Society

Iran – schoolgirl poisonings

Threats in place of investigation

The Iranian regime has pledged to mete out harsh punishments to those responsible for suspected poison attacks on girls’ schools. Such promises ring hollow. If nothing else, the state appears to tolerate the mysterious poisonings. Analysis by Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
20 years after Saddam's fall

Iraq still haunted by missing persons

When he first heard that U.S. troops had toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraqi engineer Hazem Mohammed thought he would finally be able to find his brother, who had been shot dead and dumped in a mass grave after a failed uprising against Saddam's rule in 1991
Israel writers protest

"They want control of our books"

Writers have barely been visible in the recent nationwide protests against the new Israeli government's reforms. Now, however, things have taken a dramatic turn. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Syria earthquake aftermath

Life is a whole lot worse for women

For women in northwestern Syria, the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes has deepened the trauma of 12 years of war. By Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Afghan refugees in Portugal

Regenerating soil and soul

Human rights activists who fled the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan get the chance of a new start in life in Portugal thanks to a permaculture initiative focusing on ecology, agroforestry, social justice and solidarity. Marta Vidal reports
By Marta Vidal
Development aid

Despite the Taliban, Afghanistan deserves help

For the sake of the Afghan people, the international community needs to re-engage in development cooperation. The education sector would be an ideal entry point, argue Conrad Schetter and Katja Mielke
By Conrad Schetter, Katja Mielke
Culture funding in Israel

Filmmakers fear censorship

In recent weeks, Israel has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets to protest against the new ultra-right government's political agenda. Filmmakers tackling sensitive issues such as Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories are likely to be first affected by proposed cuts in cultural funding. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Human rights in China

Search tool offers Uighur diaspora harrowing insights

Overseas Uighurs have gained insights into their family members in China's Xinjiang region, thanks to leaked data and a new search tool. Some say they feel a deep sense of guilt, others are filled with fear. William Yang reports from Taipei
By William Yang
Debt crisis in Pakistan

Crumbling Pakistan economy puts children's futures on hold

Pakistan’s government, struggling to tackle a mounting debt crisis, recently raised taxes on luxury imports and services, saying only the rich elite would be affected. However, it also slashed fuel subsidies and increased a general sales tax, both of which will hit low-income families
Syrian refugees in Lebanon

No education for this generation?

More than a decade since hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled into neighbouring Lebanon, the educational level of the younger generation is disastrously low and their future prospects correspondingly dim. By Mona Naggar
By Mona Naggar
Construction and infrastructure

Turkey supplants China in East Africa

Uganda is abandoning its Chinese partners and turning to Turkey to build a new railway line that will connect to neighbouring Kenya. East Africa is keen on improving its railway network as part of a pan-African project. By Philipp Sandner, Emmanuel Lubega & Burak Unveren
By Philipp Sandner, Emmanuel Lubega, Burak Ünveren
Integration in Germany

Muslims find a home, but few graves

Germany lacks Muslim burial grounds, while establishing new ones is fraught with red tape. Christoph Strack examines the issue and talks to the initiator of one showcase project
By Christoph Strack