Independent · Printed Daily · Est. 2026

The Daily Dispatch

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Explosions rock Damascus as Macron visits Syria, 18 wounded

Two bombs, planted in a car and a garbage can near the Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had stayed overnight, detonated while security forces tried to defuse them, wounding 18 people including four police officers. Macron, the first Western leader to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, was already at the Presidential Palace and unharmed; Syrian authorities said the blasts were outside his security perimeter and posed no direct threat. No group has claimed responsibility.

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Trump arrives at NATO summit in Ankara as Iran rift looms over talks

President Trump arrived at the NATO summit in Ankara frustrated with allies, including Spain, who declined to grant U.S. forces base access or overflight rights during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, or who publicly criticized the strikes. The two-day summit is expected to focus on defense spending, Ukraine and NATO's Russia strategy, but Trump is pressing allies on burden-sharing beyond Europe.

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China launches rare submarine ballistic missile ahead of NATO summit

China test-fired a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific, a rare show of sea-based nuclear capability, as Pacific allies strengthen defense ties in the run-up to the NATO summit in Ankara.

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