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
Oman returns to nighttime curfew as COVID-19 cases climb Beginning Sunday, a curfew will run from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Oct. 24. Oman
Intel: US senators renew call for Turkey sanctions over reports of S-400 test Reports that Turkey continues to test the Russian-built air defense system have prompted renewed objections from lawmakers. Turkey
Lebanon’s Hariri says he’s 'definitely a candidate' to lead government again The former Lebanese prime minister resigned last year amid anti-government protests, but now says he is willing to return. Lebanon
Intel: Turkish F-16s spotted on runway in Azerbaijan The discovery follows Armenia's allegation that Ankara has introduced combat aircraft into the Caucasus war. Turkey
Algerian activist gets 10 years in prison for 'inciting atheism' Yacine Mebarki was also fined 10 million Algerian dinars ($77,400) after police found a Quran with a missing page in his home. Algeria
Protests break out in Iran after death of famed singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian was a renowned singer and composer of classical music. He also notably supported the 2009 protests in the country. Iran
‘A slap in the face’: 9/11 families say US-Sudan deal would torpedo two-decade lawsuit The Trump administration has quietly reached an understanding with Sudan that some 9/11 families say puts Washington’s foreign policy objectives ahead of their quest for justice. United States
Saudi prince rattles Palestinian leaders in televised critique Former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Bandar Bin Sultan called for a new Palestinian leadership in the first two parts of an interview whose final portion has yet to air. Saudi Arabia
Attacks, 'unjustified' arrests mar security in southern Kirkuk Security forces continue to be targeted in rural areas of Iraq’s Kirkuk region as locals complain of "unjustified" arrests and yet another alleged Islamic State "mufti" has been caught amid scant reporting on the ground. Iraq
Nile cruises navigate river of challenges Following a monthslong hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruises on the Nile River have resumed, despite some challenges to the tourism sector in Egypt. Egypt
Christians make strong showing in Egyptian Parliament More Christian candidates are running in this year’s parliamentary elections in Egypt. Egypt
How Egypt perceives Ethiopia’s ban of flights over Nile dam Ethiopia has decided to ban flying over the Renaissance Dam that it is building on the Blue Nile in a move thought to deepen the years-old conflict. Egypt
