UN: No progress on Sweida peace plan as Syria’s Druze tensions persist
Ongoing rivalries, kidnappings and political disputes have derailed efforts to rebuild trust in Syria’s Sweida province, a UN official warned.
Middle East
Majority of Israelis see MoU as win for Iran as technical talks conclude in Switzerland
Hamas held 'top secret' meeting with French officials, discussed return to '1967 borders' - report
Iran FM spox. says IAEA interactions to continue as pro-IRGC outlet denies US claims of invitation
Qatar, Pakistan unveil new Lebanon peacekeeping mechanism, does not include Israel, France, UNIFIL
The mediators did not explain how the mechanism would operate or resolve the current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
US should have taken control of Strait of Hormuz, retired Israeli Brig.-Gen. says - interview
Avivi described the US-Iran document as provisional and limited, not a final agreement that should reshape Israel’s military calculations.
'Unacceptable' that Israel killed nearly 100 Lebanese in few days, Qatari PM tells Al Jazeera
"Unfortunately, this is not the first time Netanyahu has caused a state of escalation in the region," the Qatari PM said in an interview following the conclusion of Iran talks in Switzerland.
US authorizes Iranian oil sales amid talks on final peace deal
The license authorizes the production, delivery, and sale of crude oil, petrochemicals, and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21.
Beirut summons academic following Hezbollah criticism, calling freedom of speech into question
Lebanese Christian sovereigntist figures, including President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) Ibrahim Mrad, have urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to intervene in the case.
Sampling flaws may have inflated Lancet's Gaza mortality survey death toll, researchers argue
Released by Professor Emeritus Sergio DellaPergola of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and independent researcher Mark Zlochin, the correspondence analyzed the survey’s publicly released data.
Iran's Hormuz strait rules include enforcing penalties, revoking permissions if ships do not comply
The United States has not confirmed the number of mines laid by Iran, though a Whitehouse official confirmed to CNBC earlier this month that more than 40 minelaying vessels had been destroyed.
'Good foundation for successful final deal' was made during US-Iran talks, says Vance
Speaking on the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, Vance said that while “we want Israel's security to be protected, we also want Lebanon's sovereignty to be protected."
Majority of women abducted in Syria sectarian violence remain missing, report finds
In 2025, the Syrian Feminist Lobby documented 82 abduction cases across the Syrian coast, western Hama countryside, and Homs. Some 10% were girls, while 90% were women aged 15 to 40.
Syria indicates it will not intervene in Lebanon, despite US pressure - analysis
The report adds that despite a push for a ceasefire and a new de-confliction concept in Lebanon, “it is estimated that Washington is using various tools simultaneously to try to disarm Hezbollah.”
