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
World’s tallest building in Dubai doubles as coronavirus ‘donation box’ For every light purchased along the Burj Khalifa’s exterior, a meal will be provided to a person in need. United Arab Emirates
Saudi announces 24-hour lockdown for Eid holiday Saudi Arabia previously relaxed some of its anti-virus restrictions. Originals
Lebanon returns to lockdown for four days Lebanon had eased its anti-coronavirus restrictions, but an uptick in cases has prompted a reversal. Lebanon
Egyptian rights activists sound alarm over pretrial detention of political detainees A court decision to extend the pretrial detention of hundreds of political prisoners without their presence raised the ire of rights organizations calling for the detainees’ immediate release. Egypt
UN calls on Israel to release Palestinian children from jails amid coronavirus Three UN officials urge Israeli authorities to free detained Palestinian children to protect them from COVID-19. Palestine
Coronavirus, war prompts northeast Syrian schools to go online The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue to use the internet for education beyond the coronavirus. Syria
Malls reopen, antivirus measures eased as Turkish economy teeters Shopping malls, barber shops and some stores reopened across Turkey Monday as the government rolled backed coronavirus precautions with aims to bolster the battered economy. Turkey
Jordan reopens stock market after two months, value falls Jordan's stock market resumed trading after a two-month shutdown amid the coronavirus crisis, but stocks continued to fall. Jordan
Part of Iran's oil-rich southwest goes under lockdown again Abadan, a city in Iran's Khuzestan province, has been ordered to shut down after people did not practice social distancing and coronavirus cases increased, according to Iranian media. Originals
Intel: WHO suspends Yemen staff activity over 'credible threats' in Houthi-held territory The World Health Organization has suspended its staff activity in certain areas throughout Houthi-controlled territory. Yemen
Iran says prisoner swap can happen without talks Iranian officials have reiterated calls for a prisoner swap with the US. Originals
Coronavirus offers Israel opportunity to strengthen ties with Gulf states Despite recent condemnation by Gulf states of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to annex parts of the West Bank this summer, there are signs that Israeli-Gulf ties might benefit from shared concern over COVID-19. Saudi Arabia
