There are 38,000 U.S. troops and personnel stationed in Germany, and cutting forces there would face opposition on Capitol Hill.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced his Cabinet is moving toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, a key prerequisite being Hamas's dissolution of its Gaza governing body. This follows similar moves by Spain, Ireland, and Norway, amid growing European support driven by the Gaza war.
A woman, identified as Racicot, has accused Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault, detailing an incident in late 2021 where she claims he forced himself on her. Platner has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them false and coordinated. Racicot stated she felt compelled to come forward due to the controversy surrounding another accuser, Lyndsey Fifield.
The European Commission's attempt to advance Serbia's EU membership application by opening a new "cluster" of accession negotiations is facing significant opposition from member states, particularly the Netherlands, due to concerns over Serbia's democratic and judicial reforms and human rights record.
Germany's draft budget for 2027 allocates 20% of federal spending to defense, aiming to meet NATO targets and respond to security concerns. Chancellor Merz defends the rearmament drive against criticism, while Finance Minister Klingbeil acknowledges domestic policy challenges.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated he doesn't know what it will take to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace with Ukraine. Rutte noted Putin's refusal to engage despite Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's willingness, highlighting recent Russian attacks and Putin's high casualty tolerance.
Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's Omsk oil refinery, its largest, damaging a primary oil processing unit. The strike, confirmed by Ukrainian intelligence and the refinery's governor, marks the farthest drone penetration into Russian territory since the war began.
