In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Turkey
Lebanon seizes $1.5M in cocaine at Beirut airport: What to know The country has recently stepped up its fight against drug trafficking, seizing large amounts of cocaine at ports and airports and targeting Captagon production. Lebanon
Analysis How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions? Iran is lobbying states to resist enforcement of UN sanctions — looking particularly to China and Russia to blunt the impact, even as questions remain about the limits of their willingness to act. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Bulgarian court sentences two men in bus bombing that killed Israelis Bulgaria said that two dual citizens of Lebanon were responsible for the Black Sea attack that targeted Israeli tourists in 2012; Hezbollah has denied involvement. Israel
The Netherlands takes first step in holding Syria’s torturers to account The Dutch Foreign Ministry says it will hold Syria responsible for "gross human rights violations" in a process that could make its way to the UN's International Court of Justice. Syria
Egypt’s presidency clashes with religious institutions over verbal divorce Calls for new legislation in Egypt to annul verbal divorce, namely by President Abel Fattah al-Sisi, raise the ire of Al-Azhar and other religious institutions already at odds with the president. Egypt
Netanyahu’s Likud vs. Israel’s judicial system For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin the time has come for a last, decisive duel against the High Court. Israel
Residents of this Egyptian village forced to leave their homes Forced evacuation and a security campaign targeted the residents of Sayadeen village in Alexandria governorate in northern Egypt. Egypt
Israeli-Arab society torn over LGBTQ legislation The vote over a bill banning gay "conversion therapy" stirred a real conflict within Israeli-Arab politics and society. Israel
Egypt seeks extradition of Sisi's 'pain in Spain' Madrid is looking into the case of Egyptian construction contractor Mohamed Ali at the Egyptian authorities' official request that the Spanish authorities extradite him for fraud offenses. Egypt
Israeli top model Bar Refaeli found guilty in tax evasion case The international supermodel is a controversial person in Israel due to her avoidance of mandatory military service, as well as the trial. Israel
Turkey sentences Germany-based journalist to prison in absentia Deniz Yucel was convicted of "incitement to hatred" and spreading "terror propaganda." Turkey
Four years on, former AKP insiders reflect on Turkey's failed coup Former members and supporters of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party discuss the four-year anniversary of the 2016 failed coup and say that the rule of law and democratic principles have been weakened in the country. Turkey
Iran says Romania has not shared details of death of fugitive judge Iran says that Romanian officials have not shared any information about the death in their country of fugitive judge Gholamreza Mansouri. Iran
Turkish NBA player's father acquitted of terrorism charges in Turkey Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is an outspoken critic of the Turkish government, which has led to trouble for his family back home. Turkey
