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
Poverty could double in the West Bank as coronavirus takes toll, World Bank warns The bank estimates the percentage of poor households in the West Bank will increase from 14% to 30% in 2020. Palestine
Intel: COVID-19 forces AIPAC to cancel 2021 conference The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is cancelling its 2021 conference in Washington amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, Jewish Insider reported on Sunday. Israel
Greece to allow tourists from Israel, Lebanon The European country will open up for tourists from Israel, Lebanon and several other European countries in June. Israel
Iraq registers dramatic jump in COVID-19 cases There were 416 new confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus in Iraq today. Iraq
Intel: Pompeo discusses Syria with Jordan’s foreign minister Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Syria today on a phone call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Jordan
In latest spending cut, Oman not renewing majority of foreign consultant contracts Contracts will not be renewed for at least 70% of foreign experts and consultants working for the Omani government. Oman
Turkey readies for 'new normal' after declaring success against coronavirus President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that a raft of restrictions imposed to curb the outbreak will be lifted next week as the country’s infection and death rates fall sharply. Turkey
More refugees in Lebanon test positive for COVID-19 The news of infections in the Syrian refugee community follows a handful of cases among Palestinian refugees last month. Lebanon
Egypt registers highest number of coronavirus cases in single day Egyptian health officials reported 910 new cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of registered coronavirus infections in the country to more than 19,000. Egypt
Why is Erdogan afraid of free bread? Turkey's main opposition party has successfully turned the pandemic into an opportunity by building a dynamic grassroots movement in the face of authoritarian rule. Turkey
Turkey cautiously reopens after national Eid curfew Mosques, restaurants and stores prepare to gradually reopen with new coronavirus precautions in Turkey after four-day nationwide curfew for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Turkey
Pandemic worsening existing food crises across the Middle East, UN agencies warn Even before the coronavirus outbreak, nearly 110 million people across the Middle East and North Africa were undernourished. Yemen
