Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations. North Africa
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession. Palestine
Egypt’s proposed media law spooks journalists Egyptian journalists are speaking out against a vast press and media bill, warning it grants wide powers to the government and places potentially heavy restrictions on journalists. Egypt
Turkey ramps up HIV awareness campaign As the HIV rate among Turks has sharply increased over the last decade, the Turkish government has started raising awareness among university students. Turkey
Israeli bill forbids documentation of IDF abuses Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman claims an Israeli bill criminalizing the filming of Israeli soldiers is meant to protect them from harm, but human rights workers point out that it will also shield them from prosecution. Palestine
Why Egypt wants China's Sphinx replica beheaded Egypt’s war on a Chinese replica of the Giza Sphinx has resumed after theme park owners replaced the forbidden statue's head two years after agreeing to remove it. Egypt
Sharp increase in Iranian visitors revitalizes Turkey's tourism sector Passenger trains between the Turkish city of Van and Tabriz in Iran are resuming, providing further good news to the Turkish tourism industry that counts on Iranian tourists while other nationalities stay away. Turkey
How changing West Bank name could advance peace The struggle between the Greeks and the Macedonians of the former Yugoslavia over what the latter should call their state can serve to remind Israelis and Palestinians that nomenclature — i.e., the West Bank versus Judea and Samaria — does not determine borders or stop historical necessity. Palestine
Why do Iranian conservatives hate this top-rated TV series? “Don’t Leave Me,” a family saga, got top ratings in Iran’s Ramadan TV. But its rape scene and secular tone raised the ire of conservatives. Iran
Can PA's push for e-payments help ease its cash crunch? The Palestinian Authority has approved a plan to promote the use of electronic payment methods to reduce the need for cash, especially hard currency, and to catch up with international developments in financial transactions. Palestine
How IDF chief shapes Israeli military The decision by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot not to promote Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter has sparked fury within the national religious stream. Israel
Turkey cultivating ever-deeper roots in Syrian territory Turkey continues setting up parallel structures in Syria, the latest being a branch of Harran University in al-Bab. Syria
Egyptian censors succumb to 'Karma' Egypt’s General Authority for Censorship made a swift U-turn after its ban on screenings of Khaled Youssef’s “Karma” was met with resistance, confusion and parliamentary pledges to investigate. Egypt
Syrians injured in war find hope for employment The Farah Organization provides vocational education to Syrians in Daraa and Quneitra provinces who have been injured during the civil war and those with congenital deformities. Syria
