All Middle East
Iran has largely crushed protests, but a spirit of defiance still burnsAnti-regime protests in Iran have ebbed and flowed. For now, fierce public expressions that harnessed women鈥檚 outrage have been brutally suppressed, but the resolve to find a path to change hasn鈥檛.
On security, Israeli leaders鈥� words speak louder than their actionsIsrael鈥檚 leaders promised to improve citizens鈥� safety. Yet amid recent deadly violence, rhetoric threatening even harsher security measures keeps the peril of an even worse explosion in plain sight.
鈥業s it a sin to learn?鈥� Afghan women grapple with Taliban edicts.Many young women had expected to contribute to Afghan society as trained professionals, so the Taliban鈥檚 clampdown on girls鈥� and women鈥檚 education comes as both a shock and a challenge.
First LookGlobal unity: Nearly 30 countries send aid to Turkey and SyriaRescue workers are rushing to Turkey and Syria following the series of earthquakes that have claimed more than 5,000 lives.聽鈥淭his is a crisis on top of multiple crises in the affected region,鈥� said an officer with the World Health Organization.
First LookRescue workers act after massive earthquakes shake Turkey, SyriaA 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday morning, killing at least 2,300 and leaving hundreds trapped.聽Rescue workers have searched building remains for survivors, while residents work together to evacuate and bring people to safety.
First Look'We鈥檙e here to stay': Israeli settler population surpasses 500KThere are now currently more than 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, a recent report says. That number is expected to rise even higher under Israel鈥檚 incoming ultranationalist administration.
Palestinians see fewer paths to safety amid violence with IsraelFeeling abandoned amid the West Bank鈥檚 latest explosive cycle, how do Palestinian civilians protect themselves? Even as some embrace mutual aid, others resort to violence.
First LookBlinken, in Israel, urges restraint as he condemns recent violenceU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit comes amid escalating turmoil in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
First LookBurst of Israeli-Palestinian violence casts shadow ahead of Blinken visitMr. Blinken, who is arriving Sunday, is expected now to focus on lowering tensions after an Israel raid in the West Bank Thursday killed nine, and a Palestinian attack outside an East Jerusalem synagogue Friday night killed seven.
In Valley of the Kings dig, an all-Egyptian team makes its markFor decades, as leading archaeologists dug into the rich history buried in Egypt, locals were the laborers, never the discoverers. But not聽 this dig.
First LookIsraeli PM Netanyahu makes an unexpected visit to Jordan's KingIsraeli Prime Minister Netanyahu paid an unexpected trip to King Abdullah II, his first visit since taking power in December. They talked about 鈥渞egional issues鈥� and security cooperation with Jordan, according to Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 office.聽
Court tells Netanyahu to fire ally, intensifying fight over democracyThe brewing battle over Israeli democracy is now centered on Netanyahu ally Aryeh Deri, a convicted felon. Which takes precedence, the 鈥渨ill of the people鈥� or the rule of law?
Cairo鈥檚 鈥楪arbage City鈥� rebranded: It鈥檚 recycling ... and a livingResidents of Cairo鈥檚 Manshiyat Naser neighborhood were once referred to as zabaleen, garbage people. But today鈥檚 push for a green economy and the demand for recycled plastic is changing perceptions of their work.
First LookLebanon saves Syrian refugees from sea, hands over to Syrian armyA boat carrying more than 200 migrants sank off the coast of Lebanon on New Year鈥檚 Eve. All but two of the passengers were rescued, but they were taken to the Syrian border and handed聽over to the Syrian army.聽
First LookFemale athletes in Afghanistan face new opponent: Taliban ruleNoura had always been an all-star athlete until the Taliban barred Afghan women from playing sports. Many women and girls who once played sports have been intimidated into submission through visits to their gyms, warning phone calls, and detainment.
Together they can: In Palestinian village, a model of self-sufficiencyFrom homegrown food to home improvement, a West Bank village is blending a cooperative tradition with modern volunteerism to enhance its autonomy from Israel and the inefficient Palestinian Authority.
First LookIranian actor jailed for supporting protests has been releasedTaraneh Alidoosti, one of Iran鈥檚 most famous actors, was among several celebrities to post messages in support of the anti-government protests. She was jailed for nearly three weeks for her support but has now been released on bail.
How Egyptians face a food crisis: With creativity ... and half a loafHow much can a belt be tightened? In Egypt, families are cutting back, shrinking portions, and creatively trying to ensure their families are fed amid Ukraine war food prices and soaring inflation.
First LookNetanyahu takes office, remains on trial for corruption, fraudAfter being ousted last year, Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in again as prime minister Thursday for聽his sixth term as Israel's leader.
Far-right coalition in Israel sparks furor over education and valuesThe naming of a religious anti-LGBTQ extremist to a new education post is roiling the public over fundamental questions of Israeli identity and Jewish values.