Sport
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″Gaza Surf Club″ – a film documentary
Cresting the wave
In the occupied Gaza Strip, young Palestinians get a taste of the freedom they lack through surf. Jochen Kurten met German director Philip Gnadt and producer Mickey Yamine to discuss their documentary "Gaza Surf Club"
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The first German graphic novel in Arabic
Sketches with global appeal
How does one go about telling a story as dramatically tragic as that of the young Somali sportswoman who lost her life attempting to cross the Mediterranean in a refugee boat? And can such a story be told by a writer best known for graphic novels, comic books for adults? By Manfred Ewel
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Saudi health reforms and women′s rights
Still a sore point
A Saudi decision to license the kingdom′s first women-only gyms over the coming weeks constitutes progress in a country in which women′s rights are severely curtailed. Yet it also reveals the limitations of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman′s plan to rationalise and diversify the kingdom′s economy. By James M. Dorsey
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Book review: Giuseppe Catozzella’s ″Don′t tell me you′re afraid″
The flame of Olympia
″Don′t tell me you′re afraid″ is a heartbreaking and remarkable book about a young woman, like every other refugee, who deserved a better fate. Catozzella not only tells the story of Samia Yusuf Omar, but in the process brings the experiences of every refugee to life. Richard Marcus read the book
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Iran's stadium ban on women
Excluding the people
Iranian women′s rights activist Darya Safai fights the stadium ban for Iranian women from her exile in Brussels. An interview on her protest during the Olympic Games in Rio, the hypocrisy of international sports organisations and Ali Khamenei′s unreformable regime. By Kai Schnier
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The UEFA Cup 2016
The Teutonic preoccupation with race
For the UEFA Cup in France, the German national football team bus has been emblazoned with the slogan "Vive la Mannschaft" or "Vive la team". At the same time, members of this team suffer public racist abuse. By Rene Wildangel
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Football fan protests in Turkey and Egypt
Closed ranks
Battles for control of stadiums and other public spaces in Turkey and Egypt have pitched militant football fans against authoritarian leaders. By James Dorsey
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Egyptian football star Mohammed Aboutreika
Bridging a deep divide
Few are able to bridge Egypt's deeply polarising divide between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2013 military coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi. Mohammed Aboutreika, Egypt's most celebrated and storied soccer player, is proving to be either the exception that proves the rule or an indication of shifting attitudes. By James M. Dorsey
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Egyptian soccer stadium deaths
Black day for the "White Knights"
Three years after the Port Said catastrophe, Egyptian soccer has again been hit by tragedy. At least 22 fans were killed in a stampede and clashes with police outside a stadium in the capital on Sunday, 8 February. Background details from Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
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Qatar's foreign policy
Little emirate, big ambition
This week, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid his first state visit to Germany since being named emir of Qatar after his father's abdication in June 2013. The 34-year-old emir is one of the Middle East's most influential leaders, but his political course is controversial. By Anne Allmeling
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Soccer as a force for integration
Success through diversity
Mesut Özil and his team colleagues not only represent multicultural Germany: they also serve as popular role models within German society. This shows that football should be afforded greater recognition as a force for integration, says Shohreh Karimian
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FIFA World Cup 2014: Algeria
"My money's on Algeria and Russia"
The Algerian national squad are aiming to realise a dream at the World Cup in Brazil: to finally make it through to the second round. Algerian sports commentator Hafiz Deraji believes this is eminently possible and that Algeria and Russia will survive the group stage. He spoke to Adil Chroat