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
Erdogan says life in Turkey could return to normal by late May The Turkish president also said the country was facing its biggest economic crisis since World War II. Turkey
Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming Despite pushback from Hezbollah, the Lebanese parliament passed legislation Tuesday legalizing cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. Lebanon
First confirmed coronavirus case in Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp A Palestinian refugee woman tested positive for the coronavirus in Lebanon amid fears that the conditions in such camps could lead to an outbreak. Palestine
Rouhani hits out at skeptics of Iran pandemic statistics The Iranian president said skeptics of the official coronavirus narrative in his country are serving as enemy mouthpieces. Iran
Israel bans visits to military cemeteries, imposes Ramadan curfew Israel’s Cabinet banned visits to military cemeteries on Memorial Day and imposed a curfew on Arab towns for the month of Ramadan. Israel
Larger than expected rate cut raises pressure on Turkish lira Turkey’s central bank surprised market watchers Wednesday with a significant interest rate cut to bolster the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, though analysts say the move poses inflationary risks. Turkey
Iraqi Kurdistan rejects NGO accusations of blocking aid to Syrian Kurds The government of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is responding with anger to relief organizations' claims that it is blocking aid to the northeast Syria as COVID-19 rages, with officials saying it has "bent over backward" to help. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Saudi King approves tarawih prayers without public attendance at holiest mosques Saudi Arabia's King Salman says only staff can perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Turkey's tourism sector sets hopes on June kick start President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement that the government aims to relax COVID-19 restrictions and start returning to normal life at the end of Ramadan has raised the hopes of the country’s ailing tourism sector. Turkey
Lebanese parliament reconvenes with anti-virus measures in place The Lebanese parliament voted to pass a bill allowing cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes as protests resumed in Beirut. Lebanon
Qatar Airways defers some employees' pay to save costs and keep flying Qatar Airways is still offering many passenger flights, unlike other major Middle Eastern carriers. The drop in international travel due to the coronavirus has resulted in major losses for airlines. Qatar
Jewish pilgrimage to Tunisia canceled over coronavirus With the coronavirus pandemic reaching the island of Djerba in Tunisia, Jews of Tunisian heritage won’t be able to attend this year's traditional Ghriba synagogue festivities. Israel
