Ukraine Hits Russia's Largest Oil Refinery

Ukrainian forces hit the Omsk Oil Refinery 2,700 kilometers from the border, damaging critical units at Russia's largest fuel facility.

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Macron just landed in Damascus — first Western head of state to visit post-Assad Syria.

He’s there with a delegation of French business leaders to discuss reconstruction and trade with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he told Trump that U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red card case would be handled by FIFA's independent judicial bodies, not by political intervention.

"There was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies."

Infantino added:

"That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold."

Macron arrived in Damascus, still wearing his sunglasses, and was welcomed by Syria's foreign minister.

BIG: Netanyahu asked Trump to block U.S. arms sales to Türkiye that would upgrade Türkiye's air force.

Source: Barak Ravid, N12

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil:

Trump's irresponsible Iran war cut in half the economic recovery we had expected for this year.

This war is costing Germany money.

WEF founder Klaus Schwab says he found a hidden listening device in his home office and has filed a criminal complaint with authorities in Geneva.

Source: Bloomberg

Trump:

If Belgium beat us, then they can be really proud.

The other way—if they beat us—I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.

Marco Rubio on Balogun's red card:

I think it was the right decision to reverse it.

And if you're Belgian, why would you want to play a game and win a match, and then you win this match and then everyone will argue you didn't really win it because their best, their leading scorer, was not on the pitch during the match?

I mean, if you're playing, you want the other side to be at its best so that your victory is not tainted in that way. So, I think it was the right decision.

Marco Rubio on Balogun's red card:

So, look, it may be turning into an international incident. I don't know.

Maybe we'll bring it up at NATO tomorrow where we're with the Belgians and everybody else.

But I just hope the match will go on, everyone will be at full strength, and the winner will be the winner.

U.S. official to Axios:

Bibi made a bunch of promises about the Iran war that didn't come to pass.

But what can we do? He'll come. He'll make his promises and then we'll have to check everything out.

During a phone call, Netanyahu urged Trump to "rein in" President Erdogan.

Source: Axios

French President Macron joins Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for an official dinner during his visit to Damascus.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Syria is in the process of signing a contract to order eight Airbus aircraft, and I believe they will be delivered soon.

Source: BFMTV

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

At present, we are working to establish a program to rebuild and modernize the country's institutions.

Last year, we signed several contracts in the energy sector to produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity and to rebuild power plants.

Source: BFMTV

Trump:

Great news! I have just been informed that one of the biggest, best, and smartest Retailers in America, Walmart, will be lowering prices, by a lot, at my Administration's request to celebrate our great Country's 250th birthday.

Walmart will, in particular, be dropping the price for a pound of ground beef by almost 15%, among many other products. This is a huge deal for the many millions of Americans who, smartly, shop at Walmart, which is a truly patriotic Company who loves the U.S.A.

My Administration is lowering prices that Joe Biden incompetently raised with the worst inflation crisis in history, a total disaster along with the Southern Border, the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, and many other failures.

Just as I promised, Oil Prices are plummeting FAST, and Gas Prices at the pump are dropping too, just like egg and Prescription Drug prices which I am bringing down by historic levels.

Walmart is stepping up in a big and bold way, and other Retailers should follow the lead of these absolute Patriots. Together, we will make America stronger and greater than ever before!

Russian media report that a Ukrainian missile strike hit energy infrastructure in Belgorod, Russia, causing power outages in parts of the city.

Zelensky said Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign is designed to bring the war closer to Russia's leadership, arguing that sustained strikes on Moscow would force Putin to "feel it personally."

"Once he begins to feel it personally... you will see advisers urging him to relocate somewhere beyond the Urals."

He concluded:

"The farther Putin is from Moscow, the closer the end of the war will be."

Source: FT

Zelensky to FT:

Without nuclear weapons, you are no longer part of the club that others fear attacking.

Instead, you become part of the club that can be attacked.

Iran resumed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, firing at least two missiles at commercial ships Monday night, according to two U.S. officials.

Two vessels were damaged but no injuries were reported.

Source: Axios

Trump departed the U.S. en route to the NATO summit in Ankara.