Culture Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit. Turkey
Culture Syria advances cultural revival with nine new heritage listings Nine heritage sites have been added to list of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which restored Syria’s membership last year after a 14-year suspension. Syria
Culture Despite war, Lebanon reopens film archive celebrating cinematic history The reopening marks a major effort to preserve Lebanon’s rich cinematic history. Lebanon
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Qatari artist takes creative stand against plastic binge Pictures of an abaya covered with plastic wastes invite Qataris to reflect on their plastic consumption as pollution from disposable products surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza graffiti combines conflict, despair and hope for Palestinians Graffiti artists in the Gaza Strip are painting murals across the besieged enclave after the latest Israeli war to send a different kind of message to the world. Palestine
As Palestinian residents of Silwan face evictions, large public artwork protests Over 150 murals in the Batan al-Hawa neighborhood of East Jerusalem form part of a political art project organized by Jews and Palestinians. Palestine
Actress' decision to quit stage draws fierce backlash from liberals An Egyptian actress' decision to quit acting and don the hijab has stirred controversy in Egypt, highlighting the widening rift between ultraconservatives and liberals in society. Egypt
Short Palestinian film on Sheikh Jarrah goes viral Young Palestinian director Omar Rammal is still reaping positive reactions to his short film, "The Place," which he produced and posted on social media during recent events in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem. Palestine
Ramadan series revives debate on verbal divorce, marital rape in Egypt One of the most watched Ramadan series renews the debate on verbal divorce and marital rape in Egypt. Culture
International TV series to depict saga of Egypt’s notorious serial killer duo The series "The Alexandria Killings" is based on the true events of a killing spree that has kept the Egyptian public guessing between innocence and guilt ever since the British colonial rule. Culture
Tunisian film nominated for country's first Oscar "The Man Who Sold His Skin" was nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards, the first-ever nomination for Tunisia. News Brief
Studio Photo Kegham: disrupted archive of Gaza The grandson of Kegham Djeghalian, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian genocide and founder of the first photography studio in Gaza, recently organized an exhibition with the negatives he found three years ago. Culture
Riyadh lights up with citywide art festival Saudi Arabia's first annual Noor Riyadh art festival has brightened Riyadh with light-based installations across the city. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Egypt's satirical puppet Abla Fahita makes comeback on Netflix's 'Drama Queen' Netflix has started airing a second Egyptian original series about Abla Fahita as the US streaming giant seeks to expand its viewership in the Arab world. Egypt
Inside Alexandria's bunker-turned-art space In the basement of an old building in Alexandria lies an art space that once served as a bomb shelter. Egypt
