<p>Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defends the US-mediated framework with Israel, asserting it empowers the domestic army despite fierce pushback from Hezbollah.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Eurovision director Martin Green rules out a re-vote on Israel's participation, after a vote last year permitted Israel to participate despite boycott calls.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon fiercely criticizes Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for expressing condolences over the death of Iran's slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Damascus initiates public trials for suspects implicated in last year's sectarian clashes in Sweida, a major test for post-Assad Syria.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>London court hands long prison terms to two Romanian hitmen for knifing dissident Iranian journalist.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p><i>Arutz Sheva-Israel National News</i> is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.</p><p>Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 20:31 Jerusalem time.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p>