President Donald Trump opened the NATO summit in Ankara by renewing pressure on allies to move quickly toward a 5% defense spending target. The meeting will also focus on Ukraine, Europe’s military capabilities and strains over U.S. troop reductions and Iran.
News Mash
French President Emmanuel Macron was unharmed after two explosive devices detonated near the Damascus hotel where he had stayed. The blasts occurred during his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with state media reports differing on the number wounded.
Two explosive devices went off in central Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, wounding at least 18 people. Macron was not hurt, and his office said the visit continued as planned.
A Paris appeal court is set to decide whether Marine Le Pen’s embezzlement conviction and five-year public-office ban will stand. The ruling could determine whether she or Jordan Bardella leads National Rally into France’s 2027 presidential race.
A court in Jiangsu province sentenced former Nanjing official Yang Youlin to death for taking more than 2.2 billion yuan in bribes over 30 years. He was also convicted of embezzlement, abuse of power and money laundering.
A tanker caught fire after being struck by a projectile near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, the British military said. Iran’s state TV said the vessel ignored warnings, but Tehran did not directly claim the attack.
Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed at least 3,535 people, injured 16,740 and left 17,854 without housing. Vigils, body recovery efforts and warnings of a widening health crisis are unfolding as families continue searching for the missing.
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in Seattle, ending the Americans’ World Cup run in the Round of 16. The match followed FIFA’s decision to delay Folarin Balogun’s suspension, allowing the U.S. striker to play.