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
Turkey's Erdogan vows justice amid rage over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon A controversial cartoon has sparked mass protests, arrests and threats against a leading Turkish satire magazine. Turkey
Oscar-winning Palestinian director freed from Israeli detention after night in custody Hamdan Ballal, a co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was assaulted by Israeli settlers and later detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank as the Israeli army continues its raids in the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Analysis How Saudiwood’s power play is reshaping Middle East film industry By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis The Takeaway: Iran hoped to close nuclear deal before economic reforms, says expert Israeli exodus from Turkey over Iranian threat; Turkey takes aim at Syrian towns; Manbij residents brace for Turkish attack; desperation in Yemen’s displacement camps; Egyptian dance music livens up "Moon Knight." By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti
Istanbul art exhibit celebrates Turkey’s groundbreaking female artists “I-You-They: A Century of Artist Women,” at Istanbul’s Mesher gallery, explores early artists who have largely been neglected in the canon, inviting today’s artists to re-examine their roots. Turkey
Abu Dhabi gears up for first natural history museum in Gulf region The Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, which is being built and is due to open in 2025, organized an exhibition as a preview of the rare natural specimens the museum will house. Legacy: Gulf
Ultra-Orthodox women produce films, inspire Israeli girls A few courageous ultra-Orthodox women film producers are creating movies for their own audience, completely changing the perception of entertainment in the ultra-Orthodox society. Israel
Silenced Turkish singers decry continued music ban Turkish government persistence on not removing the live music ban draws outcry from the entertainment and music industry. Turkey
Syrian rapper embraces NFTs to shake up Middle East music industry Nonfungible tokens are charting a new course for artists, and one Syrian musician hopes they will help more Arab artists gain independence. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanese artists explore NFTs The adoption of NFT art in Lebanon seems to be a milestone for artists. Lebanon
Reverse-Orientalism, feminism inform work of Omani artist Eman Ali Sexuality, the performance of gender, and religious and socio-political ideologies are at the forefront of Omani artist Eman Ali's art, and her hybrid of artistic expression ranges from photography to installation. Legacy: Gulf
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
Hamas, Islamic Jihad finance 'resistance' dramas for Ramadan Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip argue that films should reflect the realities of the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Director reveals Egypt missed out on 'Moon Knight' because of permits Egyptian director Mohamed Diab, the first Arab to direct a Marvel production, has criticized his country’s bureaucracy and intervention by multiple authorities in obtaining licenses to film international productions on Egyptian soil. Egypt
Disney to dub new film Encanto in Egyptian Arabic after 10-year hiatus The company began dubbing its films in standard Arabic a decade ago, in a decision that was widely interpreted in political terms and which sparked strong controversy among Arabic-speaking fans. Egypt