Pakistan Taliban 'sets up a base in Syria'
The Pakistani Taliban have visited Syria to set up a base and to assess "the needs of the jihad", a Taliban official has told the BBC. He said that the base was set up with the assistance of ex-Afghan fighters of Middle Eastern origin who have moved to Syria in recent years. At least 12 experts in warfare and information technology had gone to Syria in the last two months, he said.
US officials: Israel is responsible for Syrian missile depot attack
Israel is responsible for a July 5 early morning airstrike in Syria, anonymous US officials told CNN on Friday. The attack on Latakia, which originally had no claim of responsibility, is reportedly the work of the Israeli Air Force (IAF). Three unnamed US officials told CNN that the IAF had been targeting Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles that could pose a threat to the Israel.
Saudi Arabia warns pilgrims over coronavirus
Health officials in Saudi Arabia have asked pilgrims visiting its holy sites to wear masks in crowded places to stop the spread of the MERS coronavirus. A list of requirements issued by the health ministry also tells elderly people or those with chronic diseases to postpone their pilgrimage. Thirty-eight people have died from the virus in Saudi Arabia.
Gay marriage foes seek to halt California same-sex weddings
Gay marriage opponents asked the California Supreme Court on Friday to stop same-sex weddings in the state and order that a voter initiative banning the nuptials remain in effect.
Report: Israel, Russia May Reach Agreement to Halt S-300 Delivery to Syria
Israel could drop its opposition to Russia stationing troops on the Golan Heights as members of the UN peacekeeping force – if Moscow cancels plans to ship S-300 missiles to Syria, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper a-Sharq al-Awsat reported Wednesday.
IDF Says Hezbollah Weapons Cache Exceeds 60,000 Rockets, All Israel in Range
On the seventh anniversary of the start of the month-long Second Lebanon War, marked Friday, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that Lebanese terror group Hezbollah has dramatically expanded its arsenal of weapons, exceeding 60,000 rockets and missiles in 1,000 military facilities, making the terrorist group capable of striking any part of Israel with continuous, precise attacks.
Report: Microsoft collaborated closely with NSA
Most of the big tech companies implicated in the ongoing controversy over secret government Web surveillance insist they turned over data about users to the National Security Agency only after being compelled by court orders.
One dead, 31 injured as Typhoon Soulik hits Taiwan
Typhoon Soulik battered Taiwan with torrential rain and powerful winds on Saturday that left one person dead and at least 30 people injured. As daylight dawned, some areas were submerged by flood waters, roofs were ripped from homes, and debris and fallen trees littered the streets.
Democrats vow abortion fight in Texas
Republicans in the Texas Legislature passed an omnibus abortion bill that is one of the most restrictive in the nation, but Democrats vowed Saturday to fight both in the courts and the ballot box as they used the measure to rally their supporters.
Twitter hands over data in French anti-Semitism case
Twitter handed over data to French authorities on Friday to help identify the authors of anti-Semitic and racist tweets after a months-long legal battle launched by Jewish and anti-racism groups.