Breaking | Last Updated: April 23, 2026, 10:55 am Kuwait acquits journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin after 7 weeks in detention The American-Kuwaiti journalist is expected to be released after 52 days in custody over posts about wartime damage. Kuwait
Lebanon bids farewell to Amal Khalil, journalist killed by Israel: What to know Khalil's death in a targeted strike on a house where she and a colleague took cover sparked widespread condemnation by Lebanese officials and international media groups. Lebanon
Kuwait detains American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin: What to know Kuwaiti authorities have been cracking down on alleged violators of the country's media law during the Iran war. Kuwait
Journalist who investigated Erdogan’s son jailed on 'disinformation' charges in Turkey Human rights organizations warn Ari’s detention signals a broader campaign against journalists probing government corruption and elite networks. Turkey
Analysis Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Lebanon: arrest of standup comedian Nour Hajjar sparks fears despite release Beirut already undergoing economic and political paralysis, was struck this week by arrest of a standup comic who joked about Lebanon's army and offended religious figures five years ago. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Egypt releases journalist detained over reporting on Zambia plane seizure A reporter for a local fact-checking site is the latest Egyptian journalist to be arrested over the weekend. Egypt
Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq. Iraq
Turkey arrests journalist over social media post, sparking outcry from civic groups International and local rights watchdogs lambasted Firat Can Arslan’s and four other journalists’ detention. Turkey
Israel's protest movement takes judicial overhaul battle to media, courts Israel’s main newspapers on Tuesday morning published blacked-out front pages in a coordinated campaign by the protest movement. Israel
Twitter or Threads? Egypt's activists join but not sold on Meta's idea yet Activists weigh concerns about misogyny and chaos on the pre-existing platform vs. censorship and data collection on Meta's new offering. Egypt
Outrage in Lebanon as journalist Dima Sadek sentenced to prison Journalist Dima Sadek's one-year jail sentence for defamation and slander has raised an uproar among activists and others who fear for freedom of expression and media in the country. Lebanon
UAE COP28 president calls on oil firms to 'deliver climate action' Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber gave a televised address to delegates at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, a meeting of oil executives and OPEC ministers. United Arab Emirates
Iran: 3 women journalists go on trial as rulers continue with crackdown Repression of journalists has worsened since widespread protests began in Iran last year, and the government is also restricting use of VPNs. Iran
Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia follow close behind China in VPN blocking China led the ranking, blocking about 73% of all attempts to access VPN providers, with Iran and several Gulf Arab countries following close behind. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey arrests prominent TV journalist over criticizing Ocalan's isolation Journalist Merdan Yanardag’s arrest comes amid a post-election climate in which many journalists feel threatened, according to media watchdogs. Turkey
Two Palestinian journalists shot during Israeli operation in West Bank The incident follows a US senator calling on the Biden administration to declassify the report on Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces while covering a raid last year. Palestine
