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
Report: Yemen has more coronavirus cases than official numbers show Houthi authorities have not reported test results for many suspected coronavirus cases, news organizations say. Saudi Arabia
Yemen advocates push for COVID-19 aid in next coronavirus stimulus bill Activists and humanitarian organizations want Congress to include COVID-19 aid for Yemen in the next coronavirus relief bill as skeptical senators question the Trump administration’s recent restrictions on assistance for Houthi-held areas. Yemen
Israel’s top court cancels bonus plan for artists performing in settlements The High Court rules in favor of a petition that sought to end a policy of giving government bonuses to artists who performed in West bank settlements. Palestine
300 Israelis arrested for defying coronavirus ban on Jewish holiday Hundreds of people in Israel's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods ignored a ban on large gatherings to celebrate a minor Jewish holiday known as Lag B’Omer. Israel
Dubai reopens public parks, hotel beaches Mosques, movie theaters, nightclubs and public beaches remain closed. United Arab Emirates
European court rejects Turkish appeal of Osman Kavala ruling The European Court of Human Rights rejected an appeal by Turkish officials Tuesday, upholding a December ruling calling for the release of jailed Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala. Turkey
Iran’s supreme leader orders probe into 'mistaken' naval strike Iran said an investigation has been launched into the missile strike that killed 19 navy personnel during a routine exercise. Iran
Emirates to resume international passenger flights The Dubai-based carrier will start flying to North America, Europe and Australia on May 21. United Arab Emirates
Israeli soldier kills Palestinian teen in West Bank clash Teenager Zaid Qaysia was killed during clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian residents of the Al-Fawar refugee camp Wednesday morning. Palestine
Intel: How Turkey’s expulsion from F-35 program has hampered production A report by the US Government Accountability Office said Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program has complicated the Joint Strike Fighter’s already troubled production chain. Turkey
Islamic State believed behind crop fires in Iraq's disputed territories The Islamic State is suspected of once again setting fire to farmland in the disputed Iraqi-Kurdish territories. Iraq
