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
Qatar Airways resumes flights to three South African cities The Doha-based airline is nearing the number of destinations it offered services to before the coronavirus crisis. Qatar
Armenia accuses Israel of arming Azerbaijan Armenia has recalled its ambassador, claiming that Israel supplies its rival Azerbaijan with weapons. Israel
Lebanon asks Interpol to arrest Russian captain, shipowner after Beirut blast Lebanese authorities say the cargo ship carried the stockpile of ammonium nitrate to the port in 2013. Lebanon
Etihad Airways provides COVID-19 test with ticket The Abu Dhabi airline is including a COVID-19 test that can be taken before departure in the ticket price for travelers on outgoing flights. United Arab Emirates
Syrian fighters add snarls to tangled south Caucasus Clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia seem to have taken a dangerous turn with conflicting reports of Turkey bringing in Syrian mercenaries. Syria
Digital anti-Netanyahu demonstrations attract thousands of Israelis The Darkenu civil movement stages digital demonstrations that attract hundreds of thousands of viewers. Israel
Anti-Netanyahu groups stage ‘neighborhood protests’ Following restrictions on demonstrations, anti-Netanyahu groups are now staging “neighborhood protests’’ across the country. Israel
Palestinian Authority targets Dahlan’s supporters in West Bank Supporters of the exiled Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan appear to be taking the brunt of the Fatah leadership's anger, with rounds of political arrests. Palestine
Netanyahu and Nasrallah at a standoff Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched another verbal confrontation against Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, but is unlikely to opt for a preemptive strike on Hezbollah missiles. Israel
As pandemic wilts other industries, Egyptian vineyards flourish Egyptian grape growers are celebrating a profitable season as the coronavirus pandemic raises demand from European importers. Egypt
Egypt reviving Luxor's Grand Avenue of Sphinxes Egypt is moving ahead with the restoration of the Grand Avenue of Sphinxes, which experts say will be a great cultural achievement for Egypt and an exquisite addition to the study of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Egypt
Bedouins in Egypt retreat to more traditional way of life to face COVID-19 Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bedouin community in Egypt, mainly in southern Sinai, that heavily relied on tourism to make ends meet, is retreating deep into the mountains and the desert to live a more traditional life. Egypt
