'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
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
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US watchdog group: Turkey’s actions in Syria endanger religious diversity The partial withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria in October created a vacuum for religious repression, a bipartisan US agency says. Syria
Bahrain releases human rights activist Nabeel Rajab from prison Rajab's release came just days before the four-year anniversary of his arrest. Bahrain
Turkey rounds up scores of citizens with alleged Gulen links A majority of those arrested were active members of the air force or police. Turkey
Turkey issues warrants for over 100 accused of Gulen ties The Turkish prosecutor's office ordered the arrest of 118 people suspected of ties to the outlawed Gulen movement. Turkey
‘An insult to women’ everywhere: Afrin kidnappings prompt calls for investigation of Turkey-backed rebels A video reportedly showing detained women inside a secret prison in Afrin has prompted further criticism of Turkey's proxy forces operating in Syria. Syria
Cairo cracks down on social media influencers Internet personalities in Egypt, especially women, are the target of a government campaign against debauchery and other charges that rights activists say violate free speech. Egypt
Detainee’s death raises concerns on conditions of prisoners in Egypt Egyptian artist Shady Habash died under strange circumstances in a prison cell where he had been in pretrial detention since 2018, raising criticism from local and international rights organizations. Egypt
UN calls on Israel to release Palestinian children from jails amid coronavirus Three UN officials urge Israeli authorities to free detained Palestinian children to protect them from COVID-19. Palestine
Actor's revelation about transgender son sends shock waves across conservative Egypt A prominent actor's disclosure about his daughter's transition has been met with a rare show of support in a conservative society with little tolerance for gender nonconformity. Egypt
Report: Child soldiers deployed to Libya by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army An exclusive report, citing sources on the ground in Syria and Libya, says Syrian teenagers are being sent to Libya to take part in the civil war there. Syria
British-Australian academic held in Iranian prison reportedly attempts suicide Kylie Moore-Gilbert is among the many foreigners held in Iran's notorious Evin prison on espionage charges. Iran
Rights group criticizes arrests in Palestinian territories Amnesty International said Palestinian authorities arrested five people in March and April without proper cause. Palestine
