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
Yemenis go hungry as UN-rebel tiff disrupts aid The United Nations' World Food Programme says 850,000 Yemenis will be affected by its partial aid suspension in Sanaa as the UN and the Houthi rebels argue about food quality and black market resale. Yemen
Ethiopian-Israelis continue mass protests against police brutality For many in the Israel-Ethiopian community, the killing of Solomon Tekah by an off-duty police officer was the product of pervasive racism among Israel's security forces and the country needs the kind of wake-up call only massive civil disobedience can send. Israel
Israel’s Liberman takes on radicalization of religious Zionism Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman may have exaggerated in railing against the country’s religious pre-military academies, but he's correct about the radicalization of the religious Zionist stream. Israel
Baghdad cabbies struggle with change as Green Zone opens up Baghdad's taxi drivers face new challenges with the reopening of the Green Zone having to compete with ride share apps and helicopter and river transport services. Iraq
Baalbek: symbol of power or living city? The “Baalbek: Archives of an Eternity” exhibition collected an unprecedented number of objects from the ancient Lebanese city, exploring the interplay of power and people through the millennia. Lebanon
Celebrating Afcon: Exhibit highlights Egypt’s sports through ages An exhibition of Egypt's sports heritage in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo shows that sports was clearly for all in Egypt — from rulers to women. Egypt
Support pours in to save Israeli NGO Physicians for Human Rights Despite the Israeli right's efforts to rein in human rights and anti-occupation groups, the Israeli public gave Physicians for Human Rights twice what it asked for in a last-ditch crowdfunding campaign. Palestine
Iran stops stamping passports To alleviate concerns that a visit to Iran might complicate foreigners being able to enter the United States at a later date, Iran reiterated that it will allow tourists to enter the country through its international airports without having their passports stamped. United States
Tel Aviv’s got scooter mania The Tel Aviv municipality is trying to bring order to the chaos unleashed across the urban landscape by the electric scooter craze. Israel
Will government's new rules control fake news or control Egyptian media? Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation claims that its new rules for radio and television broadcasts are intended to regulate the media environment in a rational and constitutional way but others see censorship at work. Egypt
Israeli theater world struggles with self-censorship Israeli theater leaders held an emergency conference to discuss self-censorship after Culture Minister Miri Regev intimidated Israeli film festivals and venues out of screening the award-winning film "Advocate." Israel
Egyptian, international artists explore complexity of Middle Eastern identity in Cairo The Cairo Biennale has resumed after an eight-year hiatus, bringing together international and Egyptian artists to take on identity in the Middle East. Egypt
