Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
Culture In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa Akkad, a British-Syrian filmmaker, was detained Wednesday night after his campaign questioning the whereabouts of funds allegedly pledged for relief, reconstruction and community initiatives across Syria. Syria
Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Interview As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur Save the Children US President and CEO Janti Soeripto said delivering aid in Sudan remains extremely difficult, with supply trucks often delayed for weeks or months even after entering the country. Janti Soeripto President and CEO of Save the Children US
Iran executes two men accused of blasphemy for 'insulting Islam' Iranian authorities have executed at least 150 people this year alone, according to human rights organizations. Iran
Erdogan slams Turkey's LGBTQ community, weaponizes homophobia ahead of vote Homophobia and transphobia have unprecedentedly taken a prominent stage in the campaign period ahead of Turkey’s consequential elections. Turkey
Biden issues new Sudan executive order authorizing sanctions President Joe Biden paved the way for sanctions on members of Sudan’s warring factions but stopped short of imposing them. Sudan
Turkey hands pop star Gulsen jail sentence over religious schools joke The sentence is widely seen as the epitome of the culture wars that the country has witnessed under Erdogan. Turkey
Palestinian Khader Adnan dies in Israeli jail after 87-day hunger strike Rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip after Palestinian Khader Adnan died on hunger strike in Israel's Nitzan prison. Israel
Culture In a shift, Saudi Arabia to 'welcome' LGBTQ tourists The Saudi Tourism Authority said that authorities do not ask for personal details in this regard. The position follows social changes the kingdom is undergoing, though it is difficult to determine the exact status of LGBTQ people in the country. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt frees long-held Al Jazeera journalist amid thaw with Qatar The release of Hisham Abdelaziz comes as Egypt and Qatar are working to normalize their relations after years of tension, even as Cairo continues its crackdown on journalists. Egypt
Belgium looking into Iran's request for prisoner swap Belgium and Iran seemingly advance toward a prisoner exchange deal, though Brussels is warning that contrary to Tehran’s statements this could take time. Iran
Germany scrambles to stop Iran from executing dual citizen After a top Iranian court upheld the death sentence of dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, German Foreign Minister Annalean Baerbock says Berlin is making every possible effort to stop the execution. Iran
Lebanon deports dozens of Syrian refugees amid spike in racist rhetoric The deportation of more than 50 Syrians to the war-torn country comes amid growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon. Lebanon
Who is May Golan, Israel's self-styled 'racist' considered for NY consul general? The Likud party confirmed Minister without portfolio May Golan, known for her strong support of the judicial overhaul, was proposed the much-coveted position of consul general in New York. Israel
US warns of 'troubling escalation' in Tunisia after Ghannouchi arrest The State Department expressed alarm over the stifling of political activity under Tunisia's increasingly authoritarian president, Kais Saied. Tunisia
