Meet Nadeen Ayoub, first Palestinian woman to compete for Miss Universe The 27-year-old beauty queen, crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, will take the stage in Thailand this November, marking the first time Palestine is represented at the global competition since its founding in 1952. Palestine
Saudi Arabia’s falcon auction aims to spin tradition into tourism gold Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy and cultural tourism. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars? A new agreement between MBC Group and the US industry giant appears to signal a shift in the Middle East's streaming market, with top players opting for collaboration over competition. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
In rare appearance, Fairuz mourns son Ziad Rahbani as Lebanon bids farewell Legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz attended the funeral of her son, renowned composer and playwright, Ziad Rahbani, at a church in a town north of Beirut, in her first public appearance in years. Lebanon
Analysis How Saudiwood’s power play is reshaping Middle East film industry While the country's first entry at Cannes didn’t win, its inclusion in the festival was another step toward Saudi ambitions to become a film industry powerhouse. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UK music festival rocked by boycotts as artists shun Israel The artists are refusing to play at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, a seaside resort in South England, over one of the sponsors' ties to Israel. Israel
‘Written Eye’ exhibit breathes life into Syria's art scene Several young artists showcased their works at a new-concept exhibition held in the heart of the Syrian capital, signaling a revival of the Syrian art scene after years of war. Syria
Crew of Iranian film barred from traveling to Cannes: lawyer Mohammad Rasoulof, the director of "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," has been persecuted for his work by the Iranian government. Iran
Saudi Arabia to make debut at Miss Universe pageant The move is a historic first for Saudi Arabia, where women have long faced restrictions under conservative Islamic laws. Saudi Arabia
Grammys feature Gaza cease-fire calls, keffiyeh & support for Israeli hostages The devastation continues in Gaza despite international efforts to reach a cease-fire as the death toll surpasses 27,000. Israel
What does Saudi's first-ever alcohol store say about new Gulf culture? Alcohol-free 'mocktails' are also becoming increasingly popular across the region. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia sets art ambitions with Noor Riyadh Festival A tour of this year’s Noor Riyadh Festival sheds light on Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a cultural hub and, consequently, a tourism hub in the region. Legacy: Gulf
Iranian artist Bita Ghezelayagh points pens and roses at censorship Iranian artist Bita Ghezelayagh fuses ancient Iranian crafts with universal themes of rebellion, hope and alienation. Iran
Saudi crown prince announces esports ‘world cup’ The move follows significant Saudi investment in both video games and traditional sports. Legacy: Gulf
Middle East offers strong market for AI content dubbing The region is ripe for translated content as Arabic is widely spoken and there is a strong appetite for digital media due to a young population. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's SRMG invests in music streamer Anghami, Spotify’s Middle East rival Beirut-founded Anghami is the most popular music streaming platform in the MENA region, with 120 million registered users, up from 75 million in 2021. Saudi Arabia
