On 8 July 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. https://www.specialeurasia.com/2025/07/09/iran-saudi-arabia-meeting/

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/g-s1-76389/damascus-syria-bar

Russia launches record drone attack on Ukraine after Trump criticizes Putin

The report said that Barrack would hold this meeting with Sharaa soon, following recent meetings in Lebanon that focused on Hezbollah. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-860476

From Gaza and Israel to Russia and Ukraine, any meaningful ceasefire must confront digitally enabled operations, Brett Solomon and Betsy Popken write. https://techpolicy.press/for-true-peace-ceasefires-must-address-digital-warfare-too

Thousands of Syrian refugees are set to return from Lebanon this week under the first, U.N.-backed plan providing financial incentives, after Syria's new rulers said all citizens were welcome home despite deep war damage and security concerns. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-returns-lebanon-start-under-un-backed-plan-marking-major-shift-2025-07-09/

By Timour Azhari BEIRUT (Reuters) -Thousands of Syrian refugees are set to return from Lebanon this week under the first, U.N.-backed plan providing financial incentives, after Syria's new rulers said all citizens were welcome home despite deep war damage and security concerns. Returning Syrians will ... https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-07-09/syrian-returns-from-lebanon-to-start-under-un-backed-plan-marking-major-shift

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) announced that the government successfully repatriated 691 ... https://en.antaranews.com/news/365133/indonesia-repatriates-691-migrant-workers-from-conflict-hit-myanmar

'Mutually accepted solution between Israel and the Palestinians will help secure lasting stability in the region,' says foreign minister - Anadolu Ajansı https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/slovakia-reaffirms-support-for-two-state-solution-to-israel-palestine-conflict/3626497

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian delves into the current status of fighting inside the Strip and in the north and a pair of deadly incidents that saw the loss of six IDF soldiers https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-july-10-day-643-idf-executes-ground-ops-in-gaza-lebanon-and-syria/

The Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces have been attempting to reach an integration agreement between the two, but sticking points remain. https://www.newarab.com/news/syria-rejects-federalism-calls-kurds-join-army-ranks

Syrian activist also present at Knesset meeting, where he recounted Syria's president speaking about Israel and a 'unique opportunity' https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/senior-saudi-journalist-urges-coexistence-landmark-visit-israeli-parliament

On July 10 and 11, ICTJ convened a high-level dialogue in Geneva that brought members of Syria’s newly established transitional justice commissions together with international experts and representatives from Syrian civil society and victims’ groups and multilateral institutions. The two-day event provided guidance to the commissioners as they develop and implement their mandates and supported Syrian-led efforts to build transparent and inclusive institutions. https://www.ictj.org/latest-news/ictj-convenes-international-dialogue-geneva-support-syria%E2%80%99s-national-commissions

Syrian activist Shadi Martini tells lobby new president called peace with Israel a 'unique opportunity'; Gulf journalist Abdulaziz Alkhamis says Israel must commit 'to coexistence' https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-syrian-figures-visit-knesset-to-talk-up-chances-for-normalization/

A lethal mix of politics and climate change has unleashed the country’s worst blazes in years — and exposed its fault lines https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/forest-fires-and-accusations-in-the-new-syria/

Sources: Hegseth failed to inform White House about Ukraine weapons pause

China has reportedly threatened to stop buying rare earth minerals from areas in Myanmar held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) an ethnic militia battling Myanmar’s ruling military junta. The threat comes as KIA and junta forces have been fighting for control of the town of Bhamo, a key junta stronghold in ... https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/07/09/china-myanmar-rare-earth-conflict-kachin-kia/

ILTV News Flash - War Day 642 | July 9, 2025

WATCH NOW: ILTV 24/7, LIVE News from Israel in English — Breaking Updates, Culture & Analysis

Good luck telling your boss you were late because of ducks. 🦆 🦆 🦆 🚦

Hundreds honor 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, killed in Gaza.

Accompanied by their newborn son, Michelet and his wife arrived at the St. Vincent de Paul Community Center in Springfield, Ohio, last week looking for help from the non-profit's volunteers. They wanted to apply for a valuable document for the infant that for now seems out of reach for them as Haitian immigrants: a U.S. passport. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/faith-over-fear-haitian-immigrants-springfield-stand-firm-trump-threatens-2025-07-09/

IDF forces continued extensive aerial and ground attacks on Hamas and other terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip and took control of 65% of the territory. Terrorist operatives were eliminated, including the commander of the Hamas naval force in the northern Gaza Strip. Eight IDF soldiers were killed in the fighting, including five who died when an explosive device detonated in Beit Hanoun; Hamas responded positively to the proposal for a sixty-day ceasefire and the release of hostages, while presenting demands for substantial amendments regarding humanitarian aid, IDF withdrawal, and an end to the war. As a result, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began in Qatar in an attempt to reach agreements; Two American workers for the humanitarian aid foundation in the Gaza Strip were wounded by shrapnel grenades. For the first time, over one million meals were distributed in a single day at one of the foundation's distribution centers; An officer in the Hamas security forces admitted that the movement had lost control of the Gaza Strip and that armed clans were filling the vacuum. In anticipation of a ceasefire, Hamas security forces escalated their pursuit of "agents and collaborators with Israel," foremost among them Yasser Abu Shabab, who was ordered to surrender to face charges of treason. Abu Shabab claimed that he was acting only in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, not Israel; The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced its intention to dispatch another vessel in an effort to "break the siege" on the Gaza Strip; Israeli security forces continued extensive counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria. A terrorist squad en route to carrying out an attack was detained in the village of Barta'a, inside Israeli territory. https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-terrorism-and-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-july-1-8-2025/