Courts and the law

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

Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions

The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.

Turkey

Lebanon seizes $1.5M in cocaine at Beirut airport: What to know

The country has recently stepped up its fight against drug trafficking, seizing large amounts of cocaine at ports and airports and targeting Captagon production.

Lebanon

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

Pentagon pushes to accelerate ISIS detainee repatriations from Syria

Uncertainty about Syria’s long-term stability and the the US military’s future presence in the country have increased urgency among some Pentagon officials to further reduce the population of nearly 30,000 suspected ISIS-associated detainees in the camps.

Syria

Meet David Zini, Israel's controversial next Shin Bet chief

The Grunis Committee cleared his nomination despite controversies over Zini's past statements, national-religious background, and closeness to the prime minister.

Israel

Syria holds first post‑Assad parliamentary vote: What to know

Syria’s first post-Assad parliamentary elections — with seats chosen by local committees rather than a public vote — spark backlash as the government postpones voting in Druze- and Kurdish-majority regions.

Syria

Turkish state takes over Haberturk TV, 120 other firms in fraud probe

The move effectively increases Turkish authorities’ control further over Turkey’s mainstream media.

Turkey

Turkish police storm CHP's Istanbul office as clashes erupt with lawmakers

Scuffles have erupted inside and outside the CHP’s Istanbul headquarters following last week’s dismissal of the party’s provincial head and 10 people have been detained.

Turkey

World's largest illegal sports streaming site shut down after Egypt arrests

Streameast, believed to be the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, was taken down in August during a sting operation conducted by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with a US anti-piracy group.

Egypt

Turkey: CHP Istanbul head ousted as court escalates pressure on Ozel

The court’s ruling has raised further challenges to the leadership of CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who led the party to victory in last year’s local elections.

Turkey

Turkey detains top execs of defense firm Assan in military espionage probe

The company’s 10 subsidiaries have been placed under the control of Turkey's state-run  Savings Deposit Insurance Fund.

Turkey