EGYPT: The unexpected cancellation of Istinsakh’s private screening on April 7, 2025, has stirred major controversy in Egypt’s film industry. The sci-fi thriller, which tackles the societal impacts of artificial intelligence, was set to premiere publicly on April 9. While officials blame administrative delays, many suspect censorship, reigniting broader concerns about artistic freedom in Egypt's entertainment landscape. As of April 10, 2025, Istinsakh has yet to be release
IRAQ: The banning of the Saudi-produced series Muawiya in Iraq has sparked major controversy, highlighting deep sectarian and political tensions. Centered on Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the show has been accused of glorifying divisive historical narratives. Critics warn it may inflame Sunni-Shia sensitivities, especially during Ramadan, a time of unity. With bans also in Iran, the incident reveals how historical portrayals shape modern geopolitics in the Middle East.
Lebanon has banned Captain America: Brave New World due to the inclusion of Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra, a controversial character with ties to Israeli identity and history. Despite Marvel altering her background for the film, the move reignited political and cultural tensions. Activists, including the BDS movement, accuse Disney of promoting Israeli narratives, sparking protests and renewed calls for boycott across the Arab world.
SYRIA: The Syrian TV drama Caesar, set after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, faced backlash and halted production after attempting to film inside former regime prisons. These facilities, infamous for torture and mass executions, hold deep trauma for survivors. The controversy reveals the sensitive balance between artistic expression and honoring victims’ experiences in post-conflict Syria.
SYRIA: Nour al-Din al-Labbad, former Syrian ambassador and renowned poet, was assassinated on March 11, 2025, in his hometown of al-Sanamayn, Daraa. A prominent defector from Assad’s regime, al-Labbad returned from exile just weeks before his death. His killing, amid growing violence in post-Assad Syria, highlights the peril faced by opposition figures and the fragile security situation during the country’s ongoing transition
SYRIA: The defacement of Adnan al-Malki's statue, a revered Syrian nationalist and anti-colonial figure, has stirred public outrage and reignited debates over memory, identity, and national heritage. Though the damage occurred during the chaotic aftermath of Assad's fall in December 2024, its resurfacing in March 2025 highlights deep political divisions and the fragile process of reconciliation in post-conflict Syria.
Jordanian publisher Omar Al Zayood’s arrest on March 17, 2025, under the controversial Cybercrime Law, has ignited alarm over the country’s growing clampdown on press freedom. Charged after a complaint by ex-PM Bisher al-Khasawneh, Al Zayood faces prison time and steep fines. His case underscores rising concerns over legal tools being used to silence dissent and restrict journalists in Jordan.
EGYPT: Dr. Mabrouk Attia, a retired professor from Al-Azhar University, faces an investigation following controversial content in his Ramadan program on social media, "Kalam Mabrouk." The university's referral comes amid backlash for Attia’s discussions with Mahraganat singers and provocative statements on social issues. This marks the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the scholar, raising questions about Egypt’s approach to freedom of expression, the regulation of religious discourse, and the role of social media in public life.
Political violence and civil unrest are among the top global business risks, driven by rising protests, economic instability, and ideological extremism. Allianz Commercial reports that over 50% of businesses identify civil unrest as their primary political violence concern. With 800+ major protests since 2017, and $10B+ in related losses over a decade, companies must prioritize risk mitigation, continuity planning, and insurance coverage to navigate the unstable geopolitical climate.
Uganda’s artists face growing censorship under President Museveni’s rule. From banned music and plays to arrested comedians and TikTokers, creative expression is under siege. Laws targeting LGBTQ+ content and political satire have silenced many, yet artists continue to resist through coded messages, digital activism, and global collaboration—proving that creativity remains a powerful force against oppression.
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Amid rising global uncertainty and a rapidly shifting philanthropic landscape, the 2025 Skoll World Forum brought together changemakers from around the world in Oxford and online under the theme, “Together We Can Mend What is Broken.” From April 1–4, the forum served as a catalyst for ideas, urgent action, and transformative collaboration. By spotlighting pioneering social innovations and reimagining how philanthropy and development can adapt to today’s complex realities, the event offered a hopeful yet pragmatic roadmap for tackling systemic challenges and shaping more equitable futures.
On April 3, 2025, Lusaka's streets echoed with the voices of protesters demanding justice for the alarming rise in child rape cases. Among them were prominent musicians like Sista D, B’Flow, and Wezi Heartsound, who joined civil society groups to call for legal reforms to protect Zambia’s children from sexual violence.
In response to the authoritarian shifts under President Trump’s administration, several international artists have taken a stand by boycotting performances in the United States. Notable figures such as András Schiff, Christian Tetzlaff, and Jean-Guihen Queyras have canceled U.S. engagements, highlighting the global resistance against Trump’s controversial policies, including his overhaul of cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center.
The controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan highlights the issue of self-censorship in Indian cinema. Despite its box-office success, the filmmakers voluntarily altered parts of the film under pressure from political and ideological factions.
In January 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior launched the Ballegh platform, an online reporting system that allows citizens to flag social media content deemed “indecent” or harmful to public morals. Promoted as a tool to uphold societal values, Ballegh quickly became a mechanism for state repression.
On March 27, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which seeks to reshape how federally funded cultural institutions like the Smithsonian present U.S. history.
Cultural institutions in Arendal have established an initiative, Art27Arendal: for artistic rights, freedom of expression, democracy and internationalization.
Kristin Danielsen, from Arendal in Norway, has been named the new Director of the Nordic Culture Fund and will assume the role in September 2025. She brings extensive experience from the arts and culture sector at national, Nordic, and international levels, most recently serving as Chief Executive Director of Arts and Culture Norway.
In February 2025, Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi was abruptly removed from representing Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, igniting a firestorm of controversy within the international arts community. The decision, made by Creative Australia, followed backlash over Sabsabi’s 2007 video installation You
