Social movements
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COVID-19 on the Nile
Egyptians create their own silver lining to coronavirus
Given the numerous civil society initiatives that have emerged during coronavirus, Egyptian writer and journalist Khaled al-Khamissi finds his faith in his fellow Egyptians restored – there is hope for the country after all
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COVID-19 on the Nile
Where is the justice in corona-plagued Egypt?
An actor falls ill and receives preferential treatment; a well-known contract killer is pardoned: the corona pandemic draws back the veil on social inequality in Egypt. By Khaled el-Khamissi
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Young 'Black Lives Matter' demonstrators: "Enough is enough"
In the U.S. capital protests against police violence continue following the death of George Floyd. Many young people in particular are demonstrating and demanding justice. Carla Bleike reports from Washington
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Social unrest in Lebanon
Beirut – currency chaos, exploding prices and burning banks
In Lebanon, the local currency has slumped to a record low, people are losing their jobs and the price of food is skyrocketing. Despite the threat posed by the coronavirus, hundreds are taking to the streets in protest. Julia Neumann reports from Beirut
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Beirut on the brink
Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking point
Lebanon's economy is imploding and with it social stability. While the country’s politicians understand the depth of the crisis, they have used the coronavirus lockdown, argues Maha Yahya, as an chance to settle old scores and – following months of popular rejection – stage a comeback
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Humanism as a universal and humane concept
From Syria to Germany – the unifying struggle for democracy
Repression and despotism takes many forms. Yet as varied as these phenomena are, they all share a common core, argues Tarek Azizeh. Revolutions accompanying the struggle for democracy – wherever they occur – are all different manifestations of one and the same fight
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COVID-19 consequences
Coronavirus halts year-long protests in Algeria
Exploiting the coronavirus emergency, Algeria’s ruling classes have ramped up their repressive campaign against the protest movement, opposition and free media. By Sofian Philip Naceur
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Digitalisation and the coronavirus in Morocco
From care to control?
With a series of digital measures introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Morocco is creating a trade-off between ways to provide rapid support and the parallel development of digital control. By Anja Hoffmann and Bauke Baumann
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COVID-19 in Iraq
Working under the coronavirus curfew in Baghdad
Coronavirus is also spreading in Iraq. This didn't stop hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travelling to a Shia shrine, however. The nation's health system has already conceded it cannot cope with the epidemic. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Female protesters in Lebanon
Solidarity is the solution!
Women have been the driving force behind the popular protests in Lebanon for months. They are fighting for the rights of everyone – women, minorities, refugees or migrants. Julia Neumann reports from Beirut
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Press freedom under attack
The Arab world's new wave of media repression
Since the 2011 uprisings, authoritarian rulers in the Arab world have worked out how to manipulate and instrumentalise the media to their own ends, nipping any new democratic quake in the bud. By Lydia Khalil
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Iraq's revolutionary women
The female paramedics of Tahrir Square
During the protests against the central government in Baghdad, Iraqi women have been volunteering as nurses and learning first aid. They are also changing the status quo and promoting the rights of women in the country. By Azhar Ali Hussein