Israel
Palestinian death toll in Gaza war rises above 74,000 since the war began and other Mideast news
The Palestinian death toll from the nearly three-year Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 74,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While a ceasefire that took effect last Oct. 10 has halted the heaviest fighting, Israeli strikes have continued in what the military has said are responses to threats or attacks. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said that […]
Why Yemen’s Houthis have only grown stronger through years of war
At various times over the last decade, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Britain and Israel have carried out punishing air raids on Yemen’s Houthi rebels — only to see them grow even stronger. Now, as the Iran-backed Houthis advance on a key maritime chokepoint and strike Saudi oil facilities, rattling world […]
Mortgage rates climb for 5th straight week, pushing average rate on a 30-year home loan above 7%
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week above 7% for the first time since January 2025, the latest affordability setback for prospective homebuyers following a five-week run of rate increases. The weekly average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate home loan rose to 7.03% from 6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. […]
Fatal building collapse highlights dangers plaguing Gaza nearly a year after ceasefire
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip | The deadly collapse of a multistory building in Gaza has drawn new attention to the hardships facing Palestinians there nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas promised to kickstart reconstruction. But as talks faltered, plans for rebuilding stalled. Israel bars entry of almost all construction materials, making […]
Iran’s president delivers defiant UN speech, and other Mideast developments
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations on Wednesday as Tehran downplayed talks with the United States. Meanwhile, another ship attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile, highlighting the dangers that continue to restrict traffic through the critical waterway as the seven-month war grinds on. […]
A closer look at Yom Kippur, the holiest day of Jewish calendar
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. is widely considered the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar. It is being observed this year from around sunset on Sunday until after nightfall Monday night. It is typically spent in prayer and repentance. It marks the conclusion of the Jewish High Holy days, which began […]
Why Yemen’s Houthis have only grown stronger through years of war
At various times over the last decade, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Britain and Israel have carried out punishing air raids on Yemen’s Houthi rebels — only to see them grow even stronger. Now, as the Iran-backed Houthis advance on a key maritime chokepoint and strike Saudi oil facilities, rattling world […]
Iranians rally by the hundreds of thousands in biggest show of defiance since war began
CAIRO | Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied Friday in a government-organized show of defiance after months of war, pledging their readiness to take up arms in the biggest such demonstration since the United States and Israel attacked in February. Iran’s government has sought to rally the people and stress national unity, even as the […]
Residents of southern Lebanon gather to watch Israeli drones drop explosives on their village
HANNIYEH, Lebanon | A group of men and children gathered Friday at a vantage point overlooking their village in southern Lebanon, watching from a distance as Israeli drones descended, carrying boxes laden with explosives to be dropped on houses. It has become a daily ritual for residents of Mansouri, who fled the village weeks ago […]
Houthis seize strategic Red Sea port in Yemen, and other Mideast developments
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, according to Houthi and Yemeni officials, bringing the rebels closer to controlling a critical waterway to the Red Sea. Separately, an Israeli strike killed at least four people in northern Gaza, including two children, hospital officials said Thursday. The Israeli military said the […]