Canadian Police Officer Wounded in Synagogue Attack; Trump Aborts Yemen Strike

A police officer was injured in a shooting incident near a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, on Sunday evening as Jewish worshipers gathered for Yom Kippur prayers. The officer engaged a 29-year-old armed assailant, who was critically wounded. Approximately 25 people inside the Sons of Jacob synagogue were unharmed. Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue or the Jewish community were specifically targeted. The incident prompted increased police presence around synagogues in the Toronto area.

In a separate development, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly canceled an imminent airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen at the last minute. Sources indicated that targets had been approved and munitions loaded onto aircraft before the decision to halt the operation was made. The planned strike followed appeals from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid rapid Houthi advances in Yemen. U.S. officials confirmed Trump had considered the strike, with military commanders preparing options, but he ultimately decided against opening a new direct American front.

The Trump administration is also preparing unprecedented sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. These sanctions, which could be announced soon, aim to increase pressure to revoke arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials. If enacted, the measures might prohibit U.S. citizens and companies from providing funds, goods, or services to the ICC without special Treasury Department approval. The ICC has previously warned that broad sanctions could disrupt its daily operations.

Meanwhile, fighting in Yemen has intensified, with Houthi forces continuing their push to control strategic areas, including mountainous regions in Taiz and Lahj provinces, which could bolster their control near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The renewed conflict has displaced nearly 130,000 people, and the World Health Organization reported 164 deaths and 516 injuries between September 13 and 18. The Houthis also claimed to have fired a ballistic missile toward Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid escalating regional tensions.

Separately, a merchant vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring two crew members, according to the British military. The ship was able to continue its journey. Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned of changing its methods of warfare if tensions escalate further with the United States. Despite these security events, oil prices fell, partly due to a partial recovery in Saudi exports and hopes for diplomatic progress.