Syria says IS behind Damascus blasts, finds explosives cache Syrian authorities on Friday said they uncovered an explosives cache after having captured an IS-linked cell responsible for two bomb blasts during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus earlier this week. On Friday, the interior ministry said that "intensive investigations with members of the terrorist cell" allowed authorities to find "a secret cache the cell had designated for storing explosives in preparation for a series of terrorist attacks". Agence France-Presse
Netanyahu races to keep promises to allies ahead of election With the Israeli parliament set to dissolve in the coming days, just four months before national elections, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racing to pass a series of bills, drawing fierce criticism from opposition. The veteran prime minister, who has held office for nearly two decades across multiple terms, is facing public anger over a series of failures -- particularly those that led to Hamas's unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the war in Gaza. Agence France-Presse
Canada wants broader Saudi ties, won't lecture from 'afar': Carney Canada wants closer ties with Saudi Arabia and will not lecture about rights "from afar," Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday during the first visit to the kingdom by a Canadian premier in 25 years. Carney's office said the prime minister and crown prince will finalize a deal next year that will make it easier for Canadian businesses to expand into Saudi Arabia. Agence France-Presse
Explainer China expands Sudan footprint through ports, debt relief, mining Reports have emerged of a potential $300 million copper mining deal between the Sudanese government and a Chinese company. Sudan
Even as ceasefire frays, Trump and Iran shy away from full war The United States and Iran are escalating their tit-for-tat strikes, posing the biggest threat yet to their framework deal. Iran
Hormuz traffic slumps as US, Iran trade strikes Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply since Wednesday, especially through the UN-backed Omani route, analysts said, after vessels were attacked earlier this week and as the United States and Iran traded renewed strikes. The southern Omani route, used in past weeks by many vessels not linked to Iran, has been largely avoided since Wednesday. Agence France-Presse
'Only revenge': Iran mourners defiant at Khamenei burial Calling for revenge and rejecting any compromise with the West, Iranians loyal to the Islamic republic massed on Thursday late into the night for the burial of supreme leader Ali Khamenei in his hometown of Mashhad. "We are here with our red flags to call for the revenge of our leader." Agence France-Presse
Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support for Somalia’s federal institutions. Turkey
Strengthening El Nino likely to 'rank among largest' on record: US agency The El Nino weather pattern picked up strength over the past month and is highly likely to "rank among the largest" ever recorded when it peaks between October and December, US forecasters said Thursday. In its latest update, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said there is an 81 percent chance of a "very strong" El Nino between October and December that would rank among the largest such events in the historic record going back to 1950. Agence France-Presse
France ends Morocco’s World Cup run as last Arab and African team standing Following the loss, no Arab or African teams remain in the tournament. Morocco
Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping. Iran
New Israeli election poll puts Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu: What to know Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has now bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in the polls, cementing his status as Netanyahu’s main opponent. Israel
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