ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Israel launching airstrikes on the Damascus countryside; Ukraine, Russia claiming to have downed dozens of drones; and three killed in a Minneapolis church shooting.

TOP STORIES

• Israel launches fresh airstrikes on Damascus countryside in Syria

Israeli warplanes struck several sites near the town of Al-Kiswah in the Damascus countryside in southern Syria, state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV reported.

The channel also reported another Israeli airstrike on the same area as well as "intensive" flights by Israeli aircraft over the skies of Damascus.

The attack came a day after airstrikes on the same town killed six Syrian soldiers.

• Ukraine, Russia claim downing dozens of drones in overnight attacks

Ukraine said its air defenses shot down 74 of 95 drones launched by Russia since Tuesday evening, while Moscow claimed it destroyed 26 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over its territory overnight.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russian forces launched Shahed attack UAVs and simulator drones from Kursk, Millerovo, Orel and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from Chauda in the occupied Crimean peninsula.

On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry said its air defense units downed 26 Ukrainian UAVs overnight. “Fifteen UAVs were destroyed over the Rostov region, four over Oryol, three over Belgorod, two over Bryansk and two over Kursk,” the ministry said in a statement.

• 3 killed in Minneapolis church shooting: Officials

Two young children were killed in a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in the US state of Minnesota on Wednesday, according to the Minneapolis police chief.

“Seventeen other people were injured, 14 of them being children. Two of those children are in critical condition,” said O’Hara.

The shooter “ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church,” he said, adding that the suspect, in his early 20s, acted alone and did not have an extensive known criminal record.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli forces continued incursions into the Quneitra countryside in southern Syria, in the latest violation of the country’s sovereignty.
  
  
• Syria condemned a deadly Israeli drone attack that killed six soldiers in the Damascus countryside in the country’s south.
  
  
• Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods take effect, with Premier Modi urging citizens to buy more domestic products.
  
  
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez was removed from her position less than a month after Senate confirmation.
  
  
• Danish foreign minister summons top US diplomat over reports of Americans running influence campaigns in Greenland.
  
  
• Algeria’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned France’s chargé d’affaires to protest a statement issued by the French Embassy regarding visa procedures.
  
  
• The German government announced the creation of a national security council to enhance coordination and planning on security and defense matters.
  
  
• At least 25 people were killed and 27 others injured when a passenger bus overturned near the capital Kabul, officials said

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• India could receive 25% tariff reduction 'tomorrow' if it stops buying Russian oil: Senior US official

India could receive a 25% reduction in US tariffs "tomorrow" if it stops purchasing Russian oil, White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro said.

"It's real easy. India can get 25% off tomorrow if it stops buying Russian oil and helping to feed (Russia’s) war machine," he told Bloomberg in an interview.

• Nvidia posts upbeat financial results in 2nd fiscal quarter as AI chip demand stays strong

US chip giant Nvidia reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and projected that sales growth for the third quarter would remain above 50%.

Nvidia's net income soared 59% year-on-year in the fiscal second quarter to reach $26.42 billion, according to the company's financial results.

Its revenue also rose 56%, reaching $46.74 billion in the same period.

SPORTS

• Israeli army kills Palestinian international runner near aid center in Khan Younis

The Israeli army shot Palestinian international runner Allam al-Amour dead as he tried to get aid in the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Family sources said al-Amour “was martyred by Israeli army gunfire near what are known as American aid centers.”

Al-Amour had won the bronze medal at the West Asia Clubs Athletics Championship in the youth category, hosted in Doha in March 2023, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

• Free-diving, swimming competitions mark 3rd day of Musandam International Diving Festival

A mix of endurance and exploration activities was featured on the third day of the Musandam International Diving Festival in Oman.

Competitions drew interest from residents and visitors. Free-diving challenges tested divers’ breath-holding skills, while swimming contests included separate categories for children and adults.​​​​​​​