Yasmeen Altaji

Assistant Podcast Producer

Abu Dhabi

Yasmeen Altaji is an Assistant Podcast Producer at The National’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. Her multimedia reportage — from live coverage of the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University to US special elections — focuses on international politics, art and culture, and has appeared in international print, TV and radio outlets including the BBC, the CBC, PRI's The World and Al Jazeera English. She holds an MA in Political Journalism from Columbia University and a BS in Journalism and BMus. in Voice and Opera from Northwestern University.

A light show and fireworks illuminate the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, during New Year's Eve celebrations in Dubai on January 1, 2025. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Leaders send new year greetings, and the UAE in 2025 - Trending

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastJanuary 01, 2025

Yasmeen Altaji

Syrian security forces, under the guidance of the transitional government, stands guard in a street in the capital Damascus on December 24, 2024. Syria's new leaders announced that they had reached an agreement with the country's rebel groups on their dissolution and integration under the defence ministry. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)

TrendingSyria gears up for transition and Israel warns Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 31, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

FILE - Former President Jimmy Carter holds a copy of his book, "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid," at a book signing in Tempe, Ariz. , Dec. 12, 2006. (AP Photo / Paul Connors, File)

TrendingJimmy Carter dies at age 100 and the UAE sends more aid to Gaza

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 30, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

Smoke rises from the area around the International Airport following an airstrike, as seen from Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli military reported targeting infrastructure used by the Houthis at the Sanaa International Airport, as well as ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif, and Ras Qantib, along with power stations. (AP Photo / Osamah Abdulrahman)

Israeli-Houthi crossfire escalates and air strikes in Gaza kill and injure dozens - Trending

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 27, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

Toys and Christmas decorations are displayed for sale on a market street in Qamishli in north-eastern Syria on December 11. AFP

Qamishli watches keenly for signs of inclusiveness from Syria's new leadership

Once the capital of the Kurdish-led autonomous region in the north-east, the city is home to a cross-section of Syrian society

MENADecember 26, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

In this handout picture released by Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry, emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25, 2024. (Photo by Handout / Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry / handout" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

TrendingAzerbaijan Airlines plane crash survivors reported and Gaza hospital detonations

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

PodcastsDecember 26, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

FILE PHOTO: A member of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands along a street, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Hasakah, Syria, December 11, 2024. REUTERS / Orhan Qereman / File Photo

TrendingSDF makes gains and Houthi-Israel crossfire continues

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 25, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

People take shelter from the sun next to paintings depicting (L-R) late Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, on display on a fence in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sana'a, Yemen, 29 November 2024. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is marked annually on 29 November by the international community to raise awareness for the plight of the Palestinian people and call for an end to the conflict in the Palestinian territories. EPA / YAHYA ARHAB

TrendingIsrael confirms assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh and Gaza under threat of famine

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

PodcastsDecember 24, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Syria's rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, attending a press conference after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. EPA / TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS OFFICE HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES

TrendingHTS leader to protect minorities and key figures appointed in Syria's interim government

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 23, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo / Emrah Gurel)

TrendingUS senators' Turkey worries and UN demands Israel halt Syria operations

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today's trends

Trending Middle EastDecember 20, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji

New York City police arrest students at Columbia University during pro-Palestine protests at the campus. EPA

US academic fired on TV struggles with fallout from Gaza protests

Mohamed Abdou is one of several faculty who say they have faced disciplinary action for their activism or stances on Palestine since Israel launched its war

USDecember 20, 2024

Yasmeen Altaji