DOUALA, April 17 (Reuters) - Thousands of people were gathering early on Friday in Douala, Cameroon's largest city and economic hub, for a Mass with Pope Leo that will likely be the biggest event of the pontiff's four-nation Africa tour. The Vatican is expecting about 600,000
As the Israel–Lebanon cease-fire took effect, celebrations broke out in Beirut with gunfire into the air. At the same time, displaced residents began returning to southern Lebanon, despite warnings from both the IDF and the Lebanese Army not to return yet
A 10-day ceasefire deal struck between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, sending displaced residents streaming south towards their homes, even as the Lebanese army warned of "a number of violations" in the area. Shortly after the truce went into effect at midnight local
By Humeyra Pamuk, Ariba Shahid and Asif Shahzad WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could soon be reached to end the Iran war and urged the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah group to hold its fire as a 10-day
SYDNEY, April 17 (Reuters) - An Australian court ordered bail with travel restrictions on Friday for the country's most decorated soldier, following his arrest on accusations of war crimes while deployed in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. Police arrested and charged Ben
By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko left the United States on Thursday buoyed by what she called positive talks with top U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying she found him to be supportive of
The Israeli prime minister told the security cabinet that the U.S.-facilitated cease-fire is an effort to align on the major issue – Iran. But Netanyahu can't convince the Israeli public that the war's goals were achieved, with Hezbollah not disarmed and the Iranian regime
The cease-fire could bolster the authority of the Lebanese government, jumpstart diplomacy with Israel and strip Iran of a significant bargaining chip in negotiations with the U.S. But it's vital that Israeli recognize the limitations on Beirut's ability to disarm Hezbollah
By John Irish PARIS, April 17 (Reuters) - France and Britain will chair a meeting on Friday of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once
By Mei Mei Chu, Greg Torode and Antoni Slodkowski BEIJING/HONG KONG, April 17 (Reuters) - China is accelerating its efforts to end the Iran war, walking a diplomatic tightrope as it prepares for a summit next month with U.S. President Donald Trump while trying not to alienate
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 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
By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Thursday said his government had good meetings this week with the International Monetary Fund and remained committed to working toward a lending program. Current events, including
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - The Trump administration said on Thursday it was attempting to deport an Iranian academic and media commentator, who it alleged had lied on his visa application, prompting criticism from a Muslim advocacy group which cast his
A tail named Sinwar tried to wag its owner, Iran, and a tail named Netanyahu tried to wag its owner, the U.S. But Sinwar was left alone to face Israel, while the Americans launched Operation Epic Fury. Neither tail has managed to topple the other dog's regime
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - Finance chiefs of the Group of Seven nations on Thursday said it was urgent to limit the cost to the global economy of an enduring Middle East war and "reaffirmed the pressing need to move toward a lasting peace." The war was among three key
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen "but not at any price," adding that G7 leaders stand ready to mitigate the war's economic fallout. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven
By Gram Slattery and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. officials have informed some European counterparts that some previously contracted weapons deliveries are likely to be delayed as the Iran war continues to draw on weapons stocks, three sources familiar
US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon Thursday, adding that he hoped to host a historic meeting between the leaders of the two countries in coming days. Trump said that Hezbollah was included in the ceasefire, but according to the US
A ten-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, as US President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two countries. The truce, which Trump said would begin at midnight local
A 10-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Thursday, as US President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries. The truce, which Trump said would begin at midnight local time in
After a long period of vast influence over U.S. regional policy, Gulf states are now concerned they may have to adjust to a potential deal between Trump and the Iranian regime – which might focus on resolving the Strait of Hormuz blockade while ignoring the nuclear issue
By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that if a deal with Iran to conclude the war is reached and signed in Islamabad, he might go, and that Iran has agreed to almost everything. Trump struck an optimistic tone about Iran
April 16 (Reuters) - Israel and Lebanon will implement a 10-day ceasefire beginning 5 pm EST (2100 GMT) on Thursday to enable negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement, the U.S. State Department said, adding that the ceasefire period may be extended by mutual
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday the sale of its majority stake in Saudi Pro League football club Al-Hilal, where French striker Karim Benzema plays. The PIF, which also owns English Premier League side Newcastle United, sold 70 percent of Al-Hilal to
By Christian Martinez WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was not sure that the ceasefire with Iran needs to be extended. "I'm not sure it needs to be extended," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Iran wants to make a deal and
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday after announcing a 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire that leaders of the two countries could meet at the White House over the next week or two. Trump spoke to both leaders as the ceasefire was announced. He
BEIRUT, April 16 (Reuters) - Hezbollah said on Thursday that the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory would grant Lebanon and its people "the right to resist," adding in its first comment on a proposed truce that any ceasefire must not allow Israel freedom of
April 16 (Reuters) - Police on Thursday were investigating a bomb threat made to the Chicago-area home of Pope Leo's brother John Prevost after a search found no explosives or hazardous materials. A bomb threat was reported Wednesday evening at the home of John Prevost in New
BRUSSELS, April 16 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed on Thursday a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, and reiterated that Europe would continue to call for the respect of Lebanon's
Damascus is making limited but tangible progress in its engagement with Syrian Kurds, even as Ankara seeks to shape the terms of any settlement.
The Middle East war has created an "unprecedented shock" for the region's economies with no guarantee of a quick recovery, a senior International Monetary Fund official has told AFP. Five of the Gulf's eight oil- and gas-producing countries face a contraction this year, the IMF
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited biblical scripture on Thursday to attack the media, comparing reporters to Jewish adversaries of Jesus Christ plotting "how to destroy him." Hegseth's comments sought to
Two sanctioned cargo vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, apparently bound for Iranian ports despite Washington's blockade in the Middle East war, tracking data indicated Thursday. A trickle of ships has passed the crucial trade route over the past two days after the US
The US House of Representatives on Thursday rejected an effort to curb President Donald Trump's authority to wage war in Iran, another setback in Democrats' campaign to force Congress back into decisions over military action in the Middle East. The vote, held after Democrats
The Golf league, which is backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is saying its season will go on after reports of an imminent collapse.
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives backed President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran on Thursday, voting to block a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the war until hostilities are authorized by Congress. The measure was
Looking at an AFP photo taken in the Lebanese border village of Mais al-Jabal, Khalil Hamdan recognised the ruins of his own house, overrun by Israeli forces carrying out systematic destruction. "The work and toil of a lifetime, to see it collapse before your eyes, it hurts a
Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Hajj Hassan told AFP on Thursday that the Lebanese government's decision to hold direct negotiations with Israel was a "grave error", urging Beirut to stop making concessions to Israel and the United States. Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to
Inflation has been soaring globally amid an energy supply crunch caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said in a post on Truth Social that Israeli and Lebanese leaders had agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST. He did not specify which day it would begin. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson and
Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued during the Middle East war, helping Tehran evade sanctions and maintain trade with China. Nearly 400 tankers are sanctioned by the United States, the European
The last American bases in Syria have been turned over to the government in Damascus, US military officials confirmed to Al-Monitor.
The latest developments in the Middle East war: - Lebanese PM welcomes ceasefire - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he "welcomes" US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 10-day ceasefire with Israel, which was due to start at 2100 GMT on Thursday evening. A
Iran was the top exporter of commodities through the Strait of Hormuz in March, as shipments from other countries fell off a cliff with Tehran's blockade of the vital waterway, data by analytics firm Kpler showed. Iran is usually the fifth largest exporter of commodities --
By Sarah Young and Andrew MacAskill LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - The Iran war has left Britain's armed forces exposed, heaping pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act on his promises to invest in defence, after years of warnings from military bosses about the UK's
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. forces in the Middle East are postured to restart combat operations if Iran doesn't agree to a peace deal, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Pentagon briefing on Thursday. "You Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and
By Cassell Bryan-Low April 16 (Reuters) - As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian