President Trump’s arrival in Ankara kicks off another potentially tense meeting for NATO.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

Source: NPR.

Heat waves are becoming more common and intense as a result of climate change — and roads are suffering as a result. Are the nation’s roads up to meeting the challenge of a warmer, wetter future?

(Image credit: Mark Felix)

Source: NPR.

Descendants of Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger Taney spoke about reconciliation at a church in the shadow of the Supreme Court last week as the high court wrestled with race and who can be an American.

(Image credit: Carrie Johnson)

Source: NPR.

The French president’s office said that Macron was safe and that his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa would continue as scheduled.

(Image credit: Ghaith Alsayed)

Source: NPR.

Big Tech is investing in fashion’s cultural legitimacy to make AI smart glasses socially acceptable, but consumers view them as synonymous with surveillance. Is removing the camera the key to adoption?

Source: Vogue

Graham Platner faces calls to end his Senate bid after sexual assault allegation, NATO summit begins in Turkey, U.S. men’s run at the World Cup ends with loss to Belgium.

Source: NPR.

The death toll in Sri Lanka’s prison clash has risen to 26, including seven prison officials and 19 inmates

Source: ABC News

As reports of the blasts came in, state television said the Syrian president had welcomed Macron at the presidential palace.

Source: BBC.

“She felt that it was not her brand.”

---

View Entire Post ›

Source BuzzFeed.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday as France’s president met with his Syrian counterpart in a landmark visit, wounding at least 18 people, Syria’s Interior Ministry said.

Emmanuel Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media report that the French president is staying.

An Elysee official said Macron was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing. He is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power and his visit comes before he heads to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Macron’s whereabouts and security.

But the explosions are a blow for al-Sharaa, who came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted Bashar Assad in 2024.

He has since pushed to assert full control and bring stability in war-torn Syria, appeal to minorities skeptical of his Islamist-led rule, and win the support of Western governments who were skeptical of his past as leader of the formerly al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.

Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country Monday night with an economic delegation, and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as the battered country tries to lure investors to help it rebuild after 14 years of war.

The Interior Ministry in a statement reported by Syrian state media said that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices, one placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. It added that four of the wounded were police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported. An investigation is currently taking place at the scene of the attack.

A large plume of smoke could be seen from the site. The area is on a busy street in Damascus and is near the headquarters of the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum.

Footage widely circulated on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the street.

No group immediately claimed responsibility.

The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.

While Syria’s new rulers have wrestled with violence involving different groups in the country as they work to assert control, the capital has largely been peaceful during the turbulent period.

The conflict in Syria killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions. Syria’s infrastructure lies in ruins, and while other nations and businesses have made large investment pledges, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and lift millions out of poverty.

Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron met with members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not give details on who.

The post Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 18, as French President Macron visits Syria appeared first on MS NOW.

From MS Now.

Nipsey Hussle’s children finally received their cut of the late rapper’s estate … TMZ has learned. Per court docs obtained by TMZ, Nipsey’s children, 17-year-old Emani and 9-year-old Kross, have been paid out in cash and other assets. The…

From TMZ.

Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland and Matt Damon were among the stars who walked the carpet in London for the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Ancient Greek epic.

Source: BBC.