Several online groups in Egypt are calling for an end to male circumcision, saying the risky operation is not justified for medical or religious purposes.

A visit by Iran's president to Japan is being finalized as Tokyo intensifies mediation efforts in search of a settlement to Tehran-Washington tensions and an end to the stalemate over the Iran nuclear deal.

The White House convinced Congress to water down a key defense bill by removing language penalizing Saudi Arabia for the Yemen war and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Ankara buys oil from sworn enemy, but keeps leverage; Assad would talk to Erdogan; Iran’s Reformists expect to lose big to hard-liners; Jordan hosts Global Masters e-sport tournament; and more!

Facing EU sanctions over gas drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, officials in Ankara have reaffirmed plans to develop contested gas fields and assist the Tripoli government as Greek officials seek international support.

While hopes have emerged as the result of a prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States, some analysts believe this won't lead to negotiations and a Trump-Rouhani meeting.

Turnout to Algeria’s elections could be as low as 10%, and any winner is likely to be weak, unable to impose policy without compromise and negotiation.

Iraq's professional and aspiring artists have taken to the streets with their own weapons: paint, brushes and musical instruments.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on a rotation agreement and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz' rejection of an indicted partner have Israel headed for a third election.

President Erdogan’s Syria plan has had unintended ramifications: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now cozying up to the Kurds, the Kurds are uniting, and the Russians are guiding the solutions on the ground.

Lawmakers edit measure as chairman calls Trump’s stonewalling unprecedentedHelp us cover the critical issues of 2020. Consider making a contribution 2.22am GMT Related: House panel edits Trump articles of impeachment in rare evening session 1.32am GMT A group of moderates from swing districts may break from the rest of the House Democrats set to vote […]

Deputy commissioner says police have been facing increasing pressure from victims’ families to recover bodies from White IslandNew Zealand police have announced they are in the final stages of planning a body retrieval mission to White Island on Friday morning, despite the volcano still being in a high state of activity and unrest.Deputy Commissioner of […]

Parents have been told to consider keeping Tamborine Mountain state school students at home, while trucks take local water to bottling plants for companies including Coca-Cola The Tamborine Mountain state school has run out of water, even as water miners in the Gold Coast hinterland are sending millions of litres to commercial bottling operations.Trucks sent […]

Measure is expected to be passed by Senate Bill increases defense spending by 2.8%, or $20bnThe US House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a $738bn military spending bill setting policy for the Department of Defense on everything from family leave to fighter jets – and the creation of a “Space Force” that has been a […]

Senate foreign relations committee voted unanimously for bill which will now await a slot to go to the Senate Legislation to stop Donald Trump from withdrawing the US from Nato has been approved for a Senate vote, amid uncertainty over the president’s intentions towards the alliance.The Senate foreign relations committee on Wednesday voted unanimously for […]

There was no sense of a triumphant homecoming in a depressing finaleNormally it’s Dominic Raab who keeps turning up at crime scenes. There’s something about unsolved murders he finds irresistible. But for his last rally of the election campaign, Boris Johnson couldn’t stop himself from returning to the Olympic Park in London. The location of […]

Israel’s parliament votes on Wednesday to dissolve itself in a fresh bid to break political deadlockIsrael is set to hold a third round of elections within 12 months, after a deadline to form a government passed with no politician able to bring together the disparate parties.A time limit to forge a majority coalition in the […]

MLB has met with nearly 60 witnesses in cheating investigationAstros are alleged to have used a television camera to steal signsMajor League Baseball has interviewed almost 60 people and obtained tens of thousands of electronic messages in its investigation into allegations the Houston Astros broke rules by using a television camera to steal signs.Former Houston […]

Atlético Madrid had taken 62 shots without scoring a goal, including the Kieran Trippier penalty that had hit the post 15 minutes earlier, when João Félix finally put the ball into the net to set them on their way to the last 16 of the Champions League. The 20-year-old striker slotted Atlético’s second spot-kick beyond […]

Party leaders spend day travelling to key marginals urging voters to back their vision for the countryGeneral election – live newsJeremy Corbyn urged Britain to “shock the establishment” and “vote for hope”, while Boris Johnson pleaded with voters to back him and settle the issue of Brexit before Christmas, at the conclusion of a bruising […]