US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee:

There are 700,000 Americans living in Israel.

That’s the size of a full congressional district. Every time members of Congress come here, I tell them:

“Welcome to the 436th Congressional District of the United States.”

NEW: Hamas releases a video of the hostage Alon Ahel.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa sits down with former CIA Director David Petraeus in New York.

Mali: Africa Corps mercenaries reportedly protected senior military figures during Independence Day celebrations in Kidal.

TikTok’s US assets will be sold to a majority American ownership group, with Oracle controlling the app’s algorithm and US user data.

Source: CNN

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Syria is moving towards ensuring that its territory does not pose any threat to any region.

NEW: White House says doctors and medical residents may be exempt from the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

Source: Bloomberg

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

We offered SDF integration into the Syrian army to benefit from their expertise, and we assured Mazloum Abdi that the rights of Kurds in Syria are protected according to the constitution.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Any presence of SDF in northeastern Syria would put Iraq, Türkiye, and Syria at risk.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

We have formed fact-finding committees to investigate the events on the coast and in Suwayda.

Syria is committed to holding accountable anyone who attacks any civilian because it is a state of law.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Israel has launched numerous attacks on Syria and continues to occupy the Golan Heights and enter Syrian territory.

However, Syria is trying to avoid war.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Israel needs to withdraw from Syrian territory, and security concerns can be addressed through talks.

But the real question is whether Israel has security concerns or expansionist ambitions. The talks will reveal that.

US Ambassador to the UN:

United States and allies will defend every inch of NATO territory.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

Iran believes diplomacy can resolve its nuclear dispute with the West.

Ukrainian F-16 jet destroys Russian Geran-2 drone with close-range fire from its 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon.

Such interceptions cut costs per target but risk drone debris hitting the fighter itself, a danger that has previously led to aircraft losses.

US and Kazakhstan agreed to a $4 billion locomotive deal.

WATCH | Former CIA Director David Patraeus says he’s a big fan of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, asks him if he gets enough sleep.

Four US Army soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, on Sept. 17.