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
How teachers plan to overcome EU funding cuts to Idlib schools The EU has cut some educational funding allocated for Idlib province, citing interference by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the sector. Syria
Jordan book fair held with theme 'Jerusalem: The Capital of Palestine' The Amman International Book Fair, one of the major literary events in the region, takes up the Palestinian issue as the theme this year. Palestine
Israeli Arabs have had enough of violence, arms The surge in crime over the past few weeks, and especially the number of murder cases, has mobilized Israeli Arabs to declare a general strike. Israel
Pentagon to expand brain trauma treatment for terror war veterans The Defense Department plans to expand a program that transitions veterans of the war on terror in the Middle East from Pentagon health care to the Department of Veterans Affairs to include traumatic brain injuries, a signature wound of the 17-year war. Iraq
Iconic Turkish film festival returns with fanfare in its original name Adana's previous mayor had changed the name of the festival to the International Adana Film Festival, removing the symbolic Golden Boll from its name, thus offending the city's residents. Turkey
Young Moroccan activists rally for climate action Morocco is already taking big steps to combat climate change, but young people want their country to do more, starting with addressing the local problems that limit public engagement. Morocco
Why Palestinian Museum received prestigious architectural award The Palestinian Museum, which has received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, combines an ecological design and harmony of landscape Palestine
Will Thomas Cook's collapse have long-term impact on Egypt's tourism sector? Egypt's tourist industry was just getting back on its feet when Thomas Cook collapsed, producing more uncertainty in the sector. Egypt
Island sheikh talks sovereignty in Yemen's war The chief sheikh of the Yemeni island of Socotra spoke to Al-Monitor about growing foreign interference on the island, which has been so far spared from the fallout of the Yemeni war. Saudi Arabia
Incitement and the poet: Dareen Tatour's legal victory The Israeli Supreme Court recently declined to review a district court ruling that a poem by Dareen Tatour did not constitute incitement. Palestine
Meet the boxer who blows into glass in Cairo Glassblowing dates back to pharaonic times in Egypt, but these days there's one man trying to keep the tradition alive. Egypt
