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Culture

Neymar

After Ronaldo, Neymar scores $54 million penthouse in Dubai

The Brazilian soccer player is the latest athlete to acquire property in the UAE’s largest city.

United Arab Emirates

Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on against the Denver Broncos during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

What’s behind firing of Robert Saleh, NFL’s first Muslim, Lebanese head coach?

The New York Jets were performing poorly under the Lebanese American Saleh amid rumors of tensions with outspoken quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur drops out of 2024 tennis circuit

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, currently ranked 22nd in the Women's Tennis Association, will step away from tennis until 2025 as she recovers from a shoulder injury.

Bassem Youssef attends the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Cinema Cafe on January 31, 2020, in Park City, Utah.

Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know

The exiled comic has been a vocal critic of Israel, highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the Gaza war but has recently been accused of antisemitism.

Latest News

CT scans reveal mysteries of ancient Egypt's 'Screaming Woman' mummy

Visitors tour the site in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, where archaeologists unearthed two human and animal embalming workshops, as well as two tombs, on May 27, 2023. The head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters the embalming workshops, where humans and animals were mummified, "date back to the 30th dynasty" which reigned around 2,400 years ago. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Imane Khelif

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From Egypt to Saudi: Meet Middle East's athletes at Paris Olympics

This photograph shows Paris 2024 Olympics Games banner in front of the National Assembly, in Paris, on July 18, 2024.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's soccer dreams tested as Vision 2030 goal posts move

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 4: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Wehda at Al Awwal Park on May 4, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir, reporting on culture

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Rebecca Anne Proctor

In Dubai, reporting on culture

Israel soccer

Thousands of Israeli fans flock to World Cup in Qatar

Lack of diplomatic relations did not deter Israeli soccer fans from traveling to Qatar and mixing with other fans from Lebanon, Jordan, and even Iran.

Karol G attends the 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards at Michelob ULTRA Arena., Las Vegas, Nov. 17, 2022.

Egypt hopes Colombian superstar's song will draw tourists

Colombian superstar Karol G released a new song, “Cairo,” and filmed its music video at some of the most prominent touristic and archaeological sites in Egypt, including the Pyramids.

AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia declares national holiday after World Cup victory over Argentina

Tunisia also had a decent start with a tie against Denmark, while Morocco is the most likely of the teams from the region to advance far in Doha.

Horses in Gaza

Purebred Arabian horse festival held in Gaza

Amateurs and breeders of purebred Arabian horses in the Gaza Strip showcased the beauty of their horses during a festival held in Gaza.

Iranians call for the release of rapper Toomaj Salehi who was arrested on Oct. 30, 2022.

Over 100 Iranian artists reportedly detained, banned after siding with protests

The Iranian Alliance of Motion Picture Guilds has expressed serious concern over the persecution of dissident artists in the wake of unprecedented nationwide protests in Iran.

Alex Grimm/Getty Images

European teams abandon pro-LGBTQ armband at World Cup in Qatar

Qatar’s first World Cup has gotten off to a rocky start due to human rights issues in the Gulf state, the ban on alcohol sales and other flashpoints.

Rabbi Shaul Alter

New York ultra-Orthodox welcome ostracized Israeli rabbi

Disgraced Rabbi Shaul Alter is banished from his Gur community in Israel, but he found a very warm welcome on a trip to the United States.

Conservationists restore some of the hieroglyphic murals along the roof of the Great Hypostyle Hall next to a column bearing a representation of the Egyptian god Amun-Min in the Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt, Jan. 17, 2022.

Egypt restores Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak Temple

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is implementing a project to restore the Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak Temple in Luxor, in a bid to reveal the original colors of the Pharaonic inscriptions and subsequently draw more tourists and increase the country’s revenues.

Muhammed Faris (R) is seen during the spaceflight aboard the Soyuz TM-3, July 1987.

Syria's first astronaut reflects on his journey to space 35 years ago

Militia

Egyptian designers make Sinai war on terror into video game

Two Egyptian developers have designed a new video game about the Egyptian army's battles against armed groups in the Sinai Peninsula.

World Cup

Analysis

Iran, Saudi, other MidEast teams warm up in Qatar as World Cup approaches

Iran is looking to advance to the second round for the first time ever, but the team is mired in controversy over the protests in the country while host Qatar itself is facing criticism at home.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A volunteer serves food to needy children at a kitchen set up by charity groups in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on Dec. 7, 2019.

Economic meltdown in Lebanon leaves schoolchildren hungry

Lebanon's struggling households are finding it increasingly challenging to afford school lunches for their children due to financial constraints.