Few dramatic depictions portray Cleopatra as the intellectual mastermind she must have been. John Kelleher goes behind the scenes of Britain's Northern Ballet to rediscover the woman we thought we knew. Read Article Cleopatra reigns at the ballet
The femme fatale has peered at the world through kohl-rimmed eyes for centuries – and the world has gazed back in wonder at the first great global celebrity.
Read Article Cleopatra in the arts through the ages
Centuries ago, a young Moroccan lawyer set out on a journey that would take him across 73,000 miles over a period of 40 years. In the first of this five part series Sarah Head retraces Ibn Battutas journey across the ancient world. Watch Video Following the footsteps of Ibn Battuta - Episode 1
Follow Sarah Head as she retraces the travels of Ibn Battuta. In the second episode in this five part series, she is in Morocco to discover what shaped Ibn Battuta's character and what led him to embark on his extraordinary voyage. Watch Video Following the footsteps of Ibn Battuta - Episode 2
The US pulls out of Iraq on Tuesday - but in what state? The National looks at how things have changed with a series of articles, video and photos. See Interactive Iraq's next chapter
Thousands of people converged on the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Mosque today to pay their final respects to Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed, before his body was taken to the cemetery in Al Bateen. Read Article Mourners attend prayers for Sheikh Ahmed
Now that the first few days of catwalk bling and celebrity razzle-dazzle have died down, the Cannes film festival has returned to what it does best: showcasing strong, socially engaged cinema with a global focus. Films with Arab themes hold sway at Cannes
Saadiyat is renowned for its hotels and beach clubs, but it is also a vital breeding ground for the endangered sea turtle. Operation Hawksbill swings into action
