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
Palestinian groups conduct first-ever joint military drill Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and other groups held the exercise to prepare for a future conflict with Israel. Palestine
Palestine’s 'techno queen' scapegoated by politicians trying to escape responsibility Misinterpretations of a music video shot in the area of a West Bank holy site cause anger, an arrest of the DJ and the burning of furniture to be used for the development of cultural tourism at the location. Palestine
US ambassador's residence in Tel Aviv sold for $67 million The State Department has not acknowledged the buyer, reported to be Trump ally and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Israel
Top Turkish court rejects appeal for release of philanthropist Kavala Turkey’s Constitutional Court has rejected an appeal for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, ruling his more than three-year imprisonment without conviction did not violate his rights in contradiction to rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Turkey
Iran begins trials for domestically produced vaccine Iran is also reportedly importing the Pfizer vaccine amid pressure from citizens as the virus continues to spread. Iran
Biden’s national security adviser criticizes Saudi Arabia for jailing women’s rights activist Jake Sullivan called the sentencing of activist Loujain al-Hathloul "troubling." Saudi Arabia
Hamas leader recounts how Soleimani handed him cash-filled suitcases A top Hamas official revealed details about one batch of Iran’s financial assistance to his group, when slain commander Qasem Soleimani handed his delegation suitcases stuffed with millions of dollars. Iran
Daewoo fulfills Iraq’s Faw Port despite obstacles Iraqi government voted for signing a contract with the Korean company Daewoo to finish Faw Port project. Iraq
US Syria Envoy ‘categorically rejects’ statement by UN rapporteur about Caesar Sanctions US Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn says the blame for Syria’s economic and humanitarian crises rest with Assad, not the US, after Alena Douhan of the UN Human Rights Council said the Caesar Act is hurting Syrians' chances to rebuild infrastructure and live comfortably. Syria
Israel's Gantz presides over collapse of Blue and White Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, the only real alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now collapses politically, taking down with him the whole center-left camp. Israel
Facebook launches partnership with Egypt to protect women from cyber harassment Egypt’s National Council for Women teams up with Facebook for extra online security and protection for female users prone to online harassment and violation of their personal freedoms. Originals
Sudan joins forces with Egypt to crack down on Muslim Brotherhood Since former President Omar al-Bashir's overthrow, Sudan and Egypt are boosting cooperation to confront extremist ideas and groups. Egypt
