Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani front-runners for top diplomat spot

Fires contained elsewhere in the country; eight countries sending planes to combat blazes, Palestinians dispatching crew

Despite what may be an unprecedented wave of fires, and widespread allegations of arson, no lives have been lost as of Thursday night — in contrast to 2010

Blast at gas station targeted Shiite pilgrims, many of them Iranians

No reports of damage or injuries; authorities issue tsunami alert; one hour earlier powerful hurricane hit coast

From the Arab town of Kfar Qassem in the north to Arad in the Negev, offers come in to host the evacuees, pets too

Netanyahu says fire attacks attacks are ‘terrorism,’ promises harsh steps for those behind the series of wildfires