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
Panic downriver as Ethiopia's mega dam hits first-year target Ethiopia's controversial dam on the Nile River has reportedly already met its first-year filling target despite the ongoing disagreements with Egypt and Sudan over its impacts on countries further down the Nile. Egypt
Knesset moves to outlaw conversion therapy in Israel Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties are angry with their coalition allies in the Blue and White for supporting a bill criminalizing conversion therapy for homosexuals. Israel
Google presents new tool to decode hieroglyphics Google has created a new tool to translate hieroglyphics into English and Arabic at the stroke of a key. Egypt
Jerusalem Muslims brace for Israel to shutter Al-Aqsa Mosque prayer house Jerusalemites are preparing for another battle at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as Israel moves to close a prayer house worshippers forced open in 2019. Palestine
Five years on, no justice for victims of IS suicide bombing spree in Turkey Families of the 33 victims of the devastating Suruc attack by an Islamic State suicide bomber commemorated the massacre today, reminding Turkey and the world that justice has yet to be served. Syria
Push to revamp education funding falls flat in Israel Despite a grand five-year plan to invest in education for Arab-Israelis, the gaps between the Jewish and Arab education systems in Israel have only grown. Israel
Israelis to be barred from Jewish New Year pilgrimage to Ukraine Uman’s Mayor Oleksandr Tsebriy caused a major storm after he announced that Israeli-Jewish pilgrims would be barred from the city this year. Israel
Israel reimposes restrictions amid surge in COVID-19 cases Despite the country's success early on in the pandemic with its lockdown and use of controversial surveillance technology, a new surge in infections has prompted a return to closures. Israel
Families get green light to visit Palestinian prisoners in Israel Despite the increase in coronavirus cases, the Israel Prison Service has decided to allow visits by family members to Palestinian prisoners to resume under strict sanitary conditions. Palestine
Jordan's international airport to reopen in August Jordan has had relatively few COVID-19 cases, but some citizens are upset at the damage to the economy during the pandemic and accompanying restrictions. Jordan
Virus survivors rake in cash for plasma on Iraq’s black market Recovered coronavirus patients in Iraq are selling their blood plasma for $2,000 per liter on the black market as health leaders watch in dismay. Iraq
Why women’s shelters in Turkey no longer provide safety The high-profile domestic abuse case of a popular actor shows violence against women is accepted, and even defended when it comes to powerful men. Turkey
