Middle East

Travel News

Istanbul is booming with tourists in 2022, government reports

Foreign arrivals in the Turkish city have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

03/08/2022

Scenes

Meet the surfers who are making waves in the Gaza Strip

In partnership with Media City

"We stay at the sea because it is where we can experience a taste of freedom and happiness."

01/08/2022

Design

Istanbul's Basilica Cistern is open to the public once more

Istanbul’s ancient underground water chamber, located under the popular Turkish city, reopens to the public with an umissable light and sound show.

01/08/2022

Cyprus

Cypriot tourism industry hit hard

Cyprus feels the cost of the Russian tourism deficit, as one of their largest groups of visitors do not come to the island this summer.

31/07/2022

Turkey

German FM offers praise and criticism on visit to Greece and Turkey

Annalena Baerbock has been meeting with her counterparts in Athens and Ankara over the weekend to discuss migrants, border security and a Mediterranean island spat.

31/07/2022

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Milky Way glimmers over Syria's Idlib

Timelapse images show the Milky Way galaxy glimmering in the night sky as it eerily lights up the town of al-Nayrab, in Syria's northwestern Idlib region, on the frontline between regime forces and rebel fighters.

30/07/2022

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Smoke billows from grain silos in Beirut port

Aerial shots show smoke billowing from grain silos in Beirut's blast-hit port which are at risk of collapsing after a fire.

29/07/2022

Qatar 365

The roots of the fashion scene in Qatar: gowns, heels and sneakers

In partnership with Media City

From collectable sneakers to exclusive dresses, Qatar 365 has met some of the established designers, collectors, and fashion entrepreneurs behind some of the most popular fashion items in a country with a huge demand for luxury wear.

27/07/2022

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Long queues at Beirut bakeries as Lebanon bread crisis continues

Long lines form in front of bakeries and supermarkets in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

27/07/2022

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This exhausted Euphrates tortoise was brought back to life

This exhausted Euphrates tortoise was brought back to life with the efforts of the teams.

27/07/2022

Home

Saudi Arabia unveils plans for a city of two 170km-long skyscrapers

The Line makes up a major part of the wider Neom project first announced in 2017.

27/07/2022

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Film festival jury members floating on the Dead Sea

Jordan’s first international film festival that showcases Arab and international movies was long overdue. The Jordanian local film industry has begun to show what it can do, with talented directors winning international acclaim.

26/07/2022

Scenes

Meet the Qatari farmer growing medicinal plants in the desert

In partnership with Media City

“Torba preserves traditional native plants of the Gulf region. We have heritage seeds and plants, and we grow many other plants from around the world.”

25/07/2022

Partner content

InClassica 2022: Stars Lit up Dubai at 11th Edition of World’s Biggest Musical Observatory

Partner content presented by InClassica

Following a raucous reception at the 10th-anniversary celebration which took place last year, the InClassica International Music Festival recently returned to Dubai for its 11th edition.

22/07/2022

Syria

Four children killed in deadly Russian airstrike in Syria

A human rights group says the airstrike was carried out by a Russian warplane following four other Russian airstrikes in a town further north.

22/07/2022

Turkey

Ukraine and Russia sign vital grain export deal in Istanbul

The deal took place amid soaring food prices and growing concerns over worldwide food shortage and famine as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.

21/07/2022

Cyprus

Cyprus president tests positive for COVID-19

President Nicos Anastasiades is in a good condition and has exhibited only mild symptoms, according to a government spokesperson.

19/07/2022

Gaza

Israel strikes Gaza Strip hours after US President Biden's visit

The strike on Saturday hit a Hamas weapons manufacturing facility, IDF claimed.

16/07/2022

Saudi Arabia

Joe Biden and Saudi crown prince begin big meeting with fist bump

The US president arrived in Jeddah on the third day of a four-day visit to the Middle East. The Saudi leg is one of the most delicate trips he has faced on the world stage.

15/07/2022

Turkey

Teenagers arrested on suspicion of vandalising famous Jewish cemetery

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has described the incident as a "heinous attack".

15/07/2022

Culture news

Call to prayer competition searches for Turkey's best religious voice

At the Grand mosque in Turkey's Edirne region, muezzins (call to prayer singers) compete to be crowned the countries most melodic voice. But what does it take to master this art form?

15/07/2022

Saudi Arabia

Biden to visit Saudi Arabia despite Khashoggi killing criticism

US President Joe Biden promised to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" on his campaign trail two years ago, but energy and security concerns have forced a changed stance.

15/07/2022

Israel

US and Israel vow never to let Iran get nuclear weapons

The US president met the Israeli prime minister but neither can agree how to proceed.

14/07/2022

Partner content

Fintech: Dubai looks at the financing technology of the future

Partner content presented by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Dubai

Rising inflation and political uncertainties are destablizing the global economy. But one sector has fared better than others: financial technology or Fintech. Dubai is seizing the opporutnity to bank on its promises.

14/07/2022

Israel

Biden praises 'bone deep' bond on first presidential visit to Israel

The US president wlll meet with Palestinian officials on Friday, and continue to Saudi Arabia on his first Middle East tour since taking office.

13/07/2022

Qatar 365

Qatar’s growing contribution to the health and wellness sector

In partnership with Media City

From luxury health resorts for families to an eco-friendly farm offering a down-to-earth experience, Qatar 365 discovers how wellness is gaining more significance and becoming big business in the Gulf country.

13/07/2022