Why was Pakistani pop culture so big in 2022?
2022 saw a rise of Pakistani pop culture worldwide, punctuated by a Grammy win, Ms. Marvel and an ovation at Cannes.
Middle East
A look at where Iran demonstrations are headed after over 100 days of public protests
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Columbia Global Senior Advisor Kian Tajbakhsh about the protests in Iran, which have continued for more than 100 days.
Campaign to get people to try chicken feet used a fake photo of soccer star
In a Facebook post, Egypt's National Nutrition Institute wanted people to switch to chicken feet as a low-cost alternative for protein by using a photoshopped image of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Protests for greater freedoms continue in Iran
Protests in Iran for greater freedoms are continuing, though they may be slowing down. The government has made widespread arrests and executed two people for taking part in the demonstrations.
Revisiting an Afghan woman's experience of being a student under the Taliban
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Afghan student Zakia Menhas, now in the U.S., about the Taliban's decision to forbid women from attending university.
Filipino workers in Dubai gather to celebrate Christmas far away from home
Filipino workers come to the United Arab Emirates seeking opportunity and to support relatives back home. Christmas isn't a UAE holiday, so many will work — but also manage to find joy and community.
Syrian refugees in Turkey face racist attacks and the fear of deportation
Syrian refugees found refuge in southern Turkey, even building businesses that help the local economy. But now the political winds are shifting, and many feel they're no longer welcome.
A doctor in Iran is sentenced to death for participating in an antigovernment protest
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Hassan Hassanlou about his brother, Hamid Ghareh Hassanlou, a doctor in Iran who was sentenced to death by the Iranian government after he attended a demonstration.
A large community of Filipino workers in Dubai celebrates Christmas far from home
Filipinos living in Dubai often mark Christmas without relatives, who are back home in the Philippines. Many also work through the holiday but still manage to find joy and community.
Turkey's attempt to ban an Erdogan rival from politics is drawing a backlash
People are protesting a court ruling to sentence Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu to prison and bar him from politics for two-plus years. He's seen as a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.