Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic sites despite its conversion into a mosque. Turkey
Culture Tyre, Lebanon’s ‘Queen of the Seas,’ devastated by Israeli bombing: What to know A series of Israeli strikes near ancient ruins in the Phoenician port city has raised concerns about potential damage to historical landmarks. Lebanon
Between heat and war, Saudi Arabia seeks incident-free Hajj Mecca's temperature reached a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday and is expected to hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
Culture Syria advances cultural revival with nine new heritage listings Nine heritage sites have been added to list of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which restored Syria’s membership last year after a 14-year suspension. Syria
Analysis Pushed out of Sahel, Macron turns to Egypt and Africa's anglophone countries By Rina Bassist , Rosaleen Carroll
Quran manuscript a 'blessing' for an Iranian Kurdish village A centuries-old manuscript of the Quran continues to play a central role in the identity of residents of an Iranian village. Iran
Southern Turkish city defiant over its raki and kebab Although Adana province banned a raki festival for reasons of safety, locals rushed to the bars to celebrate their culture of raki — accompanied by turnip juice — and kebab. Turkey
Who helps former ultra-Orthodox integrate into Israeli way of life? Israelis who leave the ultra-Orthodox way of life find themselves without basic education, psychological support or career prospects. Israel
Ottoman 'city of princes' ready-made for the Instagram age Referred to as the "city of princes" for once being a training ground for future sultans, Amasya is attracting tourists with its rich history, museums and natural beauty. Turkey
Syrian refugees trained to restore cultural heritage An Istanbul-based project that trained Syrians to work in the field of cultural restoration received an award from Europa Nostra. Syria
Ottoman, Mamluki heritage sites crumble in Egypt Egypt's grand old fountains, poorhouses and other monuments from the Ottoman era have been neglected for years. Egypt
Ancient Kurdish festival offers taste of enduring love, mysticism Mythology, mysticism and tributes to love dominate the Pir-Shalyar wedding festival in a rocky Kurdish village in western Iran. Iran
Are silk and saffron the future of this Anatolian town? The first female mayor of Safranbolu, a town dating to the 11th century, is eager to put her UNESCO-protected city on Turkey's tourism map. Turkey
New Iraqi board games revisit cultural heritage, create common ground Iraqis have played board games for millennia, and a new generation of them are creating new ones steeped in Iraqi history with the hope of getting more of them to put down their screens and meet other players face to face. Iraq
Palestinian National Library to collect Palestine's scattered archives Palestine's former minister of culture, Ihab Bseiso, is in charge of establishing a national library — a project that will require a lot of diplomacy and fundraising. Palestine
Clay chairs, edible statues make Jordan's design week one to remember Experimental projects abounded at Amman Design Week. Jordan
Why Iran's grand ayatollahs are fighting over Rumi Two grand Ayatollahs have declared their opposition to production of a movie about the celebrated poem Rumi and his friend and mentor Shams al-Tabrizi, but it is not clear whether they can stop it. Turkey
