Culture Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added more than 10 cultural practices from across the Middle East and North Africa region this year. Egypt
Barham Salih slated to become first Kurd and Iraqi to lead UNHCR Barham Salih — former Iraqi president of Iraq and widely respected politician in Washington — has been formally nominated to become the next UN high commissioner for refugees. Iraq
Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria. Tamara Alrifai
Iran stops IAEA inspections following UN watchdog's reprimand The IAEA Board of Governors approved a resolution on Thursday demanding Iran provide access to attacked nuclear facilities and information on its uranium stockpiles. Iran
Exclusive US pushes UN vote to revoke Sharaa sanctions before White House visit By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
After breaches, UN Security Council urges Libya’s backers to respect arms embargo The council also called for a cease-fire and extended the UN mission in Libya by another 12 months. Libya
EU stops Libya-bound ship suspected of violating arms embargo European Union naval authorities inspected the merchant vessel after it departed from an Emirati port carrying suspected military fuel. Libya
Arms from Iran, Western countries prolonging Yemen’s war: UN A panel of UN investigators found all of Yemen's rival factions have violated international law and in some cases, may have committed war crimes. Yemen
Russia increased Wagner deployments as Hifter’s offensive faltered, UN report says A new UN report backs US claims that Russia sent more fighters to Libya as Turkey intervened against Hifter. Libya
Niger's envoy reaffirms rejection of Iran snapback sanctions as UN Security Council president The African state's UN ambassador, who is chairing the Security Council for September, said the United States cannot trigger the return of UN sanctions on Iran. United States
UN convoy hit by explosion in northern Iraq The convoy was being operated by the World Food Program. Iraq
Iran agrees on UN inspector access to suspected ex-nuclear sites The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran said in a joint statement that inspectors will have access to two suspected former nuclear sites. United States
Israel retaliates after Hezbollah shoots at IDF from Lebanon Israel is worried that a security incident late Aug. 25 on the border fence with Lebanon means that Hezbollah intends to escalate tensions. Israel
Iran unveils ballistic missile named after Qasem Soleimani A missile named for the powerful commander killed in a US drone strike last January was unveiled on Iranian state TV Thursday. Iran
Iran’s hard-liners push legislation to exit nuclear deal If passed, the legislation proposed by hard-liners would effectively force the government into a farewell to the fragile nuclear deal depending on UN action. United States
UN Security Council rejects US-sought extension on Iran arms embargo The resolution failed by a 2-2 vote with 11 abstentions. United States
Journalists in Yemen attacked ‘from all quarters,’ UN rights chief says Since the beginning of April, the United Nations has documented an abduction, a killing and a number of physical attacks and threats against journalists operating in war-torn Yemen. Yemen
