Middle East

Iraqi reform activists risk their lives to protest

5:17pm October 09, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

Two activist friends talk about their efforts to protest for reform in Iraq — despite intimidation and attacks from powerful parties that will likely come out on top in Sunday's elections.

Supporters of Iraq's Al-Fateh Alliance at a rally in Baghdad on Thursday ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections.

World News

Iraqi protesters helped spur new elections. But many doubt their votes will matter

2:19pm October 08, 2021

The current parties in power — many backed by militias involved in deadly attacks on protesters — are poised to dominate parliamentary elections scheduled to take place Sunday. Here's what to know.

Iraqis will vote for a new parliament on Sunday

7:24am October 08, 2021

While some new voices have emerged in the campaigning, it looks like the usual parties will win. One underdog candidate got some voters on her side when she resolved a sewer problem in a Baghdad slum.

Iraqis split on whether upcoming elections can bring meaningful change

4:59pm October 07, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

The election in Iraq that anti-government protestors gave their lives calling for is this weekend — but it might not lead to the changes people want.

Dr. Saleema Rehman stands outside Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Afghan refugee of Turkmen origin has won UNHCR's Nansen Award for her work helping refugee moms and babies in Pakistan.

An Afghan refugee girl grew up to be a prize-winning doc — with a little help from dad

4:15pm October 05, 2021

by Ruchi Kumar

From the moment Saleema Rehman was born, her father believed she was destined to be a doctor. Now she is the winner of a top U.N. award for her work helping displaced women in Pakistan.

The Pandora Papers cite a number of leaders from lower-income countries or nations with great levels of inequality, among them Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (from left), Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Pandora Papers show how tax havens are part of the global inequity problem

7:52pm October 04, 2021

by Jason Beaubien

Of 12 sitting heads of state implicated in the Pandora Papers, most are from low- or middle-income countries. So are many other politicians and elites named in the leaked documents.

Tropical cyclone Shaheen reached Oman's coast in the early hours of Sunday morning. State officials have encouraged coastal residents to evacuate and all flights to and from the country's capitol, Muscat, have been suspended.

Environment

Rare tropical cyclone Shaheen is battering the coast of Oman

10:52am October 03, 2021

by Deepa Shivaram

It's rare for a tropical cyclone this intense to come through the Arabian Sea, but warming ocean temperatures due to climate change are making these natural disasters more common.

World News

Near-Famine, Civil Conflict And COVID Leave Yemen In Devastating Humanitarian Crisis

4:55pm September 29, 2021

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with David Gressley, the United Nation's resident coordinator in Yemen, about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the nation.

Najla Bouden Ramadhane has been named Tunisia's first female prime minister. President Kais Saied appointed her to lead a transitional government after her predecessor was sacked and parliament suspended.

World News

Tunisia's New Prime Minister Is The 1st Woman To Lead A Government In The Arab World

2:55pm September 29, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Najla Bouden Ramadhane, a university engineer with no political background, has been appointed by President Kais Saied to fill the post, which has been vacant since July.

Concern Is Growing In Turkey Over President Erdogan's Push To Restrict Social Media

5:04pm September 28, 2021

by Peter Kenyon

Recent social media reaction to an event in the Turkish president's family may end up resulting in tighter laws restricting social media in the country.