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
Israeli farmers prepare for year of rest Preparing for the year of Shmita, when the land must rest and not be cultivated, Israel is privileging the importation of produce from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Israel
Iran's art community fears 'Stalin era' under Raisi President Ebrahim Raisi's pick for the post of culture minister has drawn a furious backlash from Iran's art community members, who fear there will be a return to stifling cultural restrictions. Iran
Restoration of Virgin Mary Monastery in southern Egypt sparks controversy The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church is on the defensive after tiles were placed over the traditional flooring at a historic monastery in Assiut governorate. Culture
Egypt to renovate shrines in major boost to religious tourism Egypt plans to restore and renovate the shrines and tombs of the Prophet Muhammad’s family and surrounding roads and squares in a move expected to support religious tourism. Egypt
Egypt to document cinematic heritage The Egyptian Ministry of Culture’s National Center for Cinema has launched a project to digitize information about major players in the Egyptian film industry over the decades. Egypt
Egypt plans another Pharaonic parade, this time in Luxor After the success of the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, Egypt is preparing for the grand reopening of the Great Processional Way in Luxor. Culture
Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is restoring the historic Great Mosque, which was severely damaged by Syrian government shelling. Syria
Egyptian researcher saves ancient sites from termites An Egyptian researcher has patented an organic substance to kill termites; a Japanese company funded her research and manufactured the product. Egypt
Uzbek jihadis destroy antiquities in Idlib Museum Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tries to manage the even more radical groups under its rule. Syria
Gaza antiquities among casualties of Israel-Hamas war Once again, the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza heavily damaged Palestinian antiquities and cultural heritage sites in violation of international law. Palestine
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities gets makeover to compete for tourists The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square is undergoing a facelift that tourism officials and curators hope will allow it to compete with the Grand Egyptian Museum, soon to open its doors to visitors. Culture
The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute Egypt, Ethiopia reshape security alignments in Horn of Africa; Erdogan readies for make-or-break summit with Biden; Lapid emerges as arbiter of Israeli politics; Israeli Arab community split on coalition government; update on Gaza. Egypt
