Emirates temporarily halts bookings to New Zealand The Dubai-based carrier's decision follows a stoppage it placed on flights from Pakistan as countries struggle to resume flights during the pandemic. United Arab Emirates
UN report blames civilian deaths in northwest Syria on government and rebel groups The report by the United Nations' Syria commission details numerous possible war crimes in recent months by both pro-government forces and the rebel group HTS. Syria
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook discusses Trump Administration’s policy toward Iran
R&D potential could be key to spark Saudi economy The impact of COVID-19 and low oil prices has led to even further expected declines in Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product, but research and development could hold the key to an economic reset. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian workers stay in Israel for three weeks in a row Some 46,000 Palestinians are now lodged on construction sites in Israel; they must stay where they work for three weeks before going back home. Palestine
Britain extends lifeline to Turkish tourism by lifting quarantine rule Turkey hopes visitors from the United Kingdom will help offset the deep losses its coronavirus-hit tourism industry is expected to suffer this summer season and is pushing the European Union to reconsider its "safe list" that excluded the Mediterranean destination. Turkey
UK to resume issuing Saudi Arabia arms export licenses Licensing had been suspended last year after a British court ruled that the government violated British law by selling arms without examining whether the weapons may be used to harm noncombatants. Originals
Russian FM says Hifter's forces ready for cease-fire in Libya Sergey Lavrov said the Tripoli government wants to keep fighting as the war rages on with heavy foreign involvement from Russia, Turkey, Egypt and others. Libya
Iran’s Rouhani stands by foreign minister after parliament slurs The fragility of the Iran nuclear deal and its bleak prospects have given Iran’s hard-liners the upper hand in their domestic battle against moderate forces. Iran
Turkish diplomat criticizes West Bank annexation in Jordan Turkey's ambassador to Jordan is the latest Middle Eastern and international politician to criticize Israel's plans to annex parts of the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Yemeni economy in free fall amid collapsing currency, COVID-19 The majority of Yemeni society bears the consequences and stands alone, unable to confront the ravages of war, division and the ongoing economic deterioration. Yemen
Egypt offers partnership with Ethiopia on electricity projects to break stalemate in Nile dam talks Egypt is about to start studies on an electricity linkage project with Ethiopia, against the background of faltering negotiations over Addis Ababa’s construction of a dam on the Nile River. Originals
Tensions escalate between Egypt, Ethiopia with no end in sight of Nile dam dispute Ethiopia has recently accused Egypt of unilaterally using Nile River waters via a project approved in 1995; Cairo says upstream countries are not affected and that it has all the rights to use the Nile waters. Egypt
Lebanese campaign encourages art against racism amid economic crisis A recent campaign launched by artists in Lebanon called on people from all ages and groups to share their drawings of issues they believe deserve awareness. Lebanon
UAE seeks turnaround in relations with Somalia for help in Yemen war The United Arab Emirates has offered Somalia to reopen a hospital in the capital, in exchange for backing the UAE’s involvement in the Yemeni war, but Somalia rejected this amid deteriorating relations between the two countries. United Arab Emirates
Will formation of new government in Yemen lay groundwork for peace? Despite agreeing to a cease-fire in south Yemen, it seems the chances of ending the conflict between the Saudi-backed government forces and the UAE-backed southern separatists and forming a new government are dim. Saudi Arabia