Asia Mongolia A 40-metre replica of Japan’s historic Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions was donated to Mongolia by a Japanese collector; The replica, depicting the Yuan dynasty’s invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281, will be housed at the Kharakhorum Museum
Europe Vatican City Commenting on the NATO members' approval of military expenditure to 5% of GDP, Pope Leo XIV lamented the rise of blunt power over the rules of international law and said the decision is 'unworthy and shameful for humanity and for the leaders of nations'
Oceania Tonga The Tongan Government is refusing to pay a USD$1 million ransom demanded by hackers who have seized control of the National Health Information System for nearly two weeks
Asia Brunei With approximately 72% of its land currently under forest cover, Brunei committed to gazetting at least 55% of its land area as forest reserves in front of international authorities at the EU-Brunei Darussalam Partnership Facility, Berakas Forest Reserve
Asia Yemen Sites have been handed out by local authority in Sana'a province for a solar power system installation that will operate water wells; the land is now ready for the implementing party
Asia Laos FAO and IUCN launched a $42 million GEF-funded initiative to protect primary forests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific; It supports Laos, PNG and Thailand, aims to manage 3,2M ha, restore 8,5k ha, cut 34M t CO₂, and benefit around 20.000 people
Africa Central African Republic At least 29 high school students have been killed and 250 injured in a stampede at a high school in Bangui as an electrical explosion triggered by returning power after a failure brought panic among the 5.000 students sitting their final exams
Europe Switzerland Food labels in Switzerland will have to disclose if products of animal origin involve painful practices starting 1 July; the new rule has been decided at federal level with a series of ordinances requiring the labelling of meat, eggs and foie gras
Europe Italy Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez 3-days VIPs-clad wedding in Venice, 'private glamour event of the year' said press, ended with a party in Arsenale; about 1.000 people, mostly groups of activists, demonstrated against Amazon founder on taxation grounds
America Guyana The Single Electronic Identification System has been launched, despite delays, to enhance border control and migrant management, ensuring all citizens and residents receive biometric E-ID cards linked to nationwide surveillance and digital services
America Guatemala Denying a new asylum deal was signed with the U.S., Guatemala clarified that only a joint security agreement was inked and no new immigration accords have been established beyond previous arrangements
America Mexico President Sheinbaum demanded evidence for the sanctions imposed by the US on three Mexico's financial institutions for alleged cartel-related money laundering; the government is taking temporary control of two banks to protect creditors
Europe Hungary Tens of thousands marched in opposition-run Budapest for 30th edition of the 'Pride', defying new law by PM Orban's ruling coalition banning the parade with fines for participants and arrest for organizers: a direct challenge to the nationalist government
Asia Bangladesh A coalition of parties and organisations under the banner of 'Anti-Imperialist Patriotic People' has begun a road march from Dhaka to Chattogram to protest foreign control of ports and other issues centred on national sovereignty and anti-imperialism