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
US says Sudan warring parties back withdrawal plan as donors pledge $700M in aid State Department senior adviser Massad Boulos announced Tuesday that a "comprehensive peace plan" has been approved by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though it still needs to be approved by Sudan's warring parties. Sudan
RSF shells Sudan’s Kordofan as US-Saudi truce plan stalls: What to know Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have launched drone and artillery attacks in Dilling, just a week after the Sudanese army said it broke a nearly two-year siege on the town. Sudan
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
Analysis Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Arab states, militias pour aid into Syria as earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000 The Lebanese group Hezbollah and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces are among the militias that delivered aid to Syria. Syria
Culture UNESCO lists two locations in Lebanon, Yemen as heritage sites in danger In an urgent session on Wednesday, UNESCO named two sites from Lebanon and Yemen to its List of World Heritage in Danger, calling for their immediate preservation. Lebanon
UN extends Lebanon investigation into Hariri assassination for another year The UN approved the extension of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for about a year, to finalize its work. Lebanon
Water crisis worsens in Syria's Idlib as support dries up The "Goal" organization, which has been active in Syria since 2012, has stopped pumping water in villages and towns as support for it ends Syria
Irish UN peacekeeping soldier killed in south Lebanon A UNIFIL convoy came under attack Dec. 14 resulting in the death of an Irish soldier and the injury of three others. Lebanon
Iran removed from UN women’s rights body after US push Iran's removal from the 45-member Commission on the Status of Women comes as Tehran continues its brutal crackdown on its nationwide protests. Iran
Yemenis tremble as cease-fire extension fails With the truce expired in Yemen, a return to full-blown war has horrified humanitarian organizations and Yemeni civilians alike. Legacy: Gulf
Sudanese coup leader’s trips to UK, US fail to win over the West Burhan tried to portray the trips to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the UNGA meeting in New York as the beginning of a new chapter with the Western capitals. North Africa
Political battle in Libya reaches Supreme Court The eastern-based House of Representatives has launched an offensive on the judiciary that threatens to politicize one of the sectors of the country that had been able to remain to some extent outside the national rifts and that could turn the conflict very legal in nature. North Africa
Iraqi prime minister emphasizes Iraq's role in regional stability at UN The Iraqi prime minister highlighted Iraq's main issues and the country's regional and international significance at the UN General Assembly. Iraq
Iran nuclear talks' key players converge at UN General Assembly The Iran deal’s negotiators are in town for the United Nations summit, but expectations are low that the diplomatic flurry will produce a breakthrough. Iran
