Middle East

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region. Source link

The new unity deal also calls for a cease-fire. Government forces have taken over a number of strategic assets from the Kurdish-led militia in recent days, weakening the force. Source link

The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but its charter does not mention the Palestinian enclave, suggesting a possibly broader mandate. Source link

A Jewish family that fled Iraq generations ago rented its home to France for use as an embassy, but Paris long ago stopped paying it rent, after Iraq stripped Jews of property. Source link

Canada, Egypt and Turkey say they are among the countries that have been invited to join. Source link

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has built his 37-year rule on uncompromising repression. His answer to the current protests is no different. Source link

The aid group has refused to comply with new Israeli rules restricting speech and demanding information on staff. Patients are stunned. “I need this place,” says one. Source link

One of Israel’s leading archaeologists, he found evidence that the writing of the Old Testament likely began much earlier than historians had thought. Source link

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s announcement comes after days of deadly clashes between government and Kurdish forces that have underscored the difficulty he faces in uniting the country. Source link

“There is massive disappointment and disillusionment,” one Tehran resident said. A human rights group acknowledged that demonstrations had been subdued since Sunday, with thousands of people detained. Source link