Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations. North Africa
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Gulf
Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession. Palestine
Egypt offers fertile environment for fintech industry As Egyptians do more online, the government is seeking to harness the fintech industry for solutions to the challenges in the Egyptian economy. Egypt
Video of fox hunt disturbs Egyptian animal lovers When an Egyptian TV show sent its host out on a fox hunt, the graphic footage spurred viewers to action. Egypt
Woman sets self on fire after city demolishes shelter, Iranians outraged The demolition of a single mother’s shanty at the hands of Iranian authorities and her despairing self-immolation have recharged an uproar over the Islamic Republic failing the needy citizens it once promised to raise from poverty. Iran
Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi returns from Emirates Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Yitzhak Yosef paid a historic visit this weekend to the United Arab Emirates, inviting several ministers to visit Jerusalem. United Arab Emirates
Palestinian spirits sag as coronavirus steals Christmas Taybeh, the only village in Palestine where the entire population is Christian, is having a dreary holiday season with residents confined at home due to the pandemic. Palestine
Sisi supporters propose 'online army' to counter Brotherhood As the anniversary of Egypt's January 25 Revolution approaches, the regime is tightening restrictions on information it says tarnishes the state’s image and loyalists are lending an enthusiastic hand. Egypt
Iran to execute man arrested as teenager, Amnesty says Mohammad Hassan Rezaiee, who was arrested at the age of 16, has spent more than a decade on death row. Iran
NYT retracts main story in hit 'Caliphate' podcast, citing failures New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi is being taken off the terrorism beat after an inquiry found missteps in verifying claims that the podcast's main subject had been an IS fighter. Iraq
As vaccinations begin, Israel may offer Palestinians surplus Israeli health authorities are signaling they might offer the Palestinian Authority surplus vaccines against the coronavirus. Palestine
10 years on, Tunisian emotions mixed in birthplace of Arab Spring Ten years after the first Arab Spring protests erupted in the central Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid, the locals are still suffering economic hardships amid a lack of government support. Tunisia
Egypt’s scorpion king hunts fortune in the desert An Egyptian man gave up his archeology job to gather scorpions and snakes and extract their venom for medicinal purposes. Egypt
Arab-Israeli town to build green paradise over dump The municipality of Taibeh is working to rehabilitate a waste site and turn it into a park. Israel
