Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey sign a mutual defence agreement in Mecca
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, stating that an attack on one would be an attack on all three.
Diplomacy
Syria says it caught the Damascus bombers as a US team arrives in Lebanon
One person had been killed and 36 injured in the blasts, and the Financial Times reported a Central Command delegation in Beirut.
China sanctions a Philippine defence chief as a new Detroit bridge opening slips
Beijing barred Gilbert Teodoro and his family, and the Gordie Howe bridge opening was delayed amid trade tensions.
Putin rejects a meeting with Zelensky as strikes hit ships and a Romanian port
The Russian president said he saw no point in a face-to-face talk, while a Ukrainian drone attack killed Azerbaijani sailors and a surface vessel exploded in Constanta.
Iran talks move through Beijing and Doha as oil eases
Pakistani leaders carried mediation to Beijing and a delegation reached Doha, while oil prices fell on hopes of a ceasefire.
Gulf allies ask Trump to hold off on planned Iran strikes
Pakistan relayed a revised Iranian proposal as Donald Trump postponed strikes and oil prices climbed on fears of a longer war.