By Zehra Nur Duz
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday with, including Israeli army declaring ‘state of readiness’ for war, death toll rising to 11 in attacks by the Syrian army and Russia on Syria’s Idlib and Turkish warplanes targeting 15 YPG/PKK terror points in northern Syria.
TOP STORIES
- Israeli army declares ‘state of readiness’ for war
The Israeli army has declared a “state of readiness” for war after Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip fired an intense barrage of rockets early Saturday toward Israel, reports Israel Broadcasting Authority.
The rocket salvoes were fired from different locations in the enclave but Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted many, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
- Death toll at 11 from Syrian regime, Russian forces attack on Aleppo
The death toll rose to 11 in attacks by the Syrian army and Russia on Syria’s Idlib, Aleppo and Hama countryside while the number of injured increased to 78, sources said early Saturday.
The Syrian army and Iranian-backed foreign terror groups carried out an intensive attack on Idlib city center, Jericho district, Al-Majdal, Almastumah, Maarbalit, Sarrin, Turmanin and Darat Izza districts of Aleppo with ground-to-ground weapons, according to civil defense sources, who asked not to be named due to media-related restrictions.
- Turkish warplanes hit 15 YPG/PKK terror targets in northern Syria: National Defense Ministry
Turkish warplanes hit late Friday 15 YPG/PKK terror targets in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said.
Many terrorists were "neutralized" during the aerial operation, the ministry said in a statement on X.
- Washington must stop working with PKK/YPG terrorists in N.Syria, Türkiye tells US.
As an ally of Ankara, Washington must stop working with PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in strong terms, Turkish diplomatic sources said on Friday.
In the phone call, Fidan also underlined that Türkiye will continue resolutely to pursue anti-terror operations in Iraq and Syria, the sources said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Turkish security forces “neutralized” 26 PKK/YPG terrorists in response to the terror group’s attack on the Dabik Base area in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday.
- The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize will go to Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi for her “fight against the oppression of women” in her country, the prize committee announced.
- Russia on Friday said a Defense Ministry delegation will visit Armenia to discuss the withdrawal of its peacekeepers from Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
- The downing of a Turkish drone in Syria has in no way affected the ongoing anti-terrorism operation there, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
- Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) "neutralized" a senior member of the PKK terror group, responsible for assassinations, in an operation in northern Iraq, security sources said on Friday.
- Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has removed the prime minister and dissolved the government, a presidential decree announced on Friday.
SPORTS
- American Simone Biles, first female gymnast to win 6 all-around world titles
Simone Biles became the first female gymnast to win six all-around world titles Friday.
The 26-year-old American tallied 58,399 points in the individual all-around final, in which gymnasts must compete on all four apparatuses -- vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Biles won her 27th world medal and became the most decorated gymnast in history.
- Philippines win 1st gold in basketball at Asian Games since 1962
The Philippines on Friday won their first gold medal in men's basketball at the Asian Games in over six decades.
The Philippine basketball team, commonly known as Gilas Pilipinas, defeated Jordan 70-60 in Hangzhou, China to clinch a historic victory.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US adds 336,000 jobs in September, higher than estimates
The US economy added 336,000 jobs in September, sharply higher than market estimates, the Labor Department announced on Friday.
The market expectation for nonfarm payrolls was a gain of 170,000 in September.
- Canada adds 64,000 jobs in September, crushing estimates of 20,000
Canada added 64,000 jobs in September, crushing estimates of 20,000, according to official figures released Friday.
Employment rose by 0.3% in September, following an increase of 40,000, or 0.2%, in August, the country's statistical body Statistics Canada said in a statement.