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
Iran cancels anti-Israeli rallies over pandemic fears A fresh spike in coronavirus transmissions has forced Iranian officials to cancel a state-organized annual march against Israel. Iran
Iraq takes action against bogus social media posts Fake social media accounts have been spreading misinformation and leaked documents for political and criminal ends. Iraq
Israel advances 'travel bubble' with other Mediterranean countries Israel is in talks with Greece, Cyprus and a few other countries with low infection rates about creating travel corridors for resuming international flights. Israel
'Double disaster' in Yemen as funding runs dry during COVID-19 outbreak In Yemen, where the health care system is dangerously overstretched and aid cuts threaten what remains, health care workers warn the country's battle against the novel coronavirus is only beginning. Yemen
Turks celebrate Ramadan under shadow of pandemic From masked drummers to online pide contests, Turks are bringing new twists to Ramadan in the coronavirus era. Turkey
Few Palestinians in Jerusalem covet Israeli citizenship Today, only 15% of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem say they want Israeli rather than Palestinian citizenship, likely a result of support from Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Palestine
Gantz introduces Israel's first female ultra-Orthodox minister Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has tapped legislator Omer Yankelevich as diaspora minister in the new unity government, the first ultra-Orthodox woman to lead a ministry. Israel
Syrian refugees in Jordan build robot to fight coronavirus A group of young Syrians in Jordan’s Zaatari camp designed a sanitizing robot to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Jordan
Secret operation brings Israelis stranded in Morocco back home In a complicated operation, Israelis stuck in Morocco because of the coronavirus were finally brought home. United Arab Emirates
Israel’s top court cancels bonus plan for artists performing in settlements The High Court rules in favor of a petition that sought to end a policy of giving government bonuses to artists who performed in West bank settlements. Palestine
300 Israelis arrested for defying coronavirus ban on Jewish holiday Hundreds of people in Israel's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods ignored a ban on large gatherings to celebrate a minor Jewish holiday known as Lag B’Omer. Israel
Sudanese activists skeptical female genital mutilation law will stop practice Sudanese activists told Al-Monitor that female circumcision continues in rural communities and that laws prevent women's rights. Sudan
