In Turkey, incidents of gun violence have increased by almost 75 percent since 2015, claiming the lives of more than 2,000 people last year alone. Campaigners are calling for a review of gun ownership laws, as the vast majority of weapons are sold illegally. According to the Umut ("Hope") Foundation, one in three households are now armed. On average, 15 people die from gun violence every day in Turkey. Our correspondents Shona Bhattacharyya, Ludovic de Foucaud and Mehmet Akgun report from Istanbul.
In Iran, a fire at Tehran's notorious Evin prison has claimed the lives of at least eight inmates. The blaze has stoked tensions, more than a month into protests that have swept the country following the death of Mahsa Amini. Authorities are blaming the fire on "riots and clashes" among those detained in the jail. Human rights groups reject official accounts, pointing out that hundreds of demonstrators have been sent to Evin prison in recent weeks.
Finally, Iraq is home to some of the oldest ancient cities in the world, but many of its treasures have been destroyed by war and looting. Those that remain intact are being painstakingly preserved. Among them is the "archaeology park" of Faida, with ancient stone carvings dating back to the time of the Assyrians, some 2,700 years ago. We take a closer look.
