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
Lebanon's Chernobyl moment On the evening of Aug. 4, Beirut witnessed an unprecedented explosion that ruined a large part of the city, injuring thousands and killing many. Lebanon
Israel offers Lebanon medical assistance after Beirut blast Israeli officials offered to provide neighboring Lebanon with medical aid following a deadly bombing that rocked the Lebanese capital. Lebanon
Rumors swirl in Turkey as former presidential candidate reportedly seeks to form new political party Muharrem Ince, a former presidential candidate for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), reportedly expressed interest in establishing a breakaway party, fueling rumors analysts say might serve as a trial balloon for future political maneuvers. Turkey
Fire at Iranian industrial site adds to wave of mysterious explosions The fire near Tehran, which caused no casualties, is under investigation. Israel
Intel: Syria to build Hagia Sophia replica with Russian backing With support from Russian officials and the Orthodox Church, Syria will begin construction on a small-scale replica of the Hagia Sophia that will serve as an Orthodox cathedral. Syria
Australian envoy says academic jailed in Iran doing 'well' Ambassador Lyndall Sachs visited with Kylie Moore-Gilbert Sunday following her transfer to a notorious desert prison last month. Iran
Rouhani: Iran’s economy handled pandemic better than US Iran’s president said his country’s economy is in a comparatively better shape than the US and European states' ones when it comes to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Major explosions rock Beirut, causing widespread damage and casualties At least 70 people are dead and thousands injured. Lebanon
Can Syria's Kurds reel in Turkey with profits from American oil deal? The recent deal signed between the SDF and a US oil company is as much about political brinkmanship as oil. Syria
Parents of detained journalist Austin Tice urge Trump to talk directly with Syrian regime The new plea from Marc and Debra Tice comes on the heels of John Bolton's allegations that he and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thought it was a bad idea for President Trump to engage with his Syrian counterpart. Syria
Algerian journalist's trial begins behind closed doors Reporters without Borders warns that independent journalist Khaled Drareni is being persecuted for his opinions amid scant press freedom in Algeria. Algeria
Egypt helps unify Yemen rivals behind Riyadh deal The new deal to end the dispute between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and southern separatists supported by the United Arab Emirates was facilitated by Egyptian diplomacy. Egypt
