New exhibition spotlights forgotten Egyptians who discovered King Tut Delving into the archives of British archaeologist Howard Carter, who led the mission down to the pharaoh’s burial chamber, the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries shines a spotlight on the immense contribution of the locals — a role largely overlooked by history. Culture
Photographer captures surrealist post-explosion Beirut at Dubai art show Surreal silos and ruins of ancient buildings are the subjects of the new series of works by Dia Mrad, recently presented at the biggest art fair in the Middle East. Culture
Threat of demolition looms over Cairo’s historic necropolis A group of architects, historians and other heritage enthusiasts have launched a campaign to safeguard the City of the Dead in the face of the government’s new infrastructure plans. Culture
First underwater fashion show in Egypt Egyptian fashion designer Amany Yehia held her first underwater photo shoot, the first of its kind in Egypt. Culture
Syrian refugees trained to restore cultural heritage An Istanbul-based project that trained Syrians to work in the field of cultural restoration received an award from Europa Nostra. Syria
Ottoman, Mamluki heritage sites crumble in Egypt Egypt's grand old fountains, poorhouses and other monuments from the Ottoman era have been neglected for years. Egypt
Ancient Kurdish festival offers taste of enduring love, mysticism Mythology, mysticism and tributes to love dominate the Pir-Shalyar wedding festival in a rocky Kurdish village in western Iran. Iran
Iran debates end of confession broadcasts An outspoken Iranian lawmaker is pushing legislation that would abolish the state broadcaster's controversial tradition of airing forced confessions. Iran
Egypt's Sephardim explore Jewish roots in quest for Spanish citizenship Egypt's minuscule Jewish community has taken advantage of a chance to gain Spanish nationality, though will stay in Egypt if they get it. Egypt
In Egypt, penalties proposed for those not wearing decent clothes in public places Egyptian activists denounce a new bill that would oblige citizens to wear decent clothes under pain of financial penalties and say the proposed law is extremely conservative and involves serious constitutional violations. Egypt
'Eggupation' breeds revolutionary thinking in Beirut The reputation of the Egg, a cinema in downtown Beirut, has gone from an eyesore to an incubator for new thinking. Lebanon
Israel’s culture minister offers settlers own propaganda film fund The new initiative of Culture Minister Miri Regev for the establishment of three film funds hides her true purpose — to offer the settlers their own propaganda film fund. Israel
Oman’s national unity racks up high cultural costs as local languages fall silent Oman's rich linguistic diversity is dwindling after fifty years of domination by Arabic as the language of education, trade and official correspondence. Oman
Are silk and saffron the future of this Anatolian town? The first female mayor of Safranbolu, a town dating to the 11th century, is eager to put her UNESCO-protected city on Turkey's tourism map. Turkey
A very long engagement, Yemeni-style A young medical student in Yemen is using social media to force the release of her fiance detained three years ago. Yemen
Lebanon's revolutionary art flourishes despite culture sector strike Since the start of Lebanon’s protests on Oct. 17, street artists have mobilized to add their marks to the massive movement that has swept across Lebanon. Lebanon
