Iraq’s prohibition zeal threatens Baghdad’s boozy subculture

American forces have conducted over 800 airstrikes in Yemen against the Houthi militia as part of Operation Rough Rider, targeting key military facilities and weaponry, including missiles and drones. The campaign, initiated by President Trump, aims to deter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and has reportedly cost over $1 billion in its first month, raising concerns about munitions use impacting U.S. military readiness elsewhere. Despite the strikes, Houthi officials claim civilian...

Israel conducted an air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, targeting a building allegedly used by Hezbollah to store "precision-guided missiles," despite a ceasefire established five months ago. The Lebanese presidency condemned the attack, urging the US and France, who brokered the ceasefire, to compel Israel to stop its strikes, warning that continued aggression could destabilize the region. While Israel claims it will respond to perceived threats from Hezbollah, recent assessments suggest Hezbollah has complied with...

Sebastian Usher and Jessica RawnsleyBBC News, Jerusalem and LondonQatar's prime minister reported "a bit of progress" in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas now open to a deal involving hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. However, Israel remains firm on not withdrawing its forces from Gaza, where the death toll has surged to over 52,000 amid ongoing hostilities. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Hamas and expressed the PA's readiness to govern...

The United States has conducted over 800 air strikes in Yemen since mid-March, targeting Huthi rebel fighters and leadership as part of Operation "Rough Rider," aimed at enhancing maritime security and regional deterrence. Despite the campaign, Huthi attacks on US vessels and claims of solidarity with Palestinians have persisted, although their effectiveness has diminished, with a reported decrease in ballistic missile and drone attacks. Recent strikes on Sanaa resulted in casualties, and the US plans...

Israel launched an airstrike on a residential area in Dahiyeh, Beirut, despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, leading to panic among residents who received evacuation warnings. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted Hezbollah missile storage sites, while Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and called for international intervention. The ongoing strikes raise concerns about the fragile ceasefire agreement that followed over a year of conflict, with Hezbollah asserting compliance with...

SummaryIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a thorough investigation into a major explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, which resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. The incident, linked to a hazardous materials storage depot, prompted the closure of schools and offices in Bandar Abbas, while emergency responders received support, including from Russia. As condolences poured in from various nations, authorities declared a day of national mourning, with the blast occurring...