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
Kurds shoot down celebratory gunfire after coronavirus victory in Iraqi province Several people were injured by celebratory gunfire after the Iraqi Kurdish province of Duhok declared itself free from the coronavirus. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Gaza: Love in the time of COVID-19 The requirement that Gaza residents go into quarantine upon returning to the territory has resulted in a number of people meeting their match. Palestine
Emigrants abandon life abroad, flock home to Israel As the coronavirus closes universities and whittles the job market, many Israelis living abroad are now flying home and many more are considering it. Israel
Israel bans visits to military cemeteries, imposes Ramadan curfew Israel’s Cabinet banned visits to military cemeteries on Memorial Day and imposed a curfew on Arab towns for the month of Ramadan. Israel
Intel: Turkey's tourism sector sets hopes on June kick start President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement that the government aims to relax COVID-19 restrictions and start returning to normal life at the end of Ramadan has raised the hopes of the country’s ailing tourism sector. Turkey
Iran extends closure of religious sites amid pandemic While gradually reopening much of the economy amid lowering coronavirus-related mortalities, the Iranian government has extended a shutdown of religious sites nationwide. Iran
Jewish pilgrimage to Tunisia canceled over coronavirus With the coronavirus pandemic reaching the island of Djerba in Tunisia, Jews of Tunisian heritage won’t be able to attend this year's traditional Ghriba synagogue festivities. Israel
Domestic violence in Lebanon spikes under lockdown More women are reporting abuse and domestic violence in Lebanon as the country's citizens remain stuck at home to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Lebanon
Israelis find creative ways to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day With social distancing in place and with many traditional Holocaust memorial ceremonies canceled, Israelis have come up with many different ways to remember the victims and pay tribute to survivors. Israel
Repatriation flights take stranded workers home to Pakistan from UAE The first flight of 20 special flights to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in the United Arab Emirates left Dubai on Saturday. United Arab Emirates
Gang rape of disabled woman horrifies Iraqis A sexual assault on a mentally disabled Kurdish woman in a predominantly Turkmen town has shocked and outraged people across Iraq. Iraq
Arab Israelis prepare for subdued Ramadan Ramadan is just a few days away, but in Arab Israeli towns and villages there is no holiday spirit in the air. Israel
