Middle East

Kuwait: Talking on Mobile Phones while Driving Banned

Date: May 8th, 2008 |

As of May 1, talking on cell phones while driving is prohibited throughout Kuwait, and police are expected to be vigilant in the coming weeks in enforcing the new law. This edict has been added to a law already in effect that bans eating or drinking while driving. The fine for a violation is 15 [read more]

Dubai: Englishman Sentenced to Four Years in Jail for Speck of Cannabis

Date: February 14th, 2008 |

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The United Arab Emirates’ zero tolerance on drugs is a serious matter not to be trifled with if the case of an imprisoned Englishman is any indication. Press reports say that he was arrested in September and sentenced recently to four years in prison for possession of a tiny speck of cannabis found on the [read more]

Egypt, Gaza, Israel: Border Crisis Stirs Tensions Between Egypt, Hamas, Palestinian Authority

Date: January 30th, 2008 |

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Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians poured into Egypt after Hamas militants blew open the border partition between Gaza and the Egyptian city of Rafah Jan. 23, relieving tensions in Gaza but creating tensions in Egypt. For the past six months Gaza has been blockaded by Israel because of almost daily rocket attacks on Israeli border [read more]

Dubai: Labor Strike and Dubai Air Show

Date: November 9th, 2007 |

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Some 40,000 Asian construction workers striking over low pay, high living costs and poor working conditions have created a labor crisis in this construction-mad city-state that has fueled its boom as a business and luxury tourism center through low-paid imported workers. The strikers have refused to work at a hotel site that is part of [read more]

Jordan: Taxi Assault in Amman

Date: September 26th, 2007 |

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The crime rate in Amman is low and violent crimes against Americans are rare, but occasionally things do happen. Recently an American woman caught a cab in a commercial district of west Amman in the middle of the day, but the driver drove her to an isolated area and assaulted her. The U.S. Embassy in [read more]

Yemen: Attacks on Foreign Residences, U.S. Embassy Prompt Departure of Embassy Personnel

Date: April 10th, 2008 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa has ordered the departure of non-emergency staff and their families from Yemen following a series of violent incidents, most recently the April 6 attack on the Hadda residential compound in Sanaa where many foreigners live and the March 18 mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy. Three explosive rounds were fired [read more]

Jordan: American Dies in Petra Because of Snowfall

Date: February 7th, 2008 |

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An unusually heavy snowfall in Jordan created slippery conditions at the famous historical site of Petra, prompting authorities to advise travelers to avoid the area. A group of French tourists had to be rescued when they got stranded by snow there Jan. 31, and two days later an American visitor slipped off a bridge and [read more]

Lebanon: Political Crisis Could Lead to Demonstrations

Date: November 20th, 2007 |

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Hundreds of soldiers manned roadblocks around government buildings in Beirut Nov. 20 when Lebanese leaders postponed a parliamentary vote on a new president until Nov. 23. It was the fourth postponement since September and raised fears that the country could splinter between rival administrations, one opposed to Syrian influence in the country and the other [read more]

Turkey: Detention and Fines for Playing Bingo!

Date: October 3rd, 2007 |

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Seven British tourists hoping to win a free drink playing bingo in a bar in Altinkum were arrested, detained for four hours and fined the equivalent of $97. Armed police swept in, insisted the tourists fill out forms identifying themselves, confiscated the bingo ball and then hustled them off by van to the police station. [read more]

Israel: Jewish, Muslim Holidays Coincide

Date: September 12th, 2007 |

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The Jewish high holidays and Ramadan coincide this year: Rosh Hashanah occurred Sept. 12-13 and Ramadan began Sept. 13 and runs until Oct. 12. Yom Kippur occurs Sept. 21-22 and Sukkot runs Sept. 27-Oct. 5. Many holiday activities take place in Jerusalem and security will be tight. Large crowds will gather at the Wailing Wall [read more]