China, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint. Bahrain
Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters Gazans fear that Israel could exploit the wider regional war to reenter Gaza, especially as buffer zones along the border continue to expand and civilians are targeted to keep them away. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher A UN fact-finding mission says the scale and coordination of atrocities in Darfur mark a shift in its assessment of the paramilitary group’s campaign. Sudan
Fidan heads to US as Turkey eyes Gaza troop role: What to know Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is also expected to attend the Board of Peace meeting, raising the prospect of the first face-to-face talks between top Turkish and Israeli diplomats since the war amid high-running tensions. Turkey
Analysis With central role for Qatar, can Gulf states mediate between US and Venezuela? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
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
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
