John Owens

During Ramadan, Faith and Football Converge in Lebanon’s Megadome

In Beirut, a group of young entrepreneurs has combined its Muslim faith and love of football to create the city's newest landmark: a large, Ramadan-ready dome primed for one of the biggest football (soccer) tournaments in the world. But as the faithful embrace the communal spirit of Islam’s holy month, it is not just those breaking their fasts that are welcome.

During Ramadan, Faith, Football Converge in Lebanon’s Megadome

Towering screens, endless shisha and goals galore: Welcome to Beirut’s Ramadan megadome, where faith meets football

Faith Meets Football for Ramadan in Lebanon’s Megadome

Refugees Cultivate Seeds of Hope in Lebanon

A project launched earlier this year offers both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese families the chance to become novice horticulturalists

Greece Squatters Hotel Offers Refugees Respite

Although Athens' City Plaza Hotel houses about 380 grateful residents, not everyone is happy about what could be city’s biggest squat house

Finding Refuge - Athens City Plaza Hotel

Refugees.tv Gives First-person View of Camp Life in Idomeni

Refugees.tv Gives First-person View of Camp Life in Idomeni

With make-believe gear, group of Syrian activists sets out to let refugees stuck on Greek-Macedonia border speak with their own voice

Frustration Builds as Hopes Dim Among Refugees at Macedonian Border

Makeshift camp has seen desperate efforts to cross border repelled by tear gas and protests, as 12,000 people wait and wonder

Greek Port Refugees Face Uncertainty as Tourist Season Approaches

With borders closed to them, Greece has effectively become a holding pen for an estimated 50,000 refugees, many of whom had hoped to travel beyond the economically-fragile country and to elsewhere in Europe

Greek Port Refugees Face Uncertainty as Tourist Season Approaches

As border closures trap more than 50,000 refugees in Greece, Athen’s port of Piraeus has become a main stopping point for those with nowhere left to turn. However, as the country’s government looks to the upcoming tourism season to help boost its sickly economy, efforts are under way to move them elsewhere, and not everyone is happy about it.

Restoring the Shine to Beirut’s Threatened Armenian Jewelers

Growing international competition and instability domestically have taken toll on renowned jeweler's in Beirut’s 'Little Armenia'

Lebanon's Press Pack Faces Uncertain Future

Some say 'outdated' laws must be changed to embrace work of independent journalists who currently have no legal protection from harassment, security forces

Efforts to Resurrect Palestinian Community from the Ruins Hit Crisis Point

Virtually destroyed in 2007 amid deadly clashes between Islamist militants and the Lebanese army, a $345-million building project has sought to resurrect Nahr al-Bared, a once-thriving Palestinian camp in north Lebanon that was home to 30,000. But with the camp only half rebuilt, a funding crisis is threatening to leave the displaced unable to return home. John Owens reports from Nahr al-Bared.

Efforts to Resurrect Palestinian Community From Ruins Hit Crisis

When cleanup operation began, it was hoped that camp would be rebuilt and 5,000 families rehoused by 2012 at a cost of $277 million

'Mediterranean Hope' Gives Second Chance to Refugees

Private project in Italy is boost to those who argue that new ways must be found to respond to Europe's humanitarian crisis

Beirut Struggles Under Growing Saudi Pressure

Concerns rising in Lebanon - where Gulf ties provide much-needed economic help - that political sanctions led by Saudi-affiliated countries are bleeding into business ones

Harassment Map Pinpoints Sexism in Lebanon

Website want to help women overcome a culture of acceptance and speak out about a topic that, for many, is as taboo as it is prevalent

Saudi Decision to Cut Arms Funding to Lebanon Puzzling

Beirut launches charm offensive in response to Riyadh decision to halt $4 billion in financial grants to country’s army, security forces

Lebanon’s Auto Addiction Sparks Fight to Revive Phantom Railways

With congestion problem paralyzing economic powerhouse of Beirut, calls are growing to put long-defunct railway lines back into use