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
Egypt's lucrative blood plasma black market Selling the plasma of COVID-19 survivors has become a profitable illegal business, after the minister of health announced that using survivor plasma to treat coronavirus patients has proven effective. Egypt
Turkey, Qatar, UAE among donors of virus-related aid to sub-Saharan Africa The Center for Strategic and International Studies listed the countries as among 12 that have given medical aid directly to African states. Turkey
Some Dubai expats face uncertain future in post-COVID-19 economy Expats residing in Dubai are facing the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave the United Arab Emirates as businesses cut back in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. United Arab Emirates
Tunisia’s PM says country has beaten coronavirus As new infections slow, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said Tunisia has achieved a "victory" over the virus. Tunisia
Egypt to gradually resume international flights Foreign tourists will also be allowed to travel to three coastal provinces as airports reopen to international travel beginning July 1. Egypt
Will Covid-19 put an end to hookah culture in Egypt? Once a symbol of Egypt’s cafes and mentioned through history, hookahs are slowly disappearing from society amid the closure of cafes across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Lebanon to reopen Beirut airport July 1 Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, which grounded flights March 18, will reopen next month with reduced air traffic. Lebanon
Turkey’s economic turmoil imposing early polls on Erdogan Grappling with economic strains that might grow worse down the road, Turkey’s president faces an early election conundrum. Turkey
Saudi soccer to resume this summer Matches will resume with health measures in place, after they had stopped in March due to the coronavirus outbreak. Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s health care system collapses as virus spreads Doctors Without Borders says it has witnessed the highest death rate yet from the virus in the Houthi-held city of Sanaa. Yemen
Jordan gets high marks for dealing with COVID-19, but economic crisis deepens Jordanians feel that while the government may have succeeded in thwarting the health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic, it has failed so far in finding solutions to the deteriorating economy. Jordan
New report details damage to Iraqi economy during COVID-19 pandemic The report by the UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration shows how virus-related restrictions have led to revenue and job losses for small and medium-sized businesses in Iraq. Iraq
