NEWS SUMMARY AT THIS HOUR-FRIDAY

                         (EDITING AND UPDATES, EXPANSION THROUGH 745AM)

Israel supported opposition military forces in Syria.   That story's been published by "Foreign Policy" magazine.  The Israeli's provided rifles, machine guns and mortars, along with vehicles to groups in southwestern Syria.  

The Israelis also paid 75 dollars a month to thousands of members of the opposition groups.

When the Syrian government forces went on the offensive over the summer in the area, Israel stopped providing the support.

Their reasoning was to keep Islamic State forces and Iranian units away from Israel according to the report.

By the way, "Foreign Policy"  was down on the internet overnight, but here is a link to the story about that story in Israel's "Haaretz" newspaper.  LINK TO HAARETZ REPORT ON ISRAELI SUPPORT OF SYRIAN OPPOSITION

At a February news conference President Trump said that the only reason the United States was in Syria was because of Islamic State.   He said in part: …"We're there for one reason, we're there to get ISIS". LINK TO FEBRUARY STORY

But the US envoy for Syria James Jeffrey now says the United States is in Syria because of Islamic State and because of Iranian presence.  He made those comments to mainstream media.

Jeffrey also said:  "There is lots of evidence that chemical weapons are being prepared".  Jeffrey said that any Syrian offensive in the north against opposition forces including ISIS and Al-Qaeda fighters would be a "reckless escalation".

Russian Aerospace Forces (Air Force) launched at least seven airstrikes in the northern region where the Syrian government offensive is expected.  Those airstrikes were reported continuing today according to foreign government funded Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A key meeting is underway today in Tehran, Iran.  Its a summit between the leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey.    Turkey has expressed its concern about the humanitarian consequences of Syrian military action in the north where Turkish troops and Turkish backed militia are present in some areas.

Syria is also set to be discussed by the UN Security Council today.

Getting back to Israel, a drone strike in Gaza today on a group of Palestinians as they were launching incendiary balloons into Israel.

The front-runner in Brazil's presidential election is in stable condition and in intensive care after being stabbed during a campaign rally Thursday.

Jair Bolsonaro, dubbed as "far-right" by mainstream media and called the "Trump of Brazil", was attacked while being hoisted by his supporters.

Bolsonaro is reported recuperating well and will remain in hospital for at least a week to 10 days.

Police have arrested a suspect.

Mr. Bolsonaro has been described in the media as making "racist" and "homophobic" comments and in recent days on Twitter was accused of being a patron of fetish pornography.

Twitter, meanwhile, has decided to join other social media platforms and ban Alex Jones and InfoWars.

A gunman opened fire from a loading dock in downtown Cincinnati Thursday morning killing three and injuring others.  The gunman then entered a bank and was shot dead by police.

He's been identified as Omar Enrique Santa Perez, age 29.  Police have no motive so far.

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh faced a barrage of questions Thursday before the Senate Judicary Committee.

Democrats probed his views on abortion, same sex marriage and matters related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Kavanaugh answered regarding Mueller that while's he acquainted with him, he hasn't spoken to Mr, Mueller in years.

Actor Burt Reynolds died of a heart attack Thursday in Florida.  He was 82.  Reynolds acted in television and movies.   He's remembered for films like "Deliverance", "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Cannonball Run"..

Reynolds also gained notoriety in the early 1970's when he posed like a Playboy centerfold for the women's magazine "Cosmopolitan".