In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Greece pledge to protect Mount Sinai monastery after court ruling: What to know Greece and Egypt have launched a diplomatic effort to reaffirm the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the most revered monasteries in Christianity. Egypt
Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Muslims across Middle East welcome Ramadan despite war, inflation By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Egypt to restore historic synagogue The Egyptian government announced the launch of restoration works at the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, as part of efforts to revive Jewish heritage and attract more tourists to the country. Egypt
Egypt saves only remaining monument from Ikhshidid era To save the monument from being submerged under the sulfur Ain el-Sira Lake south of Cairo, Egypt has announced the relocation of Mashhad al-Tabataba, the only monument left from the Ikhshidid era. Egypt
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
Egyptian antiquities at risk in Ukraine Two weeks into the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Egyptian archaeologists are seeking protection of Egyptian antiquities at the Odessa Museum in Ukraine. Egypt
Egyptians abandon gold gifts as prices soar Egyptians getting married have to cast gold gifts aside because of rising prices, but this appears to be a blessing for imitation gold traders. Culture
Gaza’s largest library shakes off dust of war, reopens doors With tons of different new books, new life has been breathed into the Samir Mansour Library, one of the largest libraries and publishing houses in Gaza, after it was destroyed during the Israeli war last year. Palestine
Tutankhamun’s meteorite dagger was likely gift from ancient Anatolia New chemical analysis of the artifact has narrowed down the source meteorite of the blade, its manufacture and provenance. Culture
Egyptian band on mission to protect dying Zar ritual The Zar ritual has seen better days, but an Egyptian band has taken upon itself the mission of keeping this ritual alive. Egypt
Trove of embalming tools unearthed in ancient Egyptian burial pit Hundreds of pottery vessels were discovered inside a burial pit south of the pyramids of Giza dating back to the 26th Dynasty. Culture
UNESCO makes progress in reconstruction of Mosul monuments Paris-based UNESCO Chief Audrey Azoulay will travel to Mosul in March, to officially launch the second phase of the reconstruction of Mosul monuments destroyed under the Islamic State takeover. Iraq
Israel considers improved ties with Turkey, Central Asia Taking relations with Ankara one step at a time, Jerusalem could opt for a soft-diplomatic multi-national alliance with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Israel
