Featured stories about Middle East & North Africa
Stories about Middle East & North Africa
#helloTürkiye — Turkey's latest attempt to rebrand itself
The branding campaign follows a presidential circular signed on December 4, 2021, requiring the use of "Türkiye" instead of "Turkey" in all correspondence with other states, international institutions, and organizations.
Syrian survivors of torture rejoice over German court indicting ex-intelligence officer
Raslan was found guilty of killing over 30 people, and torturing thousands between 2011 and 2012, when he was head of investigations in a notorious prison.
Death of a student sparks debate on religious community-run housing in Turkey
With Kara's death, controversy over private religious community-run housing has emerged, with critics calling on the AKP to abolish these dormitories and turn them into public student housing.
As Turkey rolls out its own COVID-19 vaccine, questions loom over its efficacy
In December 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved the Turkovac vaccine for emergency use. Experts say there is an absence of scientific data and evidence proving the efficiency of the vaccine.
Jordan’s sole refuge for people with disabilities risk closure as COVID-19 dries up donations
“Over 100 employees’ livelihoods were threatened and we were unable to reach our beneficiaries, particularly in hard-to-reach areas where the need is greatest," Society’s Executive Director Anni Mazagopian said.
A year later, Boğaziçi University continues to resist
While the controversial government appointed rector Melih Bulu, has been removed, academics and students continue to protest on campus.
Istanbul Municipality is targeted by the Ministry of the Interior over questionable terrorism charges
The probe tis he latest spat between the ruling Justice and the Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People Party (CHP).
Turkish finance minister wrecks economy ‘with a twinkle in his eye’
The Minister of Treasure and Finance was interviewed about the new rescue package introduced by the ruling Justice and Development Party that will protect lira deposits from further depreciation.
Libyans express anger over delay to much-awaited presidential vote
Following a decade of turmoil, Libyans were keen to vote for their freely-elected president in hopes it would usher their country back to normalcy. But challenges came in the way.
Where is Qatari human rights defender Noof Al-Maadeed?
Having fled to Britain to protect herself from her father, the 23-year-old returned to Doha after receiving reassurances from Qatari authorities that she'd be protected. Days later, she disappeared.
Lebanon to deport Bahraini opposition Al-Wefaq members in unprecedented move
Lebanese authorities' move to deport members of Bahraini opposition group is the first such incident, and comes as the republic witnesses a remarkable increase in crackdown on freedoms.
‘The Club,’ Netflix's new hit TV series, braves Turkey's troubled past
At the heart of the series are the Sephardic Jews but the new Netflix series, The Club also brings in the stories of Istanbul Armenians, and Greeks.
Turkish pop star angers the public with tone-deaf comments on current economic crisis
As people form long bread lines outside subsidized bread kiosks, an interview with a Turkish pop start sparks criticism online.
Turkey announces new steps to normalize ties with Armenia
During his address at the national parliament on December 13, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu said Turkey was ready to normalize ties with Armenia.
The Turkish Lira continues to lose value at a breakneck pace
Turkey's largest business group urged President Erdoğan's government to "return to rules of economic science."
Tunisia: New prosecutions resurrect shadow of dictatorship
The use of military law by Kais Said's government to prosecute journalists and restrict freedom of expression foreshadows a return to the nightmare governments of before the Arab Spring.
SMEX: Israel’s presence at Expo Dubai 2020 Is a threat to digital rights
In November, US Department of Commerce blacklisted two Israeli surveillance companies, NSO Group and Candiru, which have reportedly supplied spyware to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Bahrain.
Turkey's Medical professionals call for better working conditions
Health care workers marched from Istanbul to Ankara to draw attention to the harsh working conditions medical workers faced during the pandemic, including mobbing, long shifts, and economic hardships.
A century of Etel Adnan: a mountain who leaves behind mountains
With colourful palettes, careful strokes and moving poetry, mountains were sensual beings in Adnan's artwork, regarded in confluence with the skies and earth, erupting in volcanoes.
Making Turkish music in Hungary: Can this be a ‘Nasip Kısmet’ moment?
How fortunate is it to be able to play Turkish folk songs in Hungary, despite the anti-immigrant, Christian-values agenda of the prime minister, Victor Orbán.
In Turkey women faced rubber bullets, tear gas from police as they marched to end gender-based violence
The protestors' main demand was for Turkey to rejoin the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty pledging to eliminate domestic violence and promote gender equality, which Turkey withdrew from this year.
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