Israel's financial chokehold on the Palestinians is the twin of settler terrorism

Both are part of the economic and psychological war of attrition Israel is waging against Palestinians and their leadership

Explainer-What's included in talks to end the Iran war and reopen Hormuz?

LONDON, May 7 - With the standoff over the frozen Iran war threatening a global economic meltdown, Washington and Tehran have scaled back their efforts to agree a comprehensive peace deal and now seek a limited pact putting off the harder issues. This is what we know about the

UK police make third arrest over attempted arson at London synagogue

LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - British counter-terrorism police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north London last month, marking the third arrest in the investigation, the force said on Thursday. The man was arrested on

US awaits Iran response to latest deal offer

The United States was waiting on Thursday for Iran to respond to its latest proposed deal to end the war in the Middle East and to reopen the key shipping lane out of the Gulf. Asian stocks soared and oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump said once again that an

Indian seafarers endured nightly blasts, lack of food in Iran war ordeal

By Sunil Kataria MUMBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Nightly explosions of drones and missiles terrified Indian sailor Tithi Chiranjeevi after his ship was stranded in Iran for more than a month by the Strait of Hormuz blockade caused by the Middle East conflict. "Around 10 to 20

Tensions over pro-Israel lobbying group highlight rifts in Democratic primaries

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - A growing number of Democratic primary challengers are making opposition to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee a campaign issue as they seek to unseat party incumbents backed by the influential pro-Israel advocacy group.

Iraq's historic marshes revive as water returns after years of drought

By Mohammed Aty CHIBAYISH MARSHES, Iraq, May 7 (Reuters) - After years of drought that left large swathes of Iraq's historic marshes cracked and empty, rising water levels are beginning to revive the wetlands, drawing buffalo herders and fishermen back to areas once abandoned.

Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander in first strike on Beirut since ceasefire

BEIRUT, May 7 (Reuters) - Israel said on Thursday it had killed a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in an airstrike on Beirut a day earlier, the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire agreed last month. The Israeli military said the commander

Report: Iran set to respond on Thursday to U.S. proposal to end war

As the world awaits Tehran's response to the latest proposal floated by U.S. President Donald Trump, sources caution that gaps remain between the two sides

Women linked to IS fighters return to Australia from Middle East

A group of women linked to Islamic State jihadists arrived in Australia on Thursday, returning home years after allegedly sneaking into Syria to join the group's self-declared caliphate. The women and their children -- all Australian citizens -- landed on Thursday evening after

Women linked to IS fighters charged with slavery after landing in Australia

Counter-terrorism forces arrested two women for slavery on Thursday as they returned to Australia from Syria, where they allegedly committed "crimes against humanity" while supporting Islamic State jihadists. The women and their children -- all Australian citizens -- landed on

Israeli attack kills son of Hamas leader negotiating with Trump-led board

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO, May 7 (Reuters) - An Israeli air strike has killed the son of Hamas' chief negotiator in U.S.-mediated talks over Gaza's future, a senior Hamas official said on Thursday, as leaders of the militant group held talks in Cairo aimed at safeguarding

Once the city of peace, Geneva sees the United Nations' presence fade

By Emma Farge and Dave Graham GENEVA, May 7 (Reuters) - When in 1937 the League of Nations vacated the 225-room Palais Wilson in Geneva, the global intergovernmental body created to preserve peace after World War One was on its last legs. It died soon afterwards with World War

Australian women and children linked to Islamic State head home

SYDNEY, May 7 (Reuters) - A group of Australian women and children linked to the extremist group Islamic State are on their way home from a camp in Syria and are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday night, Australian media reported. The Australian government said on

Report: Trump backtracked on Strait of Hormuz operation under Saudi pressure

U.S. President Donald Trump halted 'Project Freedom' after Saudi Arabia suspended U.S. military access to key bases and airspace, NBC News reported. Riyadh's move followed an uncoordinated launch, blocking use of Prince Sultan Air Base and forcing a rapid U.S. reassessment

Trump sees swift end to war as Iran reviews US peace proposal

By Ariba Shahid, Steve Holland and Alexander Cornwell ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump predicted a swift end to the war with Iran as Tehran considered a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the conflict while

Rubio to meet Pope Leo as Trump keeps up attacks on pontiff

By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Pope Leo at the Vatican on Thursday, in a potentially fraught encounter as President Donald Trump has continued a series of disparaging attacks on the Catholic leader over the Iran

Tokyo leads Asia stock surge on growing Mideast peace hopes

Tokyo's Nikkei index soared Thursday to lead another strong rally across Asia stocks, fuelled by growing optimism the Iran war is close to ending and the revival of demand for all things AI. Oil prices also extended the week's steep losses due to hopes Washington and Tehran

Oil sinks, Tokyo leads Asia stock surge on growing Mideast peace hopes

Oil sank again Thursday and Tokyo's Nikkei index led another strong rally across Asia stocks, fuelled by growing optimism the Iran war is close to ending and the revival of demand for all things AI. Risk sentiment was surging on hopes Washington and Tehran will conclude the

Oil prices drop awaiting Mideast peace progress

Oil prices fell and global stock markets traded mixed Thursday awaiting an update on a US plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. After having plunged more than 10 percent at one point Wednesday on peace hopes, crude futures fell nearly another four

U.S., Iran seem to be nearing a truce. Netanyahu's Lebanon moves can change that

As Trump pushes toward a limited deal curbing Iran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu risks clashing with Washington by escalating in Lebanon

Source: Israel–Lebanon talks to resume in Washington as tensions flare

Israeli sources say the White House is trying to set up diplomatic talks, which are expected to resume next week in Washington. The push comes even as Israel struck Beirut for the first time since the cease-fire, while Hezbollah said it hit several IDF positions, wounding three

US reinstates deportation proceedings against pro-Palestinian student Mahdawi

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Board of ImmigrationAppeals has reinstated deportation proceedings against pro-Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi, according to a court filing from his lawyers. A U.S. immigration judge in February had rejected efforts by

Energy crisis front and centre as ASEAN leaders prepare for summit

By Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema CEBU, Philippines, May 7 (Reuters) - Conflicts far beyond Southeast Asia are expected to dominate discussions of leaders of the regional ASEAN bloc meeting in the Philippines, with the Middle East crisis posing significant challenges for its

Exclusive-US aims for Fourth of July to deploy Qatar-gifted jet as Air Force One

By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that would join the Air Force One fleet in time for the nation's 250th anniversary, a U.S. official and a person familiar with the program said.

Rare shelter for displaced LGBT people in Lebanon offers safety in war

'In normal times and without war, there are many risks to LGBTQ people, especially related to protection. What if there's a war?'

France moves aircraft carrier to Red Sea with eye on Hormuz mission

France and Britain have been working on a proposal for a Strait of Hormuz deal with Iran for several weeks, aiming to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the Strait once the situation stabilizes or the conflict is resolved

Trump says US had very good talks with Iran in last 24 hours

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday told reporters that the U.S. has had very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours, adding that it was very possible that Washington and Tehran would make a deal. (Reporting by Jacob Bogage and Katharine

The Iran war highlights just how much Erdogan loathes the West

Explosive Hezbollah drones wounded three Israeli soldiers in Lebanon

Hezbollah drones wounded IDF soldiers; one is severely wounded, the other two are in light and moderate condition. 'No restrictions as to using force', said IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told army commanders in southern Lebanon

Iranian soccer chief says U.S. 'has no right to insult IRGC' if Iran is to participate in World Cup

Mehdi Taj, a ‌former IRGC member, said: 'We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system – especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'

Trump says United States will get uranium from Iran

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesdaythe United States would get enriched uranium from Iran, as the two countries struggle to reach an agreement on ending the Gulf war. "We're going to get it," Trump told a reporter as he left a White House

Israel says carried out strike targeting commander of Hezbollah's elite force

May 6 (Reuters) - The Israeli military carried out a strike on Wednesday on the southern suburbs of Beirut in a Hezbollah stronghold known as Dahiyeh, targeting the commander of the militant group's elite Radwan force, according to an official Israeli statement. The strike was

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Trump says Iran wants to make a deal

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran wants to negotiate and make a deal, adding that the U.S. was doing very well in Iran and that it was going very smoothly. "We're doing very well in Iran. It's going very smoothly, and we'll

Macron says he discussed Hormuz situation with Iran's president

PARIS, May 6 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he had held further talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Macron had reaffirmed the importance of freeing up shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron added he had encouraged

Top Vatican cardinal calls Trump's attacks on Pope Leo 'strange'

By Joshua McElwee ROME, May 6 (Reuters) - A senior Vatican cardinal on Wednesday called U.S. President Donald Trump's disparaging attacks on Pope Leo over the Iran war "strange," a day before the U.S. Secretary of State is due to hold talks with the pope. Asked how he evaluated

Gulf's fragile trade lifeline hangs on two eastern UAE ports

By Sarah El Safty, Federico Maccioni and Amr Alfiky FUJAIRAH, May 6 (Reuters) - At the UAE port of Fujairah, conveyor belts offloaded grain from bulk carriers on Wednesday, while crude oil flowed through pipes and onto tankers berthed along its quay. Dozens of loaded trucks

Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics.

Report: Iran hit at least 228 U.S. assets across 15 Middle East bases

According to experts cited in the report, the damage from Iranian attacks on U.S. bases shows Washington has underestimated Tehran's abilities, with the U.S. military unprepared for drone strikes, which are less powerful but harder to intercept

Lebanese PM says premature to talk of any high-level meeting with Israel

BEIRUT, May 6 (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said it is premature to talk of any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel, comments underlining the dim chances of one being held soon as hoped for by U.S. President Donald Trump. Salam, in comments reported

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

French aircraft carrier pre-positions for possible Hormuz mission

France's aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle was on Wednesday heading towards the southern Red Sea to pre‑position for a possible mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Paris said. The move was intended to send "a signal that not only are we ready to secure