As anti-racist protests continue to spread across the globe, we draw attention to the plight of the Afghan community in Iran. They are sometimes referred to as the country's "unwelcome guests". Critics say the presence of the Afghan community has frequently been used as political leverage by Iranian authorities. On top of this, there have been recent cases of violence against Afghan refugees, involving police. For more, we speak to Fawzia Koofi, Afghanistan's first woman deputy speaker of parliament.
Meanwhile, Syria has been ravaged by nearly a decade of conflict, government corruption and an economic meltdown. According to the UN, an estimated 83 percent of Syrians live beneath the poverty line and they’re now bracing themselves for the toughest US sanctions yet. We tell you more about what's known as the Caesar Act.
Finally, we focus on one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site: the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The attraction, which welcomed a million foreign visitors last year, is now empty. It's become yet another victim of the collapse of the tourism sector amid the global coronavirus pandemic. We take a closer look.
