When the Israeli military seized control of the border crossing at Rafah, the Egyptian government seemed to be taken by surprise. Egypt’s government has stopped cooperating with aid shipments into Rafah. It’s also joined South Africa’s effort at the International Court of Justice to bring charges of genocide against Israel. Experts say the 45-year-old Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty is being put at risk. 

In the South Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds for decades over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority-ethnic Armenian region inside Azerbaijan. In September, Azerbaijan’s military seized Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in the exodus of tens of thousands of Armenians. Now, the two countries are engaged in peace talks, hoping to normalize relations.

Israel’s national security adviser says top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is “living on borrowed time.” Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. He would also have to sign off on any ceasefire deal to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza.  

Last week, Mexican officials were able to find the bodies of three missing tourists from Australia and the US in less than a week. But many Mexican mothers have been searching for their children who have gone missing in Mexico for years — even decades — and can’t seem to get help from the authorities.

The price of döner kebabs has increased rapidly in the past few years since the pandemic. It’s a favorite food introduced by Turkish guest workers in the 1970s. The Left Party has proposed to cap the price at $5.30 before the kebabs become a luxury item.