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
Ultra-Orthodox Israeli town finally leaves coronavirus red zone The ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak has managed to lower the number of infections, largely because local rabbis convinced their congregations to observe the state-ordered restrictions. Israel
UK summons Iranian ambassador over plight of British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual citizen convicted of plotting to topple the government and serving a five-year sentence, is due to reappear in court in Iran. Iran
Tunisian man identified as French knife attack suspect Brahim Aouissaoui did not say anything about a plan to kill people the day of the attack in the southern French city, his family told Arabic-language press. Tunisia
Israel offers aid to Turkey after earthquake Israel's defense minister has announced emergency aid to Turkey after an earthquake rocked Izmir and Samos. Israel
Jailed academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert sent back to Iran’s Evin Prison The British-Australian detainee had been held at the notorious Qarchak women's prison since July after two previous years in Evin. Iran
At least 12 dead after powerful earthquake rocks Turkey's western coast The 6.6 magnitude earthquake injured more than 400 people, Turkey's disaster agency said. Turkey
Violence in air as Israel mourns Rabin 25 years after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli society is divided more than ever and incitement is reaching new heights. Israel
Turkey joins chorus of condemnation of Nice murders After three people were killed by a suspected Islamist extremist in France’s coastal city of Nice, Turkey's president took a break from his row with Paris to condemn the violence. Turkey
Man stabs guard at French Consulate in Saudi Arabia The nonfatal attack came the same day as the murder of three people in Nice, France, as tensions soar between France and much of the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s education system fails Zoom test With an enormous number of poor Israeli students lacking computers and a state that seems unable to supply them, distance learning has no chance of success. Israel
Erdogan sues Charlie Hebdo over caricature An ongoing Turkey-France spat deepened after French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published a caricature of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prompting legal action from Ankara. Turkey
Parliament speaker tests positive on Iran’s deadliest virus day Iran’s hard-line parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has tested positive for the coronavirus as the pandemic rages the country. Iran
