BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 9 (Reuters) - Hezbollah said on Monday its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in eastern Lebanon during an Israeli airborne raid overnight, in what would be the second such operation in the area in recent days, as the war between Israel and the Iran-backed group entered a second week.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the Hezbollah statement.

A Hezbollah statement said its fighters "confronted the helicopters and the infiltrating forces with appropriate weapons".

LIEGE, Belgium, March 9 (Reuters) - An explosion hit a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege early on Monday in what authorities said was an antisemitic attack that caused damage but no injuries.

The explosion, which happened around 4 a.m. (0300 GMT), blew out the windows of the synagogue, as well as those of a building on the opposite side of the road, public broadcaster RTBF said.

The cause was not clear, but prosecutors said the case had been passed to federal authorities, which normally investigate incidents linked to terrorism or organised crime.

By Nathan Layne and Aleksandra Michalska

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire, March 9 (Reuters) - In a college library lined with volumes on America's greatest presidents, six young men who voted for Donald Trump gathered to size up his second term. Their verdicts ranged from guarded approval to disappointment, reflecting growing tension in a demographic that helped propel Trump to victory in 2024.

By Sarah Young

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - A planned visit by King Charles to the United States should be cancelled after President Donald Trump repeatedly insulted Britain, the leader of the country's third-biggest party in parliament said on Monday.

Trump has repeatedly criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer after London initially blocked the U.S. from using British bases to attack Iran, saying he was "not Winston Churchill" and that Starmer had helped to "ruin" the so-called Special Relationship between the two countries.

By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO, March 9 (Reuters) - NATO began its biennial drills in the Arctic on Monday, this time placing more emphasis on the role of civilians in supporting the military, at a time of high tension over U.S. President Trump's push to take over Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark.

The drills, named Cold Response, focus on defending the alliance in the European Arctic, where NATO-members Norway and Finland share a border with Russia, and will run March 9-19 this time.

BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The EU must be prepared to project its power more assertively as it can no longer rely on a "rules-based" system against threats and must determine if its institutions and systems help or hinder its credibility, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

DUBAI, March 9 (Reuters) - Iranians living abroad could have property confiscated and face other legal penalties if they express support for the United States and Israel, the Iranian prosecutor general's office said on Monday.

Some members of the Iranian diaspora who want political change in Tehran took to the streets of European and American cities to celebrate the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday accused Hezbollah of working to "collapse" the state and expressed Beirut's readiness for "direct negotiations" with Israel, drawing the backing of his Syrian counterpart for his goal of disarming the Iran-backed group.

By Christine Chen

SYDNEY, March 9 (Reuters) - Global players' union FIFPRO said on Monday there were serious concerns for the welfare of the Iranian women's soccer team, as they prepared to return home after being labelled "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.

The Iranians' campaign in the Australian-hosted tournament started last weekend just as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran marked the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father as its supreme leader with a new barrage of missiles against Israel and the Gulf states on Monday, as the Middle East war sent oil prices soaring.

As Iran entered its new era -- and the conflict its 10th day -- world oil prices soared, Saudi Arabia battled drones targeting oil fields and Bahrain's state energy company warned after a missile strike that it may be unable to fulfil export contracts.