Archives for March, 2020

Syrian children sift through garbage at a landfill in the rebel-held part of the northern city of Aleppo, on October 27, 2015. According to UNICEF, more than 2.6 million children from war-ravaged Syria are out of school, sparking fears of a "lost generation." AFP PHOTO / FADI AL-HALABI / AFP / AMC / Fadi al-Halabi (Photo credit should read FADI AL-HALABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Many in northern Syria live off rubbish dumps

Years of war pushed many people to the brink of poverty, leading children and women to beg for money or search through garbage in order to make ends meet.

Coronavirus strikes Palestine, closing down stock exchange

With the Palestinian Authority's declaration of a state of emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the Palestine Exchange has closed, without convincing everyone of the economic necessity.

A Turkish military convoy drives along the M4 highway, which links the northern Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Latakia, near the village of al-Nayrab, about 14 kilometres southeast of Idlib city and seven kilometres west of Saraqib in northwestern Syria on March 25, 2020. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Is Turkey ready to take on jihadis in Syria’s Idlib?

While Turkey and Russia seek to maintain a cease-fire in Idlib, the Syrian government and jihadi groups want to resume battles.

A few people walk in the vicinity of the closed Al-Azhar mosque in Egypt's capital Cairo on March 20, 2020, after the country's Muslim religious authorities decided to put the Friday prayers on hold, in order to avoid gatherings and the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 disease. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egyptians feel demoralized by empty churches, mosques

The decision to suspend collective prayers in mosques and churches was criticized by some Egyptians who feel deprived of spiritual support during hard times.

A general view of Istanbul, Turkey, on March 28, 2020 during the emergency of Coronavirus. (Photo by Onur Dogman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Turks demand 'helicopter money' as coronavirus crisis worsens

Turkey’s government faces growing pressure for direct cash injections to support the vulnerable masses as the coronavirus outbreak threatens grave fallout for the already ailing Turkish economy.

Palestinian boys walks past the remains of their family's dwelling, that was funded by the EU's humanitarian arm, after it was demolished by Israeli forces, near the West Bank village of Al-Eizariya, near east of Jerusalem January 21, 2016. In a development likely to further upset Europe, Israeli forces demolished six structures in the West Bank funded by the EU's humanitarian arm. The structures were dwellings and latrines for Bedouins living in an area known as E1 - a particularly sensitive zone between J

Why EU funds to Palestinian NGOs became a victim of misinformation

The European Union, which has been under fire by Palestinian organizations for an "anti-terror" clause in its general grant contracts, launched talks with the NGOs to clarify stance and get them to sign pending contracts.

Pope Francis greets Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, during a meeting at the Vatican, September 20, 2017. Osservatore Romano/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. - RC168FEBB020

Saudi leader of Muslim World League: Interfaith partnerships during pandemic ‘religious, moral duty'

Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa says, “We try to lead by example, and show that we are all in this together.”

A security man checks the temperature of a customer, as he enters the supermarket before curfew , following the outbreak of coronavirus, in Baghdad, Iraq March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily - RC2RLF917B9G

Intel: US touts nearly $40 million in coronavirus aid to Middle East

The United States today touted nearly $40 million in aid to the Middle East and North Africa as part of a $274 million emergency health and humanitarian assistance package to help afflicted countries deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

A soldier walks at the site of a Houthi missile attack on a military campís mosque in Marib, Yemen January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Ali Owidha - RC2OJE90YU7S

Coronavirus cease-fire offers pause in Yemen war

Despite a cease-fire among the parties to Yemen's civil war, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had downed three Houthi drones.

A worker in a protective suit sprays disinfectant at Grand Bazaar, known as the Covered Bazaar, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Istanbul, Turkey, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2YQF9U548J

Turkey imposes first curfew as coronavirus infections surge

Ankara has announced its first lockdown covering 12 areas in the Black Sea coastal provinces of Rize and Trabzon as Turkey suffers its largest single-day jump in coronavirus cases.

Swift government measures will not save jobs, businesses in Tunisia

The Tunisian government has announced a series of measures to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but some are not optimistic about the benefits for small businesses and the tourism sector.

Iran condemns US indictment against Venezuela’s Maduro

An Iranian government spokesperson blasted the United States for its indictment of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro.

Iraq’s post-pandemic future depends on breaking Iran’s hold

The Trump administration tells Iraq it faces a 'decision point' in choosing America or Iran.

Intel: Trump administration to cut Yemen aid amid potential coronavirus cease-fire

The Donald Trump administration is preparing to cut most humanitarian aid to Yemen amid progress on a potential cease-fire between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels.

Armed troops to enforce stay-home order in Israel

Israeli soldiers are enforcing a partial lockdown in the country, where COVID-19 cases have surged.

Government's opacity makes Turkey’s war on COVID-19 harder

Keen to minimize the political and economic repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has pursued a policy of opacity, keeping the public from fully grasping the graveness of the threat.