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
Repatriation flights take stranded workers home to Pakistan from UAE The first flight of 20 special flights to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in the United Arab Emirates left Dubai on Saturday. United Arab Emirates
Syria's Kurdish-led region decries lack of international support in COVID-19 fight Syria's northeast is left with little outside assistance to fight the coronavirus pandemic and requires much more international support. Syria
Intel: Trump, Erdogan discuss coronavirus as pandemic worsens in Turkey President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday as the coronavirus rapidly spreads through both countries. Turkey
Erdogan’s dream airport in dire straits amid pandemic The company operating Istanbul’s new mega airport appears unlikely to hold on for even a few months without assistance, as the COVID-19 pandemic hits Turkey’s aviation industry. Turkey
UAE exempts coronavirus patients, doctors from Ramadan fast Religious authorities in the United Arab Emirates have said patients suffering from COVID-19 and doctors treating them are exempt from fasting for Ramadan. United Arab Emirates
Coronavirus lockdown uncovers vulnerability of Tunisia’s economy Despite government measures to help those most affected by a general lockdown aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus, Tunisia’s economy is being dealt a heavy blow. Tunisia
Cash-strapped Lebanon struggles amid the coronavirus crisis Various sectors in Lebanon, a country grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, have been hit hard by the measures imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Lebanon
Secret relationships in times of the coronavirus The coronavirus crisis has put more constraints on the love lives of many Lebanese young people, especially those who are in interreligious or gay relationships. Lebanon
Palestinians claim COVID-19 efforts blunted by Israel in East Jerusalem Some East Jerusalemites accuse Israel of not being forthcoming about the spread of the coronavirus in East Jerusalem and criticize it for shutting down local efforts against the virus that are backed by the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Palestinian men take up cooking in quarantine Forced to stay at home due to precautions against COVID-19, some Palestinian men are learning to cook for the first time in their lives. Palestine
For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future. Legacy: Gulf
Trump’s COVID-19 aid for Palestinians, Yemenis falls short of Congress’ directives The Donald Trump administration’s new COVID-19 aid for Palestinians and Yemenis represents a tiny portion of the funding Congress actually appropriated to help both peoples. Yemen
