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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from August, 2014
Mexican Cartoonist Compares James Foley's Execution with Presidential Interview
On August 21, Mexican cartoonist Francisco Calderón raised controversy after publishing on his daily cartoon section on Grupo Reforma, an image depicting president Enrique Peña Nieto wearing an orange jumpsuit...
As Bombs Go Silent, Testimonies Mount That Israeli Soldiers Used Gazans as Human Shields
Accusation made by Palestinians, several NGOs, and the United Nations against Israel for its use of Palestinian civilians as human shields.
Bahraini Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Denied Entry to Her Country, Goes On Hunger Strike
Bahraini human rights activists Maryam Al-Khawaja was denied entry to Bahrain upon her arrival at the airport. Now in detention, she has started a hunger strike.
13 Photos by an Exiled Iranian Photojournalist of People Caught in Conflict in the Middle East
Maryam Ashrafi's portfolio spans Iran, Iraq, Turkey and France. Global Voices interviewed her about her work.
Between Bombs and Rebuilding in Gaza, Palestinian Activists are Fighting for the Environment
What is it like to be a climate activist in Palestine living under occupation? We speak to a West Bank-based environmental activist.
Three Years After the Arab Spring, Tunisian and Egyptian Musicians Continue to Fight Censorship
Hind started the TeMa Rebelle Festival to bring together young socially conscious musicians from the Arab world with their European counterparts so that they would meet and collaborate.
From a “Gaza Stripper” in Texas to Chinese Migrants in Egypt, Kim Badawi Photographs Intercultural Encounters
In this interview, photographer Kim Badawi discusses his work on cultural encounters, and on the role of social media when mainstream news fails to report stories that matter to communities.
Powerful Video Shows a Syrian Toddler's ‘Rebirth’ From Under the Rubble of a Bombed Building
A barrel bomb destroyed little Ghina's home and killed her mother. She survived, despite being buried in rubble herself.
Shame and Outrage in Algeria After Cameroon Footballer Albert Ebossé Is Killed by an Object Tossed from the Stands
"No desire to resume the league after the death of #Ebosse! #Disgusted. Our lives are worth more than this rubbish."
Why Activists Sent 128 Tomatoes to Every Single Member of Lebanon's Parliament
Fearing that lawmakers will once again extend their term without elections, Lebanese are saying #NotoExtension in protests on and offline.
Cameroonian Striker Albert Ebossé's Death in Algeria Raises Questions About Stadium Security
The footballing world is in a state of shock following the death of 24-year-old Ebossé, killed by a projectile thrown from the stands after a match.
Ceasefire Reached in Gaza After 50 Days of War and Catastrophic Damage
Seventy-two percent of the 2137 Palestinians killed in this offensive were civilians. One-third of Gaza's population has been made homeless.
Iran's Grand Ayatollah: 3G Internet Is Immoral
Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, a prominent Shia scholar, has said 3G Internet is immoral and inhumane, Iranian sites reported on Tuesday. #Iran‘s grand Ayatollah Makarem: “high-speed internet & 3G is...
Scholars and Experts Are Urging the German Government to Rethink Its Unconditional Support of Israel
Due to several anti-Semitic outbursts from some protesters, reporting on Gaza in Germany over the past few weeks has been overshadowed by a debate on anti-Semitism.
Experts Say Technical Issues Are Behind Egypt's Power Outages, but the Prime Minister Blames the Muslim Brotherhood
Egyptians suffer from daily hours-long blackouts while government officials make contradicting statements regarding the cause.
Eerie Similarities in Deaths Provoked by Police Brutality in Staten Island and Paris
Eric Garner was a 44-year-old African-American man who died following an attempted arrest by the NY Police Department. On July 17, 2014, when police officers attempted to arrest Garner, he...
Education Is Syria's ‘Chance for Change’
Chance4Change aims to fund 15 schools in areas free of regime control in order to secure their curriculum and ensure they remain independent. Find out how you can help.
‘We Are All Numb': Gazan Woman Recalls Israeli Attack That Made Dozens of Her Neighbours Homeless
"Within the minute we heard two huge bombs. We were all in shock. My brother went to check and immediately came back downstairs to announce that it's completely gone."
Neighbours Tweet the Terrifying Moment Israeli Forces Destroy a 12-Storey Gaza City Apartment Tower
Twenty-two civilians, including 11 children, were injured. Israel used its infamous 'knock on roof' method to warn residents.
Over 300 Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants Condemn Israel's ‘Massacre of Palestinians in Gaza’
Nothing can justify bombing UN shelters, homes, hospitals and universities or depriving people of electricity and water, say Jewish survivors, their descendants and victims of the Nazi genocide.
Iranian Photojournalist Arrested Alongside Washington Post Reporter Is Released
An unidentified female Iranian-American photojournalist was released on Thursday, Aug. 21 after being held in police custody at an unidentified location since July 22. The photojournalist had official accreditation from...