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
Why Lebanon's largest artificial lake is turning green Lake Qaraoun suffers from industrial pollution from the factories on its banks and agricultural pesticides and no project, local or international, seems to stop it. Lebanon
Israeli society, ultra-Orthodox torn over gender separation The issue of gender separation is not only an area of disagreement between the ultra-Orthodox and secular society in Israel, it is also a raging debate within ultra-Orthodox society itself. Israel
Denied visit to Israel, US congresswomen tour Palestinian reality The plight of two US lawmakers offers a glimpse into Israel’s 52-year control over the fate of millions of people living outside its sovereign territory and its undermining of Palestinian civilians' right to move freely throughout the territories. Palestine
Why Palestinians invest in zaatar and honey The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture's incentives have boosted production of zaatar and honey, two traditional Palestinian products. Palestine
Is Iran’s national broadcaster being pushed to brink of irrelevance? Iran's national broadcasting monopoly IRIB continues to play a partisan role in the country. Iran
A win-win solution on the Temple Mount Many have tried, but always failed, to resolve the issue of tensions occasionally flaring over praying on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, but the solution is not so difficult. Palestine
Can Egypt's 'Passage' lead to an Oscar? "The Passage," an Egyptian film on the War of Attrition following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, has received an enthusiastic reception at the box office in Egypt and has raised some eyebrows in its treatment of Egyptian-Israeli relations. Egypt
Turkey's social security agency withholds data as financial crisis deepens Turkey’s social security agency has stopped releasing data on the labor force and its own financial situation, fueling suspicions that Ankara is trying to smokescreen the true impact of the country’s economic crisis. Turkey
No sex, slang or booze: Turkish state is watching New regulations requiring government oversight for online content are narrowing Turks' media world even further. Turkey
Can Egypt's new marriage e-registry curb child marriage? Women's rights activists, marriage registrars and information technology experts have mixed reactions about a new electronic marriage registry service in Egypt. Egypt
Families, rights groups demand answers about two more vanished Turks Following the sudden reappearance of four missing men at a Turkish detention site, human rights groups are calling for investigations into the whereabouts of two additional men who vanished in February. Turkey
Israel’s Liberman, Lapid battle over secular vote A court ruling banning separate seating for men and women at a concert for the ultra-Orthodox in Afula highlighted the differences between Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman and Blue and White senior Yair Lapid in their fight over the secular vote. Israel
