Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts. Sudan
Bahrain to bid for UN Security Council seat: What to know If its candidacy is successful, it would allow the Arab world's smallest nation to have a significant say in critical decisions impacting the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Bahrain
Sudan brings genocide case against UAE at International Court of Justice Sudan accuses the United Arab Emirates of complicity in genocide over its alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which has been found to have committed atrocities against the Masalit ethnic group in Sudan's West Darfur state. Sudan
Trump’s UN envoy pick Stefanik blasts organization’s 'antisemitic rot' The Republican lawmaker also told senators she believes Israel has a biblical claim to the entire West Bank. United States
Analysis From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
US envoy says Israel to implement deconfliction mechanism for Gaza aid workers US special envoy David Satterfield told Al-Monitor that a deconfliction mechanism would take effect shortly in Gaza, where Israel's military campaign has killed more than 100 United Nations staff. Israel
Lebanon releases suspected Hezbollah member accused of killing Irish UNIFIL peacekeeper Mohamad Ayyad, who is believed to be linked to the paramilitary Hezbollah movement, was charged with the killing of an Irish UNIFIL soldier in southern Lebanon last year. Lebanon
In a first, Blinken backs possible ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments come as the US is increasingly concerned that Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip could fuel a broader regional conflict. Israel
Nearly 600 Americans stuck in Gaza amid Egypt talks over Rafah, aid Egyptian officials said they will not allow foreigners to exit Gaza via the Rafah border crossing until an agreement on aid deliveries is reached, according to reports. Palestine
From Iran to Israel, 5 Middle East stories to watch at UNGA summit The US agenda includes a long-sought meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Analysis Netanyahu to meet Musk, Erdogan, Zelenskyy, Biden — but no White House visit The Israeli prime minister and the US president will most likely come face to face on the sidelines of the UN meeting in New York. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
UN, Turkish Cypriots make progress on Cyprus' disputed Pyla road project Talks between the United Nations Cyprus mission and Turkish Cypriots over a disputed road plan have yielded some progress, but several sticking points remain as Turkish Cypriots have resumed the roadwork. Turkey
EU Commissioner: Turkey must take on democratic reforms to revive EU bid A senior EU official has said that revival of Turkey’s stalled membership negotiations with the EU can only be discussed once Ankara takes on democratic reforms. Turkey
UNIFIL mandate extended as US envoy visits Lebanon US envoy Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese officials to follow up on the maritime border agreement with Israel that allowed offshore gas exploration in Lebanese waters and to likely discuss UNIFIL's extension. Lebanon
Erdogan: Revival of Russia-Ukraine grain deal hinges on West Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia’s return to the critical deal was dependent on Western countries’ fulfilling their responsibilities. Turkey
US sanctions exemption for earthquake relief to Syria expires The Treasury announcement came as the Syrian government reauthorized the UN's use of two border crossings to deliver aid. Syria
How Syria's Assad is using aid access to hasten normalization Experts say Syria's proposal to coordinate UN aid delivery is an attempt to cast itself as a constructive partner at a time when the region is bringing Bashar al-Assad in from the cold. Syria
