Explosions rock Damascus as French President meets with Syrian counterpart

In Damascus, a second explosion in a few days shook the capital, casting a shadow over the new Syrian president's first meeting with a western leader since the ousting of Bashar Assad. French President Emmanuel Macron was inside the presidential palace during the blast but was reported safe, and the meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa continued as planned. These incidents highlight the ongoing instability in the region, even as efforts to establish a new political order continue. The security breach underscores the challenges the new Syrian leadership faces in stabilizing the nation.