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
Israel, Egypt energy ties so far unaffected by coronavirus crisis, annexation plan Despite the coronavirus crisis and the annexation plan, agreements to export Israeli natural gas to Egypt remain intact. Israel
Survey: Displaced Iraqis experiencing job losses, food shortages amid pandemic The survey by the International Rescue Committee is the latest proof of economic hardship in Iraq as it grapples with a steep jump in COVID-19 cases. Iraq
Rights group: Detainees in overcrowded Yemen prison at risk of COVID-19 Prisoners at an overcrowded detention center in Aden face serious health risks, Human Rights Watch says in a report. Yemen
Palestinian Authority to pay civil servants half their monthly wages amid cash crunch Faced with a worsening financial crisis, the Palestinian Authority has slashed the salaries of its public sector employees. Palestine
OPEC continues oil export cuts in June Global oil prices continue to hold up relative to earlier in the year as oil-producing countries in the Middle East struggle economically. Legacy: Gulf
Crackdown on Egypt’s front-line health care workers continues Egyptian doctors are outraged by authorities’ handling of medical personnel after a number of doctors were arrested and others were criticized. Egypt
Turkey criticizes exclusion from EU list of safe travelers The European Union's list of countries it will allow visitors from did not include Turkey. Turkey
Egypt resumes international flights, reopens pyramids for summer tourism More than three months after Egypt closed its major tourist attractions, two flights from Ukraine arrive in Red Sea and South Sinai governorates. Egypt
Turkey sends coronavirus aid to Iraq Turkey delivers coronavirus aid to Iraq as it continues its operations against Kurdish groups in the country's northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Iraq
IMF official: Gulf economies to contract by 7.6% in 2020 The International Monetary Fund official's predictions are worse than earlier ones as the Gulf deals with oil price drops and the COVID-19 pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
Emirates Airlines to resume flights to Cairo, Tunis The Dubai-based airline is continuing to rebuild its flight network after resuming international passenger services in May. Originals
Negative virus test required to enter UAE As the oil-rich Gulf country announced more than 400 new cases of the virus, it rolled out new movement restrictions in the capital. United Arab Emirates
