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
One-third of Arab world food insecure in 2020, UN says The UN says a spike in undernourishment in the Middle East and North Africa was observed across all income levels, in both conflict-ridden and stable countries. News Brief
UN envoy seeks new path forward on Syria in Damascus visit Envoy Geir Pedersen said there is "another possibility to start to explore possible avenues" to resolve Syria's conflict politically. News Brief
UN says Iran advances nuclear enrichment amid Vienna talks Iran's latest violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement comes three days into a resumption of long-stalled negotiations in Vienna aimed at reviving the deal. Iran
Iraqi election results sent to Federal Supreme Court for approval The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced the final results of the Oct. 10 elections and will now send its results to the Federal Supreme Court for approval. Iraq
Egypt gears up to host next climate summit Egypt will host the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2022 amid international human rights objections. Egypt
Iran deports thousands of Afghan refugees, UN agency says In the last week of October, Iran sent back more than 28,000 Afghans who fled across the border. Iran
'Big disappointment': Syrian constitutional negotiations fail again UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said the Syrian government's side did not present a new proposal as previously agreed. Syria
Dancer pushes for UNESCO to recognize Egyptian belly dancing Egyptian dancer Amie Sultan is working to get classical belly dance recognized as Egyptian heritage globally. Culture
UN vote shuts down Yemen war crimes investigations Twenty-one member states voted against renewing the UN Human Rights Council's mandate to investigate war crimes in Yemen. Yemen
Libya’s parliament passes key elections legislation The breakthrough follows concerns last month that the House of Representatives' vote of no confidence could be further thwart progress towards national reunification. Libya
Bennett’s UN speech stirs controversy in Israel over pandemic efforts In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made it clear that he, not the health authorities, have the final say on the national campaign against the coronavirus. Israel
Hamas rips into Abbas after UN speech Hamas relations with the Palestinian Authority are getting worse, and a recent poll reveals that 78% of Palestinians want Mahmoud Abbas to resign as president. Palestine
