Culture UNESCO backs Egypt's Khaled el-Enany as next director-general, first Arab in post Enany would be the first Egyptian and the first Arab to serve as the agency’s director-general. Egypt
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
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
Analysis 'Prepared for any scenario': What are Iran's options after sanctions snapback? As the snapback nears, Iran weighs diplomacy, escalation and changes to its nuclear policy. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Netanyahu sidesteps Trump's Gaza plan at UN as US presses Israel to end war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Algeria battles larger countries to vie for leading role in Libya peace process Algeria is seeking to recover its diplomatic role in the region, by pushing for a political solution in Libya and condemning foreign interference in its affairs. Egypt
Iraqi protesters demand UN protection from violence of authorities Iraqi protesters are seeking protection from the United Nations against the violence against them. Iraq
Pompeo mocks claim Soleimani was part of Iraq-brokered Iran-Saudi indirect talks The US secretary of state discounted the Iraqi prime minister's claim that on the day Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad, he was going to pass on an Iranian message as part of indirect Iranian-Saudi communications. Saudi Arabia
Militias abduct Iraqi activists in attempt to stifle protests Hundreds of Iraqi activists have been abducted by unidentified forces trying to put an end to the ongoing protests. Iraq
Russia weighs two reconstruction strategies for Syria In the face of US sanctions, Moscow is considering whether the outsourcing of reconstruction efforts for Syria may be better for Russia than a long-term presence. Syria
Potential oil spill disaster looms off Yemen's coast, but who’s to blame? Calls are rising to separate the politics of the military conflict in Yemen from the issue of an abandoned oil tanker in the Red Sea, in light of a looming ecological disaster that could affect the entire region. Saudi Arabia
UAE hires its second former Samantha Power aide to defend itself at UN The UAE has tapped a former aide to Barack Obama’s UN ambassador as the country faces blistering criticism at the world body. United Arab Emirates
Iraqis gratefully welcome UN envoy's speech, demand more With few expectations, Iraqis expressed appreciation to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for her briefing on the protests. Iraq
IS kills priests in Syria as Turkish-backed fighters express IS sympathies Two Armenian Catholic priests are killed by the Islamic State near Hasakah and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters are reported to have hoisted the Islamic State flag in Ras al-Ain. Syria
Two to watch at the UN General Assembly: Turkey’s Erdogan and Iraq’s Salih Turkish leader meets Trump ahead of safe-zone deadline; Iraqi president offers new direction for Iraq and region. Iraq
UN nuclear watchdog confirms Iran installing advanced centrifuges The IAEA has confirmed Iran’s third step of reducing its limitations on nuclear research and development under the JCPOA. Iran
Why UN fears exposing Israel The United Nations did not include Israel in its "list of shame" of states committing grave violations against children, despite the figures and statistics released in its special report pointing to the contrary. Palestine