'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
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
New Iran law set to radically decrease executions A new law in Iran has been written to reduce the death penalty for drug smugglers carrying smaller amounts. Iran