Headlines

France, UK to lead multinational Hormuz mission

France and Britain said Friday they will lead a multinational mission ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while emphasising the force would be entirely defensive -- and only deployed once a peace in the region was agreed. "I can confirm that, along with

Stranded seafarers endure costly path home from Gulf

When seaman Rex Pereira saw missiles flying above his vessel in the Gulf, it sparked in him one desperate wish: to get back home to India. Stranded by the Middle East war, like thousands of other seafarers, he feared for his life as he saw bombardments in the distance in Iran.

Trump says Israel banned from bombing Lebanon

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has banned Israel from further bombing in Lebanon, using an atypically harsher tone than usual with the longtime U.S. ally Israel. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer.

Destruction, hope in south Beirut as Lebanese return home

In cars and on motorbikes, people trickled back into Beirut's southern suburbs Friday, passing bombed-out buildings to check on homes and loved ones after a ceasefire began between Israel and Hezbollah. "We'd been on the street going from place to place because there was no

War in the Middle East: latest developments

The latest developments in the Middle East war: - Trump says blockade on - President Donald Trump said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a peace deal with Tehran. "The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran,

Trump say Iran blockade continues despite Hormuz reopening

President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will reopen to shipping, but said a US blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal is signed. "THANK YOU!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying that Iran

Oil plunges, stocks jumps as Iran declares Hormuz open

Oil prices plunged more than 10 percent on Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" for the rest of the ceasefire with the United States, and stock markets surged. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that "passage for all commercial

Oil plunges, stocks jump as Iran declares Hormuz open

Oil prices plunged more than 10 percent on Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" for the rest of the ceasefire with the United States, and stock markets surged. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that "passage for all commercial

Turkey hosts latest diplomatic push on Middle East war

Turkey on Friday hosts a high‑stakes diplomatic forum bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad steps up efforts to help end the Middle East war. "I believe the window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire should be used in the

A new, forceful Pope Leo steps onto the world stage

By Joshua McElwee YAOUNDE, April 17 (Reuters) - Pope Leo has debuted a new, forceful speaking style on his four-nation Africa tour this week, issuing sharp denunciations of war and inequality that have sparked repeated attacks on the pontiff from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hours after ceasefire, a lifeline to south Lebanon reopens

Alongside hundreds of others forced to flee south Lebanon, Amani Atrash and her family waited eagerly on Friday morning for bulldozers to reopen the Qasmiyeh bridge, which Israel bombed just hours before a ceasefire began. Her family was among the tens of thousands of people

Macron, Starmer rally allies to mull Hormuz mission

French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends.

IMF warns of war's human impact far from Middle East

IMF economists warned Thursday that the war in Iran could have “very, certainly severe” consequences far outside the region – especially for energy-importing countries. Countries in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are among the countries most affected now -- and who could