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
US to submit UN resolution to extend Iran arms embargo next week: Pompeo The arms embargo is set to expire in October as part of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers. United States
Intel: White House sympathizes with France in Libya row with Turkey White House National Security adviser Robert O’Brien on Wednesday expressed sympathy for France’s account of events in a Mediterranean naval standoff with Turkey last month over a Libyan arms smuggling allegation. Turkey
First confirmed COVID-19 case detected in northwest Syria The first case of the coronavirus in Idlib follows a veto at the UN Security Council today of a resolution that would have allowed aid to reach the embattled area via Turkey. Syria
Tensions escalate between Egypt, Ethiopia with no end in sight of Nile dam dispute Ethiopia has recently accused Egypt of unilaterally using Nile River waters via a project approved in 1995; Cairo says upstream countries are not affected and that it has all the rights to use the Nile waters. Egypt
Humanitarian aid to Syria meets Russian resistance at the UN Security Council Russia isn't budging from its resistance to deny crucial humanitarian aid to northwest Syria. Syria
Pompeo’s push to extend Iran arms embargo faces uphill battle at UN The UN Security Council is not keen on extending the Iran arms embargo despite US threats to instate snapback sanctions. United States
Intel: US pledges nearly $700M in humanitarian assistance for Syrians The US State Department announced it would be providing an additional $696 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrians. Syria
Iran slams US efforts to reimpose arms embargo, UN sanctions The remarks from the Iranian ambassador to the UN follow a US proposal to the UN to extend an arms embargo on Iran. United States
UN takes lead against Israel’s annexation plan UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres redoubles his efforts against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation proposal. Palestine
UN report on Libya mercenaries 'unfounded,' says Russia A Foreign Ministry official dismissed the findings of the report on Wagner Group's operations in Libya and called for an investigation into why it was leaked. Libya
Intel: AFRICOM commander visits Libya’s UN-backed prime minister in Tripoli The head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Washington’s ambassador to Libya urged western Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to return to the United Nations-backed cease-fire process during a meeting west of Tripoli on Monday, the State Department said. Originals
Intel: Missiles that struck Saudi Arabia last year 'of Iranian origin,' UN says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the drones and cruise missiles that struck Saudi Arabia’s oil refineries and an international airport last year came from Iran. Saudi Arabia
