AGP Executive Report

Fashion & Culture: Lebanese designer Elie Saab is bringing his red-carpet glamour to the high street with an ELIE SAAB x H&M collection launching Oct. 22 in Egypt and across the Gulf, with embellished gowns, sequins, lace and monograms. Film/TV: HBO’s Harry Potter series has released a new teaser, spotlighting Lebanese-Palestinian actress Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout. Media Business: ITP Media Group has acquired Singapore’s Heart Media Group, expanding its luxury and lifestyle media footprint across Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore while keeping editorial identity intact. Arts & Heritage: The FBI returned Roman-era sarcophagus fragments linked to workshops in Tyre, south Lebanon, underscoring ongoing efforts against illicit antiquities trafficking. Music/Events: Adriatique returns to Ushuaïa Dubai on Nov. 14 with their “X” show. Sports (Local Interest): A busy football week kicks off with L-L League Week 2 previews and match coverage.

Cultural Heritage: The FBI returned three recovered Roman-era sarcophagus fragments to Lebanon in New York, with officials saying the pieces match workshops in Tyre and were likely taken through illicit excavations. Community & Culture: Stockton, California is set to host the first-ever Central Valley Lebanese Festival on Oct. 3 at St. Sharbel Garden, featuring Lebanese food, live oud music, zaffe and dabke lessons plus a crowd-voted dabke competition. Arts Education: Junction Arts and Media (JAM) is wrapping its youth film project “Valley Transit,” built through a teen mentorship program and a Summer Feature Film Intensive. Arts & Film (Regional): The BFI London Film Festival will spotlight south Asian and MENA cinema this October, including a 4K restoration of Kamal Amrohi’s “Pakeezah.” Local Safety Watch: A small plane crash-landed near a playground in Lebanon, Tennessee; the pilot survived and federal investigators are looking into what caused it.

Lebanese actress Nour: The star returned to Instagram after a long absence, sharing new photos and marking her first public appearance since her husband, Syrian businessman Youssef Antaki, died last March. Fans praised her elegant new look, including a noticeable hair color change, and highlighted how she stepped back from projects to care for him. HBO’s Harry Potter casting: Lebanese-Palestinian actress Sirine Saba was announced as Professor Pomona Sprout for HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with the series set to debut in the Middle East this Christmas. Music in Lebanon: The Russell Theatre’s Clinch Concert Series brings bluegrass group Sister Sadie to Lebanon on Sept. 6 (3 p.m., $25). Pop culture spotlight: Love Is Blind UK’s Yasmin Toseafa talked beauty and vitiligo, pushing back on “camouflaging” and stereotypes. Local arts & community: Overdose Awareness Day drew community groups, legal support, and artwork from people rebuilding their lives through creativity.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: HBO Max’s “Back to Hogwarts” London celebration is drawing fans worldwide, with Beirut-born Lebanese-Palestinian actress Sirine Saba set to appear as Professor Pomona Sprout—while Abu Dhabi’s Warner Bros World is also building a Harry Potter-themed land. Fashion & Music: Don Omar’s “Tigi Tigi” with Egyptian star Hakim is revisited as a key moment for Arab-Latin pop crossovers. Arts Spotlight: Buccellati opens a Milan “Caviar Bar” at its Palazzo Gavazzi showroom, blending Armenian Lebanese interior design with its signature Art de la Table craft. Community & Local Life: Lebanon-area residents report additional aggressive animal attacks near Centerra Parkway, prompting police to seek wildlife support. Sports (Lebanon-related): Lebanon volleyball starts strong with two wins, and Lebanon’s high school sports calendar continues to roll into fall.

Fashion & Luxury: Buccellati opens a Caviar Bar in Milan, pairing its jewelry and table pieces with Armenian Lebanese interior designer Chahan Minassian’s new Art de la Table-inspired space. Film & Red Carpet: The 2026 Venice Film Festival kicks off with a look back at Arab stars’ most iconic fashion moments across past editions. Music & Culture: Lebanon’s volleyball community mourns Mohamad Assaf, a former national player and long-time coach. Sports (Lebanon in focus): Lebanon’s national team falls to China 89-87 in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, while Lebanon’s high school sports see Lebanon beat John Stark 2-1 in field hockey. Community Events: The 41st Annual Lebanese Food Festival returns Sept. 11-13 at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, with food, music, and dancing. Arts & Design (Global): A roundup of major autumn museum exhibitions highlights everything from the Bayeux tapestry to Turner Prize work.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: The 41st Annual Lebanese Food Festival is back Sept. 11–13 at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, with Lebanese classics like fatayer, kibbee, hummus, and music plus dancing. Arts & Design Industry: The Art Directors Club (The One Club) named the jury for ADC Young Guns 24, spotlighting emerging creative talent across regions, including Middle East & Africa. Sports (Lebanon in the spotlight): Lebanon’s men’s team fell 89–87 to China in FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, a last-play finish that reshuffled Group F standings. Regional Arts/Style: Queen Rania’s birthday roundup looks back at her most iconic fashion moments, mixing contemporary silhouettes with traditional influences. Local community vibe: A Pelham community spaghetti supper is set to spark discussion around a local history mural—an arts-and-memory project built from residents’ own symbols.

Iran-US Tensions: Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran still wants a diplomatic end to the war, while blaming the US for “not fulfilling its commitments” as hostilities flare around the Strait of Hormuz. Lebanon-Iran Diplomacy: Beirut welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging Iran to engage with Lebanon’s state institutions first. Lebanon Sports & Culture: Humanagement signed Lebanese basketball player Jihad El Khatib for management and representation, aiming to grow his off-court profile across Lebanon and the GCC. Music Spotlight: Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram is preparing to release her new song “Ashhadi Ya Dini” tomorrow. Art & City Life: A guide to MENA street art highlights Beirut’s Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael as an open-air gallery where murals and graffiti reflect politics, identity, and everyday life. Global Arts Calendar: Fall museum programming leans into “surviving turbulence,” with major exhibitions planned across Europe and beyond.

Lebanon Music: Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram is gearing up to release her new track “Ashhadi Ya Dini” on Monday, Aug. 31, after teasing it on Instagram; the release follows her recent “Bahen” song tied to the film El-Crush. Lebanon Arts & Culture: A spotlight on Beirut’s Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael murals frames the city’s street art as an open-air gallery of identity, politics, and everyday resistance. Lebanon Film & Festivals: Doha Film Institute (DFI) announces eight Lebanon-region–relevant, Arab-supported titles selected for the 83rd Venice Film Festival, spanning competition and financing programs. Lebanon Sports (Local): Lebanon Valley Speedway’s final points week is underway, with Andy Bachetti leading both Big Block and 358 divisions heading into Saturday’s season wrap. Lebanon Politics (Arts-adjacent): Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem reiterates rejection of a Lebanon–Israel framework agreement, calling it illegitimate and vowing not to surrender.

Lebanon Arts & Culture: Beirut’s Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael are being celebrated as an open-air gallery, where murals and graffiti map the city’s politics, identity, resistance, and everyday life—an art walk beyond the usual landmarks. Regional Arts & Film: Doha Film Institute says eight DFI-supported films have made the 83rd Venice Film Festival, spotlighting new voices from the Arab world across multiple Venice programmes. Music & Sports (Lebanon): Lebanon’s national basketball team starts its World Cup Qualifiers window with a 93–74 win over South Korea, with Wael Arakji’s knee injury framed as a challenge the squad is determined to push through. Arts, Travel & Lifestyle: A new profile spotlights Four Seasons Shura Island as a luxury “reset” on Shura Island, while a separate travel feature looks at Ibiza’s creative, family-friendly side through a design lens. Arts & Politics (Lebanon-linked): Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem reiterates rejection of a Lebanon–Israel framework agreement, calling it illegitimate and vowing not to surrender.

Lebanon–Israel Talks: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem again rejected the U.S.-mediated framework agreement, calling it illegitimate and vowing the group “will not surrender,” including rejecting “pilot zones” and any verification setup tied to Lebanese army control. Regional Arts & Culture: Beirut experimental trio Wet Silhouette released “The Virgin’s Ballade,” an avant-rock track built from improvisation and rage, grief, and love amid Lebanon’s political unrest. Music Spotlight: Egyptian writer/DJ Nihal El Aasar is pushing Arab music beyond labels through her NTS Radio program “Nile to Bank,” spotlighting underground scenes from electronic to hip-hop. Film & Festivals: Doha Film Institute says eight DFI-supported films made the 83rd Venice lineup, including “House of the Wind” in Orizzonti. Sports (Lebanon): Lebanon’s basketball World Cup qualifiers continue despite a major injury to Wael Arakji, with Youssef Khayat stressing the team’s push to qualify for Qatar.

Lebanon in the spotlight: Lebanon’s basketball World Cup push gets a boost after Youssef Khayat spoke about playing through injuries, with Wael Arakji’s knee setback framed as motivation to qualify for Qatar 2027. Avant-rock from Beirut: Wet Silhouette drop “The Virgin’s Ballade,” an improvisation-led track turning rage, grief and love into free-form avant-rock. Art prize win: Lara Chamas wins the 2026 Australian Muslim Artists Art Prize for “Dawa Ahmar,” a mosaic prayer-mat work drawing on Beit ed-Dine and themes of displacement and resilience. Music culture beyond labels: Nihal El Aasar is expanding Arab music’s boundaries through her NTS Radio program “Nile to Bank,” spotlighting underground scenes from electronic to hip-hop and drill. Streaming for September: HBO Max announces September 2026 arrivals, including “Fuze” and a new prequel series to “4 Blocks.” Regional talks update: Iran’s security chief says Iran and Oman agreed on a temporary Strait of Hormuz corridor, tied to conditions linked to ending wars in Lebanon and Gaza.

Lebanon–Israel Diplomacy: The next US-mediated Lebanon-Israel talks are set for early September, with Beirut pushing for more Israeli withdrawals in southern Lebanon while Israel insists Hezbollah disarmament verification comes first. Hezbollah’s Response: Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem rejected the framework agreement again, saying the group won’t “surrender” nearly six months into the war. Regional Arts & Culture (Pop Culture): Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to trend, with coverage highlighting the Imagination Library’s book distribution milestone. Food & Everyday Culture: A Lebanese lamb shawarma recipe and an Asian cucumber salad round out the week’s lighter, home-cooking picks. Sports (Local Interest): Friday night football coverage includes Lebanon’s win over Loveland and updates from Stebbins vs Butler and Fairmont vs Trotwood. Community & Health: Dartmouth Health and Geisel will use millions to study rural health-care access for older adults.

Lebanon in the spotlight: Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei told Lebanon’s Al-Manar that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on conditions tied directly to ending wars across the region, naming Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, and said Iran has agreed with Oman on a transit corridor. Diplomacy vs. pressure: Qatar’s prime minister met Iranian leaders in Tehran as the U.S. keeps saying it isn’t talking with Iran, while Iran prepares a list of demands for mediators. Regional tensions, Lebanon angle: Rezaei also warned Israel against further action in Lebanon and framed Lebanon’s security as part of West Asia’s wider stability. Culture & community (Lebanon-linked): A Lebanese American podcast host (Jad Abumrad) is driving fresh attention to Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy, while Dartmouth’s “Portraits of Joy” exhibit highlights arts in aging care—both resonating with Lebanon Arts Today’s audience even beyond Lebanon’s borders. Sports (Lebanon connection): South Korea lost 74-93 to Lebanon in FIBA World Cup Asian qualifying in Beirut, leaving Korea scrambling for a berth.

Lebanon & the arts spotlight: Lebanese filmmaker Mounia Akl is set to direct Netflix’s new five-part limited series The Unheard, with Kate Winslet and Maxine Peake playing sisters; production is scheduled for 2027. Music & pop culture: Haifa Wehbe has unveiled the teaser for her new song “Nouga,” launching the third wave of her “Mega Haifa” project with six new tracks, plus a North Coast concert set for Sept. 18. Regional sports (Lebanon on the court): South Korea’s men’s team fell 74-93 to Lebanon in FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, leaving Korea in last place and facing a must-win stretch. Global arts & galleries: Frieze Abu Dhabi announced its inaugural fair lineup—84 galleries from 63 cities across 36 countries—running Nov. 19-22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, with Lebanon among participating galleries. Entertainment industry debate: Salma Hayek renewed her critique of Hollywood sexism at Cannes, saying actresses are treated like “performing monkeys” and pushed out once they show intelligence.

Netflix & Lebanese cinema: Oscar winner Kate Winslet and BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake are set to star in Netflix limited series The Unheard, a five-part drama written by Jack Thorne and directed by Lebanese filmmaker Mounia Akl (Costa Brava, Lebanon). Production is slated for 2027, with the plot centered on two sisters forced to go on the run after vengeance goes wrong. Music & live shows: Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe and Egyptian star Ahmed Saad will co-headline at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on Nov. 20, with tickets going on general sale at 10am today. Sports & Lebanon on the global stage: Lebanon’s national basketball team is listed in Group F for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers (Window 4), with Lebanon set to face Korea at Zouk Mikael, as Qatar’s Al Janoub Arena opens for the Qatar-China opener. Arts & culture: Frieze Abu Dhabi has announced its inaugural lineup—84 galleries from 36 countries—running Nov. 19–22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Lebanon in diaspora arts: Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program will host a photographic exhibition, Ara Oshagan: Armenian Diasporic Trajectories—Los Angeles, Beirut, Artsakh, Fresno, opening Sept. 13.

Basketball & Lebanon’s Road to 2027: FIBA’s Asian Qualifiers Group F are set for Aug. 27, with Lebanon drawn alongside China, Japan, Korea, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The window kicks off in Doha as Qatar hosts China at Al Janoub Arena, then Saudi Arabia meets Japan in Jeddah, and Lebanon takes on Korea at Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael. Arts & Culture: Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program will host “Ara Oshagan: Armenian Diasporic Trajectories—Los Angeles, Beirut, Artsakh, Fresno,” a photo exhibition tracing displacement and continuity across the Armenian diaspora, opening Sept. 13 at the University Library. Local Arts Spotlight: AVA Gallery in Lebanon hosted Austrian artist Johannes Grenzfurthner, known for “context hacking,” as part of a wider U.S./Canada tour. Performing Arts: WCOPA Team UAE wrapped up the World Championships of Performing Arts in Las Vegas with 239 medals, including Lebanese contestants, plus multiple scholarships. Arts & Society: A new report says New York Mayor Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, plans a Syria and Lebanon trip with taxpayer-funded NYPD security, drawing controversy amid travel advisories.