Explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, wounding at least 18 people. Macron is safe, and the meeting continued. This visit marks a significant moment for al-Sharaa's government.
Explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, wounding at least four people. Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the presidential palace when the blasts happened. This is the first major Western leader visit since al-Sharaa took power.
An EU official revealed that a member of European Council President António Costa’s cabinet contacted the Kremlin to open a communication channel, a move that deviates from the EU's policy of limited direct engagement with Russia since the Ukraine invasion. The outreach was brief and not substantive, but aimed to defend EU interests.
A Spanish judge has opened a separate investigation into the origin of jewels found in the office of former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. A preliminary appraisal values the jewels at over 1.3 million euros, with some necklaces being the most valuable pieces.
Taiwan's Presidential Office announced nominees for the 7th Control Yuan, with medical elder Chen Yung-hsing nominated as President and Wang Rong-chang as Vice President. Legislator Chen Chao-tzu stated the party will review nominees' past actions and political leanings.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly submitted a resignation letter to the Supreme Leader, citing exclusion from decision-making by hard-line factions within the IRGC. An official from the president's office dismissed the reports as baseless and wishful thinking.
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko claims Head of President's Office Andriy Yermak has ties to Russia, citing travel by Yermak's parents to Russia. Honcharenko stated Yermak's father flew to St. Petersburg on Nov 2, 2019, and his mother visited Russia three times in 2018-2019.
