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
Intel: Amid maritime deal with Egypt, Greece invites UN court to settle sea dispute with Turkey Greek Prime Minister suggests that if no agreement can be reached, his country's dispute with Turkey over a maritime boundary should go to an international court. Egypt
Israel shoots down drone near Lebanon border The drone incident comes as the Israeli military braces for retaliation from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah along its northern border. Israel
Currency tumult hits Turkey’s credit-driven revival Apprehension is rife in Turkey that a loan-driven economic warm-up could devolve into major turmoil in the fall, with Ankara’s dubious management of the coronavirus pandemic feeding the unease. Turkey
Lebanese president says 'foreign interference' possible in Beirut blast As investigations into Tuesday's deadly explosion continue, conspiracy theories abound. Lebanon
Incendiary balloons may spell end of quiet on Israel-Hamas border The rocket fired from Gaza at the beginning of the week and the incendiary balloons yesterday, might signal that the six months of quiet on the Israel-Hamas border are now over. Palestine
Israel's Liberman appoints himself project manager for Netanyahu’s removal Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman is determined to bring about the toppling of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in any elections to come. Israel
After 30-year hiatus, French archaeological mission returns to Iraq The French excavation mission succeeded in uncovering a network of large water channels, a port, houses and a large temple, as well as clay tablets in the city of Larsa, a capital city in the Babylonian era. Iraq
The lesser of two evils: Yemen’s Bahais from prison into exile Shortly after their release, six members of the Bahai community in Yemen were sent into exile, in a stark example of the political climate in this war-ravaged country. Yemen
22 mummies to parade across Cairo Preparations are almost ready for the transfer of 22 pharaonic mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. Egypt
Only Trump can revive Netanyahu’s annexation plan While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu produces excuses and scapegoats, the only way for his annexation plan to stay alive is if President Donald Trump decides it can help him get reelected. Israel
Gulf investment woes, COVID economic crisis converge in Egypt Gulf state support to Egypt — whether through official aid, central bank deposits or capital investment flows — has not been consistent in the past, so will investments and aid help Egypt through a coronavirus-induced recession? Legacy: Gulf
Beirut rallies to clear wreckage in wake of blast Citizens assess the damage, pick up the pieces and express anger at politicians whom they blame for the crisis. Lebanon
