Headlines

Flooding in north and east Syria as Euphrates level rises

Syria's energy ministry warned on Thursday of rising water levels on the Euphrates River after flooding in the north and east following increased flows from neighbouring Turkey and recent rains. The ministry said it was monitoring the situation on the Euphrates "in light of the

US, Iran near deal but Trump sign-off awaited

The United States and Iran closed in on a framework for a ceasefire extension detail Thursday but President Donald Trump has yet to approve any agreement, US officials said. US sources told AFP earlier that the two sides had reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding

US, Iran agree deal but need Trump approval: sources

US and Iranian negotiators have agreed on a framework for a 60-day ceasefire extension deal but it still needs President Donald Trump's approval, US sources told AFP on Thursday. The sources confirmed a report by the Axios news outlet that the two sides had reached agreement on

US-Iran truce deal awaits Trump as strikes test ceasefire

US and Iranian negotiators edged toward a deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, but the potential breakthrough was still hanging on President Donald Trump's approval, US sources told AFP on Thursday. The development came after Washington and Tehran accused each

Israeli strike near Beirut as Lebanon says raids kill 14

Israel's military said it launched an airstrike in the Beirut area Thursday as a Lebanese source said an apartment was hit, the second such raid since an April ceasefire announcement. The escalation comes as Lebanon and Israel prepare for talks between military delegations at

Israel strikes near Beirut, widening Lebanon offensive

Israel pounded south Lebanon and struck the Beirut area on Thursday, widening its offensive with the first strike near the country's capital in weeks despite a fragile ceasefire. A Lebanese military source said an apartment south of Beirut was hit in the second such raid since

Australia charges woman with terrorism over IS links

Australian police charged on Thursday a woman linked to the Islamic State group with membership of a terrorist organisation and entering a known conflict zone. Hundreds of women from Western nations were lured to the Middle East as IS gained prominence in the early 2010s, in