Syria’s Parliament Launch: Syria’s newly formed People’s Assembly opened its first session, swearing in 206 lawmakers and electing constitutional scholar Dr. Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker, with Mustafa Moussa and Dr. Madona Suhail Bashara as deputy speakers—an early signal of a shift toward parliamentary oversight in the post-Assad transition. Syria’s Russia Recalibration: The International Crisis Group reports Damascus is reducing Russian influence where alternatives exist while keeping cooperation where it still matters, as Russia’s troop footprint shrinks and key positions are relinquished. Cancer Research in the Spotlight: St. Jude researchers mapped how SPOP cancer mutations alter the protein’s switch between inactive “double-donut” and active “filament” states, offering a clearer mechanism for how mutations drive disease. Water Security Warning: UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that global water supplies are heading toward irreversible decline, urging governments to boost finance, innovation, and governance ahead of the Abu Dhabi water push. Border Tech & Smuggling Tactics: Jordanian forces reportedly foiled a narcotics smuggling attempt using small guided balloons from southern Syria, underscoring how traffickers keep adopting new delivery methods. Ancient Science & Culture: Archaeologists reported the first direct epigraphic proof of Jupiter Dolichenus worship at the Roman fort of Apsaros, linking the cult to Syria-origin religious life in Roman garrisons.