Trump defended a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and declined to rule out payments for Jan. 6 defendants charged with assaulting police. He also claimed without evidence that California elections were rigged as votes continued to be counted.
News Mash
Nigeria’s military says it freed 360 people abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State, while local mediators say they secured the unconditional release of 416. Authorities said two infants died from exhaustion and harsh conditions during captivity.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for vast crowds in Madrid and led a Corpus Domini procession over floral carpets made from more than 30,000 flowers. He called Spain’s devotional traditions a “school of faith” and urged unity during his first visit to the country.
Armenians voted in a parliamentary election seen as a test of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s push toward Europe and away from deeper dependence on Russia. The campaign has been shaped by tensions with Moscow, peace efforts with Azerbaijan and allegations against a pro-Russia opposition party.
Ukraine said a Russian drone damaged a spent nuclear fuel facility near Chornobyl, with no injuries and radiation levels stable. The attack came ahead of London talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the UK, France and Germany.
Simone Biles said on Instagram that she experienced a health scare this week that made her feel she had “almost” died. The seven-time Olympic champion did not disclose what happened but said she has been resting and may explain later.
A Palestinian citizen of Israel killed one man and wounded five others in shootings across several central Israeli communities before police killed him, authorities said. Police searched for additional suspects, and reports differed on whether a second suspect was arrested or killed.