Culture Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit. 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
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
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
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
Are hit squads about to take aim at Turkey's dissidents abroad? A Turkish parliamentarian has told Al-Monitor that Western officials believe dissidents and religious minority leaders in exile are being targeted by Turkish government operatives for assassination. Turkey
Turkish feminist artist takes on Mount Qaf An exhibition in Istanbul by the Turkish artist CANAN defies gender stereotypes and sexual taboos, marrying the personal with the political. Turkey
What was on the agenda for British foreign secretary's Iran visit? Boris Johnson becomes the first British foreign secretary to visit Iran since 2015. Iran
Iranian media workers warn of ‘death of independent journalism’ As the Rouhani administration moves to change media laws, it faces a wave of accusations that it seeks to end independent journalism. Iran
Egypt's 'talk show emperors' set to return to the screen As the presidential elections approach, the emperors of talk shows are returning to the Egyptian screens, raising questions on whether or not the regime is open to criticism or using the shows to embellish its image. Egypt
Egyptian proposal to protect formal Arabic has journalists worried Critics say a draft law intended to preserve traditional, formal Arabic and discourage the use of the modern Egyptian dialect threatens the freedom of the press. Egypt
Turkish court accepts 'absurd' indictment of rights activists Amnesty International's Turkey leaders are among 11 human rights defenders indicted on terror charges for holding a workshop on information security and stress management, and the trial is set to begin Oct. 25. Turkey
Palestinian journalists launch independent online news channel At a time when biased media outlets are a dime a dozen in Palestinian territories, a group of Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip decided to launch an independent online news channel that uses Facebook and YouTube to disseminate news items. Palestine
Turkey convicts WSJ journalist of terror propaganda A Turkish Wall Street Journal columnist has been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for engaging in terrorist propaganda, the latest dual citizen to be caught up in the government's sweep of remotely critical journalists. Turkey
Turkish court frees leading journalist as press trial drags on Prominent Turkish journalist Kadri Gursel has walked out of prison after 330 days, though the often ludicrous proceedings against him and 17 other Cumhuriyet journalists are far from over. Turkey
Egyptian TV network's sale concerns free press advocates Private Egyptian security company Falcon acquires Al-Hayat TV network, sparking concerns over the state’s grip on the media. Egypt
