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Culture

Imane Khelif

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Ten Middle Eastern countries won medals at this year's Paris games.

This photograph shows Paris 2024 Olympics Games banner in front of the National Assembly, in Paris, on July 18, 2024.

From Egypt to Saudi: Meet Middle East's athletes at Paris Olympics

Burgeoning Iraqi soccer star Ali Jasim and 2020 Israeli gold medal–winning gymnast Artem Dolgopyat are among the most-known competitors from the region.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 4: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Wehda at Al Awwal Park on May 4, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's soccer dreams tested as Vision 2030 goal posts move

2023 saw Saudi Arabia take the world of soccer by storm with record-breaking spending on new stars, but those hoping for a repeat performance in 2024 have so far been left disappointed.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Researchers believe these ancient residential buildings may represent part of the lost city of Tu'am in the United Arab Emirates. The city is thought to have reached its zenith in the sixth century.

Ancient lost city may have been unearthed in UAE: What we know

Archeologists believe recent discoveries in the United Arab Emirates’ Al Sinniyah Island may be connected to an ancient city famed for its pearls that fell into decline after the sixth century.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Sudan's war devastates cultural heritage as rival generals vie for power

This picture taken on April 24, 2018, shows Meroitic pyramids at the archaeological site of Bajarawiya, near Hillat ed Darqab, some 250 kilometers northeast of Khartoum.

Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema

A visitor looks at portraits of late Franco-Lebanese film director Maroun Baghdadi and pictures from his movies at the venue of an exhibition dedicated to his memory in Beirut on December 12, 2023, as Lebanon commemorates the 30th annivesary of his death in an accident at the age of 43. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite postponement of MBS' visit, Saudi-Japanese ties on upswing

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) is escorted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed on July 8, 2022, during their meeting in Osaka, Japan, June 30, 2019.

Yuka Ando

White House opposes sanctioning ICC over request for Netanyahu warrant

The Hague, Netherlands, June 15, 2016 — exterior of the recently opened new premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Egyptian fashion enthusiasts create urban fashion runways

An undated image of the Risky Boys.

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir, reporting on culture

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Rebecca Anne Proctor

In Dubai, reporting on culture

Bita loom

Iranian artist Bita Ghezelayagh points pens and roses at censorship

Iranian artist Bita Ghezelayagh fuses ancient Iranian crafts with universal themes of rebellion, hope and alienation.

Iraqi security forces stand guard at the site of a newly-unearthed Assyrian Lamassu (human-headed winged bull) sculpture discovered with its entire wings intact by the French archaeological mission at the archaeological site of Khorsabad (also known as Dur-Sharrukin), the former Assyrian capital in the time of Sargon II (721705 BC) in Iraq's northern Nineveh province on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP) (Photo by ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq unveils ancient Assyrian lamassu statue in Nineveh province

The Iraqi government has worked to repatriate smuggled artifacts in recent years. The city of Khorsabad, where the lamassu is located, was one of several ancient sites targeted by the Islamic State.

Morocco's national flag is displayed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Morocco to host 2030 World Cup as Saudi Arabia bids for 2034

The announcement follows historic performances by Morocco’s men's and women's squads at their most recent respective World Cups. Saudi Arabia had also sought to host the 2030 tournament following Qatar winning the rights to host in 2022.

Al-Ittihad's supporters wave a flag.

Saudi-Iran soccer match canceled over Qasem Soleimani statue row

Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations in March. Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in 2020, is a polarizing figure in the region.

Members of Lebanon's LGBTQ community attend a picnic the coastal city of Batroun, north of Beirut, on May 21, 2017, as part of the Beirut Pride week aimed at raising awarness about the rights of the community. / AFP PHOTO / IBRAHIM CHALHOUB (Photo credit should read IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon: Backlash as MPs introduce bill to decriminalize LGBTQ+ relationships

Some Lebanese leaders have intensified their campaign against the LGBTQ+ community after news emerged of a bill to repeal an anti-LGBTQ+ provision of the Penal Code.

A cemetery demolition amidst ongoing roadworks at the historic City of the Dead.

Will Egypt back off from the demolition of Cairo's historic Islamic cemeteries?

Egypt’s government has been demolishing ancient tombs for three years as part of a controversial project that tore apart a renowned cemetery in Cairo, even as researchers and activists fight to stop the destruction.

General view of the Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on Dec. 10, 2022, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nobel Foundation rescinds Iran's invitation to 2023 Prize ceremony

Iran was excluded from last year’s ceremonies following the government’s violent crackdown against protesters.

Lebanese protesters denounce violence the LGBTQI community and others in downtown Beirut, July 31, 2022.

Hard-line Christian group attacks queer-friendly bar in Lebanon

The LGBTQ community in Lebanon has faced increasing violence in recent weeks amid a rising wave of hate speech against them.

Canadian actor Ryan Gosling and Australian actress Margot Robbie.

Lebanon minister calls for banning of 'Barbie' movie

The Hezbollah-backed politician accused the film of promoting homosexuality, among other things, amid rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the region. "Barbie" is scheduled to be released in the Gulf this week.

Barbie movie poster

Saudi, UAE theaters to screen Barbie this week, despite earlier push to delay

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar have changed the release date of the record grossing film for a second time to Aug. 10, and the film will open in Saudi Arabia Aug. 9.

United Arab Emirates

COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: August 3, 2023, 10:37 am

Morocco makes history, advances at Women’s World Cup

The Atlas Lionesses are the first team from the Arab World to play in the soccer tournament.

Mideast heat

From Egypt to Iran, heatwave compounds Middle East electricity problems, climate change burdens

Countries like Iraq are particularly susceptible to climate change, as recurring blackouts make it harder to stay cool indoors.