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U.S. diplomats met Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Friday, marking the first official contact since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. This meeting comes amid international concerns over the direction of Syria’s leadership, with many powers seeking assurances that the country’s new authorities will be moderate and inclusive, particularly in regard to the rights of minorities, women, …

The leaders of Turkey and Iran held a meeting in Cairo at a summit involving eight Muslim-majority countries, marking their first direct talks since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Historically, Turkey and Iran have supported opposing sides in Syria’s prolonged civil war, with Turkey backing the opposition and Iran standing by Assad’s government. During the summit, Turkish President …

Israeli forces pulled out of the southern town of Bani Hayyan on Friday, two days after they entered the area. They moved their operations toward Markaba after carrying out demolitions, including bulldozing homes and clearing roads. The Bani Hayyan Municipality reported on Thursday that an elderly woman inside the town had gone missing during the incursion, and her whereabouts remain …

Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblat, along with the Democratic Gathering bloc, has officially endorsed Army Chief General Joseph Aoun for the upcoming presidential election, set for January 9. Jumblat’s announcement makes him one of the first political figures to publicly back a candidate. Jumblat’s support for Aoun stems from his belief in the army’s crucial role …

Fulham, currently 8th in the Premier League and just one point behind 6th place, remains in contention for a European spot this season. The team has shown resilience, with only one loss in their last eight league games, which includes three wins and four draws. Their only defeat was an unexpected 1-4 loss to struggling Wolverhampton, but they quickly responded …

Real Madrid, after a tough loss to Barcelona in the Clasico on October 21, had fallen behind in the title race but has recently started to close the gap. However, their performance has raised concerns about their consistency, highlighted by a dramatic 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano, where they managed a comeback after trailing by two goals before halftime. Meanwhile, …

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hope for Syria on Thursday, noting a “flame of hope” following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, but also acknowledged the significant hurdles ahead. Guterres emphasized that the Middle East is engulfed in numerous conflicts, yet Syria’s situation offers a glimpse of potential progress that must not be extinguished. He also criticized Israel’s ongoing …

Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel Thursday, which the Israeli military intercepted before it could reach its territory. Israel responded with airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure in Yemen, including power stations, oil facilities, and ports, resulting in casualties. The Houthis, who have repeatedly targeted Israel since the Gaza conflict began, are part of the Iran-backed …