Spotlight
-
Middle East
US push to get Iran talks started hits an early bump due to intense fighting in Lebanon
The American push to quickly begin high-stakes talks with Iran hit a snag Friday, just days after the signing of an agreement that opens a two-mont...
-
Lebanon
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire from 4pm Friday
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire that begins 4pm Friday Beirut time, a U.S. official said Friday, after deadly new exchanges in L...
Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregated on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the second official day of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, considered the pinnacle of Hajj.
Despite the sweltering heat, the pilgrims gathered on the rocky hill and the surrounding plains for intense prayers that often mark a spiritual peak. Typically, they fervently murmur prayers and pour their hearts out in supplications, asking God for forgiveness, mercy, blessings and good health. It is common for many pilgrims on that day to raise their hands in worship, with tears streaming down their faces, on the slopes of the rocky hill and in the surrounding area.
Full Story
Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said Tuesday, as the country's foreign ministry noted that Moscow's recent threat to hit Kyiv especially hard from the air brought nothing new.
Russia on Monday urged foreign citizens, including members of diplomatic missions, to leave the Ukrainian capital as quickly as possible and told residents to steer clear of military and government facilities. It said that "systemic strikes" on Kyiv were being prepared.
Full Story
Foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the United States announced new initiatives on Tuesday on maritime security, port infrastructure and energy to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to counter concerns about China's growing influence.
The announcements by the group of nations known as the Quad came after talks in New Delhi between India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Full Story
Israel's military has called up more troops to Lebanon, an Israeli security official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said Tuesday the military had called up an additional battalion to Lebanon, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had authorized more intensive strikes across Lebanon.
Full Story
Israel's military clashed with Hezbollah Tuesday along a strategic river in Lebanon as Israeli troops tried to push farther north, just three days before Lebanese and Israeli military delegations are set to meet for direct talks in Washington.
A previously reached ceasefire appeared more nominal by the day, complicating efforts at a broader peace in the Iran war, as Tehran wants an end to the fighting to include Lebanon.
Full Story
An airstrike on the Amal-affiliated Risala Scout Association center in Srifa killed two people on Tuesday, including a paramedic.
The Israeli army also struck Tuesday several towns and villages in south Lebanon, including Kafra, Barish, Srifa, Shohour, Dweir, Majdal Selem, Kawthariyet al-Rez, Arnoun, Yohmor-Shqif, al-Rihan, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Tyre's Ras el-Ein, Tayrfelsay, Harees, Kherbet Selem, Habboush, Zebdine, Kfartebnit, al-Kharayeb, al-Sahrqiyeh, al-Sultanieh, Deir Ntar, Mayfadoun and Arzoun.
Full Story
European Union officials said Friday that Europeans can expect oil and gas prices to remain above what they were before the Iran war for at least until the end of 2027, with prices of other goods also following an upward trajectory.
EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said that higher energy prices are primarily responsible for driving inflation to a forecast 3.1% for this year and 2.4% for 2027. That's significantly higher than the earlier forecast for this year of 1.9%.
Full Story
On the surface, Chinese leader Xi Jinping's back-to-back summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin looked pretty similar, with formal handshakes in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, enthusiastic greetings from flower-waving children, and marching columns of soldiers with gleaming bayonets. But the visits also revealed how different China's relationship is with the two countries.
During Trump's visit, China sought to stabilize ties with the United States, while Putin's trip served to deepen its strategic partnership with Russia.
Full Story
Cristiano Ronaldo has finally won a major trophy with Al-Nassr.
The 41-year-old Portugal star scored twice in a 4-1 win over Damac to help Al-Nassr clinch the Saudi Pro League title Thursday. It's the team's first major trophy since Ronaldo joined more than three years ago.
Full Story
The day arrived when the Senate just said, No.
President Donald Trump's political revenge tour met its potential match this week as angry, upset Republican senators, pushed to a breaking point by his seemingly insatiable and outlandish demands — particularly a $1.776 billion fund for Jan. 6 rioters and others he believes were wrongly prosecuted — did the unthinkable.
Full Story


