Culture FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match The Egyptian and Iranian football bodies previously raised objections over the match to FIFA. Iran
Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. 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
Interview As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur Janti Soeripto President and CEO of Save the Children US
Killings on the rise in Syria's al-Hol camp There were far more deaths than usual in the camp for Islamic State families in January amid calls from the United Nations and Kurdish forces for countries to take back their citizens. Syria
Intel: US announces missile sale to Egypt after American activist’s relatives detained The Biden administration appears to be sending mixed signals to Cairo as it vows a firm stance on human rights abuses in the Middle East Egypt
Egypt arrests relatives of American activist Mohamed Soltan The latest arrests come three months after Egypt released Soltan's cousins from arbitrary detention. Egypt
Dutch far-right politician under investigation for calling Turkish president a terrorist The controversial Geert Wilders has had spats with the Turkish government before amid wider crises between Turkey and the Netherlands. Turkey
Turkey rejects US call to free jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala Turkey on Thursday rejected a call by the United States to release jailed civil society leader and human rights activist Osman Kavala. Turkey
57 nations hit for failure to repatriate women, children from Syrian camps UN human rights experts are pressing Great Britain, France, Iran, Russia, Turkey, the United States and 51 other countries to repatriate nearly 10,000 of their citizens associated with the Islamic State. Syria
Fifty-four Senators sign letter criticizing Turkey's human rights record The group led by Sens. Wyden and Rubio want the Biden administration to press Turkey on its domestic policies and actions in Syria. It follows months of criticism of Turkey from both parties in Congress. Originals
Intel: US unsatisfied with Turkey's response to Syria rights abuses The US government continues to raise reports of human rights abuses in Syria with Turkey, according to a new watchdog report. Originals
Hundreds left homeless as Egyptian authorities demolish random constructions As the Egyptian authorities embark on removing dozens of residential buildings in the historic Sayeda Aisha area as part of a development plan, lawyers are working to provide legal support to residents and owners of the removed properties. Egypt
Saudi Arabia commutes death sentences of young Shiites The sentences of Ali al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon, who were arrested as teenagers in 2012, were reduced to 10 years in prison. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia temporarily releases two US-Saudi political prisoners Dual citizens Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim still face trial on terror-related charges. Saudi Arabia
US citizen’s torture suit to test Egypt relations under Biden The Joe Biden administration may take a position on the immunity of Egypt’s former prime minister in a lawsuit brought by an American human rights activist. Egypt
