UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher A UN fact-finding mission says the scale and coordination of atrocities in Darfur mark a shift in its assessment of the paramilitary group’s campaign. Sudan
Iran fires TV director over 'Death to Khamenei' blunder: What to know Iranian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on journalists who covered the recent anti-regime protests. Iran
Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown Iranian authorities arrested three prominent activists over the weekend, including Oscar-nominated screenwriter and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian as arrests surge across Iran. Iran
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
EU, UK slap new sanctions on Iran's IRGC leadership Shortly after the British Foreign Ministry announced more sanctions against Iranian officials, the European Union added its own new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities. Iran
Iran committed 'horrific acts of torture' against detained children says Amnesty The London-based organization says Iranian intelligence and security forces used brutal torture methods against children as young as 12 who were arrested in the crackdown on the country’s protests. Iran
Culture Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah. Israel
Israelis block roads as Netanyahu rejects judicial overhaul compromise Rallies across Israel continue for the 10th week in a row against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, after the coalition rejected a compromise suggested by the president. Israel
Biden administration budget would slash Tunisia’s economic aid The State Department’s latest budget calls for steep cuts to US economic aid to several countries in the Middle East while largely sustaining military aid. Tunisia
Iran lashes out at France as efforts to release French prisoners stall Tehran is blaming Paris' unhelpful attitude and 'interventionism' as efforts to release six French people detained in the country drag on. Iran
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Protesters in Israel block roads, Haifa marine port on 'Day of Disruption' Thousands of people are protesting against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, blocking highways, Haifa port and entrances to airport terminals. Israel
EU, UK sanction Iran, Taliban entities on International Women's Day Marking International Women’s Day, the European Union and the British government each decided to sanction individuals and entities for violating human rights, particularly sexual and gender-based violence. Iran
Protests across Iran as schoolgirl poisonings spread nationwide The chain of suspected poisoning attacks on girls' schools continued unabated, prompting furious Iranians to chant against authorities who are scrambling for answers. Iran
US slaps visa sanction on Syrian military officer over Tadamon massacre The State Department hit Amjad Yousef and his family with visa bans for his alleged involvement in the 2013 killing of 41 unarmed Syrian civilians. Syria
Culture Lebanon's LGBTQ community faces digital exploitation, blackmail Lebanon's LGBTQ community is being targeted through social media platforms and dating apps, and the perpetrators are acting with impunity. Lebanon
