Culture World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent successes. Iran
Feature A year since Assad’s fall, Aleppo trial tests Syria’s transitional justice Syria recently launched its first open trial on the deadly sectarian violence in March, but questions about judicial independence and political influence make the upcoming hearings a major test of accountability in post-Assad Syria as the first anniversary of Assad’s fall approaches. By Alessandra Bajec
Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli was sentenced to over four years in prison in a trial government critics say aimed at silencing one of Turkey's most influential journalists and intended to intimidate journalists nationwide. Turkey
Saudi Arabia lifts travel ban on US citizen Saad Almadi Almadi's release comes during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian Authority under fire over freedom of expression Activists and human rights defenders have condemned the Palestinian Authority trials of 30 activists, political figures and national figures. Palestine
Palestinian media alleges rights abuses during Israeli search for escaped prisoners The Palestinian Authority is demanding the release of more prisoners following an escape at a high-security Israeli prison. Palestine
Controversial Egyptian slum removal mars Giza Plateau upgrade The Nazlet al-Saman slum blemished the Giza Plateau for many decades, but its ongoing removal is bringing criticism of the government. Egypt
Amnesty report says Syrian refugees return to torture, rape The report documented human rights violations carried out by Syrian intelligence officers against 66 Syrians who returned to the war-torn country, including 13 children. Syria
SDF transfers extremist IS women to Roj camp in Hasakah The Syrian Demographic Forces moved 300 families of extremist women from al-Hol camp to Roj camp in Hasakah countryside, to confine them to one camp and control security in al-Hol camp. Syria
'Hymen reconstruction fatwa' stirs controversy in Egypt A fatwa by a senior Muslim scholar permitting hymen repair in certain circumstances has sparked controversy on social media, with critics fearing it may encourage girls to engage in sex out of wedlock. Egypt
Iran opens 'drug-trafficking' trial of two Swedish nationals The drug-smuggling trial comes as Sweden prosecutes a former Iranian official linked to the mass killing of dissidents in 1988. Iran
Iran authorities embarrassed by hacked CCTV prison videos The hacked videos that show various moments of abuse continue to trickle in and have drawn a rare apology from the country's top prison official. Iran
Israeli strikes on Gaza towers may amount to war crimes, HRW says During the 11-day conflict with Hamas, Israeli airstrikes destroyed five high-rise towers in Gaza City that the Israeli military said were used by the militants. Israel
Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Human Rights Watch report on conduct of war Palestinian resistance factions dispute charge of "indiscriminate attacks" on Israeli civilians. Palestine
CIA Chief Burns meets with Egypt's Sisi The pair discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the crisis in Libya, according to the Egyptian presidency. Egypt
Human Rights Watch accuses Gaza groups of war crimes during May fighting Hamas and other Palestinian groups purposefully targeted population centers during the May war with Israel, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization also accused Israel of war crimes last month. News Brief
