Iran says 77 historic sites damaged in strikes on Tehran Iranian officials say 77 historical buildings, palaces and museums in Tehran were damaged in US-Israeli strikes, according to IRNA. Sajjad Asghari, a heritage official, said about 90 percent of the damage was minor while roughly 10 percent was serious. He said 38 of the affected sites are nationally registered monuments, with others holding cultural and architectural value, adding that at least 27 date back to the Qajar era.
In Algeria, Pope to pay homage to forgotten home of Christian icon St Augustine Submitted by Adlene Meddi on Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:34 Leo XIV’s upcoming visit will honour Saint Augustine’s roots and a small Catholic community that shared the nation’s suffering Pope Leo XIV receiving a gift from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, during a private audience at the Vatican, on 24 July 2025 (Vatican Media/AFP) Off For the first time in Catholic history, a pope will make an official visit to Algeria . From 13 to 15 April, Pope Leo XIV will begin an African tour in the Maghreb country, which will then take him to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. His trip to Algeria will include two stops: the capital, Algiers, and Annaba, the city of Saint Augustine.
In photos: Maronite Christian worshippers mark Good Friday in Lebanon A scout carries the icon of the Virgin Mary during a Good Friday procession near the Saint Maroun Church in the Shiyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southeastern suburbs, on 3 April 2026 (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP) Lebanese Maronite Christi
Jurgen Habermas' death ends the illusion of a universal European philosophy Submitted by Hamid Dabashi on Sun, 03/29/2026 - 14:08 The German philosopher's legacy is reassessed through his stance on Gaza, which exposed the limits of European thought long taken as universal German philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who died on 14 March 2026, speaks to journalists at the Philosophical School of Athens on 6 August 2013 (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP) Off The passing of the pre-eminent German philosopher Jurgen Habermas (1929-2026), at the mature age of 96 and at the height of his global reputation as a formidable critical thinker of his age, cannot be measured in ordinary terms. He was an icon. He died an icon.
Comedy legend John Cleese attacks Muslims and Islam in online posts Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:53 Monty Python star claimed 'Muslims just want their own way, and will kill non-Muslims to achieve it' British comedian John Cleese performs his show 'The Last Time To See Me Before I Die' on 24 April 2016 at the New Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam (AFP) Off John Cleese is one of Britain 's best-loved comedy legends. The actor-comedian was part of the iconic Monty Python comedy troupe in the 1970s. He co-wrote the sitcom Fawlty Towers and starred as its central protagonist, hot-tempered hotel owner Basil Fawlty.
Walid Khalidi reshaped how the history of Palestine is written Submitted by Basheer Nafi on Mon, 03/23/2026 - 14:39 The Palestinian historian's work challenged dominant narratives and forced scholars to confront what had long been omitted, distorted or denied about 1948 and its consequences Palestinian historian Walid Khalidi delivers a lecture at SOAS University of London in March 2014 (SOAS University of London/Wikimedia Commons) Off The eminent Palestinian historian Walid Khalidi (1925-2026), whose death was announced on Wednesday, 8 March, was born into one of the oldest Palestinian families in Jerusalem. Over the centuries, the Khalidi family produced countless Muslim 'ulama, jurists and judges. Like many other 'ayan (notable) families in the period after Ottoman modernisation, increasing numbers of young Khalidis turned towards modern education.
Nigel Farage says Sadiq Khan attempted 'dominance' over 'our culture' by praying in public Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 03/19/2026 - 11:02 The Reform leader's tirade came after the London mayor was seen praying among other Muslims at an interfaith event in London Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage speaks during a party press conference in central London on 17 March 2026 (AFP) Off Reform leader Nigel Farage has claimed that London Mayor Sadiq Khan "headed up" a group of people "attempting dominance over our capital city and our culture" after he prayed with other Muslims at an interfaith event in Trafalgar Square over the weekend. The event in London's iconic landmark reportedly attracted people of many different faiths and Khan hailed it as the "biggest iftar in the western world". The mayor said in an address to the crowd that he had met Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and atheists attending the event.
From the Balkans to Bengal: How Persian culture has left an imprint around the globe Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 14:48 Since the start of the Iran war, in India and Pakistan there has been a renewed interest in Iran’s cultural ties with South Asia A Mughal miniature from 1574 to 1575 shows the Emperor Akbar's troops in pursuit of enemies (Wikimedia Commons) Off In March 1986 Sayyid Ali Khamenei , who would three years later become Iran ’s supreme leader, gave a speech at a major conference in Tehran on the Indian poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal lived in British India and engaged in the politics of that land. He died in 1938 and never visited Iran.
Berlinale 2026: Arab and Turkish filmmakers deliver strong line-up despite Gaza controversy Submitted by Joseph Fahim on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:18 Palestinian-Syrian director Abdallah al-Khatib ruffled the feathers of the German elite with his passionate defence of the Palestinian cause A scene from Rania Rafei's 'The Day of Wrath: Tales from Tripoli' (Orjuane Productions) Off After a week of “will they, won’t they” speculation, as this writer had anticipated , Tricia Tuttle, the artistic director of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), has not been removed from her post, despite hints to the contrary from right-wing German tabloids. Several letters of support have since been signed by Berlinale staff, as well as filmmakers and programmers from around the world. “Supporting genuine freedom of expression, including the freedom to articulate imperfect or unpopular opinions, has never been more important,” one open letter reads The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported that Tricia Tuttle will remain in her position “after agreeing to plans for an advisory council and a code of conduct”, according to Wolfram Weimer, chair of the festival’s supervisory committee, Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin (KBB).
Iran has always been the target of invaders and has outlived them all Submitted by Hamid Dabashi on Mon, 03/16/2026 - 05:48 For Iranians, the current assault is part of a much longer history in which repeated invasions have tested the country's civilisation but never succeeded in breaking it An Iranian flag flutters as a digger arrives to remove debris from buildings destroyed in US-Israeli military strikes on the capital Tehran, on 15 March 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) On Iranians have a very long historical memory. The way they talk about the Alexander invasion of Persia in 344 BC, it is as if it happened last week on Tuesday. The subsequent Arab and Mongol conquests of the seventh and 13th centuries happened just a few days ago.
These are the heritage sites devastated by US and Israeli attacks in Iran Iran ’s history is layered with conquest, cultural renewal and craftsmanship - all of which can be seen in its remarkable heritage sites. The iconic turquoise domes of Isfahan and the intricate interiors of mosques and palaces across the country are internationally renowned. Iran's architectural heritage can be divided roughly into two eras.
Bardem hits out at film industry for lack of activism Actor Javier Bardem has called out members of the film industry for their lack of activism at Sunday's Oscars . Bardem , 57, told the Independent that "I think it's comfortable-ness" that prevented members of the industry from speaking out. He added, "I think they don't want to feel, themselves, uncomfortable.
Veteran Al Jazeera journalist Jamal Rayyan dies aged 72 Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Sun, 03/15/2026 - 15:19 Rayyan made history by becoming the first presenter to appear on Al Jazeera Arabic and deliver its inaugural address Jamal Rayyan was born in the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank of Palestine on 23 August 1953 and held Jordanian citizenship (Al Jazeera) Off Veteran broadcaster Jamal Rayyan, one of the most recognisable figures in Arab television news and a founding voice of Al Jazeera, has died at the age of 72 after a media career spanning more than five decades. Rayyan was widely regarded as a pioneering figure in modern Arab journalism and played a central role in shaping the identity of Al Jazeera following its launch in 1996. He made history as the first presenter to appear on the network, delivering the inaugural news bulletin that marked the beginning of a new era in Arab media.
