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
Despite COVID-19, political crisis, Iraqi Shiites march on Karbala Shiites across southern and central Iraq are marching to Karbala for Arbaeen. Iraq
Architects find in doors of Old Cairo buildings historic value The doors of buildings attest to the hidden beauty of Cairo throughout the ages, and the extent of human interest in architecture in Egypt. Egypt
Israeli environmentalists, skippers battle over new marina plan A controversial plan promoted by local municipalities in Israel foresees the construction of six new marinas and the expansion of existing ones. Israel
British archaeology falls prey to Turkey's nationalist drive The decision to seize seed collections from the British Institute at Ankara are linked to the Turkish president's wider Islamo-nationalist campaign. Turkey
Egypt discovers ancient coffins in major archaeological find Egypt unveils a major archaeological discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, with 59 coffins dating back more than 2,500 years. Egypt
Reporter's arrest, abrupt release chills journalists in Egypt A journalist who had gone to Luxor to cover the recent unrest there was arrested on charges that included the spreading of fake news and belonging to a terrorist group. Egypt
Oman's coronavirus cases pass 100,000 The Gulf state opened a field hospital Monday to deal with the influx of COVID-19 infections. Oman
Egypt’s ban of Jewish festival raises controversy Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court upheld a previous ruling prohibiting the celebration of the birth of a Jewish rabbi, which attracts hundreds of Israelis every year, in a move that may in part reflect popular rejection of normalization with Israel. Egypt
Yazidi spiritual leader Baba Sheikh dies at 87 Nobel laureate Nadia Murad described him as "a beacon of light." Iraq
Iranians call COVID-19 diagnosis 'lesson' for Trump To many Iranians, the news that US President Donald Trump has the novel coronavirus is poetic justice. United States
As pandemic wilts other industries, Egyptian vineyards flourish Egyptian grape growers are celebrating a profitable season as the coronavirus pandemic raises demand from European importers. Egypt
Bedouins in Egypt retreat to more traditional way of life to face COVID-19 Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bedouin community in Egypt, mainly in southern Sinai, that heavily relied on tourism to make ends meet, is retreating deep into the mountains and the desert to live a more traditional life. Egypt
