SUMMARY: Explosions caused two bridge collapses and derailed two trains in western Russia overnight, killing seven and injuring dozens. In Bryansk, near Ukraine’s border, a collapsed bridge crushed a passenger train, killing the driver among others. Hours later, a freight train derailed in Kursk after a bridge collapse triggered by another explosion, causing a fire but no casualties. Russia’s Investigative Committee is probing the blasts as potential terrorism. Rescue operations are underway, and damaged railway tracks were found nearby. Ukrainian intelligence reported blowing up a Russian freight train en route to Crimea but did not link it to the bridge collapses.

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SUMMARY: About 17,000 residents in Manitoba, Canada, have been evacuated due to nearly two dozen active wildfires, including over 5,000 from Flin Flon, where officials fear a wind change could bring fire into town. Manitoba declared a state of emergency as fires spread from northwest to southeast, also affecting neighboring Saskatchewan and Alberta. Power outages and evacuations occurred in communities like Cranberry Portage and Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Evacuees are being sheltered across Manitoba, including Winnipeg and Winkler. Creighton, Saskatchewan, also faced evacuations. The wildfire season, running May to September, follows Canada’s worst season in 2023, which caused widespread smoke across North America.

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SUMMARY: Syria and Saudi Arabia aim to boost economic cooperation and create jobs following eased Western sanctions. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus, meeting Syrian officials, including President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The sanction relief by the U.S., EU, and UK is expected to attract foreign investment into Syria, which has endured a civil war since 2011. Prince Faisal highlighted plans for Saudi business engagement in oil, infrastructure, IT, telecom, and agriculture, with financial aid promised to Syrian public sector employees. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani called the visit a new cooperation era. Syria also signed a deal for a major energy project to rebuild its electricity network.

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