Headlines

US, Saudi strike Iraq alliance in expanding war

US and Saudi forces said they struck an Iraqi militant alliance on Wednesday, as the Middle East war expands beyond its main focus in Iran to involve the Islamic republic's proxies. The strikes follow a short lull in direct US attacks on targets in Iran, with Tehran's allies

Guterres plans Cyprus meeting to define way forward

NICOSIA, July 29 (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday he planned to convene a multi-party meeting on the division of Cyprus to define the way forward on resolving a conflict which has lasted more than half a century. "I decided that I

Explainer-Who are Iraq's Iranian-backed armed groups?

By Michael Georgy DUBAI, July 29 - The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have struck Iran-backed Shi'ite armed groups in Iraq, which the allies said were responsible for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The attacks have put the spotlight on the militias that wield enormous political

Israeli elections: how they work and who is in the race

By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM, July 29 (Reuters) - Israelis are due to hold a national election on October 27. It will be the first since the deadly October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that shook the country and plunged the Middle East into turmoil as Israel went to war in Gaza, Lebanon

Israel's decades-old US support risks losing Democrats

By Richard Cowan, Patricia Zengerle and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) - For generations, support for Israel united Washington. Now Israel's attacks on Gaza, the Iran war and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close ties to U.S. Republicans are eroding

US, Saudi forces strike Iran-backed groups in Iraq

US and Saudi Arabian forces said they struck Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for recent attacks, following a short pause in Iran war hostilities. The combined air operation came as President Donald Trump met with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin

The key issues that will shape Israel's elections

When Israel goes to the polls this year, voters will weigh in on conscription, the economy and how the state should investigate its inability to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. AFP looks at the key issues shaping the campaign as Israel gears up for elections on October