Trump’s AI Gaza video elicits mockery from Middle East social media users The US president’s video depicting a future Gaza under American authority was widely shared on Arabic and Hebrew social media, with many Palestinian users criticizing it. Palestine
In first since regime fall, Syria’s Asma al-Assad breaks silence: What to know In a series of posts on an X account attributed to her, Syria’s former first lady Asma al-Assad wished the Syrian people safety and said she will not intervene in political issues in the future. Syria
After sharing escape plan, Hafez Bashar al-Assad's alleged X account suspended The son of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad posted about his family’s final days in Damascus before the rebel takeover. Syria
Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law threatens press freedom, critics say The bill is seen as a major blow to the already weak independent civil society organizations in Turkey. Turkey
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Will Egypt implement ban on YouTube over anti-Islam video? Almost six years after the release of the "Innocence of Muslims" movie trailer on YouTube, Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court issued a ruling to block the site for a month, but some question whether the decision will be carried out. Egypt
Iranian student stands up to Khamenei, calls for democratization Iran’s supreme leader met with a group of students and responded to a number of criticisms of his performance. Iran
Palestinian cartoonists capture Great Return March in pen and ink Despite economic and social hardships, Palestinian caricaturists stick to their art as a peaceful means of telling the world about their people's struggle. Palestine
Israel uses Facebook to reach out to Iraqis The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a Facebook page to strengthen the Iraqi-Israeli relationship. Iraq
Egypt targets ‘fake weather’ amid flurry of false forecasts Given the multiple sources issuing weather reports and the confusion they cause among citizens, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority has drafted a bill punishing unauthorized weather forecasts. Egypt
Jordanian civil initiatives craft wigs for cancer patients A small boy who hid his head under a hat inspired a hairdresser to create natural-looking wigs for children with cancer. Jordan
Iranians hesitant to leave Telegram for domestic apps The Iranian authorities’ move to ban the popular smartphone messaging app Telegram has been accompanied by a campaign to get people to use domestically developed alternatives. Iran
Israel's activists turn food waste into tasty meals With 33% of all food produced annually in Israel ending up as waste, a number of organizations and volunteers are determined to repurpose it to feed the needy. Israel
Telegram in Iran on verge of being blocked Iran’s supreme leader leaves Telegram as talk increases of the imminent blocking of the popular messaging app. Iran
Is freedom of expression at stake in Tunisia? There are growing concerns in Tunisia over the declining freedom of expression, Tunisian authorities' crackdown on bloggers and the Nidaa Tunis draft law on electronic defamation. Tunisia
Rouhani administration pushes back against Telegram blocking Amid rumors about the imminent filtering of Telegram in Iran, President Hassan Rouhani moved to express his opposition to such a decision. Iran
Is Iran ready to block Telegram? The popular messaging app Telegram may soon be replaced by Soroush, a domestic messaging service. Iran
