Syria: Seige persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce Tensions are rising over plans to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into the new Syrian military amid clashes between government-affiliated and Kurdish forces in Syria’s largest city. Syria
Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
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
Syria's parliamentary elections: First Jewish candidate in 58 years enters race Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime, with a Jewish candidate running for the first time in decades in a vote conducted largely through indirect selection rather than a direct public ballot. Syria
Mixed feelings in Israel over first Druze city Residents of Maghar would have preferred Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked to announce it as a new Arab city, and not as the first Druze city in Israel. Israel
Egypt churches play matchmaker as Christians' marriages decline Egypt's churches are trying to help their unmarried male and female members tie the knot, but the move is making some people angry. Egypt
Egypt celebrates Prophet's birthday with Sufi music stars Egypt held the first Mawlid festival with Sufi chanting performances to highlight the main core of Sufism, which is combining all religions and urges people to accept each other, whatever their religion is. Culture
Children's books share Sudan's endangered Nobiin with new readers Three Nubian-Sudanese writers have published children's books written in the Nobiin language and using the Old Nubian script. Culture
Israeli minister promotes controversial reform on conversion into Judaism Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana is determined to break the monopoly of ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate over conversions into Judaism. Israel
Egypt strengthens influence in Africa through church The Egyptian government is working through the Egyptian Orthodox Church in Africa, especially in the Nile Basin countries, as part of a soft power strategy to boost its influence in light of the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Three Israeli ministers visit Emirates on sidelines of Dubai expo Three Israeli ministers are using the opportunity of the 2020 Dubai Expo to visit the country and meet with their Emirati counterparts. Israel
Jewish Israelis flock to Temple Mount in greater numbers Despite warnings from some rabbis that visits are forbidden, more Jewish Israelis are ascending the Temple Mount than ever. Israel
Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious. Egypt
LISTEN: Assyrian Church of the East elects new patriarch The new leader of the historic church must now navigate the unique political and spiritual challenges facing his shrinking community in Iraq and its worldwide diaspora. Iraq
Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew I set to meet Biden at White House The patriarch will also meet Ankara's US ambassador while in Washington. Turkey
Bennett’s government advances ultra-Orthodox public school system The new Israeli government focuses efforts on pushing forward and expanding an ultra-Orthodox public school system. Israel
