They gave us the V sign, people were smiling. I was witnessing the terrible reality of war
Some 44 years after I visited Lebanon with the IDF and witnessed the destruction, I am struck by how little has changed
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War in Middle East: latest developments
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - IMF downbeat on growth - The International Monetary Fund warned that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war meant its global economic outlook was moving towards an "adverse" scenario, with growth pared down and
Trump: China's President Xi pledged not to supply Iran with military equipment
Trump said China's president would 'like to see a deal made' between the U.S. and Iran as Beijing promised it would not provide Iran with military equipment, even though it would like to continue purchasing Iranian oil
Israelis chant threats, anti-Palestinian slogans at Jerusalem Day march
Israeli nationalists swept through the narrow streets of Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday, chanting "Death to Arabs" and "May your villages burn" during the annual Jerusalem Day march, while many Palestinian residents remained barricaded indoors. Every year, tens of thousands
Israeli nationalists hold parade marking their capture of East Jerusalem
By Alexander Cornwell JERUSALEM, May 14 (Reuters) - Thousands of Israeli nationalists marched on Thursday through the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem's walled Old City under heavy security, in an annual event marking Israel's capture of the city's east in a war nearly six decades
IMF sees risks to global growth forecast over sustained Iran war
The International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war meant its global economic outlook was moving towards an "adverse" scenario, with growth pared down and greater risks to inflation. Last month, the multilateral lender's World
Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as ship seized, another stuck
After a ship was reportedly seized near the UAE and another attacked off Oman, a senior Iranian official said Tehran would not give up the Strait of Hormuz 'at any price,' while Iran's judiciary defended seizing U.S.-linked oil tankers in the strategic waterway
U.S. federal judge temporarily blocks U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese
Citing First Amendment protections that she's afforded despite not living in the United States, a federal judge blocked the sanctions issued by the Trump administration in 2025
US admiral says Iran's ability to threaten neighbors dramatically degraded
WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Iran's ability to threaten its neighbors and U.S. interests has been dramatically reduced by U.S. bombings, and Tehran's defense industry has been set back by 90%, a senior U.S. admiral said on Thursday. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central
Gaza aid flotilla sets sail again after Israeli interceptions
By Mehmet Emin Caliskan and Dilara Senkaya MARMARIS, Turkey, May 14 (Reuters) - Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for a third time on Thursday from southern Turkey, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters.
Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel."
Taliban detains three journalists in Afghanistan, UN says
By Mohammad Yunus Yawar KABUL, May 14 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Taliban government has detained at least three journalists on unspecified charges, the United Nations mission there said on Thursday in a statement that called for the protection of reporters. The three were the
King Charles visits Jewish area of London hit by antisemitic attacks
LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - King Charles was greeted by cheering crowds on Thursday when he visited an area of London which has suffered a spate of antisemitic attacks in recent weeks, in a show of support for Britain's fearful Jewish communities. The monarch met two victims of
Israel to sue New York Times over article on rape of Palestinian detainees, Netanyahu says
By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM, May 14 (Reuters) - Israel plans to sue The New York Times and one of its journalists for defamation over an article that said Israeli soldiers, prison guards and settlers had used widespread sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners. Prime
Despite war, Lebanon reopens film archive celebrating cinematic history
The reopening marks a major effort to preserve Lebanon’s rich cinematic history.
Yemen government, Houthis to release more than 1,600 prisoners in conflict's largest swap
ADEN/AMMAN, May 14 (Reuters) - The internationally recognised Yemeni government and the Iran-aligned Houthi group will exchange more than 1,600 prisoners, the office of the U.N. special envoy for Yemen said on Thursday, marking the largest release of detainees since the
Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit
President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran.
Exclusive-Iraq sought financial assistance from IMF as result of Iran war, source close to IMF says
By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Iraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund about securing financial assistance as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF said on Thursday. Initial conversations took place last
Iraq parliament approves government of Prime Minister Zaidi
Ali al-Zaidi, a prominent businessman with limited political experience, has backing from both the US and Iran.
Iran and UAE clash at BRICS foreign ministers' meeting
DUBAI, May 14 (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against his country during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Iranian state media reported. The spat comes a day after the UAE denied a
Iran allowing transit of Chinese vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Fars news reports
DUBAI, May 14 (Reuters) - Iran has begun allowing some Chinese vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following an understanding over Iranian management protocols for the waterway, the semi-official Fars news agency said on Thursday, citing an informed source. The Fars
Lebanon to press Israel to cease fire at Washington talks, Lebanese official says
By Laila Bassam BEIRUT, May 14 (Reuters) - Lebanon will demand Israel cease fire at face-to-face talks in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said, as Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued to trade blows despite a U.S.-backed truce declared last month. The
China will do what it can to reopen Strait of Hormuz, Bessent says
WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is in China's best interests and he believes Beijing will do what it can to reopen the waterway. "I think they're going to do what they can," Bessent said
Split on key issues, Israel and Lebanon meet for third round of direct talks in Washington
While Lebanon is demanding a permanent truce and a halt to the destruction of border villages, Israel seeks to retain full freedom of operations in Lebanon until the Hezbollah issue is resolved. It is unclear how the United States will bridge these positions
Pope Leo decries European military spending as 'betrayal' of diplomacy
By Joshua McElwee ROME, May 14 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Thursday decried rising European military spending, which grew last year by the highest amount since the end of the Cold War amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, saying it was a betrayal of diplomacy. Leo, who
Russia says it's establishing 'full partnership' with Afghan Taliban
MOSCOW, May 14 (Reuters) - Russia is establishing a "full-fledged partnership" with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and is encouraging other countries in the region to expand cooperation with Kabul, a senior Russian security official was quoted on Thursday as saying. Russia last
India says safe, unimpeded maritime flows vital for global economic well-being
NEW DELHI, May 14 (Reuters) - Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Thursday that "safe, unimpeded maritime flows" through international waters, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, are vital for global economic well-being. "We must also address the
India says emerging nations eye BRICS grouping for stability
NEW DELHI, May 14 (Reuters) - Peace underpins global order and recent conflicts highlight the need for dialogue, India’s Foreign Minister SubrahmanyamJaishankar said on Thursday as the BRICS group began a two-day meeting overshadowed by tension between members Iran and the
Iran war overshadows Trump's China visit as peace talks stall
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Andrea Shalal BEIJING/WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to ask China to help end the costly and unpopular Iran war in discussions with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, with peace talks stalled and the
Lebanon, Israel hold new talks in US as ceasefire nears end
Lebanon and Israel held new peace talks in Washington on Thursday, as their latest ceasefire -- considered to still be in place despite hundreds of deaths in Israeli strikes -- nears its end. Israel's military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon on Thursday
South Korea official says unlikely anyone but Iran behind Hormuz ship attack, Yonhap reports
SEOUL, May 14 (Reuters) - The possibility that an entity other than Iran was responsible for the attack against a South Korean cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz is low, a senior official in Seoul was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency on Thursday. South Korea is
'Promised to us': The Israelis dreaming of settling south Lebanon
From her home in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Anna Sloutskin yearns to expand her country's borders and one day move to southern Lebanon. And she is not alone. With fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than a million Lebanese, a far-right
Lebanon, Israel to hold new talks in US as ceasefire nears end
Lebanon and Israel are to hold new peace talks in Washington starting Thursday, as their latest ceasefire -- considered to still be in place despite hundreds of deaths in Israeli strikes -- nears its end. The two countries last met on April 23 at the White House, where US
After months of blackout, Iran gives internet to select few
After months under a near-total internet blackout during the Middle East war, Iranian tech worker Amir-Hassan was finally able to get back online, but only through a privileged service that has sparked public criticism. Millions like the 39-year-old have been unable to access
Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN expert on Palestinian territories
By Karen Sloan May 13 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories, finding that the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by imposing the measures
Rubio: U.S. wants China to press Iran to change course in Gulf
WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - The United States hopes to convince China to play a more active role in trying to persuade Iran to walk away from what it is doing in the Gulf, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview aired on Fox News on Wednesday. Rubio made the
Israel hammers Lebanon with strikes, killing 22
Lebanon's health ministry said 22 people including eight children were killed on Wednesday as Israel intensified strikes on the country, with several deadly raids hitting south of Beirut. The state-run National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli airstrikes had pounded around 40
Israel's Eurovision Song Contest entrant heard booing as he went onstage
By Ayhan Uyanik and Erol Dogrudogan VIENNA, May 13 (Reuters) - Israel's contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Tuesday heard the boos of a small number of pro-Palestinian protesters as he took the stage even though many in the room could not, he told Reuters on
Iran holds World Cup send-off for national football team
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The players, dressed in red and black tracksuits, were presented at a stage in the central Tehran square of
Vance says US making progress in Iran talks
(corrects title of JD Vance to Vice President) WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran to end hostilities, after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal as