believe was planted by the Prophet Abraham and is sacred, in southern Iraq. Iraq
Russia acting as buffer between Israel, Iran Moscow is being called on to deliver on its promised role as Mideast mediator. Israel
Palestinian female referee now wants to officiate on global field Yasmin Nayroukh, known for the fairness of her officiating in Palestine soccer games, has been working on her English and knowledge of international sports rules to become an internationally certified referee. Palestine
Egyptians worry Renaissance Dam poses risk for heritage sites along Nile A study by an Egyptian professor reports that Ethiopia’s new dam puts heritage sites at risk — and not only those in Egypt. Egypt
