Culture FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match The Egyptian and Iranian football bodies previously raised objections over the match to FIFA. Iran
Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
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
Interview As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur Janti Soeripto President and CEO of Save the Children US
Egypt's progressive parties unite to push for reforms A new liberal political alliance hopes to open up Egypt's government to fresh ideas, candidates and human rights efforts. Egypt
Egypt’s government works to boost human rights image The Egyptian government decided to establish human rights departments in all ministries and governorates in a bid to restore its human rights record following international criticism. Egypt
Iran unrest could complicate Trump decision on sanctions waivers US President Donald Trump has voiced his support for Iran's protests, but the unrest could further complicate his decision on whether to waive nuclear sanctions next month. United States
Egypt’s parliament in bid to ban atheism As Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hopes to appease the ultraconservative Salafists who helped get him elected, blasphemy convictions have intensified under his presidency. Egypt
Torture is still rampant in Tunisia Although torture, mistreatment, and physical and verbal abuse in jails and detention centers have relatively decreased, they are still ongoing in Tunisia’s detention centers. Tunisia
Sudan-born model exposes blight of racism in Egypt Sudan-born model Fatima Ali began speaking out four years ago against the daily racism she faces in Egypt and is compiling her writing on the subject into a book. Egypt
Trial of Turkey’s opposition leader starts without him in court A court ruled that Selahattin Demirtas, the leader of Turkey’s second-biggest opposition party, could not attend his first hearing in person, increasing concerns his trial may not be fair. Turkey
The stench of garbage crisis returns to Lebanon In a recent report, Human Rights Watch warns of the dire consequences of decades of open-air trash burning. Lebanon
With killing of Iranian-American, Iran turns tables on US The killing of an Iranian-American by American police has been condemned by Iranian officials. United States
Does Tunisia's police protection bill go too far? A draft law on preventing attacks against Tunisia's police forces has raised red flags, with some arguing it would undermine human rights and allow police to operate with impunity. Tunisia
Israel has good reason to fear ICC If, as Israel claims, its actions in the West Bank are lawful, why is the US administration fighting the Palestinian effort to have the matter heard at the International Criminal Court? Palestine
Sisi goes shopping for arms in Paris Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been exploring a number of arms deals with France, yet critics argue this is aimed at buying European support at the expense of Egypt's economy. Egypt
