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
Rights groups appeal to UN to stop execution of Iranian boxer Vafaei-Sani Iran sentenced to death local boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani on vague charges after he was arrested following his participation in the 2019 anti-regime protests. Iran
Analysis Why Biden’s invitation to Netanyahu is not an Israeli achievement President Joe Biden might opt to meet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not at the White House but on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syria tells UN it will grant aid access via Bab al-Hawa The announcement comes two days after the UN Security Council failed to reauthorize its vital cross-border aid operation into Syria. Syria
US, Russia clash over UN's aid lifeline to Syria Ahead of the vote, UN humanitarian leaders are urging the Security Council to keep open “any and all avenues” to deliver aid to Syrians in need. Syria
Canada, Ukraine take case against Iran for downed plane to UN court Iran recently sentenced members of the armed forces to prison for their role in shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020, but Canada, Ukraine and other countries whose citizens died in the incident continue to reject Iran’s handling of the matter. Iran
Syria’s rebel-held northwest receives first UN aid convoy since earthquake UN aid has not entered northwest Syria since the earthquake that hit the region in February left millions suffering in devastating humanitarian conditions. Syria
After quitting over 'anti-Israel bias,' US to rejoin UNESCO to counter China The United States is seeking readmission to UNESCO, the cultural heritage agency that former President Donald Trump quit over alleged anti-Israel bias. Israel
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
What is behind Iran’s execution spree as Tehran hangs 10 prisoners this week? The United Nations estimated that more than 200 people have been executed this year so far, as authorities battle internal protests. Iran
UN Security Council invites Pope Francis, Al-Azhar imam for joint speech In a first, the world’s two most prominent religious leaders are expected to deliver a joint speech on peace at the UN Security Council at a time when wars and conflicts are raging across the world. Egypt
Biden issues new Sudan executive order authorizing sanctions President Joe Biden paved the way for sanctions on members of Sudan’s warring factions but stopped short of imposing them. Sudan
UNRWA staff in Gaza strike as demands remain unmet UNRWA schools and clinics in the besieged enclave were closed as the agency failed to meet its staff’s demands. Palestine
