- Saudi Arabia says Iran-backed Houthi rebels tried to attack Mecca — calling the holy city a "red line" — a claim the Houthis deny and that Riyadh says it intercepted.
- Houthi assaults have reportedly shut a key Saudi oil pipeline and helped push prices above $100 a barrel, raising concerns about supply and shipping security.
- A new Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact has not been activated — Ankara and Islamabad say they haven’t received any Saudi request for military support.
The news, distilled into what matters.
- EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will invite top frontier AI labs to talks on how to curb AI risks.
- An Anthropic researcher resigned, accusing Anthropic and OpenAI of recklessly racing toward self‑improving superintelligence.
- The EU has adopted landmark AI rules and is proposing a social‑media ban for under‑15s to protect children.
- Hong Kong's new five-year plan promises 196,000 public housing units and fast-tracks the Northern Metropolis to ease the housing crunch and create jobs.
- The city aims to cement its financial hub role — launching a gold central clearing system by 2027, rolling out CBDC settlement this year, and boosting offshore renminbi and dual listings.
- Emphasis on deeper tech ties with the mainland (AI, robotics, microelectronics) and family-friendly measures — extended baby bonuses, child allowances and more childcare centers.
- Brewers clinched their fourth straight NL Central after a 5-1 win over the Pirates and a late Cubs loss — players celebrated watching the other game on TV.
- Rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski struck out seven in five shutout innings, topping 100 mph on many pitches and cementing his Cy Young–caliber season (1.89 ERA, 243 K).
- Milwaukee has reached the postseason 8 of the last 9 years but is still chasing the franchise's first World Series appearance since 1982.
- Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is expected to make his first public appearance in over a year at an ICC pretrial hearing in The Hague after judges ruled he’s fit to attend despite earlier medical absences.
- He faces crimes-against-humanity charges over his “war on drugs,” with contested death tolls cited between about 6,000 (police) and up to 30,000 (human-rights groups).
- The case has fueled wider turmoil: the Philippines tried to withdraw from the ICC, a former police chief wanted on an arrest warrant remains on the run, and Duterte’s daughter, VP Sara Duterte, is facing an impeachment trial.
- Pete Alonso launched his 300th career homer — a 414-foot solo shot to tie the game in the 9th at Citi Field, drawing a curtain call and chants from the crowd.
- Coby Mayo finished it in the 11th with a dramatic inside-the-park, three-run homer (the ball glanced off the center fielder), giving the Orioles a 7-5 win.
- The Mets dropped their third straight (clinching a losing season), and fans even chanted “Fire Stearns” amid the late-game drama.
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