Israeli, Syrian leaders agree to ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Türkiye, Jordan and neighbors, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack said Saturday on social media.

"We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors," he said on X.

California sues Trump administration after it pulls high-speed rail funding

U.S. State of California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the state is suing President Donald Trump's administration after it rescinded 4 billion U.S. dollars in federal funding for California's high-speed rail project.

Newsom criticized the decision as "petty" and a "political retribution," calling it "a heartless attack on the Central Valley that will put real jobs and livelihoods on the line."

"We're suing to stop Trump from derailing America's only high-speed rail actively under construction," he added.

The move follows Trump's remarks on social media: "Not a SINGLE penny in Federal Dollars will go towards this Newscum SCAM ever again."

EU announces 18th round of sanctions against Russia

The European Union (EU) approved a new round of sanctions against Russia on Friday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

"The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date," Kallas wrote on the social media platform X.

The package contains a provision to lower the price cap on Russian oil sold to third countries by 15 percent below the market rate. Initially set at 60 U.S. dollars per barrel by the G7 in 2022, the cap under this new EU scheme will launch at 47.6 dollars, with the flexibility to adjust in line with future oil price movements.

Brazil's supreme court decides to impose legal restrictions on ex-president Bolsonaro

A justice of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court on Friday decided to impose strict legal restrictions on former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo Bolsonaro for coercion, obstruction of justice, and attack on national sovereignty.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the measures include nightly house arrest on weekdays, full-time house arrest on weekends and holidays, wearing an electronic ankle monitor, and a ban on contacting foreign diplomats or visiting embassies and consulates, the supreme court said in a press release.

According to the release, the former president and his son had lobbied in the United States to solicit sanctions against Brazilian officials.

Zelensky, Macron discuss Ukraine's frontline situation, defense needs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he had spoken with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, about the situation on the frontline in Ukraine and the country's urgent defense needs.

In a post on social media platform X, Zelensky said the phone conversation touched upon strengthening Ukraine's air defense, including the supply of missiles for SAMP/T systems and funding for interceptor drones.

He also noted that France had agreed to train more Ukrainian pilots on Mirage fighter jets.

Israeli army says intercepted missile fired from Yemen

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen toward Israel on Friday night.

Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom, said it did not receive reports of hits or casualties.

The IDF detected the launch and issued a smartphone application alert. After about five minutes, sirens were activated in areas including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and West Jerusalem.

Following the launch, Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv was temporarily closed to takeoffs and landings.

3 killed in explosion at police training facility in U.S. state of California

Three deputies were killed Friday morning in an explosion at a police training facility in Southern California, authorities confirmed.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department referred to the explosion on the social media platform X as a "critical workplace incident," which occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. local time (1430 GMT) at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in East Los Angeles.

"There were three department member fatalities," the department said, adding that homicide detectives are investigating the scene.■