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
Turkey's traditional carpets meet quantum physics The Turkish artist Belkis Balpinar adds new interpretations, including inspirations from science, to the tradition of symbolism in Anatolian kilims. Turkey
Israeli architects dissect flashpoint structures in Venice The curators say that their goal in creating this year’s Israeli architectural exhibit for the Venice Biennale was to offer up an honest and evocative model of five flashpoint Middle Eastern sites. Palestine
Syrian family finds shelter, job in Mardin church In the multicultural city of Mardin, a Syrian refugee made her life taking care of a church. Turkey
Mosul's Great Mosque to be restored to its former glory The city of Mosul, which was the capital of the Islamic State in Iraq until less than a year ago, is planning to rebuild the historic Al-Nouri Mosque and its hunchback minaret with financial support from the UAE and under UNESCO supervision. Iraq
Swedish meatballs just one taste of Turkey's rich kofte culture The Ottoman roots of Sweden's beloved meatballs has caused an amusing social media flurry and reminded the world of the incredibly diverse culinary heritage of Anatolia. Turkey
Ancient city of Mardin gets big dose of contemporary art Contemporary artworks at the 4th Mardin Biennial pay homage to the heritage of Mardin, a multicultural city with a strong Assyrian, Arabic and Armenian past. Turkey
Iraqi calligraphers try to revive their art Iraq's recently liberated Anbar province hosted an Islamic calligraphy festival to return the craft to the cultural and artistic forefront. Iraq
Iraq’s 'Tree of Knowledge' draws visitors across faiths Visitors flock to visit Adam's Tree, which they believe was planted by the Prophet Abraham and is sacred, in southern Iraq. Iraq
Egyptians worry Renaissance Dam poses risk for heritage sites along Nile A study by an Egyptian professor reports that Ethiopia’s new dam puts heritage sites at risk — and not only those in Egypt. Egypt
Egypt's camel bone sculptors gather to sustain ancient art The historic Egyptian art of camel bone sculpture is threatened in modern Egypt, where the carvers are fast disappearing. Egypt
Mummy mystery grips Iran The discovery of a mummy rumored to be the former shah of Iran has stirred fascination and controversy. Iran
Has Egypt's Nobel laureate lost his appeal among country's youth? Naguib Mahfouz's books have sold less than 1 million copies over the last 12 years. Are Egyptian youth indifferent to the country's Nobel laureate or can they simply not find a copy to buy? Egypt
