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
NGOs say Biden's proposed military aid to Egypt undermines human rights Under President Joe Biden’s first budget proposal to Congress, the administration is requesting $1.3 billion in foreign military financing for Egypt. Egypt
Netanyahu blasts UN right council's probe as 'shameful' The UN Human Rights Council voted on Thursday to establish a “Commission of Inquiry” to investigate rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Israel
Hamas to try collaborators in military courts, claiming legality Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is seeking the formation of military field courts under a PLO law to try collaborators accused of spying for Israel during the latest escalation round between the two sides. Palestine
Israeli court postpones ruling on East Jerusalem evictions The Jerusalem court delayed ruling on whether two Palestinians families must vacate their homes in favor of Israeli settlers in the Silwan neighborhood. Israel
Egypt's reprisals against US activists in spotlight as Blinken meets with Sisi Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit comes as a new report highlights how Egypt's widespread detention practices are impacting Americans and their families. Egypt
Ramadan series revives debate on verbal divorce, marital rape in Egypt One of the most watched Ramadan series renews the debate on verbal divorce and marital rape in Egypt. Culture
Libyan LGBTQ+ activists speak out on violence by extremist militias In Libya, amid the ongoing conflict and chaos, the country's first LGBTQ+ platform is fighting for a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. North Africa
Turkish court begins retrial of philanthropist Osman Kavala Businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala, who has remained in prison without a conviction since 2017, was denied release on Friday. Turkey
Egyptian government committee offers its approach to human rights Amid increasing scrutiny of its human rights practices and skepticism by activists, an Egyptian government committee offers its own approach Egypt
Erdogan’s midnight decrees give Turkey nightmares The overnight decrees increasingly governing Turkey have become a source of livid satire and agony for millions of Turks. Turkey
UN rights experts call on Iran to release jailed filmmaker The experts said Iran's denial of adequate medical care to Mohammad Nourizad may amount to torture. Iran
Egypt confirms $4.75 bn fighter jet deal with France Human rights groups slammed the deal, which is backed by French government loans. Egypt
