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
Ownership dispute casts doubt on future of Cairo bookstore Egypt's Culture Ministry steps in to protect the valuable books and manuscripts at the Orientalist, a bookstore in Cairo, after its owner dies. Egypt
Cairo museum displays Egypt’s ancient Coptic textiles The Egyptian Textile Museum’s latest exhibition, "God is Love," offers several rare early Coptic textiles just in time for Coptic Christmas. Egypt
Can part of Palmyra's lost heritage be saved? A number of different projects are underway to rectify the damage to Palmyra's heritage wrought by the Islamic State. Syria
Rumi’s message of tolerance calls thousands to Konya centuries on More than seven centuries after his death, Mawlana Jalal-ud-din Rumi’s message draws visitors from different religions, nationalities and races to his shrine in central Anatolia. Turkey
When will Egypt open its Grand Museum? The Grand Egyptian Museum, expected to be the world's largest archaeological museum, will have its great opening early 2020. Egypt
Hebron's only Orthodox church quiet on Christmas Hebron's once vibrant Russian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Holy Forefathers Church will host few visitors this Orthodox Christmas Eve on Jan. 6. Palestine
Can Museum of Raqqa's glory be restored? The Raqqa Civil Council and a local organization have begun restoring the Museum of Raqqa, but it is unclear whether it can reassemble the treasures removed from it during the occupations by Islamic State and the Free Syrian Army. Syria
Why this viral shot will not be Egypt's photo of the year A Danish photographer captured the view from the Giza pyramid with a photo that went viral all around the world — but Egyptians were far from pleased. Egypt
Egypt's tiny Jewish community celebrates state action to protect heritage Egypt has long promised to preserve the country's Jewish heritage, but only now have concrete steps materialized. Egypt
Christmas without Christians in IS-liberated Mosul Mosul's second Christmas after its liberation from the Islamic State is a far cry from its past celebrations — the few churches that have been repaired remain empty. Iraq
Can St. John’s bread feed St. Paul’s hometown? Tourism managers from Tarsus, known for being St. Paul’s hometown, wonder whether they can boost tourism further through gastronomic delights — including St. John’s bread, also known as carob. Turkey
Turkish, Israeli chefs bring Ottoman-inspired cuisine to downtown Haifa Dozens of Arab and Jewish chefs took part in A-Sham Arab Food Festival in Haifa this year, to prepare Turkish and Ottoman-inspired dishes at tens of restaurants in the city. Israel
