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
US kills two al-Qaeda affiliates in northwest Syria A US drone struck a vehicle carrying two senior commanders of Huras al-Din, one a Jordanian leader and the other a Yemeni leader of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group. Syria
Iraqi forces thwart rocket attack near US troops Iraq's success in stopping a rocket attack comes after dialogue with the United States on reducing US troop levels and protecting international coalition forces in the country. Iraq
Some Dubai expats face uncertain future in post-COVID-19 economy Expats residing in Dubai are facing the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave the United Arab Emirates as businesses cut back in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. United Arab Emirates
Iran's economy in desperate need of solutions Amid a drop in global oil prices, even relief from US sanctions may not be enough to save Iran's collapsing economy. Iran
Tunisia’s PM says country has beaten coronavirus As new infections slow, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said Tunisia has achieved a "victory" over the virus. Tunisia
Egyptian LGBTQ activist dead in suspected suicide Sarah Hegazi was arrested in 2017 after raising the rainbow gay pride flag at a concert in Cairo. Egypt
Report: King Abdullah of Jordan refused phone call with Israeli PM due to annexation Jordan-Israel relations continue to worsen over Israel's plan to annex parts of the West Bank in July. Israel
Intel: Yemen separatists capture government convoy hauling cash to Aden Fighters affiliated with Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council hijacked a convoy carrying billions of foreign-printed Yemeni riyals near the port of Aden on Saturday. Saudi Arabia
Turkey bombs PKK targets in northern Iraq as government's ratings sag The early morning strikes comes as the Turkish opposition launched a march for justice and democracy today. Turkey
Iran's Rouhani warns other countries against following US arms sanctions Iran has warned other countries of the United Nations Security Council to not go along with US plans to continue the arms embargo. United States
Iraqi base attacks continue as Danes gear up for NATO training lead Attacks continue to target bases in Iraq hosting international coalition and Iraqi forces. The Danish parliament has, meanwhile, voted to take leadership of the NATO training mission beginning in December and send a frigate to the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which much Iraqi oil passes, beginning in late summer. Iraq
Egypt to gradually resume international flights Foreign tourists will also be allowed to travel to three coastal provinces as airports reopen to international travel beginning July 1. Egypt
