Cultural Heritage Returns: Lebanon returned 37 smuggled ancient Egyptian artefacts to Egypt in a ceremony at the National Museum of Beirut, after investigations traced their identity and ownership; the collection includes masks, wooden dolls, Coptic textiles, glass-paste amulets, statues and two decorated wooden coffins. Lebanon in the Spotlight: The handover was presented as a model of strict enforcement of the 1970 convention against illicit trafficking, with Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh handing the items to Egypt’s ambassador. Regional Tensions, Religious Stakes: Saudi Arabia and the wider Muslim world condemned a reported Houthi drone attack targeting Mecca, while the Houthis denied it—sparking fresh outrage and solidarity statements from countries including Lebanon and Somalia. Culture & Politics Collide: The Ed Sheeran tour fallout over Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian “Free Palestine” remarks continues to ripple through the music industry, with support acts pulling out and new donations announced. Education Under Pressure: A report warns that militarisation of universities is spreading across the Middle East, citing Yemen’s Houthi-controlled campuses where students face ideological mobilisation alongside military training.