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
Emirates to require negative COVID-19 test for transit passengers The United Arab Emirates already required people entering the country to test negative for the coronavirus, but now the rule has been extended to all connecting travel on the Emirates airline. United Arab Emirates
Should Netanyahu worry over violent protests against him? As political and public energy that has welled up against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the last few years is about to burst the floodgates, some worry he could be the target of an assassination attempt. Israel
How COVID-19 widened Egypt’s budget gap The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown measures have largely affected Egypt’s budget deficit. Egypt
First barrel bombs, now coronavirus: doctors in Syria's Idlib hit hard by outbreak Doctors working in already short-staffed hospitals are struggling with a flare-up of new cases in the country's last rebel stronghold. Syria
Iran faces medical worker shortage as COVID-19 crisis shows no signs of slowing Iranian officials in charge of combatting the coronavirus have warned they are running short of medical staff. Iran
Iraq issues 'total curfew' for Eid al-Adha COVID-19 cases have increased to historic highs of around 2,000 a day in Iraq. Iraq
16 fined for trespassing on Saudi holy sites ahead of restricted hajj The violators were each fined 10,000 riyals ($2,666), authorities announced. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s government spokesman tests positive for COVID-19 According to his office, Ali Rabiei has been hospitalized but is in good condition. Iran
Lebanon sees spike in COVID-19 cases Lebanon's daily coronavirus cases have gone up by about a hundred in recent days as the economic crisis continues. Lebanon
Iraqi doctors under siege as they battle surge in COVID-19 cases Doctors complain that they have been suffering violence and abuse from some families who blame medical personnel for patients' COVID-19 deaths. Iraq
Kuwait eases curfew, allows mosque prayers for Eid al-Adha holiday Many countries in the region are implementing guidelines for the upcoming Muslim religious holiday. Originals
Iraq's coronavirus cases top 100,000 as Baghdad airport reopens The Health Ministry reported 2,361 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 102,226. Iraq
