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
Oman bans popular chat app Clubhouse The audio-only phone application is popular throughout the Middle East but could face further restrictions. Oman
Provocative music video leads to arrests in Iran Iran has arrested two music producers for working on Sasan Heidari Yafteh's new music video, "Tehran Tokyo." Iran
Jordan reinstates partial lockdown as coronavirus deaths spike New infections are ravaging Jordan, where vaccination efforts are lagging far behind what health experts say is needed. Jordan
Israel-Egypt relations advance in baby steps Cario's openness to warming bilateral ties with Jerusalem has been limited, but recent progress might signal that even Cairo understands that times have changed. Egypt
Rights groups say Bahrain police beat, threatened children A report from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and Human Rights Watch accused police in Bahrain of rounding up and mistreating children as young as 11. Bahrain
Turkish journalist attacked after criticizing nationalist figure Turkish journalist Levent Gultekin was attacked by two dozen assailants outside his workplace Monday evening in the latest act of violence against critics of Turkey’s nationalist party. Turkey
Pope speaks of interfaith tolerance from ancient city of Ur The ancient city is the birthplace of the father of the three major monotheistic religions, a fitting backdrop for an interfaith dialogue, Pope Francis said. Iraq
Soccer academy for African refugees in Egypt A South Sudanese man in Egypt recently opened an academy to teach and train African refugees passionate about soccer. Egypt
British-Iranian aid worker released from house arrest in Iran, faces new trial Following the completion of her five-year prison sentence, Iranian authorities have charged Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with "spreading propaganda." Iran
Fuel shortage chills northeast Syria as oil production lags The fuel shortage in northeast Syria has left civilians struggling to find cooking and heating fuel this winter. Syria
Egypt starts vaccinating sick, elderly The country first gave vaccine doses to medical staff and is now offering vaccines to the wider population. Egypt
Pope heads for Iraq in historic first The pope will land in Iraq tomorrow for a three-day pilgrimage. Iraq
![Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein holds a press conference at the Babylon Hotel in the capital Baghdad, on March 4, 2021, on the eve of the first papal visit to Iraq. - Pope Francis begins a historic 4-day trip to war-scarred Iraq on March 5, defying security concerns and the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Sabah ARAR / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Sabah ARAR has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [March 4] instead of [February 4]. Please im](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2021/03/GettyImages-1231514369.jpg/GettyImages-1231514369.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=-3c1ljaj)
