Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Culture Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
Middle East airlines to suffer losses again in 2022 The International Air Transport Association said that airlines in the region will fare somewhat better financially due to the return of long-haul flights. Legacy: Gulf
Israel expects post-COVID tourism rebound this summer Israeli experts do not expect tourism to reach this summer the record level of 2019, but they certainly notice a trend of increase on both outbound and incoming tourism. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox lockdown disobedience could cost Netanyahu Angry over the ultra-Orthodox and their riots against the nationwide lockdown, Israeli voters are turning against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Protests in northern Lebanon against virus-related lockdowns turn deadly Lebanon's 24/7 lockdown has angered people in Tripoli amid a crippling economic crisis, and clashes have left hundreds injured and at least one dead. Lebanon
Iran urges US to end sanctions it says hinder vaccine access Iran says sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump are preventing the country from securing the COVID-19 vaccines it needs. Iran
Israel bans flights amid virus surge Israel is also experiencing violent clashes over virus restrictions as well as relative success in administering coronavirus vaccines. Israel
Qatar Airways announces expansion of flights to US Qatar's flagship airline will resume flights to Seattle and Atlanta and increase daily and weekly flights to other cities in the United States. Qatar
Iran to begin administering imported vaccines in February Iranian officials have warned that the country is set to experience a fourth wave of the coronavirus. Iran
Netanyahu’s campaign: a superhero challenged by small-time politicians As rivals keep garnering low scores in polls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrays himself as a mega statesman and his opponents as lightweights. Israel
Is Israel’s Arab Joint List breaking up ahead of March elections? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu campaigns in Nazareth for the Arab vote. Israel
Israel to start vaccinating prisoners next week Both Israeli and Palestinian prisoners will be included in the country's national vaccination drive. Israel
Abbas' rival Dahlan coordinates UAE aid to Gaza as Palestinian elections near The United Arab Emirates has sent a new medical aid shipment to the Gaza Strip, the second in a month, to help cope with the coronavirus crisis, raising questions about the role of Fatah’s dismissed leader and President Mahmoud Abbas’ archrival Mohammed Dahlan. Palestine
Lebanon declares 24-hour curfew, state of emergency The round-the-clock curfew will take effect at 5 am on Thursday and last until Jan. 25. Lebanon
First doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to hit Iraq by February Iraq has pushed hard to be among the world’s first countries to receive and distribute the vaccine after committing $170 million to COVAX, a global body to promote the vaccine. Iraq
